Alpha Phi Alpha General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. visits Virginia Union University

Herman "Skip" Mason (Victor Harper)

       Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. came to visit the ‘hollow grounds and dear old walls’ of Virginia Union University on Thursday, October 6, 2011. He has begun a tour of college campuses to fellowship with his fellow Alpha brothers as he comes to the end of his term as General President.

       Prior to visiting Virginia Union, General President Mason was the key note speaker at the luncheon of the 96th Annual ASALH National Convention at the Richmond Marriot earlier in the day. His speech was entitled “The MLK, Jr. Monument: Struggle and Triumph.” He spoke on the making of the MLK Memorial that was unveiled in August, which was raised on the National Mall in August 2011 under Mason’s tenure as president.

After the luncheon at the Marriot, Alpha brothers escorted General President Mason to the campus grounds of Virginia Union University. Herman Mason applauded Virginia Union’s deep roots of legacy and history. Virginia Union is the alma mater to one of the founding Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha: Eugene Kinckle Jones. Jones also founded the Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha at Virginia Union on December 30, 1907.

“As I countdown to my last 14 months in office, [I will] visit brothers and college campuses,” Mason said. “There is no more historic campus than Virginia Union.” Virginia Union was founded in 1865, and humbly began with freed slaves attending classes at Lumpkin’s Jail. Now it is home to some of the greatest achievers and leaders in medicine, ministry, politics, armed forces and more. Mason is no stranger to Virginia Union University, as he was the key note speaker of the Gamma chapter’s centennial celebration in 2007.  

            “We’re really excited about the fact that Brother Mason has been a major supporter of the Gamma chapter located here on the campus of Virginia Union University,” said Darryl Coker, Xi Delta Lambda graduate advisor for the Gamma chapter and Virginia Union alumnus. Coker said that Mason’s love for history drew him to Virginia Union and to the Gamma chapter, especially during their centennial celebration. “History is important here, history is important in Alpha, and this is a historic moment for him to be a part of”, Coker said of the centennial. “From that day on, he’s always been a supporter of this chapter on this campus.”

            Michael Moore, the 2010 VUU Young Alumnus of the Year, expressed his enjoyment in organizations like Alpha Phi Alpha putting more effort into reaching out to the HBCU community. “A lot of people aren’t aware but this is a very historic campus that has produced a lot of great people,” Moore said. “It’s good to see that even on the national level of Alpha Phi Alpha, that they recognize the importance of this historic university.”

            It was thanks to the social media network Twitter that Skip Mason found his way to Virginia Union. The Gamma chapter reached out to their General President on Twitter when they found out that he was coming to Richmond for the ASALH National Convention. “It was a blessing that social media worked out the way it did,” says James Fernandez, Gamma chapter president. “We’ve been in communication with him once on Twitter, but we didn’t expect this day to happen where we would be giving the General President a tour of our historic campus.”

It was indeed a pleasant surprise for the campus of Virginia Union to serve as host to Herman “Skip” Mason during its Homecoming celebration, and his visit is highlighted with more pictures below. All pictures courtesy of Victor Harper:

Jackson State names Pristina Jones women’s track coach

Pristina Jones

Jackson State University has named Pristina Jones its women’s head track and field coach. Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Jackson with her.

“I want to thank the Jackson State University administration and Dr. Vivian L. Fuller for this great opportunity,” Jones said. “I am looking forward to a great year, both athletically and academically.”

She is a North Central College (Naperville, IL) graduate. While at NCC she became an 11 time All-American in track, with three of those times being National Championships. She won the NCAA D-III indoor and outdoor long jump titles in 1999, as well as being a member of the NCC 4×400-meter relay team that won the D-III indoor title the same year.

Jones also holds school records in the outdoor long jump, the outdoor 4×100 relay team and the indoor 4×400 relay team. She also won seven College Conferences of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) championships in her collegiate career, including three consecutive CCIW long jump titles from 1997-99. She graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, with a minor in computer science and emphases in communications.

