3 Finalists at South Carolina State for Interim President

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South Carolina State University released the names Monday of its three finalists for the position of interim president.

The candidates are Dr. Ivan W. Banks, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Leonard McIntyre, an associate professor in S.C. State’s Department of Educational Leadership and director of the Textbooks and Learning Materials Program, and Dr. Cynthia Warrick, a senior fellow at the Howard University School of Pharmacy, Center for Minority Health Services Research.

Trustees will interview the three finalists on Wednesday.

Dr. Rita Teal has been serving as acting president at the university following Dr. George Cooper’s March 30 resignation.

Dr. Ivan W. Banks

Banks is the chief academic officer in his current position at Cheyney. He oversees the implementation of academics and the student life mission, and supervises the deans of numerous schools including the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and the Keystone Honors Academy.

Banks says his experience has provided him with the leadership skills needed to guide the university through the special challenges it’s facing.

Problems present a chance for an organization to look at itself and make changes, he said.

“It has been my experience that challenges bring with them opportunities to re-examine policies and practices,” Banks said. “Re-examination is the foundation for positive change and growth needed to reassure the key constituents that the university remains committed to preparing competent graduates who work and live productively in a dynamic, global society.”

Banks says he feels secure in his ability to, “address any new challenges relative to access and attainment, affordability, accountability and competitiveness in terms of program rigor and student success.”

He has been involved in the field of education since 1977, when he began teaching social studies on the high school level. In 1981, he became a teaching associate at the University of Kentucky. Between 1981 and 2008, when he was hired at Cheyney, Banks worked as an associate professor, professor and dean at various colleges and universities, including West Georgia College, the University of Kentucky and New Jersey City University.

Banks earned his doctorate in instructional design and educational technology at the University of Kentucky, his master’s degree in education at John Carroll University and his bachelor’s degree in history and sociology at Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Leonard A. McIntyre

McIntyre says he’s “confident that my educational preparation, coupled with my background of experiences, have more than adequately positioned me with the skill set to provide the leadership needed to move S.C. State University forward.”

The interim presidency is not new to McIntyre. He held the position from December 2007, when the board of trustees ousted President Dr. Andrew Hugine, until July 2008, when Dr. George Cooper took over as president.

McIntyre was in the running for the position again in 2010, when the board voted not to renew Cooper’s contract, but lost out to Greenville judge Merl Code. However, Code failed to become interim president when several new members joined the S.C. State board and decided to keep Cooper.

McIntyre has been involved in the field of education for 30 years at various levels.

He worked in the public school system as superintendent in Hampton and Allendale counties before becoming state deputy superintendent of education. He moved to Felton Laboratory School on the university campus in 1998 as special school district superintendent.

In 2005, he became dean of the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences/director of TLMP. Since 2005, he has served in various capacities at the university.

He currently oversees a $13 million grant awarded to the university to develop, print and distribute at least 2.3 million textbooks and other educational learning materials for Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania by Aug. 31, 2012.

McIntyre earned his doctorate in educational administration from Iowa State University, a master’s of arts in Spanish literature/reading specialist from Tulane University and his bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Loyola University.

Dr. Cynthia Warrick

Warrick’s duties as a senior fellow at Howard University include mentoring junior faculty and graduate students, establishing research teams, monitoring research program announcements and participating in accreditation peer review on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Periodic Review.

Warrick is also involved in federal grant study sections and special emphasis panels that include various National Institutes of Health programs.

Before her appointment at Howard University in 2009, Warrick worked as an assistant professor, adjunct professor and associate professor at several universities, including George Mason University in Virginia, the Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and the Florida A&M School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

She was a tenured full professor of pharmacy and dean and chief research officer at Elizabeth City State University from 2006 until 2009.

Warrick earned her doctorate in environmental science and public policy from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.; a master’s degree in public policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Howard University.

The T&D was unable to contact Warrick on Monday.

Contact the writer: dlinder-altman@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5529.

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High school dropout emerges as Claflin grad, future law student

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Jerrell Cleveland will be among several hundred students who will graduate from Claflin University at the Commencement Convocation on Saturday. However, his path to graduation is far and away unlike those taken by any of his colleagues.

In fact, this will be Cleveland’s first commencement of any kind. He never did officially graduate high school.

His walk to the stage to receive his degree in sociology and criminal justice from President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale has truly been a long journey.

It will be paved through the lessons his parents, Gerald and Daisy, taught him from an early age and through the encouragement of his wife, Priscilla, a Claflin graduate who now works as a junior procurement specialist at the university. The memory of his late sister, Tangela, will also weigh heavily on Cleveland’s mind as he ascends to the next step in his future.

“This is nothing short of amazing. I have never worn a cap and gown before,” Cleveland said. “My degree really belongs to my parents because of the example they’ve led. I can’t wait to shake the president’s hand and get that diploma.”

This fall, Cleveland will pursue a Juris Doctor degree from the Charlotte School of Law. To truly grasp his transformation from high school dropout to law school student, the story must begin in 1987.

It was the year Tangela was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord. Read more: 

Black male students focus of Gwinnett initiatives

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Devin Boone doesn’t necessarily have the grades for college, just the desire.

But that will get him in the door of historically black Florida Memorial University this fall.

