Milestones

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.

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.

The First Black Editor-in-Chief of the Emory Law Journal

Janiel Myers is a native of Jamaica but has become a U.S. citizen. She is scheduled to earn her law degree in 2018 and is the chair of academic and professionalism success for the Emory Black Law Student Association.

The First African American Editor-in-Chief of the South Carolina Law Review

Chelsea Evans, a second-year student at the University of South Carolina School of Law, is the first African American to be elected editor-in-chief in the 69-year history of the legal publication.

The First Black Woman to Lead the Harvard Law Review

The first edition of the Harvard Law Review was published in 1887. It has the largest circulation of any law journal in the world. Now, for the first time in 131 years, a Black woman will serve as president of the law review.

The Higher Education of the First Black Woman Diocesan Bishop of the Episcopal Church

On September 11, 2001, Rev. Baskerville-Burrows was in Trinity Church in lower Manhattan just blocks away from the World Trade Center. Next April she will become the leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis.

LaVerne Harmon Named the Next President of Wilmington University in Delaware

LaVerne Harmon is currently executive vice president at Wilmington University. When she takes office on July 1, she will become the first African American women to serve as president of a university in the state of Delaware.

The Youngest Woman Recipient of a Ph.D. in Africa

Muswenkosi Donia Saurombe is on track to receive Ph.D. in industrial psychology from the North West University in Mafikeng, South Africa, this October. At the age of 23, she will be the youngest women in African history to earn a Ph.D.

An Educational Milestone for April Gillens at Clemson University

Earlier this month, April Gillens became the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in environmental engineering and earth sciences at Clemson University in South Carolina.

The First Black Leader of the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

Billy C. Hawkins, president of Talladega College in Alabama, has been chosen to chair the board of directors of the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is the first African American to chair the association's board.

A Black Woman’s Half-Century Journey to a Bachelor’s Degree

Delores Ojunga-Andrew is a Black woman who is a member of the Class of 2018 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. At age 72, she is the oldest student enrolled at the women's college.

The First Black Woman Chair of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees

Dr. Harris is the former director of health services for Fulton County, Georgia, and the former medical director for the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

Hampton University Professor Competed for Miss USA Title, Another HBCU Alumna Wins It

Desiree Williams, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Hampton University finished in the top 10 at the Miss USA pageant. The winner is an Army commander and an alumna of historically Black Virginia State University.

Black Identical Twins Each Had the Highest GPA at FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing

Shalisha and Shonda Witherspoon are identical twins. They recently graduated from the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University in Miami with identical 3.95 grade point averages, the best in the college.

The First African American to Earn a Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh

Adrienne Washington of Morgantown, West Virginia, is a graduate of Hampton University in Virginia. She received a master's degree in linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Paula Johnson Will Be the First African American President of Wellesley College

Dr. Johnson is a professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. She is the founder and executive director of the Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital.

The Youngest Ph.D. Recipient in the History of Delaware State University

Jalaal A. Hayes recently was awarded a Ph.D. in applied chemistry at Delaware State University at the age of 22. Dr. Hayes graduated from high school at the age of 15 and earned a bachelor's degree at the age of 18.

The First Black Student to Earn a Ph.D. in History at the University of Southern Mississippi

A half century after the racial integration of the University of Southern Mississippi, Tonya De'Nee Blair is the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in history at the university.

Black Teenager in Indiana Aces the SAT, the ACT and All Her AP Tests

Love Osunnuga is a 15-year-old girl who is a senior at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana. She skipped both the first and fifth grades so will graduate from high school this coming spring at the age of 16.

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