Tag: Florida State University

The First Black Woman to Earn a Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics at Florida State University

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Kalisa Villafana decided at the age of 12 that she would be a physicist.

Veronica Adams Yon Elected President of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society

The 93,000-member organization celebrates the achievement of juniors, seniors, and graduate students in all disciplines. Dr. Yon, an associate professor of English at Florida A&M University, will serve as president of the honor society for the next four years.

The First African American President of Everett Community College in Washington State

Dr. Willis has been serving as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, New York. Earlier in her career, Dr. Willis was an assistant professor of history, faculty senate president, department chair, and dean of academic studies at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.

Marcella David Appointed Provost at Columbia College in Chicago

Currently, Professor David serves as the Betty T. Ferguson Visiting Professor of Law at Florida State University. Previously, she served as the chief academic officer at Florida A&M University.

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Partners With the Air Force Research Laboratory

The College of Engineering is a collaboration between Florida State University and historically Black Florida A&M University. Both educational institutions are based in Tallahassee. The program will bring students into a lab environment where they can work directly with faculty on Air Force-related research.

Howard University Names the Next Dean of Its College of Arts and Sciences

Since 2014, Dr. Rubin Patterson has been chair of department of sociology and criminology at Howard University. He previously served as a professor of sociology and in several administrative roles at the University of Toledo in Ohio. Dr. Patterson will become dean on July 1.

Florida State University Links Unfair Police Treatment and Length of Black Men’s Telomeres

Telomeres are found on the end of chromosomes and protect DNA integrity. The length of telomeres reflects psychological stress, with shorter telomeres being an indication of higher levels of stress. Other studies have shown that telomere shortening contributes to cardiovascular diseases.

Florida State University Study Finds Racial Disparity in Flu Shots Among Adolescents

During the winter of 2014-15, more than 710,000 people were hospitalized for influenza and there were 80,000 flu-related death. Researchers had hoped that after the passage of the Affordable Care Act that the racial disparity in flu vaccinations would disappear. It has not.

A Trio of African Americans Appointed to Dean Positions at Colleges and Universities

James Frazier will be the next dean of the College of Fine Arts at Florida State University. Toniette Haynes Robinson has been named dean of educational resources at North Lake College and Sylvester Williams will be the new dean of the College of Business and Management at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.

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.

Florida State University Launches a New Civil Rights Institute

The mission of the new institute is to honor and study the United States civil rights movement and to promote civil rights and social change. It will host speakers and events, curate museum exhibits, develop an interactive website and publications, and support education and research.

In Memoriam: Roosevelt Wilson, 1940-2018

Wilson joined the staff at Florida A&M University in 1969 as the director of sports information. He held various roles during his tenure at the university including director of university publications, director of athletics, and professor in what is now the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication.

Florida State University to Remove Name of Segregationist Judge From Its Law School

President John Thrasher will recommend to the legislature that the name of the B.K. Roberts College of Law be changed. Roberts was a founder of the law school and was a member of the Florida Supreme Court. He wrote several pro-segregation opinions during the 1950s.

Larry Johnson Appointed President of Phoenix College in Arizona

Dr. Johnson has been serving as provost and chief academic officer at the Forest Park campus of St. Louis Community College. Earlier, he was associate dean for academic affairs at Broward College-South Campus in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

The Next Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Louisville

Dr. Emmanuel Collins is currently the John H. Seely Professor and chair of the department of mechanical engineering, in the College of Engineering jointly operated by Florida A&M University and Florida State University.

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.

Former President of Florida A&M University Lands New Administrative Post

James Ammons, the former president of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, has announced that he will be executive vice president of the Southern University System in Louisiana and executive vice chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University.

In Memorian: Rudy L. Horne

Dr. Horne was an associate professor of mathematics at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He received a credit as the mathematical consultant for the Academy Award nominated film Hidden Figures.

Two African Americans Scholars Receive Notable Honors

The honorees are Shelly Haley, professor of classics and professor of Africana studies at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and Eric A. Stewart, a professor in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida State University.

