Central State University, the historically Black educational institution in Wilberforce, Ohio, has announced a series of financial incentives for new and returning students starting this fall. The university’s leadership team noted the importance of providing additional financial assistance for students and their families as the country continues to navigate through the impacts of the global pandemic.
All new and returning students who are in good academic standing with the university will receive a 10 percent tuition reduction and a 30 percent reduction of housing fees for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters. An enrollment deposit scholarship of $500 was awarded to students with a grade point average between 2.25 and 2.69. For those with a higher grade point average, a $1,000 bonus was awarded.
Incoming freshmen students who have a 3.5 unweighted cumulative grade point average coming out of high school qualify to apply to the University’s Honors College. Honors students will receive a First Semester Scholarship which covers tuition and fees. Those who qualify will also have the option of residing in honors residence halls with other academically motivated students.
“In line with our mission to provide a quality and well-rounded education for our students, it is imperative for Central State University to give every opportunity in order to enable deserving and motivated students the ability to attend and benefit from our great institution,” said Jack Thomas, president of Central State University. “At Central State, students have an opportunity to fully develop and position themselves for lifelong success. While we continue to persevere through the pandemic, CSU is here to offer our support for those who wish to move forward with their educational development and professional aspirations.”
Can somebody please explain how can Central State University offer discounts to students in good academic standing when they’re always in DIRE NEED of fiscal resources? I would like to know if Central State University has been on the receiving end of Funding Disparities from the Ohio Legislature akin to what we’ve seen in the Tennessee with TSU, the state of Maryland and its MD HBCUs? Regarding Wilberforce University, they would not be in this Fiscal Dire Straits if they did a better job of promoting its academic prowess and contributions consistently to the Black community. For example, Wilberforce University is know for producing what type of students, STEM, education, criminal justice, nursing, etc? The so-called Black administrators at Wilberforce University and other HBCUs who quickly say “we don’t have that type of budget for nationwide marketing” should be ashamed because in 2021 you can launch a PR campaign for little or no costs. For those who dissent, I challenge you to tell me why most native born Black American high students never heard of your institution or know what it’s known for academically?
So typical of an American to think that Wilberforce can solve its problems by devising bolder plans for marketing and promoting its existing courses.
How about improving product quality instead — revising those courses so they do a better job of building the professional and practical skills employers seek in new hires?
Let the competition teach abstract concepts that do not leave a lasting impression on students and are of little practical value in the workplace. Develop course materials that focus on useful knowledge. Stop forcing students to waste their time studying general principles, endless classifications, hair-splitting definitions, and “theoretical models”.
It appears that the low information voter whose called ‘ewart’ (lower case ‘e’ intentional) need to take his misplaced anger and apply his feebleminded comment towards the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tier HWCUs.
You should know that in the traditions of the Liberal Arts of The Academy, most HBCU’s offer their students two things: Roots and Wings. The students who enroll at a HBCU are given Academic Roots through their rigorous work in the classroom where they learn to think critically; and they also are given Learning Wings to soar upon their subsequent graduation from all the HBCU’s in the United States of America.
The results speak for themselves: HBCUs generated 25 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields earned by African Americans and awarded 14 percent of all African American engineering degrees.
I am a professor now at a HBCU and have taught at, and been an administrator at seven different HBCU’s and the faculty have credentials that equal any college in the USA.
The most important thing about a HBCU is that most of the HBCU students are also like me, first generation college students, who are often disregarded for what they can achieve in our society, because “Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of, who often do the things that no one can imagine.” (Alan Turning).
The Reverend Graham P. Matthews, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
Central State University – B A Class of 1969
University of Michigan – M A Class of 1970
University of Michigan – Ph.D. Class of 1976
Vanderbilt University Divinity School – M.Div. Class of 1982