Under a partnership between Miami-based FMU and Boone’s soon-to-be-alma mater, South Gwinnett High School, the university guarantees admission to young black males from the Snellville high school, regardless of their grades or SAT scores.

It’s the newest of two initiatives in Gwinnett, the state’s largest school system, aimed at improving the academic prospects of young black males.

The other is a mentoring program that pairs adult males with middle school students. The interaction has been a life-saver for Jamar Tindall, says his mother, Capricia Kegler of Suwanee.

“If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t know what I would have done,” Kegler said. “It’s turned around his attitude about life and his grades.”

The academic struggles of young black men have been well-documented. In 2010, three high-profile national research studies found that less than half of black male students graduate from high school in four years. Black male students are three times more likely than their white peers to be suspended or expelled, according to the studies.

The college program

Teresa Wilburn, director of the college and career center at South Gwinnett High School, said Boone and nine other SGH seniors have been accepted to Florida Memorial for the fall.

All had recommendations from a teacher, counselor or community leader and had written essays on topics such as leadership, character, motivation and tenacity.

For some, who are what Wilburn calls “late bloomers,” the guaranteed acceptance provides “a second change to go to college.”

“They are very talented and smart. Just for whatever reason, in their freshman or sophomore year, they were having a tough time,” Wilburn said.

Boone and classmates Philip Love and Brandon Dacres are enthusiastic about their prospects at Florida Memorial.

Love, who played football at South Gwinnett for four years, had been thinking of going straight into the Army until he heard of the “good opportunity” the school offered. He hopes to major in business.

But college had been a childhood dream for Boone and a long-time expectation for Dacres.

“I goofed off like every freshman, but I got my act together,” Dacres said. “I realized college was what I wanted. This year, I made the honor roll.”

Bethune sees hike in band tryouts because of FAMU scandal

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Florida A&M University’s longtime rival, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, has seen a 10 percent to 20 percent uptick in the number of students wanting to try out for its marching band — a direct result, says the band director, of the FAMU hazing scandal.

Director Donovan Wells, whose Marching Wildcats compete each year against FAMU’s Marching 100 during the Florida Classic halftime show in Orlando, said many students wanting to join his band are high school students who probably decided to audition for Bethune-Cookman because of uncertainties about FAMU’s band. Tryouts for high school students and college transfer students are from January-May. Referenced from Orlando

ASU’s men’s basketball adds six players to incoming class

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MONTGOMERY, AL –

Alabama State University men’s basketball coach Lewis Jackson has announced the addition of six players to the 2012-13 Hornet basketball team headlined by local standout Tony Armstrong from Carver High School, and in-state star Billy Ingram from Sumter Central.

Armstrong averaged 14 points and 12 rebounds for the 6A State Champion Wolverines.  The 6′-5″, 185 pound forward showed his versatility with 21 double-doubles over the course of the season.

“We are excited to get a player like Tony Armstrong into our program,” Jackson said.  “He is coming to us from the 6A State Champions and can do a lot of things.  He is a kid who has played on the highest level of basketball and understands what his role has been on the teams he has played on under Coach James Jackson.  He can score and he can rebound and we are really excited to get someone of his talent because I believe with all of the things he can do, his upside is tremendous.”

Ingram (Bellamy, Ala.) stands 6′-6″ and led Sumter in scoring at 23 points per game.  Like Armstrong, he is a strong rebounder averaging 12 boards a game.

“Billy is another player who can do a lot of things,” Jackson added.  “He is a great scorer and is not afraid to get in and work for rebounds.  He is another player from here in the state of Alabama we are truly excited about joining our program.”

The coaching staff was able to reach into the talent-rich area of Chicago to land 6′-2″ point guard Terrell “Tre” Green from Simeon Career Academy.  Green averaged 15 points and eight assists per contest in leading Simeon to a pair of state championships.  Following his career at SCA, he spent a season at ABCD Prep located in Dallas.

ASU also signed an international talent in Umut Akkepenek. At 6′-5″, the Istanbul, Turkey native can play either a guard or forward position.  He averaged 19 points per game in his final season at Impact Academy in Sarasota, Fla.

The Hornets were looking for some size in the lane and have found Eric Tucker from Omaha, Neb.  He stands 6′-10″ and weighs 245 pounds.  He played at Ralston High School, but spent his first two years of college playing at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb.  He averaged seven points and six rebounds per game, but he also averaged three blocks per outing, which was 10th in the nation among the Junior College (JUCO) ranks.

Robert “Bobby” Brown is from nearby Douglasville, Ga.  He could add some excitement to the floor as he brings with him a 42″ vertical jump to go along with his 6′-7″ frame.  Like Akkepenek, he can play either at guard or forward and averaged 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots per game at Lithia Springs High School. Read Full

Oprah urges Spelman grads to strive for excellence

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Oprah Winfrey, who created a media and philanthropic empire, urged more than 550 graduates at the historically black college for women to strive for excellence and make service the focus of their lives. And she told them to remember the sacrifices of generations of ancestors whose blood and hard work paved the way for their accomplishments.

“Never forget that you did not do this by yourself,” Winfrey told the graduates and their families at Spelman’s 125thcommencement ceremony. “You come here today trailing the breath of the ancestors and of the angels.”

