Page 668 – HBCU Buzz

Football Standout from PVAM, Accepted Into Medical School

Posted on May 8, 2011

Prairie View A&M senior football standout Max Sencherey will trade his playbook in for a stethoscope as he was accepted to attend medical school at Oklahoma State University.

A native of Lake Jackson, Texas, Sencherey will start immediately at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine which is located in Tulsa, Okla. The university’s medical school is nationally renowned for its excellence in primary care and rural medicine.

Sencherey was a two-year starter at middle linebacker and a two-time All-SWAC standout as he finished the 2010 campaign with 75 tackles. He’s a testament to the statement ‘hard work pays off’ as he joined the program as a walk-on in 2006 and worked his way into becoming a solid student-athlete.

“For a guy who wasn’t very big and coming in behind (former All-American linebacker) Zach East, I thought he did an admirable job,” said Prairie View A&M head coach Heish Northern. “He was a leader on the team in terms of academics, voicing his opinion and getting people lined up correctly. That was a great accomplishment for a player who walked on and earned a scholarship.”

A Biology major with a 3.3 grade point average, Sencherey is also an example of someone who puts the team ahead of himself as he delayed his graduation to come back and play the 2010 season.

Lincoln University Students were among the most Awarded at Annual NABA Conference

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 8, 2011

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA — Three Lincoln University students were the recipients of accounting and finance related scholarships at the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) 35th Annual Eastern Region Student Conference held from October 14-17, 2010.

Oluwayemisi Ibidapo, a senior, was awarded a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Review Course scholarship in the amount of $3,065.00 from Becker Professional Education, and Natachie Elie, a junior, received a $1,000 scholarship from JP Morgan Chase & Co. The highest scholarship received during the conference was presented to Eva Ovadje, a senior, who received a $5,000 scholarship from the NABA Eastern Region.

NABA’s motto, “Lifting As We Climb,” reflects its mission to develop and inspire future leaders in accounting and finance professions. Among the sponsoring companies represented were major accounting firms Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Other sponsors included Johnson & Johnson, GAO, PNC Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Wake Forest University.

Accompanied by Visiting Assistant Professor of Accounting Dr. Samuel Williams, the students were allowed a maximum of six scheduled interviews during the conference with company representatives. In addition, students participated in networking sessions throughout the day, providing them access to a host of respected speakers and peers in their region.

Representing Lincoln University were Business and Information Technology majors: Oluwayemisi Ibidapo, Melem Tatiana Sie, Trevor Kamhunga, Natachie Elie, Eva Ovadje, Nathalie Millimono,Igory Nnani, Joseph Forde, and Michael Sangster.

Disabled Student Beats Odds at TSU; Brings Furry Companion to Commencement

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 8, 2011

As a stellar student with an athletic scholarship to Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn., James Perdue had hopes of becoming a baseball star.

A fateful twist for his young future came about when he was badly injured during a pick-up game of football at the age of 19. Perdue’s neck was broken and he became a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.

Yet that didn’t stop him in his educational pursuit. He went on to earn an associate’s degree from Volunteer State Community College and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.

Still yearning for more knowledge, Perdue was encouraged by a friend to consider choosing Tennessee State University as his final destination for a terminal degree. “My friend Bruce Battles graduated from TSU and talked me into enrolling. I was uncertain how people would accept my disability at first, but then I saw how accommodating the campus community was,” Perdue said. “My instructors, especially Dr. Mary Ann Pangle, went the extra mile to assist me, and students would push me up the hill to class or help me out of the car.”

Now, in completion of TSU’s doctoral program in the College of Education’s Department of Teaching and Learning, Perdue will cross the stage on Saturday with a four-legged friend to assist him. His companion dog Ricardo has traveled to campus alongside him for the past nine months to help with daily tasks.

“I know most people would be surprised to see a dog on campus and even at graduation but having him around breaks the stigma that people sometimes have about someone with a disability, not to mention he provides so much help for me,” Perdue said.

