HBCU News, Commentary and Information
Wednesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Students, Washington DC
Remember Corey Arvinger? The Howard University student who started a fundraising campaign to return to school after financial aid dried up for him? Courtesy of his viral campaign and mtvU, Arvinger is returning to HU.
Get More:
www.mtvu.com
Wednesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alumni, Howard University, Sports, Washington DC
“My immediate goal right now is to be a first-year starter and I believe I have the opportunity to do that,” he said. “That’s predicated on how well I articulate our defense and learn it and be able to be a leader and not act as if I’m a rookie on the field. I’ve known this defense for a couple of years and I’ll be seeing it again.”
- Former Howard University linebacker Keith Pough on his outlook as an undrafted rookie for the Buffalo Bills.
Tuesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alcorn State University, Delaware, Delaware State University, Dillard University, Fisk University, Florida, Florida A&M University, Georgia, Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Lincoln University (Pa.), Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Morehouse College, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, Pennsylvania, Savannah State University, South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Tennessee, Tennessee State University, University of the District of Columbia, Virginia, Virginia State University, Xavier University of Louisiana
A partnership between the United States and Brazil will bring more than 150 Brazilian college students to the United States this fall to study at historically black colleges and universities.
The partnership is a part of the HBCU-Brazil Alliance, a program created to increase the number of minority graduates and professionals in the industries of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while exposing Afro-Brazilian students and faculty to successful research, economic development and social advancement within a context of historical and systemic racism and discrimination.
The Alliance is an arm of the US-Brazil Joint Action Plan on Racial Equality, developed by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and managed in partnership with the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES’).
‘This partnership is just one example of the Alliance’s commitment to diversity, cultural sensitivity and to providing a world-class education to an eager pool of student talent from throughout Brazil,” said Dr. T. Joan Robinson, Chair of the HBCU-Brazil Alliance and Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Morgan State University. “We are honored to represent and build upon the collaborative interests of the United States through international engagement and academic support.”
More than 20 HBCUs will welcome Brazilian exchange students for a one-year exchange program. Students will live on campus and study in a variety of undergraduate degree programs with a S.T.E.M. focus, with all tuition, fees and room and board covered by the Brazilian government. The program’s goal is to eventually welcome 1,000 Brazilian students to HBCU campuses. Participating HBCUs include:
Monday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Washington DC
Tuesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Leadership, Legal, Washington DC
The Washington City Paper this week reports that a former Howard University vice-president is being sued for allegedly using the term ‘Head Nigger in Charge’ around and about employees at the university.
Jeannette Frett is suing James Jones who, in 2011 her lawsuit alleges, repeatedly referred to himself and others as the ‘H.N.I.C.’ at Howard. Jones, who is no longer employed at the university, also reportedly used the term around non-black co-workers. From the City Paper:
“When [Jones] later realized that the white Cabinet officers did not know the meaning of “H.N.I.C.,” [Jones] contacted the white Cabinet officers to clarify that “H.N.I.C.” meant “Head Nigger in Charge.”
Monday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Leadership, Washington DC
Seasoned journalist, educator and author Gracie Lawson-Borders is the new dean of the Howard University School of Communications, the university today announced. Dr. Lawson-Borders assumes her post at Howard July 1, and will usher in a new school focused upon the changing technological and cultural landscape of journalism.
“It is my pleasure to join Howard University as the Dean of the School of Communications,” said Lawson-Borders. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with a faculty and staff whose experience, expertise and commitment have made a significant difference in students’ lives for decades.”
Lawson-Borders has worked as an editor journalist for the Chicago Tribune and Akron-Beacon Journal, and has served as an academic executive at stops at the University of Wyoming, Kent State and Southern Methodist University.
Friday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Legal, Washington DC
The Washington City Paper today reports that the judge in the lawsuit against Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. has reprimanded the organization for tampering with potential witnesses. According to the Paper, the organization allegedly revoked membership privileges for the mothers of the two litigants in the lawsuit, Laurin Compton and Lauren Cofield. This action allegedly provoked witnesses from cooperating with the court, and dissuaded Compton’s mother from attending a hearing. From the report:
In an opinion released Thursday, Judge Rosemary Collyer slammed the tampering as “deplorable” and “supercilious.” Collyer decided not to sanction the sorority for the tampering, but that didn’t depress their outspoken attorney, J. Wyndal Gordon.
Wednesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Washington DC
Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post today published a compelling review of Rand Paul’s speech at Howard University. Describing Paul as ‘impressive yet problematic,’ her piece gets to the heart of the party’s outreach effort to African-Americans, and the hardships it may face through the lens of one of the GOP’s most visible members.
Wednesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Features, Howard University, Washington DC
Controversial republican senator Rand Paul is speaking at Howard University today, bringing a slew of hope from the political right about the party’s outreach efforts to African-Americans, and a lot of laughter from the left doubting that it will work.
