Penn State could learn from FAMU

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Earlier this week, the NCAA imposed sweeping penalties on the Penn State football program. The penalties, which were in response to the heinous findings in the now-infamous Freeh Report, will likely cripple the Nittany Lions for years, if not decades.

The Freeh Report confirmed everyone’s worst nightmares. High-level officials at Penn State, including former President, Graham Spanier and venerated Head Football Coach Joe Paterno, showed a “total disregard for the safety and welfare” of the boys molested by former Assistant Coach Jerry Sandusky. Given the nature of the abhorrent behavior among Penn State officials at the highest levels, the death penalty is the only appropriate penalty. The NCAA opted not to impose it. So Penn State itself should. Given the nature of the abhorrent behavior among Penn State officials at the highest levels, the death penalty is the only appropriate penalty. The NCAA opted not to impose it. So Penn State itself should.

This is where Penn State can learn something from FAMU. Around the same time the horrible details surrounding Sandusky’s actions were beginning to surface, Robert Champion, a drum major in FAMU’s renowned Marching 100, was killed during a hazing ritual.

Like the Nittany Lions, the Marching 100 is FAMU’s grandest and most beloved symbol. The band is regularly called to perform at events all over the country, from NFL halftime shows to presidential inaugurations. The Marching 100 is so popular that, at FAMU football games, it is often a bigger draw than the football team.

But to the disappointment of many, the band will not be around next fall, suspended by former President James Ammons through spring 2013. Ammons gave the Marching 100 the death penalty. And while hundreds of innocent student-musicians will suffer due to the bad acts of a relative few, the self-imposed suspension was undoubtedly the right decision.

Penn State should take a cue from FAMU. Referenced from South Florida Sun-Sentinel

 

 

Drake Plans On Finishing High School

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Drake has been making headlines lately for his loyalty to Young Money and his appreciation for Aaliyah, but he’s about to cap off his summer with an academic achievement.

Drizzy is scheduled to appear at the the third annual OVO Festival which will feature A$AP Rocky, 2 Chainz, The Weeknd, and more. But according to a recent interview with NOW Toronto, he plans to bring his focus his efforts on his life outside of music.

“I’m actually spending my summer graduating high school,” he said. “That’s my main focus after OVO Fest. I only have one credit left, and I’m really excited about that.”

During Drake’s high school years, he was filming the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation, on which he played a character named Jimmy. Drake has said in the past that he hopes to one day show his mom a high school diploma.

[via NOW Toronto]

JSU sophomore track athlete to make 2012 Olympic debut

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Anaso Jobodwanna, a 19-year-old Eastern Cape, South African native will be representing Jackson State University in the 200 meter dash during the 2012 London Olympics.
This is Jobodwanna’s first trip to the Olympic games and his main goal is to place in the semi-finals. In an interview with the Mail and Guardian, he said that his goal was to bring his time down but that he was really hoping to make it to the semi-finals

“I haven’t set any real targets for the games and I haven’t written anything down, so I’m not putting pressure on myself” said Jobodwanna.
Jobodwanna returns to Jackson State in the fall as a sophomore. This past May he set an indoor SWAC record in the 200 meter dash finishing with a time of 21.15. He also earned titles for the 100 and 200 meter dash during the SWAC Outdoor Conference Championship.
Jobodwanna makes his big debut, Tuesday, August 7th on NBC.

 

Source

 

Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation Partnering to Raise $150,000 for HBCUs

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Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation are asking alumni, students and supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country to do their part to raise scholarship funds as part of the fourth annual Allstate Quotes for Education program.

For every person who receives an insurance quote from an Allstate agent and mentions Quotes for Education between August 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, Allstate will donate $10, up to a total donation of $150,000. The funds will be donated to the Tom Joyner Foundation and earmarked for general scholarship funds to assist students attending HBCUs.

For the first time ever, participants in this program will also have a chance to vote for the HBCU of their choice to receive a separate $50,000 donation for scholarships specifically at that school.