After graduation, Perdue hopes to become a motivational speaker sharing his story of overcoming obstacles and persevering through tragedy to pursue lifelong goals. “I have a story to tell and I think people will be inspired by knowing my journey,” he said.

UDC anR Institution in Transition from a Presidential Perspective

A 160-year-old public land-grant university, UDC the only public university in our nation’s capital

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 8, 2011

The University of the District of Columbia is an institution in transition. A 160-year-old public land-grant university, UDC continues to be the only public university in our nation’s capital. It has a broad mission of academics, research and community outreach. We are physically rebuilding the university in its various locations across the District, and we are overhauling and rejuvenating our academic offerings to support the professional needs of our students for the 21st century. We want to apply the best possible examples of our experience through our new Center for Urban Education and become a leader among urban educators.

To reenergize our land-grant role we have established the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences. Using the University’s 143 acre farm in Beltsville, MD as one focus and applying our faculty’s expertise in agriculture, water resource management, architectural restoration and renewable energy among other disciplines, we hope to redefine the urban, land-grant agenda by using our nation’s capitol as our research base.

The university, with the support of the mayor and city council, opened a community college in the 2009 – 2010 academic year. In its second year, enrollment increased more than 50%, clearly illustrating a regional demand for Associate’s Degrees, Certificate Programs and workforce development in various trades. Our community college continues to bridge that educational gap between high school and college for many urban students. And it has allowed up to focus on an educational core centering not on K-12, as has been the focus in the past, but K-age 24, to include higher education. In Washington, the job market requires education to at least a Bachelor’s Degree, with most professional jobs requiring a Master’s Degree. With the creation of the community college with open enrollment, our flagship university has been able to establish admission standards to allow it to begin the transition to a truly great state university.

News

Virginia Union University New Math and Science Summer Institute

Provides students with an on-campus living experience prior to the beginning of freshman year.

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 8, 2011

The Math and Science Summer Institute provides students with an on-campus living experience prior to the beginning of freshman year, while introducing them to the scientific research process. Students will meet the following goals:

– Demonstrate the mathematical skills and proficiencies required to enroll in and successfully pass calculus in the freshman year of study.
– Identify and utilize the scientific method and understand its role in the development of science.
– Increase their level of critical thinking.

ELIGIBILITY
Students who have been accepted as first-time freshmen to Virginia Union University (VUU) for Fall 2011 are eligible to apply. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required. The required combined SAT Score (Mathematics and Critical Reading) is 1000 (a score of 450 and above is needed in the Mathematics section).

Bill Cosby encourages Miles College graduates to start businesses

Philanthropist and comedian Bill Cosby today urged graduates of Miles College to make their own business opportunities as they prepare to enter a workforce that has been negatively impacted by the economy.NEW

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 8, 2011

“You don’t have to work for anyone,” Cosby told graduates at the ceremony held at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex arena. “Think about what is needed in your neighborhoods and go about your entrepreneurial self.”

Miles, located in Fairfield, shifted its commencement from the Boutwell Auditorium to the BJCC because the Boutwell currently is being used to shelter storm victims.

Cosby, who spent Friday surveying tornado damage, also asked that graduates look for ways to help the survivors of the April 27 storms that ravaged the state. “Work it, rebuild it,” he said of the devastated communities. “This is Alabama, this is you.”

Miles College Senior Class President FoloShade Weems said the gift bestowed by this year’s graduating class to the college will be a donation for tornado relief efforts.

News

House committee Votes approves SUNO & UNO Merger Passed Bill

House committee has given its approval an eventual merger of SUNO & the University of New Orleans

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 4, 2011

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) –
A House committee has given its approval for an eventual merger of SUNO and the University of New Orleans.

A merger of historically black Southern University at New Orleans and the University of New Orleans cleared the House Education Committee Tuesday. The 10 to 5 vote came after hours of debate and a visit from Governor Bobby Jindal.

Jindal brought not only his star power to the committee but he also was armed with a battery of statistics.

