Author and Norfolk State alum captures the HBCU experience in his new book “Homecoming Weekend”

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As an Essence Magazine #1 bestselling author and national award-winning journalist, 1983 Norfolk State University graduate Curtis Bunn has effortlessly developed the ability to build genuine stories that expose real-life thinking and desires of men – as shown in his 2001 bestselling debut novel Baggage Check.

Now, he’s back with a humorous and engrossing journey to a two-day university homecoming at a historically black college/university (HBCU) in HOMECOMING WEEKEND (Strebor; September 4, 2012) where reminiscing partying, sex, identity-seeking, romance, laughter, and even tears are about to ensue.

There is nothing quite like the fall tradition of the annual homecoming weekend on an HBCU campus. A massive family reunion of sorts, the annual experience is a universally sentimental event where alumni can come relive their glory days at games and step shows, check up on old crushes and friends, and check out everybody’s new looks and lists of accomplishments. In HOMECOMING WEEKEND, five friends return to Curtis Bunn’s real-life alma mater, Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA with specific goals: reconnecting with old love interests, bragging about successes, making business contacts, and finding sexual partners. Read More 

Possible Tuberculosis case probed at Elizabeth City State University

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Local health and university officials are responding to an apparent case of pulmonary tuberculosis at Elizabeth City State University but are being mum about the details.

An ECSU employee apparently has been diagnosed with the highly infectious disease, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is caused by bacteria, spread through the air and attacks the lungs. If not treated properly, tuberculosis can be fatal, the CDC website states.

Kesha Williams, a spokeswoman for ECSU, referred Monday to a statement released by Albemarle Regional Health Services that states the health agency and the university have concluded an investigation into a “possible TB case.”

Jerry Parks, director of ARHS, said his agency has a plan to deal with communicable diseases but he offered few details about the reported TB case at ECSU.

“Rest assured ARHS is well versed in addressing communicable disease investigation and works (in this area) on a routine basis,” he said in an e-mail response to questions.

Parks referred further questions to Jill Jordan, ARHS’ public information officer, who said that because of privacy issues the agency could not release any information about specific cases of disease.

Like Parks, Jordan stressed that ARHS officials fully investigate cases of reported communicable disease and then take measures to ensure “proper diagnosis, treatment and prevention … to those exposed, or potentially exposed.” The agency also works with state officials and local medical providers to ensure “proper control measures (are taken) to reduce the spread of communicable disease,” she said.

Jordan referred other questions to ECSU.

Cases of tuberculosis in Pasquotank County are rare. State data shows that between 2006 and 2010, there was only one reported case every year — except in 2009, when there were no reported cases.

The incidence of the disease nationally is also falling. The CDC estimates the number of TB cases in the U.S. fell from 25,107 in 1993 to 11,182 in 2010 and 10,521 last year. Read More

Joint council of land-grant universities and USDA meet at Tuskegee

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Tuskegee University hosted the USDA/1890 Task Force meeting, Sunday and Monday, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Tuskegee University. The task force is a partnership between the United States Department of Agriculture and 1890 land-grant universities; Tuskegee is one of 18 such institutions established by the second Morrill Act of 1890. Gilbert L. Rochon, Tuskegee University president is the co-chair of the task force and chair of the Council of 1890 Universities.

According to Walter A. Hill, dean of the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Science, programs associated with the task force have previously provided grants and scholarship funding for the university and its students, respectively. He said today’s meeting focused on the 2012 Farm Bill, strengthening ongoing collaborations and addressing new challenges and opportunities.

“It’s crucial now, given the fiscal constraints that exist, that we diversify our portfolio and attempt to drill down on the wide array of agencies within USDA,” Rochon said. “At the same time, move toward a more horizontal integration of 1890 universities with other federal agencies.” Read More 

Texas Southern Earns Top Ranking as “Degree Producer” Among African American & Hispanic Students

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In two recent separately released reports, one by the Texas Higher Education Journal and one by Diverse Issues In Higher Education, Texas Southern University was recognized as a leading producer of bachelor’s and graduate degrees among African-American and Hispanic students.