Following her collegiate career, Jones joined the Indiana Invaders, an Amateur Elite Track and Field club in Indianapolis. From 2000 to 2005, she trained for competition, as well as mentored college and high school student-athletes. She concluded her post-collegiate career with a personal record of 20’6″ in the long jump.

In 2005 she joined the Jacksonville State University athletics department as the assistant women’s cross country and track and field coach. She spent one year at Jacksonville State. During the 2006 indoor season the women’s track team its first ever meet in the school’s history. During the 2006 outdoor season, she helped the program put on its first ever home meet. Later that season the Gamecocks finished second in the conference outdoor championships. Four members of the track team advanced to the NCAA Midwest Regional.

Read Full Article at Jackson State names Pristina Jones women’s track coach

VIDEO – Countdown To GHOE2011 North Carolina A&T State University Homecoming 2011

Its that time again where people come from all over to Greensboro, North Carolina to celebrate Homecoming at North Carolina A&T State University also known as GHOE. This video features the schedule of events for the week of HOMECOMING 2011, including a comedy show with Gary Owen & Lil Duval and the 2011 Homecoming Concert featuring Rick Ross, Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, Marsha Ambrosius, Miguel and Ace Hood

VIDEOS – Howard University Homecoming 2011 Prestige – More than just a Homecoming

WASHINGTON – The 2011 Howard University Homecoming Steering Committee will present PRESTIGE: The Epitome of Distinction, the 87th  weeklong Homecoming Celebration, October 16-22. With AT&T as a proud sponsor, year’s celebration will outshine those of the past.

Among this year’s event lineup are Grammy Award-winning singers Monica and Shirley Caesar, hip-hop heavyweight Young Jeezy and rapper/poet Talib Kweli.  Caesar will headline the Gospel Concert, which will be hosted by Marcus D. Wiley and include performances by gospel stars VaShawn Mitchell and Y’Anna Crawley.

Kweli and Young Jeezy will headline the Poetry Cipher and International Yardfest, respectively. Big Daddy Kane and Whodini will round out the Yardfest lineup.  R&B crooners Joe, Tyrese and Avant will join Monica in a ‘90s R&B-themed concert this year.

For all ticket prices, lineup of events and celebrity participants please visit www.bisonhomecoming.com. Tickets are on sale now at Cramton Auditorium on Howard University’s Main Campus, as well as Ticketmaster.







Hampton University researcher’s work helps to fine-tune Breast Cancer diagnoses and treatments

Cynthia Keppel, Ph.D is Scientific and Technical Director at the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute in Hampton. (Adrin Snider, Daily Press / October 1, 2011)

Cynthia Keppel talks at the speed of blur.

The nuclear physicist, internationally known for her work with protons and neutrons, barely pauses to breathe when explaining her research and the different imaging techniques used to detect breast cancer.

A mammogram is a breast X-ray, in which the tumor, denser than healthy tissue, casts a detectable shadow, she says. It’s highly sensitive but not specific enough to prevent unnecessary biopsies 60 percent of the time. Breast specific gamma imaging, on the other hand, radio-labels the tumors and maps their metabolic activity. When set over an X-ray, it gives physicians more specific information.

“It’s good for those with scar tissue, denser breasts or implants. It’s most important for younger women,” says Keppel. For breast cancer patients, Keppel’s research over the last decade has translated into technology allowing for more accurate and complete diagnoses and treatments.

And that is contributing to the vastly improved results for breast cancer patients. Once considered an automatic death sentence, breast cancer now has a 90 percent-plus, five-year survival rate for those diagnosed early.

Starting with imaging and diagnostics, Keppel’s work has progressed to the use of proton therapy. She is now the scientific and technical director at the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, which opened last year. Since 2000 she has earned nine patents, including one to enhance functional breast imaging, and has several more pending. She is the recipient of Virginia’s 2011 Outstanding Scientist award.