“Even if you do nothing even, if you do pass no new piece of legislation 87 percent starting as first year full time freshmen at SUNO will not be eligible to enroll in the Fall 2012,” said Jindal.

Opponents say the consolidation would diminish educational opportunities for minorities. Supporters say it will offer better educational opportunities.

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News

The Great Debate 2011 Yale University vs. Howard University

It was a tale of academic worlds colliding when two debate teams shared the stage before a large audience inside the Cramton Auditorium at Howard University this weekend.

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 4, 2011

WASHINGTON — It was a tale of academic worlds colliding when two debate teams shared the stage before a large audience inside the Cramton Auditorium at Howard University this weekend. Perhaps the third time was the charm. On the stage at the audience’s left was the Howard University Debate Team, representing one of America’s most prominent historically Black colleges. At the right was the Yale University Debate Association, representing the illustrious Ivy League. The Yale Debate Association was crowned in 2011 by the American Parliamentary Debate Association as Club of the Year — a distinction it also won in 2010 and 2009.

It’s with those things in mind that the NAACP’s third annual Great Debate, which took place between the Howard and Yale debate teams over the weekend, should be viewed. The first topic was whether society should create more privately-operated public charter schools. The second was whether Washington, D.C. should be granted statehood. When it came time for Howard team member Gavette Richardson to sum up her team’s arguments on the merits of charter schools, she said the case for charter schools was no different than Brown v. Board of Education or the Little Rock Nine. Her Yale opponents argued that charter schools actually lead to segregation — the very things that those two landmark civil rights events were meant to under. Which team made the stronger case is difficult to say definitively since the third annual Great Debate didn’t have a panel of judges to make that determination. But organizers say for now, declaring a winner in the Great Debate is not as important as it is to whet the public’s appetite for such battles of wit. “Usually, at a college debate, at the highest levels of competition, there’s usually only 10 to 20 people at the event,” said Scot X Esdaile, president and board member of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches. “But at an NAACP college debate, it’s always over 1,000 people in attendance.”

After drawing inspiration from Denzel Washington’s critically acclaimed 2007 movie “The Great Debaters,” Esdaile’s group was instrumental in getting the Great Debate started at Yale back in 2009. More such debates are underway. Esdaile reported Saturday that the NAACP is currently working on arranging debates between Morehouse College and Harvard University, as well as between Texas Southern University and Princeton University. He also said eventually the debates will likely become full-fledged competitions. “For this one, it was really just an opportunity to introduce debate on the campus and the community, and was viewed more as an exhibition than competition,” said Esdaile.

News

Bowie State Students Peacefully Protest for their Dean Batten

Heartfelt students of Bowie State University show the love for their Robert Batten, dean of Student Services; by protesting and rallying in his favor.

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 4, 2011

Bowie State Students Peacefully Protest for their Dean

Heartfelt students of Bowie State University show the love for their Robert Batten, dean of Student Services; by protesting and rallying in his favor. Inside sources informed a few students that there dean was planning on leaving the university. It was brought to the students attention that his very much tired of the personal miss-function of student affairs, cutting his salary by $10,000. Students say they are tired of him being pushed around and this must stop.

Senior at Bowie State

Dean batten was the first administration staff that showed me how much of a family the university can be on several occasions. Once by extending a hand when I was stuck on campus because my car battery died. Not only did he buy me a new battery, but he purchased the top of the line battery for my car to insure I never missed a class due to car trouble. That’s just one of the many incidents hes proved to be a friend.

By HBCUBuzz Staff

News

Oprah Winfrey wil Honor TSU’s Freedom Riders on May 4

On Wednesday, May 4th, 2011, TSU’s Freedom Riders will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 3, 2011

On Wednesday, May 4th, 2011, TSU’s Freedom Riders will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Winfrey and others will be celebrating the 50-year anniversary of the beginning of the Freedom Rides. Check local listings to find out what time and on which channel the show airs.

