NC A&T is a public, historically black, land-grant research university in Greensboro, North Carolina.
A team of researchers from the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering at Historically Black North Carolina A&T State University and theUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro, has received a $369,024 grant from NCInnovation, a research support service for public universities. The funds will support research into the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Coppin State University — $1.2 Million
Coppin State University is a public historically black university in Baltimore, Maryland.
Historically Black, Coppin State University in Baltimore, has received a $1.2 million grant from the United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education. The grant will fund an initiative aimed at preparing a diverse educational workforce to support school-aged children with disabilities, particularly those who are children of color or multilingual.
Prairie View A&M University — $150,000
PVAMU is a land-grant historically Black university in Prairie View, Texas.
Jeanelle Hope, an African American studies associate professor at Historically Black Prairie View A&M University in Texas, has received a $150,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support a two-year project designed to enhance the university’s African American studies program. The grant will be used to add new courses to the program’s curriculum and support faculty development initiatives.
Howard University — $5 Million
Howard University is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C.
Historically Black, Howard University has received a record-breaking $5 million donation from Autodesk, a global leader in design and technology, as part of a collaboration the two have shared for six years. The company additionally allows its software to be used in classrooms at no cost to students and educators. The new funding will support the College of Engineering and Architecture’s Design and Make lab to provide software and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as educators who will empower future engineers. This marks the largest unrestricted philanthropic donation in the college’s history.
Jackson State University — $1 Million
Jackson State University is a public historically black research university in Jackson, Mississippi.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has donated $1 million to Historically Black, Jackson State University to establish a scholarship for high-achieving students in need (with preference given to those pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines). Pres. Thompson described the gift as transformative. The funds will be used to establish the Jack Kent Cooke CSET Scholars Program, which will provide selected STEM students with financial and professional support.
Alabama A&M University — $3.6 Million
AAMU is a public historically black land-grant university in Normal, Huntsville, Alabama.
The Alabama A&M University Social Work Department has secured a historic $3.6 Million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to fund a visionary initiative aimed at revolutionizing geriatric care. The transformative five-year grant is the largest in the history of the department and marks a milestone achievement for the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences.
Congratulations to all the HBCUs for these outstanding contributions!
Four Norfolk State University athletic programs earned perfect single-year Academic Progress Rates (APR), as the NCAA’s data release on Tuesday revealed. All 13 of Norfolk State’s programs remain eligible for postseason play heading into the 2024-25 academic year.
The NCAA posted APR scores over four years, including data from the 2019-20 through 2022-23 academic years. Across that entire stretch, the Norfolk State men’s cross country team led all Spartan athletic programs with a multi-year rate of 994.
The Spartans continued their success in the classroom during the 2022-23 academic year, as the baseball, men’s cross country, women’s basketball, and women’s bowling teams posted perfect single-year APR scores of 1,000.
The four-year Academic Progress Rate national average for Division I teams remained steady at 984 this year, as the division marked the 20th anniversary of APR data collection. During those 20 years, overall student-athlete academic success has risen substantially.
Compared with the four years before the COVID-19 pandemic (2015-16 through 2018-19), the overall national four-year average across all sports increased by one point.
This is the third consecutive year of publicly reported APRs after a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the Division I board approved the release of APR scores but voted to continue the suspension of program penalties. After further review, the Committee on Academics is not enforcing the loss of access to postseason competition for teams that have scored lower than 930. Instead, a conditional waiver is being offered this year due to the lingering impacts of COVID-19.
For complete coverage of Norfolk State athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @NSUSpartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube), or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.
While most higher ed institutions are in crisis trying to meet enrollment targets, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) is bucking a national trend.
Dr. Camaille Shepard, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Title IX Compliance reported the university has received not only a record-breaking number of applications, but to date, 74% more students have paid their deposits to secure their spots in the class of 2028 than had done the same this time last year.
“We are pleased to report that our application yield is robust, surpassing last year’s figures by 6% with a total of 13,172 applications to date,” she said.
“This positive trend is further reinforced by the fact that each student secures their seat by making an enrollment deposit. The upcoming class is performing exceptionally well, with 462 deposits, marking a significant 74% increase compared to the same period last year,” as of mid-April, she said.
Data shows that between 2019 and 2022, college and university enrollment around the country declined by 8%, with cost being one of the leading factors driving a student’s decision to pursue higher education or join the workforce. But B-CU, like many historically Black institutions, is facing the opposite trend.
“Our faith-based institution as well as our student life has really been a driver in terms of why families come to the institution and of course, most importantly, is the legacy and history of our founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune,” Dr. Shepard told Central Florida Public Media reporters last week.
Shepard said the university has recruited heavily from across the state of Florida, as well as in the Bahamas. Information sessions for student outreach are being planned in both Florida and Georgia for the summer, as the institution continues to trek across the country to welcome in future Wildcats.
The university community is working hard to prepare to welcome new Wildcats and to ensure the campus remains a safe and welcoming place for those who are returning to continue their education.
