In a statement released yesterday by his attorney, Florida A&M University Marching 100 band director Dr. Julian White resigned from his position. His resignation comes just days after 13 people were charged with the hazing death of Marching 100 drum major Robert Champion following the 2011 Florida Classic in Orlando, and one day after reports that nearly 100 individuals who performed with the band at the classic were not enrolled or formerly registered members of the ensemble.
FAMU Marching 100 Director Julian White Resigns
May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Brian Hemphill Named President of West Va. State
May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The West Virginia State University Board of Governors today unanimously voted Dr. Brian Hemphill as the school’s next president, an offer he accepted via conference call this afternoon. Dr. Hemphill was chosen over two other finalists, including Dr. Donna Oliver, president of Mississippi Valley State University.
Dr. Hemphill is currently the vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at Northern Illinois University.
“I’m truly humbled and honored by the offer to become the next president of West Virginia State University,” Hemphill said in a conference call with board members shortly after they nominated him. “State is a great institution with so much potential.”
State has been looking for a new president since the faculty voted no confidence in Carter’s leadership and Carter announced he would retire. (Charleston Daily Mail)
According to the Daily Mail, Dr. Hemphill was the overwhelming choice of students and faculty.
Oakwood, Drake State Sign Articulation Agreement
May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Oakwood University and J.F. Drake Technical College last week signed an articulation agreement that makes transfer from the two-year institution to the four-year adventist university virtually seamless. The agreement will allow Drake State students to transfer to Oakwood without loss of credit hours, expediting the process for students to earn a four-year degree.
“Not losing credit for classes during the transfer process is critical,” according to Patricia Sims, Dean of Instructional and Student Services at Drake State. The school also has agreements in place with Alabama A&M and Athens State.
“This will allow all students with an associate degree to, regardless of program of study, not lose credits or lose coursework,” Sims said. “That translates to affordability and dollars saved and we’re excited about that.”
Oakwood President Leslie Pollard said he valued the partnership.
“One of the things we know about the future, we know we have to walk in holding hands,” he said. “Partnership is the key to progress. There is no institution that has the resources to be self-sustaining and stand on its own. It’s only as we share our strengths and our history that we are able to create the kind of future we all desire.” (Huntsville Times)
Paul Quinn President, First Lady Pledge $25K to School’s Scholarship Fund
May 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Paul Quinn College President Michael J. Sorrell and First Lady Natalie Sorrell last week announced a pledge of $25,000 to the college’s general scholarship fund. The pledge was part of a recently announced campaign to increase student and alumni giving for the institution prior to and continuing after graduation.
“The era for talking about problems has come to an end,” Sorrell said during a phone interview. “We’re now in an era of action.”
Paul Quinn was the inaugural “HBCU of the Year” winner in the 2011 HBCU Awards sponsored by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy. Sorrell was the “President of the Year” winner of the 2012 held last month on the campus of Bowie State.
Since Sorrell’s arrival in 2007, Paul Quinn has increased enrollment, gained national attention for razing a football field and converting the area into an organic farm, and heightened admission standards and graduation rates. In 2011, students at Paul Quinn led a city-wide protest of efforts made by the Dallas city council to relocate a waste management treatment center just miles from the south Dallas campus, sparking a civic debate on environmental justice and the lack of food resources in the area.
