Oakwood University Ensemble Named the 2017 Choir of the World
The Aeolians Choir of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, have added a new award to their trophy case. On July 9, the Aeolians were named the 2017 Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod in Wales.
The Sorry State of Alumni Giving at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
U.S. News & World Report recently published a list of historically Black colleges and universities that achieve the greatest rate of alumni giving. For the HBCUs that supplied data to the survey, the average giving rate was a dismally low 11.2 percent.
Two Addtional HBCUs Join the Verizon Innovative Learning Program
The program provides middle school boys in 16 cities across the United States with hands-on training in STEM fields on college campuses during the summer with continued mentoring services throughout the school year. Dillard University and Tennessee State University are new partners.
The New Urban Research and Resource Center at Texas Southern University
The center, under the direction of Marcia Johnson a professor at the university's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, will combine scholarly endeavors with community outreach to develop and expand research programs.
Kentucky State University’s New Research Center on Race, Education and Democracy
The Atwood Institute for Race, Education, and the Democratic Ideal will advance research, dialogue, and advocacy for anti-racism training and conflict resolution, and exploration of the elements of democracy in solving intractable social problems.
Meharry Medical College Develops Joint Degree Program With Middle Tennessee State
The agreement will create a six-year pathway for selected high-ability students to attain a bachelor’s degree at Middle Tennessee State University and a medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville.
Jackson State University Partners With the School of Pharmacy at Ole Miss
Under the agreement, pre-pharmacy students at Jackson State University who meet certain qualifications will get preferred admission status at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi.
Morgan State University Partners With the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Under the agreement, the department will provide apprenticeships, fellowships, and internships focused in the fields of construction, engineering, environmental infrastructure, information technology and science to Morgan State University students.
Bethune-Cookman University Looks to Bolster the Institution’s Financial Outlook
An investigative report by the Daytona Beach News-Journal revealed that historically Black Bethune-Cookman University had nearly a $18 million operating loss in the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. But later data shows that the university has an improved financial outlook.
State of Tennessee Passes Legislation to Help Its Seven HBCUs
The governor of the state of Tennessee recently signed into law the Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The legislation creates a director's position who will act as a liaison between lawmakers and leadership of the state's HBCUs.
Tuskegee University’s Accreditation Warning Status Has Been Lifted
In June 2015, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges issued a warning to Tuskegee University regarding concerns for institutional effectiveness and financial stability. That warning has now been removed.
Wilberforce University Signs a Partnership Agreement With Seattle Central College
Students who earn an associate's degree at Seattle Central College in Washington State will guaranteed admission to Wilberforce University, a historically Black college in Ohio. Transfer students will enter Wilberforce as juniors with all their credits accepted toward a bachelor's degree.
Black Television New Channel Won’t Be Located on Florida A&M University Campus
Three years ago, Florida A&M University signed an 11-year agreement to house the Black Television New Channel on campus. That deal has now been scrapped.
New Scholarship Program for Students at Two HBCUs in North Carolina
The Cheatham-White Scholarships will be offered to students entering North Carolina Central University and North Carolina A&T State University in the fall of 2018. They will offer full-tuition scholarships for four years and are valued at about $75,000.
Central State University in Ohio Commits $20 Million to Campus Upgrades
Several residence halls on campus will be renovated and many campus building will receive upgrades to heating and air conditioning systems. One of the larger projects is a $5 million renovation of the Hallie Q. Brown Memorial Library.
North Carolina Central Expands Its Partnership With Vance-Granville Community College
Under the agreement, the department of human sciences at North Carolina Central will offer two bachelor's degree programs on the Vance-Granville Community College campus. The degree programs will be in early childhood education and childhood development and family relations.
The Resurrection of the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Nursing at Grambling State University
The bachelor's degree program in nursing at Grambling State University in Louisiana was discontinued in 2015 due to a low passage rate on the state licensing examination. But now, the university plans to revive the program for the fall of 2018.
Two Students in Same Class Found That One’s Ancestors Owned the Other’s Ancestors as...
During the course of their research, Ebony Hill of Johnson C. Smith University and Grace Woodward of Davidson College found out that several of Hill's ancestors had been slaves owned by ancestors of Woodward.