It was a banner day for two Atlanta historically black colleges. Earlier Sunday, more than 500 men graduated from Morehouse College.

At the Georgia International Convention Center, Winfrey cited three keys to success.

First, she urged graduates to know themselves and what they want. “My answer is, I am God’s child,” Winfrey said.

“You must have some kind of vision for your life, even if you don’t have a plan,” she said.

Winfrey also told graduates to find a way to serve and to always do the right thing.

“Do the right thing, even when other people think it may not be,” she said.

Winfrey parlayed an early career in local broadcasting into the highest-rated talk show in television history, “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Later she founded her own studio and cable network. Read More

The downward trend of HBCU players in NFL Draft

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When Charles Dickens wrote “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” for “A Tale of Two Cities,” black college football probably was not on his mind.
Yet those famous words seem fitting when describing the state of the game in regards to the 2012 NFL Draft. From a statistical standpoint, the continued downward trend of players chosen from Historically Black Colleges and Universities reached another low point with only one selection in the seven rounds.
Truly, it’s a far cry from the 1960s and 1970s when both the AFL and NFL saw HBCUs as fertile ground for hungry, unheralded talent who eventually contributed mightily to success of championship teams like Kansas City, Oakland and Pittsburgh, just to name a few.
South Carolina State was among those schools which figured prominently among NFL scouts. At one time, the school was as prolific in producing draft picks who became All-Pros like Barney Chavous and Harry Carson as its in-state Division I counterparts.
Following the 1996 season, however, the number of S.C. State players in the pro ranks began to decline steadily. Over the next 14 seasons, draft selections became even rarer with the notable exception of tight end Arthur Love in 2001 and the only opportunities available came through free agency.
Recently, S.C. State has experienced a revival in NFL prominence. With safety Christian Thompson just so happening to be the lone HBCU player drafted (fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens), it marked the first time since the 1990s a Bulldog was selected three years in a row (Phillip Adams in 2010 and Johnny Culbreath last year).
Add the addition of three rookie free agent signings with Marshall McFadden (Pittsburgh), Donovan Richard (Jacksonville) and Dominique Ellis (Kansas City) and S.C. State currently has its highest number of NFL players (8) on team rosters in recent memory.
From an HBCU football standpoint, this would count as “the best of times” right now in terms of NFL interest. S.C. State head coach Buddy Pough, who was teammates with Carson and Donnie Shell, takes a more cautionary view.
“I guess a little bit of an honor and also a little bit of a sign of the times, too,” he said. “There’s just not that many spots available anymore and there’s just so many programs, so many top-notch programs around the country that the competition is really key for those few opportunities that you have to move on to the next level.”
Pough acknowledged he was surprised by how high Thompson went not because he did not see him as worthy, but due to the low level of respect HBCU players receive from scouts. With the increased number of S.C. State players in the NFL, Pough is hoping they use this opportunity to open more doors. Read more:

Provost of Baltimore’s Coppin State University Named First Female President of Central State University

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Coppin State University Provost Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond will become the first female president of Central State University, the Ohio school has announced.

Only the eighth president in the historically Black university’s history, Jackson-Hammond follows in the footsteps of current president John W. Garland, who announced his retirement last year.

“I am extremely thrilled and honored to be named the next president of Central State University. This institution has a 125-year history of academic excellence and transforming the lives of students,” Jackson-Hammond told HBCU Digest.

“I look forward to joining the campus community of administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, and students to continue this great legacy and lead the University toward meeting the needs of an ever-changing society and a global future.”

Located in Wilberforce, Ohio, Central State University includes a student body of approximately 2,800.

Jackson-Hammond earned her bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University prior to receiving a Masters of Education from University of Louisiana, Monroe. Jackson-Hammond returned to Grambling State University to earn Ph.D. in education.

As provost and vice president of academic affairs at Coppin State University, Jackson-Hammond was responsible for reforming the General Education curriculum, creating the Center for Undergraduate Research, and furthering the development of the First-year Experience Program.

After having topped an impressive list of 51 national candidates, Jackson-Hammond will officially take office July 1.

“We are very excited about our selection,” Gary Dowdell, chair of the Central State University Board of Trustees, said in a statement. “Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond has a demonstrated leadership background and comes to Central State University at a time when we are poised to make great strides in building for the future.”

Jackson-Hammond is married to Dr. James Eric Hammond Sr., and has three children, James Eric Jr., Christopher Adam, and Erin Jenea.

Policy for HBCU’s changes follow Penn State scandal

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COLLEGE PARK — When Bowie State University athletic director Anton Goff first heard about the Penn State football child molestation scandal, he shared the same reaction as much of the country: shock and horror.

With a college athletics program in his charge, however, his thought process quickly went deeper.

“I think most of us in athletics kind of felt a little differently because it kind of hit a little closer to home,” Goff said. “A lot of us who are athletics directors, we talk and we all say, ‘Hey, that wouldn’t happen at my place, because I would have got wind of that, I would have tried to handle it differently.’ But you never know in that situation.”

Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was arrested Nov. 5 on child sexual abuse charges and will stand trial June 5 on 52 criminal counts. He stands accused of abusing 10 children, including some at Penn State’s athletic facilities, over 15 years.