“Each year, hundreds of students will be forced to drop out of college due to financial hardship,” said Cheryl Harris, senior vice president at Allstate. “The Quotes for Education program brings to life a vision shared by Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation, which is to support programs for HBCUs that create educational opportunities for the next generation.”

According to a 2012 study by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, only four out of 37 HBCUs surveyed has a black student graduation rate of more than fifty percent within six years. The study also noted a declining trend in graduation rates since 2006, likely driven by recent economic conditions which have limited financial aid from public and private sources.

“This scholarship shows me that I’m worthy of the investment being made in my education, and it makes me grateful and hopeful for my future,” said Desharee Williams, a student at Bethune-Cookman University and a past recipient of the Allstate and Tom Joyner Foundation scholarship. “This scholarship has allowed me to focus on class work and on pursuing extracurricular activities to build my professional portfolio.”

A 2009 study by the non-profit research group Public Agenda found that most young adults who started but did not complete higher education cited the need to work more as a major reason that forced them to drop out of school.

This marks the second year that Allstate has partnered with the Tom Joyner Foundation for the Quotes for Education program. Additionally, for the past eight years, Allstate has title-sponsored the Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion. Both programs are part of Allstate’s year-round commitment to create, support and sponsor programs that empower the African-American community.

“This is a big help to these students,” said Tom Joyner, chairman and founder of the 14-year-old foundation bearing his name. “Given this tough economy these days, every single dollar we can provide to help a student finish their education will make a difference.”

To participate in the Quotes for Education program, HBCU supporters should visitwww.allstate.com/represent to find a nearby participating agent or receive a quote online, or call 855-REP-HBCU at any time to receive a quote from an Allstate representative. Supporters can also join and follow the conversation on Twitter via the hashtag #RepHBCU to encourage the participation of friends and family.

About Allstate®

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names. Widely known by its slogan “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate®,” Allstate offers insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. As part of Allstate’s commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

About The Tom Joyner Foundation

The Tom Joyner Foundation’s primary mission is helping to keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs.) Since 1998, the foundation, chaired by nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner, has raised more than $60 million to help keep students enrolled in black colleges, has assisted more than 14,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs. Throughout the week, the Foundation announces scholarship winners on the nationally syndicated radio show hosted by its founder, Tom Joyner. Each week, separate financial awards are focused on students who are single parents and distinguished male students at each ‘School of the Month’. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser is its “Fantastic Voyage“™, which is a seven-day, six-night cruise that has raised millions of dollars to help keep students in school.

 

VUU top contender for Redskins, site visit planned Sunday

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The field has narrowed for potential  football fields that could be training sites for the Washington Redskins.

For now it looks like Virginia Union University has shaped up as a top contender for the job.

CBS 6 has learned from a source close to the selection process that Redskins team officials will be visiting the VUU campus Sunday to tour the facility.

The University in the heart of downtown Richmond has two side by side playing fields that would likely be an attractive attribute to Redskins team officials.

One high ranking official at the university said the Redskins would be a welcomed addition to campus, but also that the renovations to get Redskins ready would be expensive.

Fields and gym facilities would likely have to be entirely replaced. Even so, officials feel the improvements made for an NFL training camp would be lasting ones for the students of the Division 2 football school.

Still, in the mix for possible locations are City Stadium, Sportsbackers Stadium and two adjoining fields behind the Science Museum on Leigh St.  With many of these sites requiring extensive renovations, it’s expected that conversations will soon become decisions Referenced

Hampton University hires new AD, other officials

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Rodney D. Smith, administrative vice president at Hampton University has announced the appointment of Novelle Dickenson as the new athletics director, Alexiss Robinson as assistant athletics director and senior woman administrator and Kristen Drummond as compliance coordinator.