The Texas Higher Education Journal reported that in Texas, TSU ranked first with 87 percent e African-American graduation rated followed by Prairie View with 82 percent, University of Houston-Downtown, 24 percent, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, 23 percent and Lamar University, 23 percent.

In the Diverse Issues in Higher Education survey, Texas Southern ranked fourth out of 100 (4th out of 100) in African-American conferred doctoral degrees. In 2010-2011, TSU had 125 African-American graduates which was 46 percent of the total graduating class. Howard University ranked first with 316 African-American graduates or 73 percent of its total graduates.

“Our mission at Texas Southern University is to become a premier university of urban programming,” saidDr. John Rudley, Texas Southern President. “Our rankings in these two recent studies indicate that we are on the right path of achieving this mission. With continued determination and perseverance we will improve our rankings by increasing our retention and graduation rates.”

TSU also ranked 23rd out of 94 with 46 Hispanics earning doctoral degrees which was 17 percent of the total graduating class. In bachelor degrees conferred, TSU ranked 31st in the top 100 of produced African-American bachelor’s degree – all disciplines combined. TSU had 669 African-American graduates which were 87 percent of the graduating class. University of Phoenix ranked first with 3,124 African-American graduates which was 14 percent of its total graduating class.

Dr. Rasoul Saneifard, Texas Southern Chair, Faculty Senate/Assembly, stated, “It is exciting news to know that Texas Southern has been highly ranked as a top producer of undergraduate and graduate degrees for African-American and Hispanic students. Congratulations are due to each and every faculty member for their dedication and diligence in teaching, advising, and graduating our students.”

In total, minority professional doctoral degrees conferred, TSU ranked 16th with 225 total graduates, 83 percent being minorities.

TSU New Director of Student Activities Well Versed in Multicultural Affairs, Greek Life

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The University has hired a new Director of Student Activities. He is Dr. Jame’l R. Hodges, who comes to TSU with a wide range of experience in various areas of student affairs.

With a diverse expertise and experience in Greek Life, admissions, service learning and leadership, Dr. Hodges says he is excited about serving at TSU.

“My expectations are to learn, educate, and work toward making a difference in the lives of our students,” says Hodges. “I am passionate about working with our student clubs and organizations in enhancing the collaboration between student affairs and academic affairs.”

Before coming to TSU, he worked with the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities as staff associate in the Office for Access and the Advancement of Public Black Universities in Washington, D.C.

Prior to that, Dr. Hodges was director of Multicultural Affairs in the Office of Student Affairs at Lehigh University, and the coordinator of Residential Education and Leadership, and coordinator of Greek Life and Education  at California State Polytechnic University. He also served as Greek Life advisor and Student Affairs counselor at the University of Georgia.

Hodges holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California; a master’s degree also in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University; and a bachelor’s degree in English and Mass Communication from Virginia State University. Read More 

Ala’Torya Cranford, Paine College To Serve On UNCF National Alumni Council Board of Directors

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Ala’Torya Cranford, ’09 was chosen to serve as a member of the 2012-2013 United Negro College Fund (UNCF) National Alumni Council Board of Directors. She holds the title of Assistant Southeast Regional Representative. As the Assistant Southeast Regional Representative, she will be responsible for working with 30 of the 38 UNCF member institutions. Cranford will also attend the annual NAC conferences and assist with increasing National Alumni Association involvement.

Cranford currently serves as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Paine College. She is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive alumni program including electronic communications, an on-line community, events (both on campus and regional), and programs to bring alumni together with current students as well as preparing students to develop into supportive and involved alumni through the Paine College Pre-Alumni Council.

“I’ve worked with Pre- Alumni students during the NAC/UNCF leadership conferences for the past two years. It’s a privilege to be trusted to be a part of the UNCF/NAC Board. God is blessing me and I plan to do my best as I represent my alma mater,” Cranford said.

