HBCU News, Commentary and Information
Wednesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Leadership, South Carolina, South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University President Thomas Elzey pledged to members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus yesterday that failure is not an option when he begins his tenure next month.
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 Leadership, South Carolina, South Carolina State University
The Board of Trustees at South Carolina State University unanimously approved a revision of the university’s code of conduct last Friday, a sign that new membership is seeking to establish a culture of transparency and measures against corruption.
According to the Times and Democrat, the revision will require all members be familiar with code changes, and to immediately report potential conflicts of interest with the university stemming from family or business-related relationships.
Wednesday
May 2013
COMMENTS
Tuesday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Georgia, North Carolina, North Carolina A&T State University, South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Sports
North Carolina A&T will face South Carolina State University in the 2013 Atlanta Football Classic on Oct 5. in the Georgia Dome. It will be the first classic in 15 years to not feature Florida A&M, and will be the first appearance in the Classic for the Aggies.
It will be the seventh appearance for South Carolina State in the game, and first since 1997 when the Bulldogs defeated Tennessee State 34-28.
Thursday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Breaking News, Leadership, South Carolina, South Carolina State University
Thomas Elzey, a seasoned chief financial officer at several prominent college and universities throughout the United States was today named the 11th president of South Carolina State University. Citing his experience in finance and in a variety of institutions, SCSU Board of Trustees Chairman Walter Tobin lauded Elzey as the leader for South Carolina State’s future.
“Elzey has handled billions of dollars. He has worked in the federal office. He has worked at an HBCU. He has worked at a large university and he has worked here in the state of South Carolina,” stated Dr. Walter Tobin, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We hired him because we think that this university can move forward,” he continued.
The angst among SCSU students, alumni and even members of the board surrounding his hiring didn’t dim Elzey’s enthusiasm for his new job.
“It feels wonderful. It feels great,” Elzey said when asked about his feelings about his appointment as the 11th president of SC State University. “As the president of this University, I plan to utilize my knowledge in terms of management and administration to be able to do things in a more efficient and effective manner,” he said. “My intention is to move forward. I’m excited about growing some of our programs and working with the students. I am very sensitive to the challenges that the students face and I am conscience of the need to ensure that they receive a quality education.” I am excited about the future. I promise that they will not be disappointed.”
Thursday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Breaking News, Leadership, South Carolina, South Carolina State University
A South Carolina State University alumnus has filed a lawsuit against the university’s Board of Trustees, alleging that their scheduled vote for the SCSUs next president should be stopped. Christopher W. Johnson says he is filing for all SCSU constituents who believe that the board has acted in haste to replace Interim President Cynthia Warrick. From the Times and Democrat:
In his filing to the S.C. Supreme Court, Johnson wrote, “If there are Board of Trustee members who reconsider their position and vote to keep (interim President Dr. Cynthia) Warrick on as president of South Carolina State University, those members will be removed from this lawsuit because they are trying to serve the people which is what the Board was elected to do.”
The vote was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. this morning, and will follow a contentious 6-5 vote last week against stopping the presidential search process. Students, faculty and alumni have opposed the search from its start, and board members have public spoken out against the legality and timing of the search.
The three finalists for the SCSU presidency, Thomas J. Elzey, Dr. E. Newton Jackson and Dr. Leonard McIntyre, all had on-campus interviews in the last two weeks. According to reports, McIntyre ranked highest among the candidates in surveys completed by the university’s faculty senate.
Friday
April 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Leadership, South Carolina, South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University Trustees are concerned about a looming deadline to report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges about their leadership and financial status.
In a letter dated March 22, SACS gave the university until April 22 to submit the report on the university’s compliance with issues such as board conflict of interest, board/administration distinction, financial stability and the control of research funds.
While some trustees supported a request for an extension, SCSU Interim President Cynthia Warrick and Board Chair Walter Tobin pressed for the board to meet the deadline or risk an accreditation action similar to the warning status the university received in 2008.
Tuesday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Students
Monte Johnson, a South Carolina State University biology major, was one of thousands who had to drop out of college this year, due to a lack of available scholarships and grants. But thanks to a $25,000 gift from an anonymous donor, the Chicago native will return to SCSU with the chance at more help if he maintains his grades.
“I was kind of speechless,” Johnson said of the $25,000 an anonymous donor paid toward his tuition after reading a Sun-Times story detailing how the teenager was forced to drop out of South Carolina State University because he could no longer afford it.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Johnson was one of several dozen youth promised funds for college after the death of his mother and others in a nightclub stampede 10 years ago, but payments for the youth have not yet begun
Friday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Friday
March 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alumni, Politics, South Carolina, South Carolina State University
U.S. News and World Report’s Washington Whispers blog today profiles U.S. Congressman James Clyburn, a South Carolina State University alum who has been among the institution’s greatest supporters and loyalists. The post details in brief Clyburn’s chronology of securing funding for its transportation center, a project initiated to move SCSU into a new field of research and development, but 10 years and $107 million later, still hasn’t been built.
Congressman Clyburn has little to say in the article, other than that SCSU leadership and alumni would have to decide the future of the center, which is, in his words, embroiled in holdups and innuendo created through partisan opponents of the project.
It is a story we often hear around colleges and universities of all kinds, but specifically around HBCUs – alumni of influence become disenchanted with their alma mater because of ineffective leadership or their inability to manage personalities and projects with kid gloves.
A donor or a political ally with ties to an HBCU is as loyal as the school is smart about how to handle their influence and impact on this institution. One poor interaction with a president or executive, one mishandled project or bungled finances at the HBCU can deflate a relationship, and cost millions in private support or legislative appropriations.
There is no sign that Clyburn is distancing himself from South Carolina State; he remains active in commenting about the school and professing his support of its leadership and financial recovery. Perhaps he believes that the board, among the most maligned at any college or university in the country, can lead the way to prosperity despite its recent track record of ineptitude and criminal behavior. Maybe he is just being a good alumnus and doing right by the school which helped him launched a long and productive political career.
Will he be an advocate for the center receiving $80 million it needs to complete the center named in his honor? Probably not, and if he will not do that, would there be any other reason for Clyburn to stand in as an advocate or fundraiser for any of SCSU’s other plans to bounce back from national embarrassment?
Thursday
February 2013
COMMENTS
Wednesday
February 2013
COMMENTS
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Students
A student running onto the South Carolina State University campus triggered heightened concern at the university this afternoon, and campus police now say that students have nothing to worry about regarding alleged armed trespassers and area safety.
A statement from SC State says: “The SC State University Police Department was recently notified of a potential trespasser entering the campus on foot. The matter was immediately placed under investigation and it was validated by the Police Department that there was no threat to the safety of faculty, staff, students and visitors on campus.”
“Due to the use of social media, the matter escalated to an unofficial announcement that was not validated by University officials.”
Wednesday
February 2013
COMMENTS
Thursday
February 2013
COMMENTS
Wednesday
February 2013
COMMENTS