A university committee, made up of faculty, staff and administrators reviewed the credentials of thirty candidates over the past four months and conducted on-campus interviews with eight candidates for the position of director of athletics.  The university was looking for an individual who was experienced in athletics and academics with a clear understanding of the need for balance between the two. In the end, the University assembled a team that would maximize skills and expertise for optimum athletics administrative leadership with a clear understanding of the role that academics play with student athletics.

“I believe Mr. Dickenson’s background in academics as well as athletics is a perfect fit for the athletic director position here at Hampton University,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey.  “He is passionate about Hampton athletics and is a staunch educator with more than 30 years of experience in the classroom and academic administration.”

Dickenson assumes duties today, August 2, replacing Interim Athletic Director Malcolm Avery, who held the position for the past four months. Dickenson is no stranger to Hampton or the athletic department having served as the faculty athletic representative for the past 12 years. Over the past three decades, Dickenson has also served as chair of the Hampton Department of Political Science and History, interim chair of the Department of Sociology, interim chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, pre-law advisor, faculty representative to the Hampton University Board of Trustees, member of the Tenure and Promotions Committee in the School of Liberal Arts.

Dickenson has served as President of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and is a former member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Academic/Eligibility and Compliance Cabinet, including the Continuing Eligibility sub-committee. Dickenson received his undergraduate degree in political science from Hampton University, a master’s degree in political science from Howard University, as well as completed further post-graduate studies at Howard University.

Robinson joins the staff as the assistant athletic director/SWA with direct oversight of academic support and compliance.  She will also have joint oversight with the athletic director over athletic performance and trainers. She is a 2003 graduate of Hampton University and holds a Master of Science degree in kinesiology-athletic administration from Indiana University. She comes to Hampton after serving as director of student-athlete support services at Howard, assistant director of compliance and student services at Temple University and compliance coordinator at Norfolk State University.

Drummond, who has been named compliance coordinator, spent the last year at Hampton as a coordinator of athletic academic support.  She was responsible for monitoring athletic eligibility and degree advancement, while also advising student-athletes of course selection, career planning and working with at-risk student-athletes.  Drummond has served as athletic academic graduate intern at the University of Iowa and athletic Academic program specialist at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  Drummond earned both a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

MVSU names Angela Franke as new women’s volleyball coach

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Mississippi Valley State University has named Angela Franke as its new women’s volleyball coach.

Franke, who spent last season as the head coach at St. Andrews University in North Carolina,replaces Alyse Wells-Kilbert, who resigned earlier this summer.

Interim Director of Athletics Donald Sims said Thursday that Franke will be a great addition to the program, which opens its season Aug. 31 at a tournament at Texas Southern.

Prior to becoming a coach, Franke played volleyball for Mesa Community College and South Main Community College, before transferring to Jackson State. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Alcorn State. She also joined AmeriCorps in Feb. 2009, helping to develop safe environments for children to be active in sports and physical activity. Read more here:

 

Francena McCorory former Hampton University Athlete qualified for semifinals at Olympics 2012

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Two women with local ties qualified this morning for the semifinals in the women’s 400-meter track event at the Olympics, according to the London Olympics site.

Francena McCorory, 23, a former Hampton University and Bethel High School runner, finished first in the first heat with a time of 50.78 seconds. McCorory was running for the U.S. team.

Marlena Wesh, 21, a former Landstown High School runner who now attends Clemson University in South Carolina, finished third in the final heat of the qualifying round with a time of 51.98. Wesh is running for the team from Haiti.

McCorory is ranked third in the standings behind Amantle Montsho of Botswana and Antonina Krivoshapka of the Russian Federation. They were ranked first and second, respectively, with times of 50.40 and 50.75.

To learn more about the event, visit the Olympics site.

Michael Tinsley JSU alum advances to semi-final in 2012 Olympics

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Former Jackson State star Michael Tinsley advanced to Saturday’s semifinals of the men’s 400-meter hurdles as track and field opened today at the Summer Olympics.

Tinsley, a former NCAA champion for the Tigers, won the second of six heats in 49.19 seconds.

