Yearly Archives: 2019

Law Students Ask That the Image of Robert E. Lee Not Appear on Their Diplomas

Students, alumni, and faculty members of the Washington and Lee University School of Law have started a petition asking the university's administration to give graduating students the option of not having the images of George Washington and Robert E. Lee on their diplomas.

In Memoriam: Bill Wilson, 1940-2019

Bill Wilson was the first African American elected to the city council in St. Paul, Minnesota, founder of the Higher Ground Academy, and former administrator at the University of Minnesota.

Higher Education Grants or Gifts of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Joe. A. Hairston, 1948-2019

Dr. Hairston was the first African American to lead the Baltimore County school system. After 12 years as superintendent, Dr. Hairston taught educational leadership and policy at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

The First African American Provost at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Since 2017, Reginald DesRoches has been the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering at Rice University. Previously, he served as chair of the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

New Report Documents an Alarming Rise in Suicide Rates Among Black Youth

Self-reported suicide attempts rose by 73 percent between 1991-2017 for Black high school students. The suicide rate for Black children ages 5-12 is roughly twice that of White children of the same age group.

Professor Mildred Robinson Is Retiring After 47 Years of Teaching in Higher Education

Mildred Robinson is the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law. Professor Robinson, who specializes in tax law, was the law school's first African American female tenured professor.

Black Teens Daily Exposure to Racial Discrimination Is a Public Health Problem

The researchers surveyed a large group of Black youth between ages 13 and 17 each day for two weeks about their experiences with racial discrimination. The teens reported an average of more than five experiences per day.

Brown University Dean Andrew Campbell to Lead the Council of Graduate Schools

Andrew G. Campbell is the dean of the Graduate School at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Also, Dr. Campbell is a professor of medical science whose research focuses on microbial diseases. He has taught at Brown University since 1994.

The Huge Gender Gap in Black Enrollments at HBCU Law Schools

All told there are 123 Black men enrolled at the six law schools at HBCUs. At these six schools, there are 438 Black women enrolled. Thus, among Black enrollments at these law schools, Black women make up 78 percent of all Black enrollments.

University of Kansas Renames its Integrated Sciences Building for Bernadette Gray-Little

Dr. Gray-Little became the 17th chancellor of the University of Kansas in 2009. She is the only woman to serve in that role. Dr. Gray-Little stepped down as chancellor after the 2016-17 academic year.

Virginia Union University to Cut Undergraduate Tuition by Nearly a Third

The university announced recently that as part of the university’s “Access to Excellence” initiative undergraduate tuition would be reduced by 32 percent. This amounts to a reduction of approximately $5,000. The new tuition rate will begin with the Fall 2020 semester.

Three African American Scholars Taking on New Assignments in Higher Education

Taking on new duties are Simone T.A. Phipps, of Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Thelma Hurd at the University of California, Merced, and Raegan W. Durant, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Division of Preventive Medicine.

Fayetteville State University Enters Partnership With Central Carolina Community College

Graduates of Central Carolina Community College who have obtained an associate’s degree will be able to complete an online bachelor’s degree at Fayetteville State University at a total cost of no more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

Two Black Scholars Appointed to Endowed Professorships at Simmons University

The School of Social Work at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, has appointed two Black scholars to endowed professorships. They are Johnnie Hamilton-Mason and Hugo Kamya.

Xavier University of Louisiana Will Explore Creating a Catholic University in Arizona

Xavier University and St. Michael Indian School in St. Michaels, Arizona will join forces to determine the possibility of creating a Catholic university in Arizona to serve members of the Navajo Nation. Both Xavier University and St. Michael Indian School were founded by Saint Katherine Drexel.

Three African American Men Who Are Assuming New Administrative Posts at Universities

Taking on new roles are Cletis Earle at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Sherwin E. James at Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia, and Marlon C. Lynch at the University of Utah.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Yale Renews Faculty Diversity Effort for Another Five Years

There are 85 Black ladder faculty at Yale. They make up 3.2 percent of all tenured or tenure-track faculty. In 2018, eight Black ladder faculty were hired, making up 3 percent of all new hires. Eight Black ladder faculty left Yale in 2017.
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Deborah Jones Named President of the MGH Institute of Health Professions

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“I am inspired by the [MGH Institute for Health Professions'] mission to educate health professionals and researchers who will drive innovation in the delivery of equitable and interprofessional care,” said Dr. Jones. “This mission aligns deeply with my own purpose, which is to bring together people, ideas, and systems for the greater good, because the greater good is stronger than any individual part.”

Ayana Allen-Handy to Lead the Hofstra University School of Education

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Dr. Allen-Handy, professor of urban education at Drexel University, is slated to become dean of Hofstra University's School of Education on January 1. She is a leading scholar on the social foundations and social contexts of education.

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