The National Alumni Council is an affiliate of the United Negro College Fund, Inc. founded in 1946, to foster, influence and safeguard the existence and strength of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. UNCF provides operating funds for 38 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships and internships for students at about 900 institutions and faculty and administrative professional training.

For more than 67 years, UNCF has raised more than $3.3 billion to help more than 400,000 students attend college and graduate from college. UNCF has distributed more funds to help minorities attend school than any entity outside of the U.S. government. Read More

Leaders without a Title: What Can Be Learned From Morris Brown College

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Losing its accreditation and federal funding in 2002 and suffering from mismanagement of the school’s finances, Morris Brown College (Georgia) is at the place where the road stops—a domino effect that has the well-known institution on the brink of foreclosure.

Founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1881, the private, Liberal Arts College is more than $30 million in debt. Reporting, The Huffington Post told how supporters and alumni of the school joined together on campus for a prayer vigil, hoping to see the day when the highly acclaimed college strengthens and is revitalized.

Yet Morris Brown, an institution who has historically served underserved persons, is not alone in the battle of mismanagement and allegations.

Wilberforce University (Ohio), Fisk University (Tennessee), Knoxville College (Tennessee), and several other historically black colleges and universities similarly face years of financial trouble, large debt problems, allegations woes and ailments, and declining enrollment. Giving such information and realities, blemishes and faults of HBCUs today demonstrate how these institutions are in dire need of transformation.

Considering truths, students, alumni, supporters and alike alarmed about the matter quickly request, “What can be done to fix the problem?” Frankly, the way out is cleverly hidden within ourselves.

Many individuals are doing little to prevent road blocks abrupt as Morris Brown’s from arising at their HBCU. What is more, if the institution’s troubles have the pleasure of not being visible, persons are doing less to help serve and aid their HBCU.

I recall, standing in line at Taco Bell days ago, students complaining about Central State University, comparing it to Wright State University, a much larger school about fifth teen minutes away. One student advocated how Wright State is better than his own university, further proving the belief on the yard that Central State is mediocre, for Wright State has a better food market (among other praises by the student).

Though the student’s testimonial perhaps is right—Wright State’s food market is overwhelming when compared to ours—his proposition does nothing but hinder the opportunities that tolerantly rest beneath his very grounds.

Seeing the situation of Morris Brown and other famed Black colleges, I note that HBCUs are not only in dire need of renovation, they are equally in desperate need of leaders, young men and women who would look adversity in the eye knowing that prosperity and riches lie ahead.

Lost in thought on how to fix our HBCUs’ problems, we should remember to look no farther than our own backyard in place of answers, for the simple reason that change begin with us.

Tips from a Christian Athlete – Kesi Hess

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Kesi Hess is the Vice-President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is involved in My Sister’s Keeper Inc. She also pays On Tennessee State University’s basketball team as a senior. She has been known as an electrifying scorer that is a deadly three point shooter. She is from Columbus, OH and majors in accounting.

When I interviewed her, she talked about the importance of hanging with people who have a lot of ambition because it pays off. Many people enter college and hang with people that strangle their drive and it has negative dividends. Which plays into the theme from 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB), “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

She discussed her favorite scripture, Galatians 6:9 (NASB), “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” This scripture depicts the Christian walk in a nut-shell. It can become easy to lose compassion for doing the right things but, this tells us that if we continue to do the right things we will see the benefits. It may seem like benefits in our life take forever to occur but this scripture gives hope in a hopeless world.

Kesi is a very busy college student, since she is a student athlete, so we talked about how to properly manage one’s time in college. She quickly said, “I just do it, Robert.” She makes sure that she completes her work early, so she leaves no room for procrastination. Procrastination is a disease that cripples the vitality and vigor of many college students around the world.

I asked Ms. Hess what her favorite book was and she said the bible. She irrevocably stands as great Christian Athlete leader on her campus and will be someone who makes a difference in our unmoral and unethical world. Last night, President Barrack Obama spoke elegantly in his speech, he said, “We don’t turn back. We leave no one behind. We pull each other up!” Kesi lives up to the centrality of Obama’s statement in his speech.