Buzzing News

Paine gets a $1.6 million Grant for Campus Improvement

Paine College has been awarded a $1.6 million technology grant from CampusEAI Consortium, announced in a press conference on campus earlier today.

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 3, 2011

Paine College has been awarded a $1.6 million technology grant from CampusEAI Consortium, announced in a press conference on campus earlier today.

The grant will implement a “single sign-on” computer system that will streamline the school’s technology interface for both students and faculty. At present, students and faculty have different logins and passwords for each web-based service that the school uses, from email accounts to class information websites. This new system would consolidate these different programs into one place, requiring only one password for each user.

Also included in the grant is a 24 hour technology help line for any technology problems or questions that faculty and students may have.

“We want to utilize this technology to become globally competitive,” said Michael Hicks, director of information technology for Paine College.

Hicks was the faculty member responsible for spearheading this campaign, working on a nine month application process in order to receive the grant.

The help desk will become available within the next month, and the computer system will be ready for the upcoming fall semester, according to Hicks.

The grant will be awarded over a five year period, after

Buzzing News

Mother and Daughter Scheduled to Graduate at FAMU

Susan Dunbar will share a significant milestone with her daughter, Ayonna Dunbar, as they both graduate from Florida A&M University (FAMU).

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 3, 2011

Mother and Daughter Scheduled to Graduate at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Susan Dunbar will share a significant milestone with her daughter, Ayonna Dunbar, as they both graduate from Florida A&M University (FAMU). On Saturday, April 30 nearly 1,400 candidates will join the Dunbars to receive their diploma during the Spring Commencement ceremony in the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

Atlanta Mayor M. Kasim Reed will serve as the keynote speaker for FAMU’s 9 a.m. Spring Commencement ceremony and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will serve as the 2 p.m. speaker. Doors will open for the public at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. ceremony and at 1 p.m. for the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Susan Dunbar, 50, stated that it was a little tough coming back to school, juggling her family and church; however, she does not regret her decision.

“My family and friends supported me throughout my tenure at FAMU,” said Susan Dunbar. “When I thought that I could not do it, they encouraged me.”

Susan Dunbar, a nursing major, graduated from FAMU 28 years ago with a bachelor’s of science in nursing before enrolling into the master’s program in 2009; two years after Ayonna Dunbar started her first semester and the same semester her son Darius Dunbar, 20, started classes at FAMU.

“The three of us attending FAMU was an advantage,” said Susan Dunbar. “We would check on each other to make sure we completed projects and papers, and often compare our GPA’s [grade point average].”

Ayonna Dunbar, 23, who is also excited about graduating alongside her mother, plans to get her master’s degree in mental health at FAMU. Her passion for health derives from her mother’s community outreach.

“My mother is known for always helping someone,” said Ayonna Dunbar, a senior psychology major. “She’s naturally an humanitarian.”

Last year, Susan Dunbar coordinated a health fair in the Housing Community in Tallahassee where she educated residents and facilitated a variety of health screenings.

“This is really exciting because I thought I was going to experience the excitement of graduation alone,” said Ayonna Dunbar. “I’m glad to have my mother to share this moment with me.”

Susan Dunbar, who is graduating with honors, is scheduled to receive her diploma during the 2 p.m. ceremony, and Ayonna Dunbar will receive her diploma during the 9 a.m. ceremony.

“This is the greatest Mother’s Day gift I could ever receive,” said Susan Dunbar. “Having my daughter and myself graduate at the same time is awesome.”

Buzz Killer

Clark Atlanta Intern for Steve Harvey Accused of Stealing 10,000 from the Comedian

Allegedly pilfered $10,000 in cash from a bag inside Steve Harvey’s Piedmont Road office.

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 2, 2011

Clark Atlanta Intern for Steve Harvey

Accused of Stealing 10,000 from the Comedian

A Clark Atlanta intern who allegedly pilfered $10,000 in cash from a bag inside Steve Harvey’s Piedmont Road office told the comedian he’d return the money despite insisting he didn’t steal it. According to the report, a security video showed Reynolds entering Harvey’s office earlier this month.

