Monthly Archives: October 2016

In Memoriam: Gloria Naylor, 1950-2016

Naylor, who taught creative writing at several universities, was best known for her her 1982 novel The Women of Brewster Place, for which she won the National Book Award for the best first novel.

Hampton University Joins the Big Leagues in Meteorology

Hampton University's new $5 million direct broadcast weather antenna is one of only 10 such devices nationwide that provide real-time weather information to the public downloaded from satellites.

New Administrative Posts for Five African Americans in Higher Education

Appointed to new administrative positions are Kathy Y. Time at Florida A&M University, Adriel A. Hilton at Webster University, Ulicia Lawrence-Oladeinde at Temple University, Edward Scott at Morgan State University and Jessie Brooks at Spelman College.

Claflin University Partners With the South Carolina Technical College System

Under the agreement, students who obtain associate's degrees at a campus of the South Carolina Technical College System will be able to enroll at Claflin University and earn a bachelor's degree in as little as 18 months.

Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors to Honor Dillard University President

Walter M. Kimbrough, the seventh president of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been selected to receive the Dr. Kent L. Gardner Award from the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors.

Morehouse School of Medicine Has It Largest Entering Group of New Students

The Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta has the largest entering class is school history this fall. There are 151 new students on campus this fall. Some 92 of the 151 students are in the medical doctorate program. Another nine students are enrolled in the Ph.D. program in biomedical sciences with the rest in master's degree programs.

Six Black Faculty Members Taking on New Assignments in Academia

Taking on new roles are Mae C. Jemison at Indiana University, Amanda B. Mbuvi at High Point University, Sarah Lewis at Harvard University, Lauren Sudeall Lucas at Georgia State University, Robert M. Sellers at the University of Michigan, and Norma Schropshire at Wayne State University.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books 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. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

New Online Archive of Black Student Newspaper Debuts at North Carolina State University

The Nubian Message is a student-operated newspaper at North Carolina State University in Raleigh that was first published in 1992. The new online archive contains back issues from 1992 through 2005.

University of Houston Launches New Institute to Combat Racial Health Disparities

The University of Houston has announced the establishment of a new research institute entitled Helping Everyone Achieve a Life-Time of Health (HEALTH). The mission of the new institute is to lessen health disparities for marginalized or underserved populations.

In Memoriam: Benjamin Franklin Payton, 1932-2016

Dr. Payton served as president of Tuskegee University in Alabama from 1981 to 2010. Earlier in his career, Dr. Payton was president of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina.

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.

The Persisting Large Racial Gap in SAT Score Results

The College Board recently released data on the scores of the SAT college entrance examination for the high school graduating class of 2016. The average combined score on the three SAT sections for Blacks was 1270. This is 302 points below the average combined score for Whites, which stood at 1572.

Survey of Dartmouth College Students Finds Widespread Support for Racial Diversity

A new survey finds widespread support among Dartmouth College students for giving priority to members of underrepresented groups in faculty hiring and student admission decisions. But are those surveyed just giving the researchers the answers they want to hear?

New Academic Year, Same Old Racism: Part II

Last week, JBHE reported on a series of racial incidents that occurred on college campuses across the country Unfortunately, more incidents have occurred in recent days.

In Memoriam: Daniel O. Bernstine, 1947-2016

Daniel O. Bernstine was president of the Law School Admission Council. Earlier in his career, he served for 10 years as president of Portland State University in Oregon.

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.

Study Examines Whether African Students at Western Universities Return to Africa

The return rate to Africa has been declining. In the 1970s, 65 percent of the African scholars who earned degrees at Western universities returned to Africa. Since 2010 the rate is only 40 percent.

The Racial Poverty Gap and Its Impact on Higher Education

The lack of money for higher education is of particular concern to the African American community. Large numbers of young Black Americans who come from low-income families don’t even bother to consider pursuing higher education because of the cost.

New Federal Data on Pell Grant Participation and Median Income of Recipients

The U.S. Department of Education recently released a new report on participation in the Pell Grant program. The need-based program provides up to $5,815 annually in federal funds for college students.

David H. Swinton Announces He Will Step Down as President of Benedict College

Dr. Swinton will have served as president of the historically Black educational institution in Columbia, South Carolina, for 23 years, the longest-serving president in the college's history. Upon his retirement in June 2017, he will hold the title of president emeritus of Benedict College.

Northwestern University Report Examines the Black Student Experience on Campus

A new report issued by the Black Student Experience Taskforce at Northwestern University presents a detailed look at the status of African American students at the university.

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