Keppel, 49, originally crossed disciplines to adapt her findings in nuclear physics at the Jefferson Lab to medical uses at the Center for Advanced Medical Integration, the state’s first medical physics program that she founded at Hampton University. Her work there included helping to improve a therapy in which high-dose radiation is delivered internally to a lumpectomy site instead of by an external beam, thereby reducing treatment time to five days from 30 to 40. It also spares more healthy tissue.

Read Full Article at Daily Press

Hampton University Leadership Institute to Host High School Student Leadership Summit

The William R. Harvey Leadership Institute will host the 2011 High School Student Leadership Summit on Nov. 18-20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Hampton. High school seniors are invited to attend the summit, entitled “Leaders are Relevant.”

This year’s summit will examine issues related to the 2012 presidential election. Students will discuss relevant political issues and learn skills in adopting to change in leadership, adjusting to adversity, leadership efficiency, finding and developing the leader within and constructing a strategic plan for leadership.

High school seniors interested in the summit must demonstrate an awareness of relevant issues in their community, and the country.

Registration for the summit is $250 and includes two-night accommodations at the Crowne Plaza, meals and all workshop material. The deadline for registration is Nov. 1.

To apply visit www.hamptonu.edu/leadership. Mail the completed application and payment to:

William R. Harvey Leadership Institute
PO Box 6143
Hampton, VA 23668
Contact the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute at 757-728-6698 or e-mail leadershipinstitute@hamptonu.edu for additional information.

Roberts, Louis answer GSU’s call Duo emerge as playmakers for Tigers

GRAMBLING — While Grambling State’s search for a quarterback continues, the Tigers found a couple of players willing to answer coach Doug Williams’ call for playmakers.

No one answered it more than running back Dawrence Roberts.

Roberts ran for 198 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ 20-14 loss to Alabama A&M on Saturday night, helping solve — at least for one night — a running game that was stuck in neutral for the first three weeks of the season.

“That sent a message to me,” said Roberts, who had tallied all of five yards in the Tigers’ first three games. “It made me want to be the best, made me want to be the playmaker that he was looking for. He was telling us all week, ‘We need a rusher. We need to run the ball.’ That, to me, made me want to work even harder. That made me want to be the man that he was looking for.”

Like several Tigers, Roberts was bitten by the turnover bug Saturday night. Roberts fumbled in the third quarter, and the turnover was returned 53 yards for a touchdown that put Alabama A&M up 14-0 at that point.
Read Full article at the News Star

Steve Jobs – An Unheralded Imagination & Inspiration

steve jobs
Steve Jobs (TIME Magazine)

On October 5, 2011, the world came to a halt. Steve Jobs, the co-founder and CEO of Apple, Inc. passed on Wednesday night, after an 8 year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56.

Jobs was the mastermind behind the launching of Apple, Inc. with his partner Steve Wozniak. His death occurs not too long after Jobs having to be forced to leave his position as executive chairman due to his ongoing health problems. He remained chairman of Apple until his death Wednesday night.

Steve Jobs was one of the most imaginative entrepreneurs that ever lived, as he was the mastermind behind such signature technological inventions like the Macbook, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad, and the list goes on. Without Jobs, mankind is not as advanced technologically as it is now.He changed consumer technology for the better, and forever.  Certainly, Jobs was the biggest dreamer we won’t ever see, but his legacy has set the bar high for the next wave of entrepreneurs. President Barack Obama had this to say on the untimely death of the Apple entrepreneur:

“The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.”

Indeed, many HBCU students rely on Jobs’ creations to complete their daily activities. Even with all of the revolutionary changes he has contributed to society, Steve Jobs’ greatest testament to his success is that he made mistakes and experienced a long list of failures. Jobs dropped out of Reed College after six months. The media questioned his prowess as a businessman after being ousted from his own company in 1985. He was fired from Apple after a long and bitter power struggle with the company’s board of directors. Jobs’ life serves as a testament to all entrepreneurs: Never give up on a dream.

“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.” –Steve Jobs.