The Next Leader of Norfolk State University in Virginia

Dr. Melvin T. Stith has served on the board of visitors of Norfolk State University since 2013 and as vice rector since 2016. He is dean emeritus of the School of Management at Syracuse University. Dr. Stith will begin his term as interim president on January 1.

Distinguished Honors for Three African American Faculty Members

Professor Charles Ogletree is having an endowed chair named in his honor at Harvard Law School. Jawole Willa Jo Zollar of Florida State University was honored for lifetime achievement in dance and Trudier Harris of the University of Alabama has honored for being the first tenured Black faculty member at the College of William and Mary.

Eight Black Faculty Members Who Have Been Given New Assignments

Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been hired or assigned new duties at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Black Scholar to Be Honored by the American Meteorological Society

The award honors Dr. Marshall Shepherd's work in rainfall climatology and its effects on urban areas. He will receive the honor at the society's annual awards banquet on January 10.

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.

Eliminating the Racial Gap in Infant Mortality Is Achievable, University Study Says

A new study shows that in 18 states, the racial gap in infant mortality rates is on track to be eliminated by the year 2050. The study notes that if the racial gap was eliminated, an estimated 4,000 lives of Black babies would be saved.

Study Finds Colleges Can Share the Blame for the Racial Gap in Graduation Rates

A new study by researchers at New York University, Florida State University, and Southern Methodist University finds that more than 60 percent of the racial gap in college completion rates may be attributed to factors that occur before college.

Florida State’s Andre J. Thomas Honored by the American Choral Directors Association

The award is the highest honor conferred by the American Choral Directors Association. It is given out every two years to a choral leader who has made unusual contributions to the art of choral music.

Three African Americans Appointed to New Administrative Positions

Taking on new administrative roles are Jonathan Nurse at Florida State University, Shawna Cooper-Gibson at Loyola University Chicago, and Mario Berry at Spelman College in Atlanta.

Four Black Scholars in New Faculty Roles in Higher Education

Taking on new faculty roles are Raina Merchant at the University of Pennsylvania, Norman Anderson at Florida State University, Kristie Williams at Ursuline College in Ohio, and Keisha R. Callins at Mercer University in Georgia.

A Quartet of African American Scholars in New Faculty Posts

The African Americans in new faculty positions are Rashida K. Braggs at Williams College in Massachusetts, Prentiss A. Dantzler at Colorado College, Beronda Montgomery at Michigan State University, and Norman Anderson at Florida State University.

In Memoriam: Margaret W. Lewis, 1932-2016

Dr. Margaret Lewis began her career in 1958 as a staff nurse at the former Florida A&M University Hospital. She joined the faculty at the university in 1959. She later served as dean of the university's School of Nursing.

In Memoriam: Velma L. Blackwell

Dr. Blackwell joined the staff at Tuskegee University in 1969 and remained employed by the university until her retirement in 2008. She held many positions at the university including associate provost, director of student relations, vice president for development, and director of the Center for Continuing Education.

Tennessee State University Scholar Wins Book Award

Harriett Kimbro-Hamilton, an associate professor of human performance and science at Tennessee State University in Nashville, was awarded for writing a book on her father who was a six-time all-star in the Negro Baseball League.

Five African Americans Appointed to New Administrative Posts in Higher Education

The appointees are Daniel M. Roderick at Clark University in Massachusetts. Kirsten Elleby at the University of New Orleans, Kevin D. Howell at the University of North Carolina System, Aishah S. Casseus at Florida State University, and Timothy R. Terrentine Sr. at Western Michigan University.

New Higher Education Administrative Appointments for Five African Americans

The appointees are Stan Wilcox at Florida State University, Ulanda Adair-Simpson at Lone Star College in Texas, Earl C. Paysinger at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Joseph Jones at Drake University in Iowa, and Tracy Foster at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

In Memoriam: Joseph Pree Ramsey Jr., 1951-2016

Joseph Ramsey Jr. was former director of athletics and former chair of the Sports Hall of Fame at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

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