HBCU Digest

HBCU News, Commentary and Information

Morgan State University Archive

Tuesday

14

May 2013

1

COMMENTS

HBCUs to Welcome More Than 150 Brazilian Students in Exchange Program This Fall

Written by , 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:

  • Alcorn State University
  • Delaware State University
  • Dillard University
  • Fisk University
  • Florida A&M University
  • Hampton University
  • Howard University
  • Jackson State University
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Lincoln University
  • Morehouse College
  • Morgan State University
  • North Carolina A&T State University
  • Savannah State University
  • South Carolina State University
  • Southern University
  • Spelman College
  • Tennessee State University
  • University of the District of Columbia
  • Virginia State University
  • Xavier University of Louisiana

Monday

13

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Morgan State’s Yacob Astatke Makes History as Outstanding Engineering Educator

Written by , Posted in Faculty, Maryland, Morgan State University

astatke0001Morgan State University engineering professor Yacob Astatke is the recipient of the American Society for Engineering Education ‘Outstanding Educator Award,’ an honor given annually to the nation’s top engineering professor at a two or four-year institution of higher education. Dr. Astatke, a Morgan graduate, is the first African-American and first faculty member from a historically black college or university to win the award in its nine-year history.

“This is really a great recognition for me, but especially as an alumnus,” said Astatke. “I’m happy that I won this award as a faculty member, but as a graduate, this is coming full circle. When I graduated in 1991, I promised myself that I would come back to give to the school which gave me so much.”

Thursday

9

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Kweisi Mfume Named Chairman of Morgan State Board of Regents

Written by , Posted in Leadership, Maryland, Morgan State University

KM-Offficial-Photo1The Morgan State University Board of Regents earlier this week named alumnus and noted legislator Kweisi Mfume as its new chairman. Mfume will replace interim chairman Martin Resnick on July 1. The 1976 graduate is a former member of the Baltimore City Council, the U.S. House of Representatives and past president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

“This is a great opportunity to help in the governance of a great university,” said Regent Mfume. “I thank the members of the board for their vote of confidence and I join faculty, staff, students and alumni in looking forward to serving well into the future with Dr. David Wilson.”

In the same meeting, the Board also voted to extend the contract of President David Wilson for one year. From the release:

“This contract extension allows Dr. Wilson to complete his original contract as president of Morgan State University. Going forward, Dr. Wilson will continue to serve as Morgan’s president at the pleasure of the board, which is consistent with the practice of the University of Maryland System. Board members spoke with confidence that Morgan State University will enjoy Dr. Wilson’s leadership for many years to come.”

Thursday

18

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Morgan State Seeks Judicial Review Over Off-Campus Student Incidents

Written by , Posted in Breaking News, Leadership, Maryland, Morgan State University

MorganStateUniversityLogo

The Morgan State University Spokesman today reports that university officials are considering changes to its Code of Student Conduct that will allow for off-campus incidents involving students to be under the university’s system of judicial review and punishment. The topic was discussed during a recent meeting between Morgan President David Wilson and members of the surrounding community in Northeast Baltimore. From the Spokesman:

“We want to make sure that our students are understanding that there are certain behaviors at Morgan that we simply will not accept and we will not tolerate,” (Wilson said.) “And so, as you live in the communities and you engage in certain behaviors that are destructive, we’re looking at our code of conduct to see how that code of conduct could be crafted in a way where it would cover not just those activities that occur on the campus itself, but also those that occur beyond the confines of the community.”

Currently, the Code’s section on inherent authority allows for off-campus incidents which ‘adversely affects the University’s educational mission, and/or constitutes a substantial and/or continuing danger to the safety or property of the University or members of the University community’ to fall under the university’s Office of Judicial Affairs. There is no standing agreement between university police and the Baltimore City Police Department to report any crimes or civic violations to the university for judicial review.

The Office held a community forum this evening for students to exchange perspectives on potential changes to the code of student conduct. No timetables have been published for any changes to the code, which must be voted upon by the university’s board of regents.

Wednesday

17

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Former Morgan State Student Found Not Criminally Responsible for Campus Assault, Cannibalism

Written by , Posted in Breaking News, Crime, Maryland, Morgan State University

Harford County Sheriff's Office detectives have charged Alexander Kinyua, age 21, of 535 Terrapin Terrace in Joppatowne,  with 1st degree murder, 1st degree assault and 2nd degree assault. Kinyua is jailed at the Harford County Detention Center awaiting an initial appearance before the District Court commissioner.