“As we’re looking at the numbers, we are working with our housing because we need to make sure we have beds for students. But there have been plans underway over the past year in terms of our facilities, not only expanding those but improving those. So it’s really a collaborative conversation across the institution,” Dr. Shepard said in the interview.
GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State University student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom this season, with four programs producing perfect single-year NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.
“We are extremely proud of all of our student-athletes and how they have consistently performed well in the classroom,” said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Trayvean D. Scott.
“It’s also a testament to our wonderful academic staff who have consistently displayed tremendous operational excellence in guiding our student-athletes in their matriculation through Grambling State University.”
Men’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s bowling, and women’s tennis posted scores of 1,000. In total, six teams improved upon their scores from last season (baseball, men’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s bowling, women’s soccer, and women’s tennis).
All 15 teams exceeded the multi-year threshold of 930, with women’s tennis also scoring a perfect 1,000. Seven programs improved their multi-year scores (football, men’s track, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, softball, women’s track and women’s volleyball). Multi-year scores were tabulated from 2019-20 to 2022-23.
Grambling State University is a public historically black university in Grambling, Louisiana.
Multi-Year Scores (2019-20 – 2022-23, 930 and above)
The APR system includes rewards for superior academic performance and penalties for teams that do not achieve certain academic benchmarks. Data are collected annually, and results are announced in the spring.
The Division I Committee on Academics (CoA) oversees the Academic Progress Rate as part of its responsibilities with the Academic Performance Program. The CoA sets policies and recommends legislative changes to the Division I Board of Directors which has the final say on changes in Division I.
FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gsu_tigers1 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram), or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ––Florida A&M University (FAMU) saw the most perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in a single academic year as six athletic teams earned a perfect 1,000 for the 2022-23 academic year as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released its annual report.
“I am so proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff who have worked extremely hard to improve FAMU’s NCAA APR rates,” said Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes.
“Through the implementation of early pre-certification, increased communication with coaches and student-athletes, and other strategies, we were able to see immediate impact and improvement in our APR. I want to thank the FAMU Foundation and our partner, Nike whose investment in summer school scholarships supported us in accomplishing our single-year APR goals.”
This marks the fourth straight year the Rattlers have had at least ten of the 12 athletic teams to have a multiyear APR of 930 or better. The HBCU National Golf Champions finished in the top ten percent of the nation for their 1,000 multiyear score to earn an NCAA APR Public Recognition Award, the second time the Rattlers saw a sport in the top ten percent in department history.
For the 2022-23 year, the Rattlers had ten teams achieve a 930 or better. Another highlight was football, which had a score of 950, which was a 49-point jump from 2021-22.
Florida A&M University is a public historically black land-grant university in Tallahassee, Florida.
2022-23 Rate (930 or better) Baseball | 1,000 Women’s Basketball | 1,000 Bowling | 1,000 Tennis | 1,000 Volleyball | 1,000 Golf | 1,000 Softball | 951 Football | 950 Cross Country | 950 Men’s Track & Field | 949
Implemented in 2003 as part of an ambitious academic reform effort in Division I, the Academic Progress Rate (APR) holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team-based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term.
The APR emerged when Division I presidents and chancellors sought a more timely assessment of academic success at colleges and universities. At the time, the best measure was the graduation rate calculated under the federally mandated methodology that was based on a six-year window and did not take transfers into account.
In addition to developing the APR, the presidents also adopted a new graduation rate methodology that more accurately reflects student-athlete transfer patterns and other factors affecting graduation (the new rate is called the Graduation Success Rate).
The APR system includes rewards for superior academic performance and penalties for teams that do not achieve certain academic benchmarks. Data are collected annually, and results are announced in the spring.
The Division I Committee on Academics (CoA) oversees the Academic Progress Rate as part of its responsibilities with the Academic Performance Program. The CoA sets policies and recommends legislative changes to the Division I Board of Directors which has the final say on changes in Division I.
It has been thirty years since Deion Sanders made his iconic debut with “Must Be the Money.” Now known as “Coach Prime,” Sanders recently contributed a verse to a song by artist Yella Beezy, considered “Must Be The Money PT. 2.”
In his verse, Sanders talks about how grateful he is for God’s blessings, and his comfort with fame since his playing days, and also references his time at Jackson State University.
Sanders spent two and a half seasons as the head coach at Jackson State. The former NFL star led the Tigers to an 11-1 record in his first season as head coach in 2021; — an impressive debut season for Sanders and his coaching staff.
In the verse, Sanders raps, “The weight of the people weigh heavy on my shoulder,” Sanders says. “Gave ‘The Sip the blueprint and took the family to Boulder.”
The last bar seems to reference the idea that Deion Sanders provided his former HBCU Jackson State with the blueprint for success before leaving for Colorado, taking his sons Shilo and Sheduer, and his daughter Shelomi with him.
