HBCU Digest

HBCU News, Commentary and Information

Students Archive

Wednesday

15

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Bowie State Student Newspaper Editor Commentary Ends the Hype on UMD Graduation Controversy

Written by , Posted in Bowie State University, Students

imgresIn one of the more eloquent, thoughtful and insightful undergraduate editorials you’ll ever read, Bowie State University graduating senior and editor of the Spectrum Newspaper Auburn Mann puts an end to the controversial division of the university hosting its commencement ceremony on the campus of the University of Maryland. A sample from his column in the Washington Post:

Bowie State’s relationship with College Park is complicated. Bowie State, just as the other schools in the University System of Maryland, relies on the flagship campus for resources, such as library access and hand-me-down gym equipment.  Like the perpetual dependence of developing countries on the more industrialized areas of the world, the smaller schools in the state system have been forced to rely on College Park for resources. The fact that we are scheduled to use their lavishly funded and spacious Comcast Center reflects this reality.

On the other hand, this year’s commencement ceremony at College Park could be viewed as a sign of triumph over the policies of yesteryear and a validation of their extinction.  We will gather at a place that at one time prohibited our instruction and edification. This setting will be transformed into a place where we will symbolically complete this level of education.

 

 

Wednesday

15

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Friday

10

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Twins Set For Graduation from Prairie View, Commissioning Into U.S. Navy

Written by , Posted in Prairie View A&M University, Students, Texas

pvamu1Richard and Ryan Fauci are the second set of twins to make HBCU commencement headlines this week, joining Spelman’s Kristie and Kirstie Bronner as identical siblings earning their degrees from the same school on the same day. And like the Bronner twins, co-valedictorians of Spelman’s commencement, the Fauci twins will also enjoy a unique place in commencement day.

They will both be commissioned into the United States Navy later that afternoon. From KBTX:

“The twins will both be headed to the USS Bataan in Norfolk, VA after graduation. The Fauci twins’ graduation and commissioning make them the second and third members of the Fauci family to walk the hallowed halls of PVAMU. Older cousin Lt. Robert Fauci graduated from the University and was commissioned in the Navy in 2007.”

Thursday

9

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Twins Kristie and Kirstie Bronner to Serve as Spelman Co-Valedictorians

Written by , Posted in Georgia, Spelman College, Students

Bronner-Twins-150x150Spelman College will have a unique distinction at this year’s commencement ceremonies, as the esteemed college for black women will have twin co-valedictorians. Kristie and Kirstie Bronner, music majors from Atlanta, will both finish their Spelman careers with 4.0 averages before heading to careers in ministry.

They recently discussed the challenge of balancing life and commitment to academics in the college’s online newsletter, Inside Spelman:

“We were sick all the time because our immune system was so weak due to the stress,” said Kristie. “Then, we realized we had to enjoy the journey. You can’t be so focused on the destination that you don’t live day-to-day. We were living looking forward to all the breaks. Every morning we were like, ‘Christmas break is a coming. Christmas break is a coming.’ And then after Christmas it was, ‘Oh, Lord. OK, summer break is a coming. Summer break is a coming.’ It may sound like exaggeration, but that’s what we did.”

 

Monday

6

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Grambling’s Corban Bell Wins Toyota Green Initiative

Written by , Posted in Grambling State University, Louisiana, Students

DSC_1045 copyGrambling State University student Corban Bell is the national grand prize winner of Toyota’s Green Initiative, a contest challenging students at historically black colleges and universities to create sustainable green programming on their campuses. Bell, a member of the GSU Student Government Association, wins a one-year lease of a Toyota Prius, but according to school officials, the campus will gain something much greater.

“As an involved Student Government Association leader, Bell, 23, proposed a university-wide recycling program, one that would have been implemented with students’ help whether he won the Toyota contest or not. In early April, students passed a bill to create a self-assessed fee of $1 per semester. That fee will raise about $50,000 to support the recycling program during the next five years.”

Monday

6

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Bethune-Cookman’s Joshua Williams Overcomes Homelessness On Way to Graduation

Written by , Posted in Bethune-Cookman University, Florida, Students

bilde-2

Nigel Cook – News Journal

The Daytona Beach News-Journal today profiles Joshua Williams, a graduating senior at Bethune-Cookman University who spent the majority of his years in Daytona as a homeless student. The Journal chronicles much of his time spending nights on friends’ couches, in lobbies and walking streets, all in an effort to avoid returning to his native Miami, and to move toward the goal of a college degree.

“He would leave the secure surroundings of the Bethune-Cookman University campus and head across the International Speedway Boulevard bridge and walk, sometimes all night. In the early morning hours, he would sneak into the lobby at the Bronson Hall dorm and sleep a few hours on a couch as if he lived there.”

“I would go down to the beach sometimes,” he recalled. “Sometimes I would just take any direction and get lost and try to find my way back — I would just walk.”