A prosecutor in Harford County, MD today said that former Morgan State University student Alexander Kinyua will likely not have to stand trial for the murder and cannibalism of his former housemate. Citing a lack of evidence, Joseph Cassilly says Kinyua will likely remain committed in a state mental hospital without charges for that murder, pending a judge hearing recommendations from psychiatric physicians overseeing his treatment. From the Baltimore Sun:

Cassilly said he’s seen psychiatric reports from Clifton T. Perkins Hospital in both the assault and murder cases and has had an independent expert review Kinyua’s mental state. He said Wednesday that “we have basically the same diagnosis” as the first report.

“To dispute the Perkins findings, I need some sort of evidence,” he said. “I don’t have any opinion that would dispute their findings.”

Kinyua was also found not criminally responsible for an attempted murder on the Morgan campus in the hours after the university’s commencement ceremony last May.

Thursday

4

April 2013

0

COMMENTS

Could a Settlement in Maryland HBCU Equity Lawsuit Jeopardize Future Legal Remedies for HBCUs?

Written by , Posted in Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Legal, Maryland, Morgan State University, Politics, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

As politicians in the state examine possibilities for a settlement within the Maryland HBCU Equity lawsuit, the suit, filed by alumni and students of Bowie State, Coppin State, Morgan State and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, may yield a decision in the next few months.

Friday

22

March 2013

0

COMMENTS

Clean Energy Legislation May Bring New Degree Programs to Maryland HBCUs

Written by , Posted in Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Maryland, Morgan State University, Politics, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

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The Baltimore Business Journal this week reports that Maryland’s four historically black universities may be in line for new degree programs in clean and sustainable energy development, thanks to new legislation passed by state government this week. The state seeks to develop off-shore wind farms along its Atlantic coast, and benefits of the bill include more than $10 million in assistance funding for minority-owned businesses and a feasibility study to measure outcomes for clean energy programs at Bowie State, Coppin State, Morgan State and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The 11-member committee, which includes the presidents of those schools, as well as the Maryland Secretary of Higher Education, or her designee, will issue a report to O’Malley and the General Assembly by July 2014.

Coppin State is interested in offering a program in clean energy which would enhance courses the Baltimore university already offers, including one on climate change, said Tiffany Jones, a Coppin State spokeswoman.

“We’re trying to breed graduates who are aware of environmental issues,” she said.

Friday

22

February 2013

0

COMMENTS

Tuesday

19

February 2013

1

COMMENTS

The Other Side of Diversity – When the ‘White Boy’ Hoops at an HBCU

Written by , Posted in Editorial, Maryland, Morgan State University, Sports

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SBNation today published a strong profile on James Reed, a former Morgan State University shooting guard who played under Butch Beard in 2005. The profile reaches into the bold places you would expect an in-depth profile on race and sports to go – the racial animus for a white basketball player on the road in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the adjustment period for a kid from rural Indiana playing in the suburban outskirts of Baltimore City, and ups and downs of both. A snippet:

After the first day of classes, he tagged along with dorm mates to the cafeteria at Rawlings Hall for dinner. More than a buffet of fried chicken and soul food highlighted the menu; the dining hall also served as a gathering spot for one of the biggest social hours of the school day. As they ate, Reed, the only white person among the 200 people in the hall, noticed the stares. Once dinner ended, he and a few teammates walked outside and into the commons between Rawlings and Blount Towers where 40-50 students milled about. Football, skipped classes and upcoming parties generally peppered their conversations. On this day, however, those subjects were forgotten. Most of the talk centered on Reed.

“That’s when it all started,” he said. “Everyone wanted to know why I was here. Why was I at a black college? The questions were the same, and so was my answer: I’m here to play basketball.”

(more…)

Monday

18

February 2013

0

COMMENTS

Thursday

14

February 2013

0

COMMENTS

Morgan State Angle in UMD Murder-Suicide Coverage is Irresponsible

Written by , Posted in Editorial

MorganStateUniversityLogo

As mourners and observers continue to look for answers in the University of Maryland murder-suicide investigation, one angle continues to rise above all others in the mainstream media coverage of the case. The alleged shooter, Dayvon Green, was a 2011 graduate of Morgan State University.

It appears as if the only reaction from friends and professors stems from his time at Morgan, despite being a UMD graduate student at the time of the killings. Even more interesting, Green’s status as a Morgan graduate, and his program of study, were released by several news outlets even before his identity was made public.

(more…)