It is a critical moment for the Republican party; the first major venture onto an HBCU campus just days after the party publically released a report detailing how they must repent of socio-political sins of the past to gain any hope of winning federal elections of the future. Howard is no stranger to Republican guests; it counts Colin Powell and George H.W. Bush among invited guests over the last 30 years.
But this visit will be different; it will be a major speech delivered by a legislator more closely aligned with divisive rhetoric than with political brokering along racial lines.
So how will Howard students react to the visit? Will they be open to dialogue about the GOP working to leverage better understanding of conservative political values? Will they reject the visit as an empty ploy to win black votes?
Both sides deserve credit, Paul for reaching out to speak to a skeptical black audience, and the university for welcoming controversial views and people to give students and surrounding community exposure to the diverse dialogue.
Tuesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Washington DC
This video is more than a year old, but one of the funniest HBCU videos you’ll probably see not involving drugs, excessive profanity, or 2Chainz.
Monday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Sports, Washington DC
It’s no secret that the Baltimore Ravens are looking to fill a major gap left by the retirement of all-pro linebacker Ray Lewis. Could former Howard University standout and MEAC defensive player of the year Keith Pough be the next man up in Baltimore? From the Baltimore Sun:
The four-year starter finished his career with 340 tackles, 71 for losses.
Pough is a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder who ran the 40-yard dash in just 4.8 seconds at the NFL scouting combine after being clocked as fast as 4.75 seconds previously.
He had a 9-10 broad jump, a 33-inch vertical leap, a 4.47 20-yard shuttle and a 7.28 three-cone drill. He bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times.
Tuesday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Washington DC
Howard University President Sidney Ribeau today announced former US President Bill Clinton as the keynote speaker for the university’s 2013 spring commencement.
Thursday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Howard University, Washington DC
The Washington Business Journal this week reports that Howard University will develop student residential facilities to accommodate more than 1,300 students. The cost for the apartment-style living spaces will run more than $100 million, and are scheduled for completion by fall 2014.
“The addition of these state-of-the-art residential facilities will help to revitalize the 4th Street corridor of our campus and establish a physical community for students to live, learn and socialize,” (Howard President Sidney) Ribeau said in a statement. “By improving the quality of our housing, this project will aid in the recruitment and retention of students and enhance the overall collegiate experience at Howard University.”
Tuesday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Thursday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Breaking News, Howard University, Sports, Washington DC
The Washington Post earlier this week reported that Howard University head football coach Gary Harrell will take a voluntary leave of absence for the entire 2013 season.
In a statement, Harrell said he made the decision “with sadness” to deal with “personal and family issues” and that he hopes to return in 2014. A university spokeswoman declined to provide further details.
“In making this decision, I thought deeply about my extended family, my players and coaches,” Harrell said in the statement. “At this time, my personal and family issues make it impossible for me to give them 100 [percent] and anything less than that is unacceptable to me.”
Harrell led Howard to its first winning season in eight years in 2012, finishing the year 7-4. Howard defensive coordinator Rayford Petty will take over as interim head coach, but the university is solid in its commitment to Harrell.
“Coach Harrell has led two turnaround seasons dubbed, ‘The Road to Redemption.’ We look forward to his return in 2014,” said University Spokesperson Kerry-Ann Hamilton. “We expect a strong 2013 season. Coach Petty is no stranger to Bison Football and has been instrumental to the turnaround in the program over the last two years.”
There are no signs that Harrell will be completely hands off from the program or from the athletes, and if his personal problems are known to players, the team may use his struggles to motivate a run to the MEAC football title in 2013. The university earned a lot of credit when it brought Harrell home two years ago to recapture some of the magic from its football dominance in the mid 90′s, built by teams Harrell himself played for.
HU deserves a lot of credit now for allowing a coach with 12 wins total under his belt to step away from the program in a pivotal year for recruitment, branding and fundraising after last year’s success.
Thursday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Breaking News, Howard University, Legal, Washington DC
The Howard University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, a law that prohibits LGBT couples from recognized marriages in California. The premise of its brief – striking similarities between the ban on gay marriage and the former ban on interracial marriage.
While public debate over interracial unions has generally died since Loving v. Virginia, today the opposition to marriage for same-sex couples relies on arguments strikingly similar to those raised in opposition to interracial marriage.Without acknowledging the racial provenance of these discredited arguments, opponents of marriage equality have attacked same-sex couples as a threat to American society, American families and heterosexual marriage, as an affront to the laws of God and nature, and as a menace to their children.
While some debate the merits of linking the Civil Rights movement with LGBT equality progress, its clear that black people can sympathize with a group facing blatant discrimination against basic rights. There are some cultural differences and disagreements that many black folks have with these rights, and with LGBT lifestyle period. Those arguments, however motivated, should take a back seat to the black and white area of blocked civil rights.
Kudos to Howard for taking a progressive and compelling stand in the LGBT marriage discussion. They don’t call it the Mecca for nothing.