Wednesday

1

May 2013

1

COMMENTS

Father and Daughter Realize Dream of Graduating from Norfolk State Together

Written by , Posted in Norfolk State University, Students, Virginia

Cleon-and-Alvernia-Disnew_inside

Cleon Disnew and his daughter Alvernia will graduate from Norfolk State University this Saturday, both with undergraduate degrees in mass communications and psychology, respectively. The ceremony will create a timeless moment in the university’s commencement fun facts, but for Cleon, it will be the realization of more than a decade of working to overcome illiteracy and a learning disorder to achieve the dream of higher education. From the release:

“At the urging of his family and due to the demands of work and church, Disnew began attending NSU in 1996 where he began learning how to read and write while pursuing  a music degree. During that time, he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder—something that had plagued him all his life. After a year at NSU, the stresses and struggles of life—raising a family, working, going to school— took their toll on him and he dropped out.  More than 10 years went by—in fall 2009, he finally returned.”

“It’s been like coming up the rough side of the mountain,” said Disnew. But despite his difficulties, he credits NSU with helping him reach this important day in his life. “I was intimidated the first time I came here and then 10 years later,” he said. “There are a lot of good people here. There are people here who naturally try to help get you to where you need to go.”

Friday

26

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Mississippi Valley State Mourns Football Player Killed in Car Accident

Written by , Posted in Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University, Students

bilde-3

Mississippi Valley State University today announced the death of junior Delta Devils football player Kevin Monzon, who died from injuries sustained in a one-car accident yesterday evening in Leflore County.

Monzon, 19, was the driver of the car. Several other athletes injured in the wreck included Marcus Thompson, who was air-lifted to University Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.,  Rogers James and Joseph Hardnett, who were transported to the Greenwood-Leflore Hospital with minor injuries.

“We express our deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to all of his family and friends. The Valley community will continue to pray for all of those involved in this untimely accident. Counselors will be available through the University’s Counseling Center for those members of the Valley family who need support during this very difficult time,” said Acting University President Alfred Rankins.

Thursday

25

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Southern SGA, Student Newspaper Clash Over Vote to Take Newspaper’s Funds

Written by , Posted in Louisiana, Southern University, Students

Southern

The Student Press Law Center today reports that a recent referendum vote by the Southern University Student Government Association to take 40 percent of a million-dollar surplus fund from the university’s student newspaper may have been illegal.

According to report, Southern Digest Editor-In-Chief Evan Taylor says that the April 15 vote to seize the funds to support ‘student scholarships, capital improvements and service initiatives’ was passed 927-169, but was not approved for referendum by the student senate. One student senator, Clifton Blouin, confirms that bylaws were not observed in presenting the vote to the campus. From the SPLC:

“Blouin said that all referendums must be written and then approved by the senate before they can be put up for a campuswide vote. In this case however, the senate passed a verbal version of the bill, which wasn’t written until Sunday and was then pre-dated to Friday, he said.”

“When he first saw the written bill, Blouin said his name was on it as an author and cosigner. He said he demanded that it be taken off because he “didn’t have any say so or knowledge of anything pertaining to the bill to enact the referendum.”

Taylor says the fund is financed by student fees and excess funds from the general operating budget, and grew substantially as salaries reserved to pay employee positions associated with the paper went unfilled over several years.

Thursday

25

April 2013

1

COMMENTS

Letter to the Editor – Between Black Hatred and Elitism is the Truth About HBCUs

Written by , Posted in Claflin University, Editorial, South Carolina, Students

poi-claflin

The rumors about HBCU’s range from academics to the type of people who attend them. Surprisingly to me, not all of them are good. But even more surprisingly, a lot of the bad perceptions that people have about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, come from Black People who attend not only Predominately White Institutions, but other HBCU’s. Is the problem here more deeply rooted towards black hate? It makes me angry to see other Black students talk down on HBCU’s simply because they are filled with minority students. It makes me wonder, if that’s how you feel when you think of a school filled with black students, is that how you feel when you see yourself?

I am filled with a strong sense of pride when I think about Claflin University. Going to an HBCU wasn’t always my first choice, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I love how interactive the Claflin faculty is with the students, and how helpful they can be with helping you becoming the best person you can become within your field, and with finding a job post-graduation. The smaller classroom and close-knit environment really help to develop a family type bond with everyone in the school.

No, I don’t knock anyone for going to any type of school, HBCU or PWI. But the history that goes into most Historically Black Colleges and Universities is something to definitely be proud of. At one time, these were the only schools that would give African-American students a secondary education. Even our own Claflin University was founded in 1869 for freed slaves. No, I am not stuck in the past and I am not expecting other black students to fill obligated to attend an HBCU.

It’s been said that students who attend HBCU’s are stuck up because they feel as though they are “a better black person” than students who attend PWI’s. It’s been said that students who attend PWI’s are stuck up because they feel as though they are above attending a college where blacks are the majority, and that’s exactly where the problem lies.