Despite late start, Dillard Men wore suits on first day of class

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NEW ORLEANS – Hurricane Isaac forced Dillard University to cancel classes for a week but that didn’t stop men from starting a new tradition of wearing suits on the first day of class.

About a week before Hurricane Isaac arrived in New Orleans last Tuesday night, Student Government Association’s Mister Dillard 2012-2013 Jerome Bailey challenged all Dillard men to wear suits on the first day of school. Recognizing the possibility that every man at Dillard wouldn’t own a suit, Bailey produced a video that acknowledged other outfit possibilities of men wearing a shirt and tie or polo, and khaki pants. Classes resumed last Tuesday after Labor Day.

“I’m trying to elevate the standard for the appearance and image of Dillard men. I don’t want to change the way they dress.” said Bailey.

 

Many of Dillard’s faculty and staff were aware and exited about this call to action of Dillard Men. The university President Dr. Walter Kimbrough publically supported the event through his twitter account.

Albany State Thrown Off by Wingate

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In practice this week, Albany State football Coach Mike White said to expect a “bombs away” style of passing attack from Wingate University. After Saturday’s game, the Golden Rams players may be taking cover for a different reason.

Coming off a solid win against North Greenville, the Golden Rams were bombarded by Wingate University 37-9. Bulldogs quarterback Robbie Nallenweg threw for four touchdowns and 292 yards as Albany State trailed early and never got in the fight.

The Golden Rams didn’t score points until Zachery Holley kicked a 26-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the first half. ASU quarterback David Kooi connected with receiver Jessie Atkins on a 62-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

The Mitchell County native’s touchdown was a lone bright spot in a rough game.

With the touchdown, ASU cut the Bulldogs lead to 28-9, but that was as close as the Rams would get. Kooi completed only 36% of his passes throwing for 234 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Atkins picked up most of the transfer QB’s passing total going for 144 yards on six receptions. read more…

Zimbabwean-born businessman commits $6.4 million to send African students to Morehouse College

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For 17-year-old Abel Gumbo, things couldn’t be better. Only a few months ago he was among more than a thousand students at a high school in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. Today he is rubbing shoulders with future leaders at Atlanta’s Morehouse College.

Gumbo is one of 10 students from Africa who have been awarded full ride scholarships to Morehouse, beginning this fall. Everything is being paid for by billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe’s richest man, according to the 2011 Forbes list.

The telecom tycoon has committed $6.4 million in scholarship dollars to send 40 African freshmen to Morehouse over a four-year period. This year’s intake comprises of two teenagers from Burundi and eight from Zimbabwe.

“It’s been an experience,” said Gumbo, who is studying for an undergraduate computer science degree. “I have left everything behind to gain an education in America.  Computer science is technologically more advanced in the States and I am learning a lot about people from different cultures.”

“All international students are housed in the W.E.B. Du Bois International House, where they are placed with a domestic roommate,” said Gwen Wade, Director of International Student Services and Study Abroad Programs at Morehouse College.

“This helps them to transition to life in the U.S., and the cross-cultural communication enables international students to become more involved and aware of U.S. customs, such as food, music and dress.”

“My life has been transformed,” said Prince Abudu, 17, from Zimbabwe, who is also studying computer science. “Morehouse has taught me the spirit of brotherhood and to strive for success.”

The 10 students, who arrived in Atlanta in last month, are the first class of the newly-established Ambassador Andrew Young International Scholars program. The international scholarships were set up by Capernaum Trust, the education arm of Masiyiwa’s Higher Life Foundation.

Higher Life advertised for students throughout Zimbabwe, Burundi and South Africa to fill the highly competitive 10 scholarship slots. More than 500 of the brightest students from across the region applied.

A team from Morehouse flew to Zimbabwe to interview 20 finalists in June. Ten were selected and the others received scholarships to a South African university. The winners were chosen on the basis of their high SAT scores, grueling face-to-face interviews and a written essay.

Indeed, Masiyiwa has high hopes for the recipients of the scholarship. His vision is to develop young talent to become future leaders who will return to work in their native countries.