Delaware State Celebrates First-Ever Graduation of its MBA Cohort in Vietnam

Delaware State University’s Harry L. Williams recently led a DSU delegation to Vietnam to celebrate the first graduating class of its Master of Business Administration program that it offers in that country.

Dr. Williams traveled to the Asian country with Amir Mohammadi, vice president of Business and Administration, Dr. Fengshan Liu, assistant vice president of International Affairs, Kishor Sheth, director of the DSU MBA Program, and Nanda Viswanathan, professor of marketing, to take part in the Sept. 23 Commencement ceremony at the 1,000-year-old historic National Temple of Vietnam.
Forty-three students comprised the first graduation class of the DSU MBA Program, which is offered at Vietnam National University in Hanoi. Dr. Williams said it was a “proud and historic moment” for DSU.
“It made you feel good about DSU’s global outreach and how we have seen this dream become a reality,” the DSU president said. “It is the result of the visionary leadership that was here before I began as president; I have inherited those visionary results.”
In addition to the Sept. 23 graduating class, there is another 23-student cohort that will graduate in December, and another 21 students who have begun pursuing the MBA through the program.
Read Full Article at Delaware State

Clark Atlanta Univesrity Invests in Financial Literacy-and Not Just for Students

Carlton E. Brown, president of Clark Atlanta U., says the university is teaching students, staff, faculty, and alumni to gain control over their accumulation of wealth "in as systematic a fashion as possible."

By Beckie Supiano

Financial literacy has become a hot topic in higher education, with a growing number of colleges offering training to their students, especially on how to manage their loan debt. Clark Atlanta University, a historically black university in Atlanta, has carried the idea further by providing services to its faculty, staff, and alumni, as well.

The university’s president, Carlton E. Brown, talked with The Chronicle about how the effort fits into Clark Atlanta’s larger

Article Referenced from THE CHRONICLE

Former athlete files civil lawsuit against Bethune-Cookman – Buzz Killer

A former Bethune-Cookman women’s basketball player has filed a civil lawsuit against the university, alleging a “climate of fear and intimidation” led to her being sexually assaulted by members of the men’s basketball team.

The woman, whose identity was not revealed in the lawsuit, is seeking more than $15,000 in damage.A Bethune-Cookman spokeswoman said the university could not comment on pending litigation.  The lawsuit states the woman was 18 years old when she met with 20-year-old C.J. Reed, who was a member of the Bethune-Cookman men’s basketball team, and they began drinking alcohol Dec. 5 in his car. The lawsuit suggests Reed poured an unknown substance into a drink that was only consumed by the woman and she was quickly incapacitated. She alleges she was sexually assaulted by an unknown third party in the back seat of Reed’s car and later was led to the Bethune-Cookman men’s basketball locker room, where the lawsuit states she was gang raped by Reed and his teammates.

Daytona Beach police records state the woman did not seek medical attention or contact authorities immediately after the assault. She washed all clothing she was wearing on the night she was assaulted. The Bethune-Cookman women’s basketball coach urged the woman to eventually report the incident on Jan. 3.

Daytona Beach detectives’ records state the woman repeatedly changed her account of the sexual assault. The records state the woman indicated she wanted to pursue counseling and asked the police at least three times to terminate their investigation. Daytona Beach police closed the case and no criminal charges were filed against Reed or any other members of the basketball team.

The lawsuit alleges former Bethune-Cookman men’s basketball coach Clifford Reed, the father of C.J. Reed, provided alcohol to his son and members of the basketball team and gave them unlimited access to the men’s basketball locker room for parties and sexual misconduct.

Clifford Reed did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

Bethune-Cookman officials fired Clifford Reed in June after he refused to cooperate with the police and university investigations into the sexual assault.

He told the Sentinel in August he believes he still has a positive reputation.

“I feel good about where I am as a person and as a coach,” Clifford Reed said. “I have no NCAA recruiting violations against me, I still have my dignity … Those things speak for themselves. We’ll be OK.”