Deion Sanders has frequently shown his love for music, whether by creating his own or associating himself with rap stars like Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and others. The musical talent seems to have been passed down to his children as well. Deion Sanders Jr. has been releasing rap songs for years, while also building his media brand. More recently, Shedeur Sanders has also started to dabble in rapping and has released a song called “Perfect Timing.”
Celebrating Heritage & Unity: Cast Your Vote in the HBCU Mascot Poll now!
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a rich cultural and historical significance in the United States, and their mascots often reflect that heritage.
Some key significant aspects of HBCU mascots include:
Representation of Identity: HBCU mascots often represent symbols of pride, resilience, and identity for the students, alumni, and the broader community. These mascots serve as a visual representation of the institution’s values, history, and spirit.
Cultural Heritage: Drawing on inspiration from African and African-American culture, history, and folklore, our Mascots embody important figures, animals, or symbols that hold cultural significance to the HBCU community.
Unity and Community: HBCU mascots foster a sense of unity and belonging among students, faculty, alumni, and supporters. They serve as rallying points during athletic events, cultural celebrations, and other gatherings, bringing people together under a common symbol.
Resilience and Empowerment: Our mascots reflect themes of resilience, empowerment, and overcoming adversity and symbolize the struggles and triumphs of the African-American community throughout history, inspiring students to persevere and excel in the face of challenges.
Legacy and Tradition: Many HBCU mascots have a long-standing legacy and tradition associated with them, dating back to the founding of the institution. These mascots embody the enduring values and principles upon which HBCUs were established and continue to thrive.
Education and Awareness: Our HBCU mascots also play a role in educating people about the history and significance of these institutions. They provide an opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of HBCUs to American society and the ongoing importance of supporting these institutions.
Overall, HBCU mascots serve as powerful symbols that connect past, present, and future generations of students and supporters, embodying the rich heritage and enduring legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Join us in celebrating the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and unity that define HBCUs across the nation. As symbols of pride and identity, HBCU mascots embody the spirit and legacy of these esteemed institutions, representing a legacy of excellence, empowerment, and community.
Your vote in the HBCU Mascot Poll is more than just a choice; it’s a celebration of history, tradition, and the enduring impact of HBCUs on education and society.
Every vote counts, so don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard and show your support for your favorite HBCU mascot! The poll ends on 6/14.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Save SAU Coalition, a group of concerned St. Augustine’s University alumni and supporters filed a lawsuit last Friday to remove the Board of Trustees. The coalition comprises alumni, parents, students, and others with a special interest in the health and future of the university. The lawsuit states two former board members have joined the coalition to launch this complaint.
In the 204-page-long lawsuit, the Save SAU coalition accuses the board of not following bidding procedures for construction projects, violating bylaws, and breaching their implied duties and details what the SAVE SAU Coalition believes is behind the financial struggles plaguing the almost 160-year-old HBCU.
The coalition group is suing the university’s board, but specifically named Chairman Brian Boulware, James Perry, Hadley Evans Jr., Joseph Lynn, Dr. Leon Caldwell, Sophie Gibson, and Antonio Knox in the lawsuit.
The coalition is the same group that called for the board to step down earlier this year as the university’s financial struggles became more apparent. They said at the time their mission was to save Saint Augustine’s University.
The filed lawsuit begins by examining the history of Saint Augustine’s, stating the school “has been a beacon of pride and opportunity for the Black community in Raleigh, in North Carolina, and across the country” for almost 160 years. Founded in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, SAU became an “educational stepping stone for generations of students.”
The lawsuit points out that the university has preserved through tumultuous times, such as the “violent racism of the post-Reconstruction South”, “the ugliness of Jim Crow” and the “tumult of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The news comes amid the Raleigh university’s financial challenges and significant leadership changes in the past few months. The university also lost its accreditation this February after being placed on probation in December 2023.
Representatives with Saint Augustine’s said at the time that they disagreed with the board’s ruling, saying they felt the decision was arbitrary, unreasonable, and inconsistent with the board’s policies.
The lawsuit specifically calls the Board of Directors, accusing the board of neglecting the school. It states Save SAU’s purpose is to remove the board in hopes of correcting the university’s course.
“In its darkest hour … SAU most needs a component, engaged Board of Trustees with smart, moral leadership,” the lawsuit states.
The document lists the Plaintiffs as Henry Debnam, Dr. John Larkins, and Save SAU Coalition all of whom are alumni of SAU, and some who served on the Board of Trustees.
The lawsuit details a large number of complaints and concerns. However, one of their primary goals remains the same as they stated months ago: To keep Saint Augustine’s storied legacy alive for future generations.
We’ve reached out to Saint Augustine’s for comment and are waiting to hear back.
*This story is developing and we will keep you updated as we learn more.
The Delaware State University men’s basketball team added two new commitments from the same family. Twin brothers Kareem and Kaseem Watson, Philadelphia natives who recently played at Cal State-Bakersfield, signed their letters of intent to join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference runners-up last week.