“My dream is to become an ethical leader,” said Abudu. “I want to be a morally conscious person, who can develop my country through entrepreneurship and business.”

Both boys are from modest backgrounds. Gumbo became an orphan at 10 years old and Abudu is from a single parent household, where his mother struggles to keep the family afloat since his father died in 2004. What makes them stand out is they are driven and academically talented. read more…

Former President of Bennett College on the upcoming election

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PAUL JAY, SENIOR EDITOR, TRNN: Welcome to The Real News Network. I’m Paul Jay in Baltimore.

As the American presidential elections heat up as we get closer to September, President Obama clearly leads amongst African Americans in polling, but he needs African Americans to actually go to the polls, not just answer phone calls about how they’re going to vote. The question is: has he done enough for African Americans and not just African Americans? Has his administration fulfilled enough of the promises he made to poor people, working people across the country, enough that they will actually go and vote?Now joining us to talk about all of this is Julianne Malveaux. She’s former president of Bennett College for women. She’s an economist, an author, and a commentator, and her latest book is Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History. Thanks for joining us, Julianne.DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX, ECONOMIST, PRESIDENT EMERITA OF BENNETT COLLEGE FOR WOMEN: Good to be with you [unintel.]

JAY: And I should say Julianne’s joining us from Washington. So what do you make of my question? You know, it’s easy enough, when somebody phones you, to say, who do you like, who are you going to vote for, who has likability. But that’s not the same thing as being inspired enough to actually go down and vote. How do you think this might play out?

MALVEAUX: Oh, I think in the next two months the Obama challenge is really to mobilize the base. There are a lot of people who were very excited in 2008 because, of course, 2008 was history. We need people to get out in the same numbers.And there are a lot of people who are somewhat discouraged. They didn’t, in their minds, get enough. But we have to remember President Obama inherited—in other words, he inherited an economy that was going [downhill], and to the best of his ability, he shored it up. But for two years he was able, with a Democratic Congress and Senate, to do some things. And in the last two years he’s really had major Republican opposition. Mitt Romney has said that the president doesn’t know how to create jobs. But he has a JOBS Act that’s sitting on the table that the Republicans just won’t move.However, those nuances don’t mean very much to someone who doesn’t have a job, to college graduates who can’t find jobs. And so, basically, the base has to be mobilized both by talking about what President Obama has done—and I think he’s not done enough of that, his team has not done enough to talk about accomplishments. But also, although it’s a little bit negative, we have to remind people of what the alternatives are. I mean, Romney–Ryan is not an alternative to Obama unless you want to give up an awful lot. read more…

HBCU Football Poll

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1.  Bethune-Cookman Wildcats—-(2-0)—-(8)—106—1—-(Beat S. C. State Bulldogs,(27-14), at-Miami Hurricanes/FBS)
2.  Tennessee State Tigers——(2-0)—-(2)—94—-3—-(Beat Jackson State Tigers,(38-12), vs-Austin Peay Govs)
3.  Norfolk State Spartans——(2-0)—-(2)—91—-4—-(Beat Liberty Flames,(31-24), vs-Howard Bison)
4.  Alabama A & M Bulldogs——(2-0)———-83—-9—-(Beat Arkansas at P. B. Golden Lions,(14-10), vs-Prairie View A&M Panthers) read more…

Chicago teachers strike!

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Chicago’s 25,000 public school teachers went on strike for the first time in a quarter-century Monday, after the latest contract talks broke down Sunday with no deal to avert a walkout.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said late Sunday night there had been some progress in contract talks, but “we have failed to reach an agreement that will prevent a labor strike.”

The city’s public school teachers make an average of $71,000 a year. Both sides said they were close to an agreement on wages. What apparently remains are issues involving teacher performance and accountability, which the union saw as a threat to job security.

Late Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has already forced teachers to lengthen their school days, said he was “disappointed” in the union’s decision to continue with a strike.