Puerto Rico’s Javier Culson, this year’s world leader and gold-medal favorite, ran the fastest heat of 48.33 seconds.

The United States’ Kerron Clement, the 2008 Olympic silver medalist and 2009 world champion, was second in Culson’s heat in a season-best of 48.48 – also second overall.

Angelo Taylor, of Decatur, Ga., the Olympic gold medalist in 2000 and 2008, won the fifth heat in 49.29.

Great Britain’s Dai Greene was also a heat winner in 48.98.

The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday night, with the final Monday. Referenced from JSU

UPDATE: Chavis Carter Shot Dead After Police Stop

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Chavis Carter, a 21-year-old, was shot in the head during an arrest made on Saturday night in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Officers say Carter was in the possession of marijuana, and also found that he had a warrant from Mississippi.

Police reported that he was searched twice, handcuffed behind his back and double-locked. Minutes later, police say they heard a “thumping noise”, and they turned around and found Carter shot in the head. Sargent Waterworth thinks the 21-year-old pulled out a gun and shot himself in the right temple after he was already handcuffed and in the car.

His mother, Teresa Carter, disagrees. She says, “I think they killed him, he told his girlfriend he was going to call her from jail. He was shot in the right temple and he is left-handed…He wasn’t suicidal at all…Something doesn’t add up.”

The two officers who were present when Carter was found shot were placed on administrative leave.

UPDATE: 2/11/2015 1:30 PM 

Benjamin Crump has taken over this case as the family’s attorney.

According to WMC ACTION NEWS, “Crump said the Justice Department will look into how the Jonesboro Police Department is trained in patting down suspects. Carter was searched, but officers never found a weapon. It is an investigation Carter’s mother welcomes.”

Eight More Ways Women Will Benefit Under Obamacare Starting Tomorrow

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When an Obamacare regulations goes into effect tomorrow, 47 million women will benefit from the guaranteed coverage of preventive services — including contraception coverage — without co-pays. The new rules will require most insurance plans to begin including the services at no additional cost at the next renewal date that falls on or after August 1, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Center for American Progress graphic breaks down what will be covered and how women will benefit: Referenced from Think Press

 

Apple iPhone 5 ‘$800’ rumor sparks Twitter fury

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A rumor that Apple’s next generation of the iPhone would cost $800 has sparked fury among Twitter users, but there is no clear indication as to where the speculation actually originated.

Users have reacted angrily to the suggestion that the handset, often referred to as the iPhone 5, will be priced at $800 (£514) when it launches as expected later in the year.

Despite a major redesign anticipated in the new iPhone, this pricing would seem a staggering move away from Apple considering the 64GB model of the iPhone 4S launched last year, priced at just $399.

Speculation about new Apple products emerge almost every day, but there has not been quite such a reaction as today (August 2).

At one point, the phrase “iPhone 5 $800” was the second most popular non-promoted trending topic on Twitter worldwide, and the third most popular in the US. Also trending was the hashtag #800DollarsForAniPhone and “For $800”.

One user posted: “iPhone 5 $800 psft It betta come with Barak Obama number in it or 1/2 Of Oprah’s bank account (sic).”

But the big mystery about the response on Twitter is where the actual speculation about an “$800 iPhone” actually originated.

Whilst almost all the tweets criticize the purported price tag, almost none of them contain direct links to any stories from recognized news sources.

After investigating, International Business Times found that an article on the gamenguide.com site recently featured a screengrab of a Chinese auction site bearing a picture supposedly of the iPhone 5 and the equivalent price tag of $800 to $1,000.

However, the author of the article highlighted that the shot was most likely a scam and said that “pigs will fly” before the new iPhone costs that much.

A recent Reuters report on the future of Apple stock did include the figure $800 but not in relation to iPhone pricing.

Otherwise, a commentator recently posted on the phonesreview.co.uk website stating their prediction for the iPhone 5 price.

“Propably [sic] $800-$900 US dollars for 64GB. That’s excluding taxes,” said the person.