The Watson brothers, 6-foot-8 wing players, were all-Catholic League players before committing to CSUB in 2022. Kareem redshirted during the 2023 season, while Kaseem redshirted this past season. Kareem Watson played in 22 games last season for the Roadrunners, scoring a season-high six points against both CSU-Fullerton (Jan. 27) and UC-Irvine (Feb. 17).
Kaseem Watson played in 24 games for Bakersfield in 2022-23, scoring a season-high 10 points against UC-San Diego on Jan. 21 in his lone start of the season.
The Hornets finished the 2023-24 season 15-19, advancing to the MEAC title game before falling to repeat champion Howard 70-67. DSU lost their starting backcourt to the transfer portal as MEAC Rookie of the Year Deywilk Tavarez (College of Charleston) and sophomore Jevin Muniz (Florida Gulf Coast) have found new homes.
Howard University took the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award, presented to the top-performing athletics department on the women’s side. Both schools were presented with a $20,000 check at the award ceremony in Orlando, Fla. on Thursday evening.
— Norfolk State Athletics (@NSUSpartans) May 31, 2024
“Congratulations to Norfolk State University, including President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Director of Athletics Melody Webb, and the entire athletic department for winning the 2024 Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award,” MEAC commissioner Sonja Stills said. “Receiving these awards is indicative of the overall strength of their athletics programs, and both institutions had a phenomenal 2023-24 academic year.”
Norfolk State won the men’s all-sports award tally with 47 points, edging out the runner-up Howard (37). The Spartans racked up recognitions in several key areas, including a regular season basketball title and a sweep of the cross country, indoor, and outdoor track & field championships.
NSU finished second in the women’s standings, led by the cross country and women’s basketball teams’ conference championships. The Spartans kept the momentum going on the track, claiming runner-up honors at both the indoor and outdoor championship meets.
The award marks Norfolk State’s second Talmadge Layman Hill award of the last three years and 13th overall – more than any other MEAC men’s program.
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced an update on the timing of the payment count adjustment. This administrative fix ensures borrowers get proper credit for progress borrowers made toward income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
The payment count adjustment is now anticipated to be fully implemented in September 2024. At that time, borrowers with Direct Loans or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans held by the U.S. Department of Education (Department) will see a full and accurate count of their progress toward loan forgiveness.
Because of this updated timeline, borrowers with non-federally held FFEL loans who apply to consolidate by June 30 can still benefit from the payment count adjustment. The prior consolidation deadline was April 30.
Borrowers with non-federally held FFEL loans!
You now have until June 30 to consolidate your loans & benefit from an adjustment to count previous payments toward income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness & Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) May 15, 2024
“The Department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they’ve rightfully earned toward forgiveness,” said U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. “FFEL borrowers should consolidate as soon as possible to receive this benefit that has already provided forgiveness to nearly 1 million borrowers.”
The Department first announced the payment count adjustment in April 2022 to address extensive evidence, including from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, that borrowers did not have a proper accounting of their time to forgiveness under IDR plans as well as widespread evidence that servicers had not been properly following regulations and Department contracts governing the use of forbearances, resulting in borrowers spending excessive amounts of time in forbearances.
To rectify these problems and ensure an accurate count going forward, the payment count adjustment automatically counts months in the following statuses:
• Any months in a repayment status, regardless of the payments made, loan type, or repayment plan; • Twelve or more months of consecutive forbearance or 36 or more months of cumulative forbearance; • Any months spent in economic hardship or military deferments in 2013 or later; • Any months spent in any deferment (except for in-school deferment) before 2013; and • Any time in repayment (or deferment or forbearance, if applicable) on earlier loans before consolidation of those loans into a consolidation loan.
Borrowers also can receive credit toward PSLF for any month covered by the payment count adjustment as long as they certify their qualifying employment for that month.
The Department has already been identifying borrowers eligible for forgiveness under the payment count adjustment so they can get their relief without waiting for the adjustment to finish.
Starting in August 2023, the Department began identifying and, following an opt-out period, automatically discharging borrowers whose updated payment counts were sufficient to reach forgiveness after 20 or 25 years of payments, as well as borrowers who reached the required 120 months of repayment and certified employment for PSLF.
Borrowers are eligible for IDR forgiveness whether they are currently enrolled in an IDR plan or not because part of the problem identified was borrowers not getting complete and accurate information that would have allowed them to access IDR.
Through this action, the Department has approved $49.2 billion in forgiveness for more than 996,000 borrowers. This number does not include borrowers who received PSLF at least in part due to the account adjustment.
While the Department continues to identify borrowers who have reached those forgiveness thresholds, “we are still working to implement changes that will give all borrowers an accurate count of their payments.” Those changes are now expected to be completed in September instead of July. When the Department finishes processing the account adjustment in September 2024, it will ensure that the adjustment has been applied to any loan held by the Department at that time.
The payment count adjustment will be processed automatically for all Direct Loan borrowers without further action on their part.