New Opportunities in Cybersecurity for Students at Coppin State University in Baltimore
Under the program, students at Coppin State University will be able to obtain certifications required by the Department of Defense for cybersecurity work. Some graduates of the program will be hired by Northrop Grumman for cybersecurity positions.
Florida A&M University Launches a New Digital Learning Initiative
The initiative aims to ensure that faculty members connect with students in the technology realm they are familiar with, such as the use of popular apps, to enhance learning outcomes and the learning environment.
Central State University Creates a Summer Banking Institute
Central State University, the historically Black education institution in Wilberforce, Ohio, has entered into a partnership with the Union Savings Bank to offer a summer training program to prepare students for careers in the banking industry.
Two New Academic Offerings in STEM at North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University, the historically Black educational institution in Durham, will now offer academic programs in computational and engineering mathematics and engineering physics.
Jackson State University Restructuring Looks to Shore Up Financial Position
Under the cost-cutting plan, the university will lay off 42 employees and eliminate 65 vacant positions. Academic restructuring and consolidation will eliminate one dean position and seven department chairs.
State of South Carolina Steps In to Help Denmark Technical College
Under new legislation, the state's Technical College System will take direct control of the college until November 2018. More importantly, local high school graduates will be able to attend the college to earn a two-year degree or a technical certificate, completely free of charge.
Central State University Opens Its Financial Books for All to See
Central State University, the historically Black educational institution in Wilberforce, Ohio, has announced that it is one of two public universities in the state to post all of its expenditures online in an effort to boost fiscal responsibility.
Tennessee State University Expands Its Goat Meat Research Program
The university recently received funding from National Institute of Food and Agriculture to further its research on goat meat production. The latest research involves Savanna goats, the fifth breed in the university's herd.
Wilberforce University Cuts Pay for Employees
Herman J. Felton Jr., president of Wilberforce University, the nation's oldest private historically Black college or university, stated "we decided to do some terminations and furloughs and all of us are taking a pay cut; mine more significant than the others."
Website Ranks the HBCUs With the Best Online Program Offerings
Online College Plan's new listing the "Top 20 Best Historically Black Colleges with Online Programs" ranks HBCUs by the quality of the online education provided as well as by the number of online programs offered, and the ease in which students can take these courses.
Alabama State University Awards Its First Master of Social Work Degrees
Seven students, all of whom previously had earned bachelor's degrees in social work at Alabama State University, were recently awarded the university's first master of social work degrees.
Claflin University Joins a New Effort to Increase the Number of Black Male Teachers
The program will seek to identify young Black male students as early as junior high school who are interested in becoming teachers. There students will receive mentoring, counseling, advising, and tutoring to keep on track for higher education.
A Milestone Commencement at North Carolina Central University
The University awarded 725 undergraduate degrees and 490 graduate degrees at commencement ceremonies earlier this month, the largest total in the university's history. It also awarded its first Ph.D.s in over a half century.
Shaw University Enters Partnership With Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Shaw University has been offering courses in the Ashokie area since 1983. Under the agreement, these Shaw University courses will now be offered on the campus of Roanoke-Chowan Community College.
Alcorn State University to Offer Bachelor’s Degree Programs at Its Vicksburg Location
Alcorn State University, the historically Black educational institution in Mississippi, has announced that it will now offer bachelor's degree programs at its Vicksburg Expansion Center. Previously, students at the Vicksburg location could take courses only leading to an associate's degree.
The Plan to Save Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
A state task force said that for Cheyney University to remain an independent, four-year institution, workforce reductions would have to be made, the campuses may need to be downsized, and that the university may have to consider eliminating intercollegiate sports.
North Carolina A&T University Offering One-Year Master’s Degrees in Engineering Disciplines
One-year master's degrees are now being offered in bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, industrial /systems engineering and mechanical engineering, as well as computer science.
The HBCU Clean Energy Consortium Competing for Solar Energy Development Funds
Over the next 18 months, the consortium will work on developing new and innovative financial and business models that would increase solar energy adoption in low-income, African American communities.
