Monthly Archives: April 2014
The First Black Graduate of the University of Vermont
For many years it was believed that George Washington Henderson in 1877 was the first Black graduate of the University of Vermont. But Andrew Harris earned his degree 39 years earlier.
Higher Education Grants of Interest to African Americans
Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers
From time to time, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week's selections.
Recent Books That May Be of Interest to African American Scholars
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. Here are the latest selections.
The University of Iowa Mounts an Oral History Project Relating to Freedom Summer
The University of Iowa has identified 11 individuals from the university community who were involved in Freedom Summer in Mississippi in 1964 and there may be more.
Brian Johnson Named the Seventh President of Tuskegee University
Dr. Johnson, 40 years old, is an administrator at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He has written two books on W.E.B. Du Bois. In June, he will become the only the seventh president in the 133-year history of Tuskegee University.
Number of Black Students Accepted at the University of California, Berkeley Drops
At Berkeley, 287 African American students from California were admitted to the freshman class, compared to 333 a year ago. Including out of state students, 392 African Americans were admitted compared to 417 in 2013.
UCLA to Establish a Department of African American Studies
Under the proposal, the interdepartmental program in Afro-American studies will be disbanded and the bachelor's and master's degree programs in the field will be transferred to the new department.
Virginia Commonwealth University Unveils Exhibit of Civil Rights Era Photographs
The effort was launched with the hope that the public would help identify the people in the photographs so as to better understand their participation in the civil rights movement.
Administration Addresses Black Student Demands at the University of Michigan
Last fall, the Black Student Union at the University of Michigan began a social media campaign relating to the racial climate on campus and calling for efforts to increase the number of Black students.
The Next Dean of Undergraduate Students at CalTech
John Dabiri is professor of aeronautics and bioengineering and director of the Biological Propulsion Laboratory at the university. He joined the CalTech faculty in 2005 and in 2010 was named a MacArthur Fellow.
Rapidly Increasing Population Diversity Presents a Major Challenge to University Admissions Officials
There are 7.7 million more minority children now than was the case in 2000. But there are 5.7 million fewer White children. Minorities now make up 47 percent of the U.S. population under the age of 20.
The Greenest Historically Black Colleges and Universities
The Building Green Initiative on the campus of Clark Atlanta University has ranked the nation's most eco-friendly historically Black colleges and universities. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Spelman College hold the top rankings.
Duke University Receives the Archives of Radio Haiti
For many years, Radio Haiti was the only alternative voice in a country ruled by military dictatorships. Broadcast tapes will be digitized and made available to researchers online.
Claflin University Exceeds Its Fundraising Goal of 50 Percent Alumni Participation
Several years ago Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, mounted a “First to 50″ campaign with the goal of being the first historically Black college or university to achieve a 50 percent alumni giving rate.
Claudia Rankine of Pomona College Wins the 2014 Jackson Poetry Prize
The judges for the Jackson Poetry Prize stated that "the moral vision of Claudia Rankine's poetry is astounding. . . . In both vision and voice she has distinguished herself as a singular perspective, a consummate talent, and a courageous spirit."
Dwaun Warmack Appointed President of Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis
In 2010, at the age of 33, Dr. Warmack was appointed the youngest vice president in the history of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 2013 he was promoted to senior vice president for administration and student services.
Three African American Women Scholars Earn Notable Awards
The honorees are Mable Morrison of Delaware State University, Keisha N. Blain of Princeton University, and Stephanie Luster-Teasley of North Carolina A&T State University.
Phoebe A. Haddon: The Next Chancellor of Rutgers University-Camden
Since 2009 Dr. Haddon has been dean of the Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland. She is the first African American to serve as dean. Previously she taught at the law school of Temple University in Philadelphia.
Cheyney University Signs Agreement With a University in Rwanda
The agreement calls for the two universities to collaborate on an aquaculture project that will enhance fish and food production in Rwanda. In addition, students in Rwanda will be able to enroll in a Cheyney online master of public administration degree program.
Two African American Taking on New Administrative Roles in Higher Education
Niger Amin Woodruff was appointed assistant director of admissions at Vanderbilt Divinity School and Chacona W. Johnson was named vice president for development and alumni affairs at Wayne State University.
Everett B. Ward to Lead Saint Augustine’s University
Dr. Ward was director of the HBCU/Minority Institutions of Higher Education program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He served as chair of the board of trustees of Saint Augustine's University from 2009 to 2011.
The New President of the Community College of Allegheny County
Quintin B. Bullock is the new president of the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. Previously, he was the president of Schenectady County Community College in New York.
Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers
From time to time, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week's selections.
Recent Books That May Be of Interest to African American Scholars
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. Here are the latest selections.
Three African Americans Are Finalists for Provost at Morgan State University
The three African American candidates for provost at Morgan State University are Keith H. Jackson, interim provost at Morgan State, Brian L. Johnson of Austin Peay State University, and Oliver G. McGee III of Howard University.
Higher Education Grants of Interest to African Americans
Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
New Alliance Seeks to Boost Black and Other Minorities in STEM Fields
Under the program, nine colleges and universities in Kentucky and West Virginia will seek to increase the percentage of minority students in STEM disciplines by 15 percent by 2016.
Laverne Lewis Gaskins Named Editor-in-Chief of the National Bar Association Magazine
In addition to her editorial duties, Laverene Lewis Gaskins is University Attorney for Valdosta State University in Georgia. She earned her law degree at Florida State University's College of Law.
Fort Valley State University Names Three African American Men to Administrative Posts
Joshua Mufree was named athletics director. Charles Jones was appointed chief legal officer and director of government relations and Gary Miller is the new chief information officer.
Blacks Are 7 Percent of the University of Southern California’s Accepted Students
Of the more than 9,200 admitted students, 7 percent are African Americans. In the current academic year, there are 182 Black first-year students, who make up 6.2 percent of the first-year class.
Supreme Court Upholds Voter-Approved Michigan Ban on Race-Sensitive Admissions
As a result of the Supreme Court's ruling the ban on raced-based affirmative action admissions in Michigan will remain in effect. Justice Stephen Breyer joined the Court's five-member conservative wing in the decision.
Urban Prep Academies: A Major Educational Success Story for African American Men
This is the fifth year in a row that all graduating seniors at Urban Prep Academies in Chicago have been accepted into four-year colleges and universities.
Duke University Chooses Novel by Nigerian-Born Author for Summer Reading Assignment
All incoming students are being asked to read Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Small group discussions about the book will be part of new student orientation in August.
Two African American Women Promoted to Full Professor at Purdue University
Maria I. Marshall was promoted to full professor of agricultural economics and Venetria K. Patton was named full professor of English and African American studies.
University Study Examines Racial Preferences of Online Dating Site Users
In a study of participants at an online dating site, those who indicated that race was unimportant were still overwhelmingly more likely to open profiles of potential partners that were of the same race or ethnic group.