Borrowers with FFEL Program loans held by the Department will also receive the account adjustment automatically but must consolidate into the Direct Loan Program if they want to count any prior time in repayment toward PSLF.
Borrowers with any other federal loan type would need to consolidate to Direct Loans to receive the payment count adjustment. That includes borrowers with commercial FFEL loans or any type of Perkins loan. Based upon this updated timeline, borrowers who need to consolidate to benefit from the payment count adjustment or count periods toward PSLF must apply to consolidate by June 30.
The Department has previously released information about eligibility requirements and how to understand what loans are eligible for this benefit and how to consolidate. Borrowers can also learn more at StudentAid.gov/idradjustment.
Borrowers who aren’t sure what kind of loans they have can find out by logging in to StudentAid.gov. On their dashboard, they can click the “Loan Breakdown” section to view a list of their loans. Direct Loans begin with the word “Direct.” Federal Family Education Loan Program loans begin with “FFEL.” Perkins Loans include the word “Perkins” in the name.
If the name of your servicer starts with “Dept. of Ed” or “Default Management Collection System,” your FFEL or Perkins loan is federally managed (i.e., held by the Department).
Unwavering commitment to relief The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to using all available tools to deliver the federal student loan relief that borrowers and their families deserve. In total, the Administration has approved almost $160 billion in relief for nearly 4.6 million borrowers, including:
• $62.8 billion in relief for more than 876,000 individuals through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program • $49.2 billion for more than 996,000 borrowers through improvements to IDR that addressed longstanding administrative failure and the misuse of forbearance by loan servicers. • $4.8 billion for almost 360,000 borrowers on the SAVE Plan. These are borrowers who originally took out smaller loans for their post-secondary studies. • $28.7 billion for 1.6 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements. • $14.1 billion for more than 548,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability.
Next week, the Morgan State University Magnificent Marching Machine will proudly perform in the D-Day 80 Normandy Parade on June 6, 2024, in Normandy, France.
Their exclusive invitation, extended by Music Celebrations International, is part of the official 80th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day: The Battle of Normandy and the Liberation of France.
Supported by the American Veterans Center, this marks the historic debut of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) ensemble in the annual D-Day memorial parade, captivating Parisians, tourists, and international audiences.
🇫🇷 🇺🇸 Morgan's Magnificent Marching Machine is gearing up to make history as the first #HBCU band to perform at the D-Day Memorial Parade in Normandy, France on June 6th! #M3 will honor WWII heroes on the world stage for the 80th anniversary. 🎺 https://t.co/d4CeAjBEYJpic.twitter.com/GQkTbIH0ew
— Morgan State University (@MorganStateU) May 30, 2024
“When we think of the historic events that have shaped the 20th century and the decades thereafter, the courageous moments that took place on the beaches of Normandy, France nearly 80 years ago, are among them. The opportunity to have our students not only represent our University but also our nation on such a grand world stage in recognition of such a monumental occasion is truly an honor,” — said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan.
“Our thanks to the event organizers for their recognition of the talented student performers we have at Morgan, and for providing them with this lifetime experience allowing them to touch history.
Under the artistic direction of Jorim E. Reid, Sr., D.M.A, director of bands at Morgan, the Magnificent Marching Machine will perform at two different notable locations in Paris. Their performances will pay homage to the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of Americans known as “The Greatest Generation” who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the more than one million African-American men and women who served in the Armed Forces during World War II. This official 80th Anniversary of D-Day represents possibly the last at which any June 6th Veterans will be present for the poignant reminder of their courage and sacrifice.
Since August of 2022, Reid has been serving as Assistant Professor, Director of Bands, and Coordinator of Instrumental Music at Morgan State University.
“There are few hallmark opportunities for a marching band to showcase its talents before international audiences and this international day of remembrance represents one of them,” said Dr. Reid.
“When presented with this golden opportunity, our students accepted the invitation without hesitation and now the real work—preparing for our performance and securing the funding to support such an auspicious endeavor—begins now. We look forward to not only representing Morgan in grand fashion, but also our country and the many D-Day soldiers that we memorialize each year at this time for their ultimate sacrifice.”
During the D-Day 80 Normandy Parade, the Magnificent Marching Machine will perform “America the Beautiful” as they march between the two historic towns, Vierville-sur-Mer and Saint Laurent-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach. In addition to their participation in the parade, the band members will pay their respects by placing a wreath at the Normandy American Cemetery, where more than 9,300 soldiers are laid to rest. While there the band will perform a rendition of “Tribute to (Fallen) Americans.”
Music Celebrations International, with more than 25 years of experience in organizing exceptional concert tours worldwide, will handle all the travel, concert, sightseeing, and accommodation arrangements for the band’s six-night, eight-day trip, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. However, the University retains the responsibility of covering the associated costs.
To this end, the University will be contributing a portion of the resources necessary to cover the 152-person repertoire (musicians, dancers, flag bearers, and staff) traveling to Normandy next week. The assistance of MSU Alumni Relations and the Morgan State University Foundation has been enlisted to raise the remaining contributions via a dedicated fundraising effort.
