Tag: University of Alabama
Kemeshia Swanson Receives 2024 Eudora Welty Book Prize
Dr. Swanson, an assistant professor at Mississippi State University, has been recognized for her new book, Maverick Feminist: To Be Female and Black in a Country Founded Upon Violence and Respectability.
New Faculty Appointments for Six Black Scholars
Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been appointed to new faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.
New Faculty Appointments for Six Black Scholars
Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been appointed to faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.
Marcheta P. Evans Named First Black Woman President of St. Catherine University in Minnesota
Dr. Evan's appointment as president of St. Catherine University is the second time she has been named the first African American president of a higher education institution. She previously served as the first woman and first Black president of Bloomfield College in New Jersey.
In Memoriam: Lena Prewitt, 1931-2024
In 1970, Dr. Prewitt joined the faculty at the University of Alabama as its first-ever Black woman professor. She served the university as an associate professor of business for over two decades prior to taking on academic and administrative leadership positions with Stillman College.
Safiya George Named President of the University of the Virgin Islands
“As a servant leader, I am confident I will be an effective President for the University of the Virgin Islands and will remain humble and grounded with a sincere desire to improve outcomes and the lives of students, faculty, staff, and the community," says Safiya George, who will assume the role of president of the University of the Virgin Islands this summer.
University of Alabama Creates Database Relating to History of Slavery on Campus
Scholars from the University of Alabama created an online database housing information on the history of slavery on the university's campus. The new website is the latest effort in a larger initiative from the Consortium of Universities Studying Slavery to uncover the history of enslaved individuals who labored for colleges and universities across the world.
University of Mississippi’s Viola Acoff Honored for Her Policymaking Role in Materials Engineering
Dr. Acoff became dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi on July 1. She is the first woman and first African American to hold the position. From 2014 to 2023, she was the associate dean for undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Alabama.
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.
Four Black Scholars Are Taking on New Roles Relating to Diversity in Higher Education
Taking on new positions in higher education relating to diversity are Russell T. Griffin at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, Adrienne Morgan at the University of Rochester in New York, Karin Lee at the University of Alabama, and Kathy Goodridge-Purnell at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.
Universities Announce the Appointments of Four African Americans to Dean Positions
The four new deans are Tracey Weldon at the University of South Carolina, Jelani Cobb at Columbia Journalism School in New York City, Stacy L. Jones at the University of Alabama, and James Sattrfeld Jr. at Boise State University in Idaho.
Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Wins the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction
Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, a professor of English at the University of Oklahoma and author of five poetry collections, was the winner in the fiction category of the National Book Critics Circle Awards. She was honored for her novel The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois.
In Memoriam: Autherine Juanita Lucy Foster, 1929-2022
In 1956, Autherine Lucy enrolled in a graduate program in education at the University of Alabama. She was the university's first Black student. Angry protests by White students ensued. She was suspended three days later “for her own safety” and she was later expelled.
The University of Alabama Renames Hall Honoring a KKK Member, and Then Renames It Again
Graves Hall, honoring former Governor Bibb Graves, a Grand Cyclops of the KKK, was renamed Lucy-Graves Hall to also honor Autherine Lucy the first Black student at the university. After an outcry that Lucy's name should not be joined with the name of a KKK leader, the university renamed the building Autherne Lucy Hall.
Miles College President Gets a Vote of Confidence and a Contract Extension
The board of trustees of Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama, has voted to extend the contract of President Bobbie Knight through May 2024. Knight was originally selected to serve as interim president of the college beginning September 1, 2019. She was named permanent president of the college in March 2020.
Racist Group Chat Among Sorority Members Exposed at the University of Alabama
According to published reports, the president of Alpha Phi sorority wrote to group chat members, “I’m gonna yack, it smells so bad in here,” referring to the atmosphere in a local bar. Another member agreed, before another member wrote, “cigs, weed, and black girl.”
Jinx Coleman Broussard Honored for Her Mentoring Work in Public Relations
Jinx Coleman Broussard, the Bart R. Swanson Endowed Memorial Professor in the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State Univerity, has been selected as the 2021 Bruce K. Berger Educator Honoree from the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. The center is housed at the University of Alabama.