Read Full Article at Orlando

Wildcats vs. Thorobreds Pre-Game Notes

THE MATCH UP: The Fort Valley State University Wildcats (1-4 Overall, 1-2 SIAC) will meet the Kentucky State University Thorobreds (3-2 Overall, 0-2 SIAC) in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest.

THE LOGISTICS: Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Alumni Field on the KSU campus in Frankfort, Ky. It’s homecoming for the Thorobreds, who are celebrating their 125th anniversary.

ON THE AIR: FVSU will air the game live via the Wildcats Sports Network:

  • On Radio: (WFVS 104.3 FM in Fort Valley)
  • Internet

Award-winning, play-by-play announcer Charles Ward and color analyst Mark Lassiter will provide the live coverage, along with sideline reports by Phil Walker.

LAST TIME OUT: After last week’s critical win against Benedict College, the FVSU Wildcats entered the Oct. 1 game against the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers. A record of 1-3 and another conference loss could have serious consequences for a team hungry for a conference title. The FVSU Wildcats were defeated by the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers, 15-18.

The 28th Annual Circle City Classic was a matchup with all the excitement and great play promised. In a high-scoring, SIAC matchup, the Kentucky State Thorobreds fell to the Golden Rams of Albany State, 31-57. The Rams and Thorobreds set several records in the high-scoring battle. (Reprinted with permission from the SIAC & KSU Office of Sports Information)

WHAT’S AT STAKE: The game pits two members of the SIAC in a conference contest.

After the loss to Tuskegee, the Wildcats need the win to remain in contention for the conference title. Although the teams play in different divisions of the conference (FVSU in the East, KSU in the West), a win or loss could factor into the final divisional standing for the Wildcats.

For the Thorobreds, a win would give them the first conference victory of the season.

Read Full Article at FVSU

 

FAMU TV 20 Presents the 2011 Homecoming TV Special and Webcasts

Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Homecoming is arguably Tallahassee’s premiere week for entertainment, football and fun. Individuals can get highlights of Homecoming on FAMU-TV 20 by watching the 15th Annual Homecoming Special that will air Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 9:30 p.m.

Anchors for the show are journalism students Lenneia Batiste from Atlanta, Kristen Holloway from Atlanta, Kaci Jones from Port St. Lucie, Alexandria Collins from Tallahassee, Clarece Polke from Archer, and Donovan Long from Indianapolis.

The Homecoming TV show began back in 1996 under the leadership of Professor Kenneth Jones, a third-generation Rattler and broadcast sequence coordinator.

In addition to the TV show, Jones said, “We’re doing three webcasts along with social media such as Facebook and Twitter.  Students from the broadcast journalism, graphic design and public relations sequences have worked collectively to televise this event.”

According to Jones, individuals should be prepared to experience FAMU’s homecoming through the lens of some of the university’s top journalism students. Ever wonder what it takes to be a food vendor? FAMU’s TV-20 will be Read Full Article at FAMU

Norfolk State University, Hampton University Run Away With Win in 3rd Annual Robert S. Shumake HBCU Challenge

The 3rd Annual Robert S. Shumake Historically Black College & University Challenge took place at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC on October 1st. The 5K and 8K races, in partnership with the National Scholastic Sports Foundation [NSSF], were among the featured events at the Great American Cross-Country Festival. The Historically Black College & University Challenge is unique in that the invitational draws MEAC, SWAC and CIAA conferences to compete in one neutral setting to determine the best of the best!

The Historically Black College & University Challenge was created by Mr. Shumake in conjunction with NSSF to provide a series of high-level athletic events for HBCU students to showcase their athletic prowess while offering exposure to top coaches and industry pros. The ‘Challenge’ has seen consistent growth each year with participation from more than 30 historically black colleges and universities.

The runners of Norfolk State University and Hampton University have been quite the contenders since the race’s inception. Norfolk won both the men’s and women’s relays in 2009. The men of Norfolk have defended their title ever since, taking the win this year as well as in 2010. The women of Hampton have taken the top seat in past two consecutive races.