“It is truly a tremendous honor and opportunity for our student musicians to travel abroad and give a performance of such historical significance. However, this honor comes at a substantial investment and the entire Morgan Community—far and wide—will need to be tapped to help raise the resources needed to underwrite travel and accommodations for our beloved band,” — said Tara Turner, interim vice president for Institutional Advancement at Morgan.
“We are looking to our alumni, donors, the business community for their support and hope that our community can make this experiential performance abroad happen for the students.”
The Magnificent Marching Machine’s reputation as a world-renowned ensemble precedes them. Their high-energy performances, intricate marching maneuvers, and dynamic musical arrangements have captivated audiences at every level, from M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, to the silver screen and the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Since taking the helm of the Magnificent Marching Machine, Dr. Reid has orchestrated a meteoric rise to the band’s profile and demand. Earlier this year, Morgan’s marching band netted its first-ever invitation to perform at the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) — the premier showcase for HBCU marching bands and dance teams.
Continuing in this trend and following the appearance at the D-Day 80 Normandy Parade in June of 2024, Morgan’s marching band has a scheduled performance at Disneyland Paris later in the week.
For more information on supporting Morgan’s Magnificent Marching Machine travel to, and performance at, the 80th Anniversary Commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France visit https://givetomorgan.org/msuband_to_normandy
About Morgan State University
Morgan State University is a public historically black research university in Baltimore, Maryland.
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate.
As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible.
For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
HBCUs may not have made the cut for the College Football game, but here’s an interesting twist: “Neck,” the revamped version of Cameo’s 1982 hit “Talkin’ Out The Side of Ya Neck,” an HBCU band stadium staple, is set to pump up the crowd in the College Football 25, according to reporting from Matt Brown of Extra Points.
According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, the song "Neck," — a staple at #HBCU stadiums, will be included in the upcoming College Football Game, —despite the game not featuring any HBCUs. https://t.co/OuXg4uUq1E
“Neck is in the game,” Brown tweeted on Wednesday. “I saw the sheet music for it and everything.”
The song will be featured in the College Football Game, accompanied by distinctive fan chants, as reported by The Athletic. According to HBCU Gameday, EA went all out, acquiring thousands of assets from schools. They reportedly even had staff members recreate the cheers for recording purposes.
— College Football Alerts (@CFBAlerts_) May 29, 2024
Over the past two years, recordings were made of 41 actual game crowds, spanning programs of various sizes.
Among them is LSU, whose renowned “Golden Band From Tigerland” frequently performs the song, despite its banishment nearly fifteen years ago. The track was barred from Tiger Stadium back in 2010 due to the crowd’s profane response.
Social media erupted online at the announcement. “Neck” is HBCU band culture,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Having Neck being played in the video game is so disrespectful to HBCU schools that aren’t even in the game,” another user wrote.
Only thing LSU would know about Neck is the HBCU they stole it from.
— Sukuna’s baby mama 🍉🍉 (@AceRedBand1t) May 30, 2024
“Neck” is HBCU band culture. If it was LSU, Why they just now started playing the song? This was a R&B song by cameo that’s been out since 1984.
— Kenny Wooten, M.Ed., M.S. (@CoachWoot_06) May 30, 2024
Neck is an HBCU thing. It's for the Human Jukebox, World Famed, Sonic Boom, SOD, Marching 237, Aristocrats, Ocean of Soul, BGMM, etc.
It surely not for that culture vulture band on Nicholson Drive. 🤣🤣
Of course, HBCUs have been jamming to the song since its original release in the mid-1980s. There’s been a running debate over whether Norfolk State’s Spartan Legion or Texas Southern’s “Ocean Of Soul” band struck the first chord.
What’s indisputable, though, is that the tune has been ingrained in HBCU culture for three decades, and now it’s making its way to College Football 25.
Set for release on July 19th, the game will initially feature only FBS teams, but fear not! The TeamBuilder function allows for the creation of up to 32 additional teams.
Tuskegee, Alabama — The Tuskegee University Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mark Brown ‘86 as the university’s 10th president and chief executive officer. Dr Brown’s selection is the first time in Tuskegee’s nearly 143-year history that an alum will lead the university. He will begin his tenure on July 1.
The Board of Trustees approved the retired Air Force Major General’s nomination after several talented leaders stepped forward to succeed Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, the university’s ninth president.
The university announced the retirement of Dr. Morris last fall after almost 40 years of service. At that time, the search firm Storbeck developed a committee of university representatives at all levels – Trustees, faculty, staff, alums, and students – to develop the confidential process to review candidate applications and participate in interviews.
“The Board of Trustees conducted a thorough search process, considering candidates from across the nation, and was impressed by Dr. Brown’s vision, expertise, and passion for higher education,” said Norma Clayton, Chair of the Tuskegee Board of Trustees. “Working with the Board, we are confident that he will provide a clear vision, direction, strong leadership, and guidance to evolve and grow the university.”