University of Alabama’s New Program Seeks to Increase Diversity in the Real Estate Industry
The Career Opportunities in Real Estate initiative is an eight-week online credentialing course consisting of eight modules featuring live and self-paced real estate career content, as well as professional development resources, soft skills training, and access to life coaching.
Are Black Athletes Returning to Play Too Soon After Suffering a Concussion?
A new study led by researchers at the Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center and the University of Alabama found that for athletes competing in middle school, high school, and college sports, Black athletes reported a shorter time between injury and symptom resolution and spent fewer days out of school than their White peers.
Cynthia Anthony Appointed President of Lawson State Community College in Alabama
Dr. Anthony has been serving as interim president at the college since September 2020. Prior to her appointment as interim president, Dr. Anthony was interim vice chancellor for student success for the Alabama Community College System.
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.
The Next Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama
Dr. Schnavia Smith Hatcher has been serving as director of the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Earlier, Dr. Hatcher was the founding director of the Center for African American Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington from 2012 to 2016.
DoVeanna Fulton Is the New Provost at Norfolk State University in Virginia
For the past 8 years, Dr. Fulton has served as dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of history, humanities, and languages at the University of Houston–Downtown. Earlier, she taught at the University of Alabama.
Bobbie Knight Is the New President of Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama
She has been serving as interim president since August 2019. President Knight is the former vice president of the Birmingham division of Alabama Power and the former chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority.
Five African Americans Who Have Been Appointed to University Administrative Positions
Appointed to new posts are Myron L. Pope at the University of Alabama, Olabisi Ladeji Okubadejo at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., Lisa McClinton at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina, Keith McGee at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, and Bryant Nall at Fisk University in Nashville.
Roland Mitchell Named Dean of the College of Human Sciences and Education at LSU
Dr. Mitchell is the E.B “Ted” Robert Endowed Professor and has been serving as interim dean. Professor Mitchell joined the faculty at the university in 2005 and was named a full professor in 2018.
Three African American Scholars Who Have Stepped Down From Their University Posts
Kofi Agawu, the Hughes-Professor of Music at Princeton University and Robert Stepto, the John M. Schiff Professor of English and Professor of African American Studies at Yale University have retired. Jamie Riley, dean of students at the University of Alabama, has resigned.
Bobbi Knight Chosen to Lead Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama
Knight has served on the college's board of trustees and is the former vice president of the Birmingham division of Alabama Power. She has been serving as chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority. She will begin her duties as interim president on September 1.
Three African American Scholars Honored With Notable Awards
The honorees are Anita Hill, a professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, Barbara Lofton of the College of Business at the University of Arkansas, and Steve D. Mobley an assistant professor of education at the University of Alabama.
Marcheta Evans Will Be the First African American President of Bloomfield College in New Jersey
Dr. Evans serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. Earlier in her career, she served as associate dean and department chair at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
A Trio of African Americans Who Have Been Selected to Receive Prestigious Honors
The honorees are Mercy Mumba of the College of Nursing at the University of Alabama, Paulette Brown Bracey, professor of library science at North Carolina Central University, and LaDelle Olion, professor of special education at Fayetteville State Univeraity in North Carolina.
Jamie R. Riley Appointed Dean of Students at the University of Alabama
Dr. Riley was the executive director and chief operating officer of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Earlier in his career, he held student affairs and diversity and inclusion posts, as well as faculty positions at a number of colleges and universities.
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.
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: Gina Carter-Simmers, 1968-2018
Gina Carter-Simmers, the general manager of the public radio station operated by Jackson State University in Mississippi, died late last month after a two-year battle with breast cancer. After her diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer, Carter-Simmers became a staunch advocate for breast cancer survivors.
Four Black Male Scholars Taking on New Assignments in Higher Education
The four Black men taking on new roles are Kemi Fuentes-George at Middlebury College in Vermont, Vokay Addoh at the University of Mississippi, Richard Benson at Spelman College in Atlanta, and Andre R. Denham at the University of Alabama.