The university’s former athletics director, Tim Curley, and former senior vice president for finance, Gary Schultz, were charged with perjury and failure to report child abuse shortly after Sandusky’s initial arrest.

The scandal sent shock waves through athletic programs across the country, and brought changes in child abuse reporting laws in Alabama, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. The University System of Maryland, too, has retooled its policy since the scandal broke.

USM, which governs 11 institutions in the state, including Bowie State and the flagship University of Maryland, College Park, added a late item to the agenda of its Dec. 9 system meeting, originally scheduled to discuss the proposed merger of the College Park and Baltimore campuses.

“Added to the agenda of that special meeting … was a new policy, which was put in place as quickly as possible after the revelations at Penn State,” University System of Maryland spokesman Mike Lurie said. “It’s something that the system tried to do in a very rapid fashion. The tragedy at Penn State has had some ripple effects.”

The new Policy on the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect, which was implemented systemwide as soon as it was approved, highlighted existing state and federal laws but included new procedures regarding the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect.

It orders any employee of a University System of Maryland institution to provide both an oral and written report within 48 hours of witnessing possible child abuse or neglect to the local police department or to a local office of social services. It requires the university president or someone designated by the president to receive such reports. Failure to abide by the reporting policy could result in firing.

“I feel as if awareness has been increased,” said Lisa Johnson, who is in charge of staff training for the new policy at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. “Obviously, recent news events have created a bit of a heightened awareness. But I think that as soon as I started the training, more people have started paying attention. We need to take this matter seriously.”

At Penn State, questions about reporting to the proper authorities by Curley, Schultz and assistant football coach Mike McQueary, who has testified that he witnessed an act of abuse of a child by Sandusky, led to the firing of longtime head coach Joe Paterno and University President Graham Spanier by the university’s Board of Trustees.

Paterno died Jan. 22, just more than two months after being fired. He was 85.

“We want employees to err on the side of reporting. Don’t worry about (it) if you’re not sure,” Johnson said. “They need to know who the go-to person is and their duty to report any suspicion of abuse or neglect.”

“As a university, we just made sure that it was better communicated,” Goff said. “Before, it might have been kind of understood what you needed to do, but there was no formal, ‘Hey, this is exactly what you need to do from point A to point C.’”

While Goff points to the scandal as a wake-up call for the state, other athletics directors said they had confidence in the previous procedures in place.

Coppin State University athletics director Derrick Ramsey said he reminded his staff of the scandal at a staff meeting, but said the changes to the policy were minimal.

“When things happen you have to act quickly,” Ramsey said. “Just act quickly, and make your people aware, which we’ve done, and that’s it. … You can’t be too judgmental. From the outside, we get these pictures. But what really happened? We don’t know.”

No matter what policies and procedures are enacted, those running Maryland’s athletics departments said it is most important that the new policies are emphasized.

“I think that throughout … the University of Maryland system, we’ve got the right procedures in place. I think the education has been properly vetted and put out there,” Goff said. “But it comes down to individuals at the end of the day. That’s the factor you can’t control.”

Benedict College Receives $3.4 Million In Federal Grants

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Columbia, SC (WLTX) Benedict College has received two federal grants totaling $3.4 million over five-years from the US Department of Education.

The five-year grant comes under the Department of Education’s Upward Bound program. The program looks to assist first generation college students, low-income students, or those students who need academic support.

The first part of the grant will serve 100 students from five high schools in Fairfield, Lexington and Richland Counties. They include Airport High School, Brookland Cayce high School, C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, Fairfield Central High School and W.J. Keenan High School.

The second grant will serve 60 students at Camden High School in Kershaw County.

“This funding will help ensure that low-income students are well-prepared and well-equipped to excel in higher education, which is so important for success in today’s world,” said Dr. David H. Swinton, President and CEO of Benedict College.

“We are delighted and excited about receiving $3.4 million in grant funds to serve first-generation college bound students at Benedict College, “said Ms. Carolyn Pouncy, Director of Upward Bound at Benedict College.

Upward Bound is a pre-college program that has existed at Benedict College for more than 35 years. Students are accepted on the premise that they are college-bound and have the potential to graduate from a college of their choice. Read Full

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Benedict AD Washington to receive NAACP award The Associated Press

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — Benedict College athletic director Willie Washington is receiving an award from the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP.
The organization said Washington will be presented Thursday with the Civic Leadership Presidential Citation for his support and accomplishments in fighting for equal rights.
Washington serves on several athletic committees, boards and foundations. He is a four-year member of the NCAA Division II management council, chairman of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s athletic director committee, the NCAA honors committee and the NCAA diversity and inclusion committee. Read more here:
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Cyril Lloyd ‘Tank’ Johnson, a pioneering athletic director at Bethune-Cookman, dies at 77

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Cyril Lloyd “Tank” Johnson was a man who grew up in Delray Beach, served in the Army and was a pioneer in college athletics. He helped establish one of the most popular football games in the state, the Florida Classic between Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. Continue reading “Cyril Lloyd ‘Tank’ Johnson, a pioneering athletic director at Bethune-Cookman, dies at 77”