Reynolds, who was not authorized to be in the office, told one of Harvey’s associates he just wanted to get a Coke but the video shows him leaving the room without a soft drink in hand. The missing cash had been delivered just prior to the theft by a bank employee, the report states.

Questioned by his supervisor and Harvey, the intern claimed innocence. He later sent the supervisor a text message stating, “I am gonna get him the money just so I can end this,” according to police.

Step into the Black Mans Closet by Khadijah Williams

At this day and age, black men are still looked at as “gangsters” thugs, criminals. Why is this?!

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 2, 2011

Step into the Black Mans Closet by Khadijah Williams

At this day and age, black men are still looked at as “gangsters” thugs, criminals. Why is this?! Are they subject to this because of the media or do African American men simply set their selves up for this stereotype? Does the way one dress signify their character. I believe one should always dress like what they represent! As we grow in age naturally your wardrobe matures as well am I wrong?!

As some of you may be close to graduating I ask of you will you step into the real world continuously wearing Nike Dunks, Jordans, Multi-Colored Fitteds, amongst other things. Do you pride yourself on waiting in line for hours to purchase the latest kicks? Which you probably just toss later because they’re No longer in style! Don’t you think it’s time to get your grown man on. Trade those Letterman Jackets in for a tailored suit maybe?! YOU be the Judge. It’s YOUR choice! How do you want to be represented?

By Khadiijah Williams
HBCUbuzz Staff

Football

Kenrick Ellis of Hampton University Picked in the 3rd round in the NFL Draft by the NEW YORK JETS

Senior defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (West Palm Beach, Fla.) was selected 94th overall

HBCU Editors

Posted on May 2, 2011

Senior defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (West Palm Beach, Fla.) was selected 94th overall, in third round, by the New York Jets Friday night in the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. He is the first Pirates to be selected in the NFL Draft since the Miami Dolphins selected defensive end Kendall Langford in the 4rd round of the 2008 draft.

Langford was the 66th overall pick that season.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound senior came into his own this past season as part of a nationally-ranked Pirates defense. Ellis was second on the team with 94 tackles (34 solo), while recording 15.0 tackles for loss totaling 37 yards. Ellis recorded a career-high 16 tackles (seven solo) at Howard on Sept. 11 (when he was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week), before recording 15 stops (two solo) at North Carolina Central on Oct. 9, 2010.

He added 2.0 sacks in 2010, en route to earning First Team All-MEAC honors for the second straight year. But the awards didn’t stop there.

Since the end of the 2010 season, Ellis has been named an FCS All-American by the Associated Press, The Sports Network, Phil Steele, Walter Camp SBN Sports and the College Sporting News. The transfer from South Carolina was also named the BoxToRow.com/BASN HBCU Defensive Player of the Year and the FCS Defensive Tackle of the Year by College Football Performance Awards.

Various draft experts projected Ellis as a third- or fourth-round selection, while a few draft boards had him going late in the second round.

When he came to Hampton in 2008, Ellis made nine starts and recorded 39 tackles. He was fifth on the team with 51 tackles in 2009, earning First Team All-MEAC honors. For his career at Hampton, Ellis totaled 184 tackles.

Stylish Buzz of the Week: Javan Bowden from Howard University by The Profashional

Javan’s style speaks “Black Ivy League” to me. He continues set trends with his mode.

Robert Hoggard

Posted on May 2, 2011

Stylish Buzz of the Week: Javan Bowden from

Howard University by The Profashional

Name: Javan Bowden

Classification: Freshmen

Repin’: Howard University

Major: Music Business

Blog: www.theblaquebook.com

Javan’s style speaks “Black Ivy League” to me. He continues set trends with his mode. His attire depicts etiquette and style; embodying erudition and refinement. To see more of his trending styles visit his fashion lifestyle blog www.theblaquebook.com!

-By Shanece Austin “The Profashional”
HBCUBuzz Staff