It is therefore likely that there is absolutely no basis whatsoever to the speculation about iPhone pricing.

However, the reaction is interesting in itself, as it offers a fascinating insight into how a rumor can spread like wildfire in the new social media world with only a limited amount of information.

The sixth generation of the iPhone is expected to be announced by Apple in September this year, although it should be noted that this too is just a rumor. Referenced from Digital

FAMU celebrates the opening of its new healthcare center

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Today, Florida A&M University and the City of Crestview officially opened the FAMU Rural Diversity Healthcare Center in Crestview, Fla.

“This year, FAMU celebrates its 125th anniversary as an institution of higher learning,” said Interim President Larry Robinson. “I am convinced there is no better way to mark the occasion than by highlighting our commitment to ensure citizens of this region will have access to a high-quality education in the health professions.”

The major objective of the Crestview project is to produce high-quality graduates committed to serving the health care needs of citizens in the rural Florida Panhandle.

FAMU received $2.5 million from Public Education Capital Outlay funds in 2008 for the project titled “Rural Diversity Healthcare — Crestview” and was appropriated $7 million in 2010 to continue the FAMU Crestview Education Center project.

In addition to courses being taught at the center, lectures will be provided in real-time through video conferencing between the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Tallahassee and the Crestview facility.

Faculty assigned to the Crestview facility will be able to establish relationships with major health-care systems and community pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens and others, which will provide training for students.

The facility, located on the corner of Main Street and Woodruff Avenue in downtown Crestview, was transferred by the City of Crestview to FAMU in the summer of 2010. Known as The Alatex Building, the facility was opened in 1937 as a garment factory and was one of the major employers in Okaloosa County.

Michelle Obama visits NC to encourage Nov. turnout

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First lady Michelle Obama campaigned Wednesday in the political battleground state of North Carolina, urging a supportive crowd to get out the vote for her husband’s re-election bid.

“Are you all-in?” she asked the more than 2,000 people gathered in a gymnasium at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Obama sought support for “It Takes One,” a program launched in July in which she is leading efforts to drum up more registered voters to support President Barack Obama in the fall. As the face of the program, the first lady is raising her campaign profile as she exhorts supporters of the incumbent to get friends, relatives and neighbors involved in the election.

Those gathered huddled on the gymnasium floor and crowded around the stage for a better view of the first lady, regularly bursting into chants of “Four more years!” and “Yes, we can!”

Obama encouraged North Carolinians to get more involved in the Obama campaign and to recruit a friend.

“That one new voter that you register, now think about it, that one neighbor you help get to the polls, that could be the one who makes the difference,” she said during a 30-minute speech.

While the first lady chiefly stuck to familiar talking points, the message that one vote can make a difference resonates in the battleground state. Her husband narrowly won North Carolina by 14,000 votes in 2008. It was the first time Democrats carried the state since Jimmy Carter’s 1976 campaign, and Republicans feel confident about flipping the state back to red come November.

The first lady also continued to promote her husband’s economic message.

“He believes that when you’ve worked hard and done well and walked through the door of opportunity you do not slam it shut behind you,” she said. She also touted the landmark Affordable Care Act, the sweeping federal health care reform championed by the president.

“This election is a choice about supporting women and families,” she told the crowd. “So be sure to tell people that Barack believes that women should be able to make our own choices about health care.”

North Carolina will host the Democratic National Convention for the first time in September. The appearance Wednesday was the first lady’s first to the state since May, when she spoke at commencement exercises at North Carolina A&T State University.

Both the Romney and Obama presidential campaigns have made trips to North Carolina, specifically to its third largest city. In July, Ann Romney was in Greensboro stumping for her husband. The presidential contenders both visited in April. A proposed Romney bus tour could take him through the state later this month.

The first lady scheduled an appearance at a fundraising event Wednesday evening at the Raleigh Marriott City Center. The $250 tickets will go to the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and several state Democratic organizations. She heads Thursday to New Hampshire for more campaigning and fundraising.