Michelle Obama urges North Carolina A&T grads to seek change

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The historic action that four North Carolina college students took that led to desegregation at lunch counters more than half a century ago shows what young people can do to change their world for the better, first lady Michelle Obama said during a commencement speech Saturday.
Mrs. Obama addressed a crowd of about 15,000, including more than 1,200 graduates of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, one of the state university system’s historically black schools.
In 1960, four of the school’s students put their careers and lives on the line by sitting down at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter a few miles away, asked to be served coffee and were refused. They returned day after day in greater numbers, and others across the South followed their example, until the company eventually was forced to end separate treatment for black and white customers.
North Carolina is considered a battleground state in the presidential election and the first lady’s visit was expected to generate goodwill within a core Democratic Party constituency as President Barack Obama seeks re-election this fall.
Mrs. Obama steered clear of references to politics and her husband’s re-election bid, though the audience cheered when the first lady told graduates: “We have the responsibility to protect the ground that has already been won, because it can just as easily be lost.”
President Obama has visited North Carolina more than a dozen times, including four since June. Most recently he blasted Republicans about student loan debt during a visit two weeks ago to the University of North Carolina of Chapel Hill. The Democratic National Convention will be in Charlotte this September.
Obama’s likely Republican opponent for the White House, Mitt Romney, visited a Charlotte manufacturing plant on Friday to blame Obama for the slow pace of economic recovery. It was Romney’s second visit to the city in a month.
Obama carried North Carolina over John McCain in 2008, with 95 percent of black voters supporting the Democratic nominee, according to exit polls. Whether they can deliver another win for Obama, as the state continues to grapple with unemployment rates that hover above the national average, remains to be seen.
North Carolina voters this week approved amending the state constitution to ban gay marriage. Obama followed the next day by becoming the first president to express support for same-sex marriage.
Mrs. Obama’s Greensboro address was the second of three spring commencement addresses for the first lady. She spoke at Virginia Tech on Friday and also is scheduled to speak June 17 at Oregon State, where her brother, Craig Robinson, is the men’s basketball coach. Read more:

Morgan State Announces Signing of Seven Newcomers For 2012-13 Season

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BALTIMORE, Md. (May 9, 2012)-Morgan State women’s basketball head coach Donald Beasley has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Sabrina Montgomery, Alauna Jackson, Dinah Jones, Summer Reeves, Shabazz Reeves, Simone Sampson and Danielle Robinson will all join the Lady Bears as freshmen for the 2012-13 campaign.

Montgomery, Jackson, Jones, Summer Reeves and Shabazz Reeves signed during the early period in the fall, while Sampson and Robinson signed during the most recent signing period.

A 6-foot-2 center, Montgomery was a four-year player for T.F. North High School in Chicago, Ill., earning first-team all-conference honors, while averaging 11.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game on a team that finished 20-8. Montgomery, who likes having a chance to make her mark as a freshman, was an inside force for her club team of Illinois X-Citement. Her club team coach, Xavier Walton said, “she has really worked at getting better.”

“Sabrina [Montgomery] is a physical post who enjoys contact and can be a very dominate rebounding force,” said Morgan State recruiting coordinator Chris Lewis. “She has the ability to force double teams in the low block and help initiate transition baskets with her defensive rebounding. She will be a great addition for us in the post.”

Jackson is a post player that stands 6-foot-1 and was the leading scorer for the Maryland 3A State runner ups – River Hill High in Columbia Md. Jackson averaged a team-high 12.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 block shots during the state tournament. She was able to lead her team to the championship game in her only season at River Hill after being a standout performer at Howard High School the year before.

“Alauna Jackson is a forward who excels in the half court, because of her high basketball IQ and overall skill set,” Lewis said. “She has the ability to pass and shoot from the high post as well as finish around the rim using a variety of low post moves while using either hand. She will add more depth at the forward spot with her ability to play both post spots.”

Jones is a 6-foot-1” forward who played at Broadneck High School in Annapolis, Md. According to her former club team coach and Morgan State alum, Donchez Graham of Team Maryland Shooting Stars, “Dinah is an ultra-athletic, fierce rebounder with a very smooth jump shot.” Added Graham,“she worked very hard to improve her ball handling and 3-point shooting this spring and it really showed during the evaluation period. Her best basketball is ahead of her.”

Jones was selected first-team All-Anne Arundel County in 2012 and honorable mention as a junior for Broadneck, was team MVP her senior season and was defensive MVP as a junior after averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. Jones was also an honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society and will join the Lady Bears’ volleyball team in the fall.

Summer and Shabazz Reeves, are 5-foot-6 combo guards from Lakota West High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Summer and Shabazz averaged 9.6 and 4.2 points per game respectively in 2010-11. Summer added 5.2 rebounds and Shabazz 1.6 steals per contest. The girls chose MSU over the likes of New Hampshire, Richmond and Saint Francis (Pa.). Shabazz also considered playing soccer at the University of Cincinnati and Summer considered playing basketball at American.

“I chose MSU because I felt most comfortable with the coaching staff and (they) also assured me that my education would come first,” said Shabazz. Summer agreed and is excited to continue playing with her sister. “At MSU I can get a great education and most importantly the coaches make me feel very comfortable,” said Summer. “I am happy Shabazz and I both get to experience this wonderful adventure together. Go Lady Bears!”