“I am disappointed that we have come to this point, given that even all the other parties acknowledge how close we are because this is a strike of choice,” Emanuel said. “Because of how close we are, it is a strike that is unnecessary.”

After talks ended last night, Chicago Board of Education President David Vitale said he believes CPS officials made their best possible offer to teachers.

“There’s only so much money in the system. There’s only so many things that we can do that are available to us,” Vitale said. “At this juncture, it is clearly their decision. … We’ve done everything we can.”

Lewis said the two sides were close to agreement on a contract, but not close enough.

“We are not far apart on compensation, however we are apart on benefits,” Lewis said. “We want to maintain the existing health benefits.” read more…

HSSU’s Dr. Charles S. Sherwin, 1st white physician asked to lead a medical society of black doctors dies at 91

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Dr. Charles S. Sherwin, who died Saturday at age 91, followed his father’s footsteps to help train black physicians during the segregation days of Jim Crow.

During the 1950s, the younger Dr. Sherwin became the first white physician to lead a medical society made up of African-American doctors from across the country.

That came about because of his father, Dr. Charles F. Sherwin. He taught black medical students at the old City Hospital No. 2 for Negroes, near today’s Harris-Stowe State University.

The elder Sherwin also taught at the John A. Andrew Clinical Society, which met at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute. The group’s black physicians were barred from membership in the all-white medical societies in their hometowns across the country.

Although he was a white physician from St. Louis, the elder Sherwin joined the medical society in Alabama.

In recognition of his work, the physicians elected him their first white president. But before he could take office in 1953, he was stricken with a fatal illness.

His son stepped in as acting president. The medical society for blacks continued until the mid-1960s, when most local medical societies opened their membership to minorities.

Dr. Charles Steelman Sherwin died Sept. 1, 2012, at St. Louis University Hospital. He was a longtime resident of the Shaw neighborhood.

He had been in declining health since the death of his wife on March 8 and had recently suffered from aspiration pneumonia, his family said this week.

Dr. Sherwin was a surgeon here for nearly 40 years and taught at St. Louis University.

He graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1937 and earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at St. Louis University.

In 1943, he married Ruth Adele Steward, a teacher in the St. Louis schools. They had met as teens at church.

In 1944, his Naval Reserve unit was activated for duty during World War II; he served as medical officer aboard an aging tanker near the Philippine Islands.

Dr. Sherwin returned after the war to practice medicine with his father and teach.

At one meeting of the Andrew Clinical Society in Alabama, he met the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and recalled the civil rights leader’s message to the physicians: “Whatever you do, do your best at it.” read more…

Harris-Stowe State University Hosts Art Opening to Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention Month

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 Harris-Stowe State University, in collaboration with The Missouri Mental Health Foundation, is proud to present the opening of the 2012 Director’s Creativity Traveling Showcase on Monday, September 10, 2012, at the Don & Heide Wolff Jazz Institute & Art Gallery in the Dr. Henry Givens Jr. Administration Building. The art exhibit will be on display through Thursday, September 20, 2012.
Spearheaded by Dr. Vicki Bernard, director of the Office of Counseling Services at Harris-Stowe, the initiative is designed to educate students on how suicide, in particular mental illness, impacts the African-American community and raise awareness for the month of September as National Suicide Prevention Month.
“We are happy to have this art display on our campus to commemorate National Suicide Prevention Month during which Counseling Services and our peer education group Students Working Against Trauma (SWAT) will be promoting ‘Ask, Listen and Refer,’ an online suicide tutorial, as well as highlighting the prevalence of suicide in the African-American community and among college aged individuals,” said Dr. Bernard.
Debuting in 1979, the Director’s Creativity Showcase is an annual event that displays the talents of people served by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and serves as an inspiration to all who participate and all who experience these creations.
The Missouri Mental Health Foundation’s (MMHF) mission is to raise awareness and public understanding to the many issues that impact individuals and families who are living with mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictions disorders. “Sharing some of the artwork we receive is one small way we can celebrate the abilities of those with mental health conditions,” said Patty Henry, executive director of the MMHF.