The following HBCUs participated in this year’s event: Benedict College, Bowie State University, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Chowan University , Fayetteville State University, Hampton University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University, Livingstone College, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, St. Augustine’s College, Shaw University, South Carolina State University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University,  Winston-Salem State University.

Robert S. Shumake, the CEO of Inheritance Capital Group and Founder of the Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Relays (www.shumakerelays.com) and the Robert S. Shumake HBCU College and University Challenge credits much of his success to the lessons he learned as an all-city track star at Detroit’s Denby High School. Understanding the importance of organized teamwork, the Detroit businessman founded the HBCU Challenge to reward academic as well as athletic excellence.

For more on the Robert S Shumake HBCU Challenge please visit us at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Robert-S-Shumake-Historically-Black-College-University-Challenge/135311819838499?v=info&ref=ts

HBCU Buzz Seeking Journalist – Writers & Event Reports

HBCU Buzz is a promotional-progressive brand that promotes HBCU pride and HBCU unity in order to enhance the black college experience and uplift the perception of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCU Buzz provides the public with the up to date headline news about all black colleges and universities by strategically utilizing references from schools, organizations, and media outlets. We are currently the leading source of HBCU News for all Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
A writing internship with HBCU Buzz allows journalists and writers interested in working with the HBCU Buzz brand the opportunity to become a member of a staff of young, Black professionals aiming to support and elevate HBCUs. We are looking for highly motivated, talented, and dedicated young men and women with an interest in writing who want their work to be featured on a mainstream news organization dedicated to uplifting and informing the HBCU community.
When you are selected to join HBCU Buzz, you are not just another employee. You are representing a brand name in the HBCU community. You will be a respected staff member whose work and dedication is vital to the success of this company. There are a variety of topics staff writers will work on: Buzzing News, HBCU Events, Sports, In Reality, just to name a few.
All interns are expected to be knowledgeable and aware of news and events transpiring in not only the black college student and African American communities, but also of the world news and events as well. It is the job of the interns to educate and inform. HBCU Buzz is the #1 source for all black college students on news, events, homecomings, etc. It is imperative that our interns stay tuned to the news. This is an unpaid internship and there are 3 keys to succeeding as a HBCU Buzz journalist/writer:
Commitment: All interns must be able to meet HBCU Buzz’s deadlines. HBCU Buzz posts dates are Sunday afternoons, Tuesday mornings and Thursday mornings. All interns must select a Block in which to submit content. The deadlines are as follows: Block 1-Mondays at 5 P.M., Block 2- Wednesdays at 5 P.M., and Block 3- Saturdays at 5 P.M. You can choose the Block that best fits into your schedule, but once you do, you are held accountable for turning in articles in your Block.
Communication: Please answer all emails, texts and phone calls within a reasonable amount of time. An open flow of communication between interns and editor is crucial to the effectiveness of this company.
Content: Interns will be delegated to a specific column and held responsible for producing original content in this column. However, you do not have to put a limit as to how many articles you want to submit. HBCU Buzz is an evolving company, and we want our interns to grow with us as well. Once you have your article for your column in your designated Block ready, then you can also submit as many articles for different columns as you like. Interns will have their own accounts with HBCU Buzz to have their articles proofread and then published by the editor-in-chief.
Before one can become a member of the HBCU Buzz family, one must meet the following requirements:

  • • Must be enrolled at a HBCU or be an alumni of a HBCU.
  • • Must be proficient in grammar and writing mechanics.
  • • An interest in news reporting/journalism.
  • • Must submit a Full Resume and writing sample.
  • • Current students should have at least a 2.5 GPA, must provide transcript (official or unofficial)
  • • Complete a trial assignment administered by the editor-in-chief to assess the applicant’s writing skills.
  • In order to receive college credit for the internship, please contact the Editor-in-Chief or the General Manager.

Contact : Careers@hbcubuzz.com