“The twins are flat out athletic,” said Lewis. “They both are almost un-guardable in transition with their combination of speed, quickness and ball handling ability. They both have the ability to play both the point guard and shooting guard positions. They will give us a boost in the scoring department, but more importantly they will defend on the perimeter relentlessly. We look forward to them having great success at the college level.”

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West Virginia State picks Brian Hemphill as new president

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West Virginia State University’s Board of Governors has offered the position of president to Brian O. Hemphill. Upon approval by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, he will become State’s 10th president on July 1. His selection followed a nationwide search.

Hemphill will succeed Hazo W. Carter Jr., who will retire as WVSU’s president on June 30 after 25 years of service.

Hemphill currently is vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at Northern Illinois University near Chicago. It has an enrollment of 23,000 students. He earned a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University.

“Bringing Dr. Hemphill to West Virginia State University from a major university near Chicago in the prime of his career is a very strategic hire that will allow our institution to grow,” said WVSU Board of Governors Chairman Larry Rowe. “He has been recognized by students and his peers as an outstanding educator. I am confident that he will expand WVSU’s role as a great university not only in central and southern West Virginia but also in the tri-state area.”

Hemphill said the first item on his to-do list would be to reach out to students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, legislators, the Chancellor and members of the Higher Education Policy Commission, as well as to the greater Kanawha Valley community.

“We need to spread the good word about West Virginia State,” said Hemphill. “Once it’s out there, the excellence of the institution will speak for itself. It’s up to us to brand this university for its high-quality higher education and to communicate our vision to our stakeholders internally in West Virginia, as well as across the country and internationally.”

At NIU, Hemphill has been responsible for all aspects of student life and enrollment management. He also is a tenured associate professor who has received NIU’s Outstanding Faculty Award and twice received the Students’ Choice Award. In 2009, the National Association of Student Professional Administrators honored him as a “Pillar of the Profession.” His peers have recognized Hemphill nationally for his work following a mass shooting at NIU in 2008. He has edited a book on campus violence and has extensive experience in publishing and presenting papers on leadership and crisis management in higher education.

“Dr. Hemphill brings a wealth of experience in successfully leading academic initiatives that are critical to ‘State’,” said Ann Smith, president of the National WVSU Alumni and Board of Governors member. “His strong background of success in establishing and leading a shared governance team focused on student success and institutional growth makes him an absolute fit for West Virginia State University.”

Thomas Guetzloff, faculty representative on the Board of Governors, added, “I am happy with the selection of Dr. Hemphill and how he wants to move the institution forward in the 21st century. His ideas on transforming the University create a level of excitement for us. There is a consensus among faculty members who attended a meeting this week to support Dr. Hemphill’s appointment.” Read More 

Texas-Pan American, Bethune-Cookman and Fayetteville State capture PGA Collegiate Golf Titles

Posted by HBCU Editors
Posted on
By Randy Stutzman

The PGA of America

Series: PGA Feature
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Drama ruled the day on Sunday at PGA Golf Club, as the University of Texas-Pan American took home the Men’s Division I title and Bethune-Cookman University claimed its Championship-record ninth team title in the Women’s Team Division at the 26th PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management.

Texas-Pan American, the first-round leader, used a furious comeback to claim its fifth overall title.

2012 PGA MINORITY COLLEGIATE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

To return to the home page of the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, click here.

The Broncs, who finished with a total team score of 904, trailed Tennessee State University by five strokes entering the final round. But the team used a solid 1-under-par 71 by team captain Kevin Kirakossian, and solid play by the rest of the team to win the division by two strokes over Tennessee State.

Bethune-Cookman University and Savannah State University tied for third at 911. Savannah State senior Cedomir Ilic of Serbia took home medalist honors in the Division with a 220 total in the 54-hole event.

“My team has worked hard all year and it really paid off today,” said Ofelia Lopez, the director of golf at the University of Texas-Pan American. “They came out with fire and determination and looking to win a title. And it happened.”

Lopez was particularly impressed with Kirakossian, a junior from Oregon.

“He has always been our go-to guy,” said Lopez. “He plays to win and plays for his team. That’s what a leader is all about. That’s what being a team captain is all about.”

The Bethune-Cookman women’s team, which led South Carolina State University by five strokes entering the final round, used a team effort to take home its second consecutive title, this time by eight strokes. The Wildcats finished with a 916 team total.

Hampton (Va.) University finished third at 956.

“We fought all year and it all led to this,” said head coach and PGA Professional Scooter Clark. “We needed to come out and respond to South Carolina State, who played great, and we did. It was no doubt a challenge.”

Tiana Jones of Alliance, Ohio, was the medalist in the Women’s Team Division. The junior opened with an 82 on Friday, but bounced back with a sparkling 68 on Saturday, and a solid 74 in the final round on the Ryder Course.

Jones also earned an exemption from the LPGA into one Symetra Tour event during the 2012 or 2013 season.

“I wanted to play smart but I also wanted to play aggressive,” said Jones. “I was dreaming about winning the individual title last night and my heart was in my throat all day. It feels awesome.”

In Division II, Fayetteville (N.C.) State University ran away with the title, winning the division by 36 strokes and finishing with an 896 total.

The Broncos were led all weekend by Junior Jake Barge. The Fayetteville native shot a final-round 70 on the Ryder Course, and also claimed Division medalist honors.