The problem is not that students who attend HBCU’s won’t be able to make it in the real world, because “in the real world everyone is not black,” the problem is that black people don’t even know how to work with or accept themselves. In a world where we learn about the culture of other races and ethnicities, sometimes we forget about our own.

That’s what I love about HBCU’s. It shows that the power of black people working together can still be something great.

India Hill is a graduating senior at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC.

Wednesday

24

April 2013

1

COMMENTS

Second Body Found in Appomattox River, Believed to Be Last Missing Virginia State Student

Written by , Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University

vsu+photos+1

Authorities today found a body in the Appomattox River, and believe it is the body of Jauwan Holmes, the second Virginia State University student who went missing after an initiation ritual for a non-campus organization turned tragic last Saturday morning. From WRIC:

“Saturday’s incident wouldn’t be the first time VSU students have died as part of an initiation process. In 1979, two VSU (then called Virginia State College) drowned in the Appomattox River while taking part in an initiation “going over” ritual, according to the book “Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing and Binge Drinking” by Hank Nuwer.”

Marvell Edmondson was positively identified yesterday after days of underwater and and sonar search efforts over the last five days. VSU today announced that a campus memorial service for Holmes and Edmondson will be held on Friday beginning at noon.

Police yesterday charged four men in connection with the drowning and disappearance of the two freshmen.

Tuesday

23

April 2013

2

COMMENTS

Four Charged with Felony Hazing in Connection with Virginia State Student Drowning

Written by , Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University

vsu+photos+1

Reuters today reports that four men have been each charged with five counts of felony hazing in connection with the drowning death of Virginia State University freshman Marvell Edmondson, and the disappearance of freshman Jauwan Holmes.

Edmondson’s body was found just days after he and Holmes were believed to have been drowned in the currents of the Appomattox River in an initiation ritual for the Men of Honor, an organization which actively recruited VSU students but was not a sanctioned campus student organization. From Reuters:

“The four men charged with hazing were linked to the “Men of Honor” group, police said. They include James A. Mackey, 35 of Midlothian; freshman Cory D. Baytop, 26 of Newport News; and freshman Eriq K. Benson, 19, of Quinton.

Police said Charles E Zollicoffer, 29, had also been charged but was not yet in custody.”

Tuesday

23

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Body of Virginia State Student Identified, Search Continues for Other Missing Student

Written by , Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University

vsu+photos+1

Virginia State University today confirmed the identity of a body found in the Appomattox River as Marvell Edmondson, one of two VSU freshmen who went missing last Saturday after an initiation ritual for an unaffiliated campus organization turned tragic. Search teams composed of several county and state police officials continue to search for Jauwan Holmes.

“We continue to grieve for these two young Trojans,” says VSU President Keith T. Miller. “We trust this development provides a sense of relief to Marvell’s family and pray for both of our students’ families.”

Monday

22

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Body Recovered from Appomattox River, Believed to Be One of Two Missing Va. State Students

Written by , Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University

vsu+photos+1

Authorities recovered a body from the Appomattox River earlier this afternoon, and officials with the Chesterfield County Police are waiting to to confirm if it is the body of one of two missing Virginia State University students who disappeared in the river last Saturday night.

VSU freshmen Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmondson disappeared early Saturday morning after eyewitnesses said the pair was among a group of Virginia State students who attempted to walk across the river as part of an initiation ritual for the Men of Honor, an group that university officials say has never been authorized by or affiliated with the school.

The search for the other missing student has been suspended for the evening, and will resume tomorrow.

Monday

22

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Virginia State Students Missing After Initiation Ritual For Non-Official Campus Organization

Written by , Posted in Students, Virginia, Virginia State University

vsustudentsmissinginriversunday

Multiple news outlets in and around Petersburg, VA. are reporting that the disappearance of Virginia State University freshmen Jauwan Holmes and Marvell Edmondson is tied to an initiation ritual of a non-authorized campus organization, the Men of Honor. According to reports, Holmes and Edmonson were among a group of students who attempted to swim the Appomattox River last Saturday shortly after midnight, but have not been seen since.

In an interview with the HBCU Digest, Virginia State spokesperson Thomas Reed said that the Men of Honor is not and has never been a sanctioned group on the campus. Reed also clarified details surrounding a mandatory curfew for residential students last night.

“Family members, friends and classmates spoke, and as could be expected, many people were emotional. Frustrations boiled over, fingers were being pointed out of anger or frustration. A group of individuals talked about going to the river to look for the two students. That’s the last thing we want at this point. We don’t want this to turn into anything more for our students than it already is.”

Reed said VSU Police have been assisting with the operation, and are among five law enforcement agencies working on the effort. Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation and search effort, which today continued for the third straight day. According to Reed, no indication has been given on how long the search will continue.

“Family members are obviously distraught,” said Reed. “Its just unimaginable. We just want to offer as much support as we can to help lighten their burden.”

Virginia State officials say that the Office of Student Counselors will be available for as long as needed. On Twitter, VSU students and supporters offered words of prayer and hope.