Dr. Brown’s extensive executive experience includes the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and the Robert and Edith Broad Academy for Urban School Superintendents, now hosted at the Yale School of Management.
An educational leader
Dr. Brown, who received his bachelor’s from Tuskegee in accounting, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy University, a Master’s of Strategic Studies from the Air Command and Staff College, a Master’s in National Security Strategy from the National War College, and his doctorate in Education from Baylor University. His experience in education is varied and distinguished.
While a Major General in the Air Force, Dr. Brown served as Deputy Commander of Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. AETC recruits, trains, and educates Air Force personnel. His command included the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered Air Forces, and two fully accredited graduate and doctoral degree-granting universities: Air University and the Air Force Institute of Technology. AETC operates more than 1,400 trainer, fighter, and mobility aircraft, 23 wings, 10 bases, and five geographically separated groups. The command trains more than 293,000 Airmen annually, with approximately 60,000 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian, and contractor personnel.
After retiring from the Air Force with 32 years of service, Dr. Brown expanded his educational service as the chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid, which had a lending portfolio of $1.7 trillion equivalent to that of the nation’s five largest consumer lending banks. As COO, he was responsible for all of the nation’s Title IV funding.
Dr. Mark Brown was named the 10th president and chief executive officer of Tuskegee University by the Board of Trustees.
Most recently, he has served as president and chief executive officer of the Student Freedom Initiative based in Washington, D.C. The Student Freedom Initiative is the vision of billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith after his historic gift to eliminate the student loan debt of the Morehouse College class of 2019.
As the first President and Chief Executive Officer, he and his staff provide four components to 63 HBCUs, which also includes two Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. The capabilities include agreements to fund any educational attendance requirements beyond what is paid for through Federal programs, such as Pell Grants, Work-Study, and Federal Student Loans. SFI is also focused on elevating the communities around its school by providing critical resources such as access to high-speed broadband, cybersecurity upgrades, affordable living spaces, and solar energy.
“I am grateful and humbled by the Board of Trustees, Faculty, Alumni, Students, Community Leaders, and all of Mother Tuskegee for the opportunity to return home to lead our University into the second quarter of the 21st Century,” said Dr. Brown. “Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Morris, I am convinced that Tuskegee is well positioned to continue its global impact by producing students ready for leadership in our rapidly changing world, yet grounded in the journey of our forefathers. Gwen and I can’t wait to get started!”
Building a distinguished career
Dr. Brown was commissioned through the Tuskegee University Air Force ROTC program in 1986. He served in comptroller, command, and staff positions at all U.S. Department of Defense levels, including two assignments as congressional liaison to the United States House of Representatives.
His global experience includes serving in the Philippines, Spain, England, Turkey and Iraq. In addition, he has commanded four times at ascending levels, deploying in support of Operation Provide Comfort, and served as the Assistant Executive Officer for the 17th Air Force Chief of Staff. He was also the Financial Management Senior Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Chief Financial Officer for Air Force Materiel Command, responsible for a portfolio greater than $60 billion, 38 percent of the Air Force budget.
Leadership for Tuskegee’s future
Tuskegee University is a land-grant historically Black university in Tuskegee, Alabama.
“The Board’s nomination reflects our confidence that Dr. Mark Brown is the right leader to sustain and enhance Tuskegee University’s momentum as one of our nation’s top universities,” said Trustee and alum Jonathan Porter, who chaired the search committee. “Dr. Brown has the right combination of experience and innovative thinking that will propel TU to the next level nationally and globally. I appreciate his commitment to serving his alma mater and his dedication to improving the lives of its students.”
A statement from the Board of Trustees said: “On behalf of the entire Tuskegee family, we extend a warm welcome to Dr. Brown and his family. We look forward to working together toward the success of the university and the broader Tuskegee community.”
Dr. Brown is married to Gwendolyn Jackson Brown, his wife of 33 years. They have two adult children, Mark II and Michael.
Employees at Fayetteville State University‘s communications office are under scrutiny for alleged misuse of university-issued credit cards, as revealed in an investigation conducted by the North Carolina auditor’s office. The investigation uncovered questionable purchases totaling $692,239.
FSU’s former associate vice chancellor for the Office of Strategic Communication, former director of digital strategy, and assistant vice chancellor for marketing and creative services were among the unnamed staff implicated in the investigation.
Of the questionable expenditures, $165,570 was disbursed to businesses owned by employees who had not disclosed their financial interests, potentially creating conflicts of interest. These transactions occurred between January 2022 and August 2023.
“Upon learning of these egregious and disturbing allegations, the University, working in concert with the UNC System, acted quickly and decisively in improving processes,” Fayetteville State Chancellor Darrell Allison said in a letter to the auditor.
Fayetteville State, a historically Black university, is one of the oldest schools in North Carolina’s public university system.
According to the audit report, these findings included:
$575,123 in P-card purchases which were unallowable per University policy.