“It was great for our team to get back in the winner’s circle this year,” said Barge. “We haven’t won since 2009 so this is really satisfying. We got the job done.”

Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., finished second overall, while Morehouse College of Atlanta, finished alone in third.

In the Men’s Independent Division, Justin Watkins from the University of Central Oklahoma took home medalist honors after a final-round 78.

Aaron Burton of Adelphi University in New York finished second, two strokes back of Watkins. Casey Foster of Central Oklahoma was third.

“It wasn’t exactly the way I wanted to finish but I was still able to close it out with a win,” said Watkins. “I am exhausted mentally, but was still able to hold it together. It feels amazing.”

In the Women’s Independent Division, Ariel McNair of Xavier University closed with a 76 to win the title by two strokes over Mia Campbell of Alabama State University.

Shanequa Valentine of Prairie View A&M University finished third.

“I made a couple of birdies on the back nine which really propelled me to this win,” said Campbell. “It was a grind all day, but was satisfying to finish strong like this.”

The 2012 Championship was played on the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses at PGA Golf Club, and featured nearly 180 players representing over 40 colleges and universities.

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship presented by Brown Capital Management, which celebrated its 26th edition this year, originated in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament and has elevated golf in minority colleges and universities by providing opportunities to more players to compete in a national championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund. In 2008, the Championship featured a record number of participants, with nearly 200 students from 47 schools, with representatives from 14 countries.

Final-Round Scores

Men’s Team Division I

1. Texas-Pan American 294-309-301–904
Kevin Kirakossian 73-78-71–222
Santiago Bueno Bragado 72-73-79–224
Mathew Charles 74-78-73–225
Jonathan Sloss 75-80-78–233
Chris Felix 76-82-79–237

2. Tennessee State 302-296-308–906
Cameron Scitern 74-74-76–224
Ryan Pierson 75-73-76–224
Dallas Hill 79-81-80–240
James Stepp 77-77-80–234
Andrew Warner 76-72-76–224

T3. Bethune-Cookman 306-303-302–911
Matthew Mcknight 77-77-79–233
JaMichael Jones 80-76-73–229
Alex Clapp 74-74-80–228
Emmanuel Petrich 75-80-72–227
Rafael Abad 83-76-78–237

T3. Savannah State 304-308-299–911
Cedomir Ilic 76-72-72–220
Travis Roe 76-79-76–231
Ryan Lassiter 75-82-76–233
Brandon Neals 77-84-75–236
Calib Simons 80-75-81–236

5. Alabama State 301-311-307–919
Scott Benson 77-73-71–221
John Montgomery 74-77-72–223
Jose Rodriguez 85-NC
Robert Grant 73-79-84–236
Joseph Killebrew 77-82-80–239

6. Florida A&M 306-309-308–923
Justin Stills 78-77-70–225
Cody Sapp 80-83-79–242
Randon Holt 87-74-79–240
Anthony Phipps II 76-77-84–237
Shephard Archie III 72-81-80–233

7. Arkansas at Pine Bluff 305-318-326–949
Caleb Ray 75-84-84–243
Nqobani Ndabambi 75-77-77–229
Gregory Robinson 78-76-83–237
Shane Kelly 77-81-82–240
Elliott Rollins, Jr. 86-87-84–257

8. Texas Southern 322-321-322–965
Dominique Worthen 78-80-67–225
Jason Barton 78-73-78–229
Michael Calvillo 87-87-92–266
Quinton Leonard 93-90-91–274
Luis Colon Gonzalez 79-81-86–246

9. Maryland-Eastern Shore 322-329-333–984
Mike Veverka 78-76-79–233
Greg Raad 81-85-83–249
Paul Cecil 82-85-84–251
Christopher Toney 81-83-87–251
Sedrick Bailey 92-98-98–288

10. North Carolina Central 333-343-345–1021
Spencer Jones 78-80-82–240
Ryne Toole 83-85-82–250
Andre Jones 84-86-82–252
Walter Batts 88-92-99–279
Jack Waissen 115-100-108–323

11. Hampton 351-359-346–1056
Geoffrey Napper 100-93-102–295
Curtis Fearrington 79-82-77–238
Mark Irwin 91-88-92–271
Tyler Davis 90-103-94–287
Sean Moore 91-96-83–270

Men’s Team Division II

1. Fayetteville State 300-293-303–896
Jake Barge 72-71-70–213
Brandon Jobe 80-74-76–230
Jedidiah Frazier 71-73-76–220
Lincoln Jackson 77-75-81–233
Michael Wallace 81-89-NC

2. Lincoln 313-305-314–932
Steven Mallow 84-74-77–235
Jacob Sandbothe 77-77-76–230
Kyle Brennaman 76-76-83–235
Eric Kosmatka 76-78-78–232
Jordan Morris 93-86-87–266

3. Morehouse College 319-323-313–955
Bryan McElderry 78-75-82–235
Clifton Jordan 81-85-79–245
Justin McElderry 78-84-78–240
Alexander Atkinson 82-84-78–244
Bruce Cousin 85-80-78–243

4. Virginia State 317-338-328–983
Stephen Genchi 70-NC
Rashad Hunt 79-84-83–246
Aaron Bryant 88-88-77–253
Adam Clary 82-80-83–245
Dalton Jolly 86-86-85–257

5. Benedict College 344-328-330–1002
Anthony Wik 83-82-80–245
Eddie Smith III 94-80-79–253
Jordan Buchanan 78-75-84–237
Kelly Willis 89-91-87–267

6. Paine College 341-332-337–1010
Carlos Solis 76-74-75–225
Victor Tapia 82-82-77–241
Patrick Mobley 90-82-85–257
Ralpph Godbee 93-94-100–287
Keith Godbee 123-116-122–361

7. Winston Salem State 341-335-339–1015
Glendon Mabe 75-77-82–234
Zach Sheets 83-78-74–235
Mike Asbury 86-82-80–248
Kyle Collins 97-98-103–298

8. Kentucky State 362-346-360–1068
George Dundon 89-86-96–271
Josh Jackson 83-81-77–241
RhoShawn Johnson 99-82-84–265
Carlton Foreman 104-107-103–314

Women’s Team Division

1. Bethune-Cookman 305-311-300–916
Patrizia Trevisan 72-79-74–225
Estefania Acosta 78-75-80–233
Andrea Orozco 74-79-76–229
Marie Bergelin 81-78-75–234
Jennifer Hide 81-81-75–237

2. South Carolina State 324-297-303–924
Tiana Jones 82-68-74–224
Cheryl Chua 79-76-74–229
Carmen Jones 83-87-78–248
Cherie Chua 82-79-78–239
Cabriel Duren 81-74-77–232

3. Hampton 329-314-313–956
Kayla Williams 80-76-81–237
Nicole West 83-76-71–230
Iman Ellis 87-87-86–260
Dionne West 81-85-78–244
Maria Stewart 85-77-83–245

4. Texas-Pan American 329-322-318–969
Sam Garcia 80-82-76–238
Elena Arroyo 84-76-78–238
Blake Peterson 87-82-82–251
Marisa Canales 78-82-82–242
Ashley Garcia 89-83-85–257

5. Lincoln 351-332-312–995
Kaitlyn Schwartze 81-84-74–239
Payton Schooler 84-74-82–240
Shea Colley 87-87-82–256
Sophia Pardalos 100-87-74–261
Kara Harwood 99-98-90–287

6. Texas Southern 337-339-321—997
Kassandra Rivera 78-82-70–230
Adrianna Trevino 89-86-77–252
Bridget Johnston 89-81-89–259
Tyler Lawrence 85-90-85–260
Angela Rafac 85-98-89–272

Men’s Independent Division

Justin Watkins, University of Central Oklahoma – 74-74-78–226
Aaron Burton, Adelphi University – 79-75-74–228
Casey Foster, University of Central Oklahoma – 80-76-76–232
Juan Diego Fernandez, Louisburg College – 83-72-78–233
Julio Gonzalez Galvan, Louisburg College – 77-74-83–234
Louis Kelly, Adelphi University – 76-74-84–234
Michael Ferguson, Univ. of Maryland East Shore – 79-81-82–242
Joseph Morrison, Alabama State University – 82-81-80–243
Christopher Davis, Carroll University – 74-87-84–245
Corey Price, Alabama State University – 88-82-75–245
Barry Davis, Alabama State University – 78-89-79–246
Minsoo Soh, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 87-82-78–247
Jacob Mendez III, Calumet College of Saint Joseph – 86-79-83–248
Lawrence McKenzie, Livingstone College – 89-79-81–249
Erik Potts, Hannibal-LaGrange University – 85-83-82–250
Ben Davis, Calumet College of Saint Joseph – 86-86-83–255
Bryan Martin, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 85-90-83–258
Joseph Journey, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 85-89-85–259
Edgar Evans Jr., Southern University Baton Rouge – 87-83-90–260
Norris Brown, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 84-90-87–261
Sean Wilson, Chowan University – 96-90-88–274
Delton Pounds, Mississippi Gulf Coast CC – 98-88-89–275
Michael Harden, Clemson University – 97-93-94–284
Richard Sheppard, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 98-91-99–288
Patrick Harris, Methodist University – 98-97-98–293
Dylan Watts, Edward Waters College – 99-95-100–294
William Brown, Prairie View A&M – 100-97-99–296
Richard Fleming, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 102-100-97–299
Charlois R. Fletcher, Louisburg College – 96-105-106–307
Spencer Smith, Edward Waters College – 112-126-109–347
Anthony Long, Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore – 89-91-WD–WD
Buddy Senatore, California Polytechnic State Univ. – 80-87-WD–WD
Joseph Sable, Prairie View A&M – 117-88-WD–WD

Women’s Independent Division

Ariel McNair, Xavier University – 84-79-76–239
Mia Campbell, Alabama State Univ. – 83-80-78–241
Shanequa Valentine, Prairie View A&M – 88-78-78–244
Whitney Young, Wheeling Jesuit University – 85-89-85–259
Alexandra Uduk, Univ. of Maryland East Shore – 98-87-83–268
Michelle Gifford, Savannah State University – 98-90-93–281
Allison Brown, SCSU – 105-106-96–307
Cheiwah Ferguson, Texas Southern University – 106-103-100–309
Jamie Bruce, Benedict College – 112-119-111–342