$84,469 in T-card purchases which were unallowable per University policies.
$322,743 in P-card and T-card purchases which did not contain sufficient documentation to support that they were for a valid University purpose.
The total amount above in findings one through three includes $290,096 of purchases that were both unallowable per University policies and did not contain sufficient documentation.
$165,570 was paid to businesses owned by employees who had not disclosed a financial interest in the business, creating a potential conflict of interest.
Fayetteville State University is a public historically black university in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The funds designated for travel expenses, initially allocated to the former associate vice chancellor and former director of digital strategy, were diverted to pay consultants, amounting to $71,792 across 26 transactions and other unauthorized expenditures.
The travel-related costs also included a $1,009 expenditure for early arrival and first-class airfare to a conference in New York City, followed by a $287 rideshare to a spa on the conference’s inaugural day. Two individuals from the strategic communications office, as outlined in the report, are no longer affiliated with the university, according to FSU.
Furthermore, procurement cards assigned to all three officials were misused for a range of purchases, including acquisitions from Amazon, gifts, travel-related expenses, IT hardware or software, and invoice settlements.
“FSU’s leadership has been forthcoming, collaborative, and solutions-oriented throughout this process,” State Auditor Jessica Holmes said. “We appreciate their assistance in helping us identify and work together to address these issues and strengthen their internal protocols.”
According to the report, the results of the investigative audit will be forwarded to the State Bureau of Investigation for assessment of the available evidence and consideration of potential criminal charges.
Please see the full audit report here for more information.
RALEIGH, N.C. – Bonita J. Brown, a seasoned university leader with experience in national student access initiatives, was elected chancellor of Winston-Salem State University yesterday by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
UNC System President Peter Hans recommended Brown, who recently served as interim president of Northern Kentucky University, following a national search that included nearly 50 candidates and three finalists endorsed by the WSSU Board of Trustees.
Brown, an attorney, has held senior leadership positions across public higher education, including chief of staff, chief strategy officer, general counsel, and interim president. She is vice president and chief strategy officer at NKU, a regional institution in Highland Heights, KY that serves 15,000 students. In the past five years, she has worked to boost retention and on-time graduation of students and managed the university’s budget challenges as interim president from January through October last year.
Previously, she served in high-level roles at two national student access and success organizations – as vice president for network engagement at Achieving the Dream, Inc., a Silver Spring, MD-based nonprofit focused on community colleges, and as director of higher education practice at The Education Trust, a Washington-based nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps for students of color and students from low-income families.
Bonita J. Brown (pictured 5th from right) is surrounded by family members at today’s announcement of her new post as Winston-Salem State University’s 14th chancellor. Brown’s appointment as chancellor at WSSU will begin July 1. DAVID FORD/WFDD
It will be a homecoming for Brown, who was born in Winston-Salem to parents who are WSSU alumni. She previously was an assistant university attorney at WSSU from 2004 to 2006. Brown also served in leadership positions at other UNC System institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she was vice chancellor and chief of staff from 2010 to 2015, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she was general counsel in 2006.
She was chief of staff at the University of North Texas for four years. Early in her career, she served as assistant to the president and attorney at two private HBCUs in North Carolina – Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte and Livingstone College in Salisbury.
She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University and attended the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University.
“It is a true honor and a privilege to return home to lead this great institution. WSSU stands out as a leader in social mobility, which I have personally benefited from through my parents, and I want to provide that same opportunity to others in this region. I look forward to working with the amazing WSSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni as we build upon the historical strengths of this university that will launch us into the future. I have been preparing for this moment my entire career and I am overjoyed to serve this great institution,” said WSSU Chancellor-elect Bonita Brown.
Hans said Brown will bring devotion to WSSU with sharp management skills and insights from her experience at universities in three states.
“Winston-Salem State is a powerhouse of opportunity and economic mobility, and I’m thrilled we have a leader who can build on those strengths,” Hans said.
“It’s an honor to welcome Bonita Brown back to the Triad and to a campus that played such a huge role in her life. Her energetic leadership and deep experience with strategy and policy are exactly what WSSU needs for this moment of great challenge and great promise in higher education.”
Winston-Salem State University is a historically black public university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“After a thorough evaluation of our candidate pool’s qualifications, experience, and fit with the university culture, we are confident in President Hans’ decision. Chancellor-elect Brown possesses a unique combination of skills—including strong leadership abilities and a proven track record of success in similar roles,” said Kathleen Kelly, chair of the WSSU Board of Trustees and the chancellor search advisory committee.
“Her past achievements demonstrate her ability to drive results. Additionally, her passion for higher education and commitment to continuous learning align perfectly with WSSU’s values and long-term goals. With Bonita Brown on board, we are excited about the possibilities for future growth and achievement.”
Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey said Brown has proven throughout her career that she puts students first.
“She is the kind of leader who will empower students to succeed at Winston-Salem State,” Ramsey said. “I am delighted she is coming home to North Carolina to serve this important institution.”
