Tag: University of Memphis

Five Black Leaders Appointed to Administrative Positions

Taking on new administrative roles are Keith Humphrey at the University of Memphis, DeMarcus Hopson at Georgetown College in Kentucky, Sonja Brown at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, Denisha Hendricks at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina, and CJ Charlton at Delaware State University.

Andre Johnson Honored for Distinguished Service in Africana Communication

“I am indeed honored to receive this prestigious award named for a person who meant so much to the study of Communication," said Dr. Johnson. “My aim is to continue to serve and work in ways that not only highlight and center Africana communication but also to continue to build on the legacy of Dr. Orlando Taylor.”

Julius B. Fleming, Jr. Selected to Receive the Hooks National Book Award

Julius B. Fleming, Jr., assistant professor of English at the University of Maryland, College Park, is the winner of the Hooks National Book Award from the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis.

Three Black Scholars Named to Dean Positons at State Univerities

Leslee Battle has been appointed dean of the School of Health Sciences at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. Okenwa Okoli will be the next dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Memphis and Paula Montgomery is the new interim dean of the College of Education at the University of Louisiana Lafayette.

Professor Alena Allen Named Deputy Director of the Association of American Law Schools

Professor Allen joined the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2021 as associate dean for research and faculty development and professor of law. She was named interim dean of the law school earlier this year.

Alena Allen Is the New Leader of the University of Arkansas School of Law

Alena Allen, associate dean for research and faculty development and professor of law, has been named interim dean of the law school. Before joining the Arkansas faculty in 2021, she taught for 10 years at at the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at the University of Memphis.

Marcia Chatelain of Georgetown University Is the 2020 Hooks National Book Award Winner

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis has named Marcia Chatelain, a professor of history and African American studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., as the 2020 Hooks National Book Award Winner for her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America.

North Carolina Central University Names Its Next Provost

David H. Jackson Jr. has been appointed provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at North Carolina Central University.

University of Arkansas’ Jeffrey Allen Murdock Wins the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award

The prestigious Grammy Music Educator Award recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools.

In Memoriam: Miriam DeCosta-Willis, 1934-2021

Nearly, a decade after she was not allowed to enroll at what is now the University of Memphis because of the color of her skin, Dr. Decosta-Wilis was hired as the university's first Black faculty member. She also taught at Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Howard University in Washington, D.C., George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Meharry Medical College Joins Forces to Boost Opportunities for Black Students

Historically Black Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and the University of Memphis today announced a new multi-level collaboration to expand opportunities for education, training, and research for Black medical students and the communities they serve in West Tennessee.

Jervette R. Ward Chosen to Lead the College Language Association

Jervette R. Ward is an associate professor of English at Mississippi State University. Founded in 1937, the College Language Association is comprised of English and world language educators and publishes scholarly books of critical essays and bibliographical references.

In Memoriam: Lenard Wells, 1950-2020

Dr. Wells began teaching criminal justice at the University of Memphis in 2013. Before coming to Memphis, he was appointed by the governor to serve as the Parole Board Chief in Wisconsin. He also served as a lieutenant with the Milwaukee Police Department for 27 years.

University of Memphis Creates Two Funds to Honor Frances and Benjamin Hooks

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis has created two endowed funds which will enable the Institute to further the work of social change championed by Benjamin L. Hooks and his wife Frances Dancy Hooks, two stalwarts of the civil rights struggle.

University of Memphis Launches The African American Male Academy

Starting in middle school, the initiative will identify, recruit, and induct African American male students into a culture of inclusive excellence. These students will be set on a path toward college completion.

Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell Wins 2018 Hooks National Book Award

Mary Schmidt Campbell's An American Odyssey is a telling biography of the artist Romare Bearden, whose iconic collages conveyed the richness and complexity of African American life in the civil rights era.

Frank Anderson to Lead the Center for Racial Reconciliation at Union University in Tennessee

In this role, Dr. Anderson will plan and host events related to a Christ-centered understanding of racial reconciliation and will work with university schools, departments, offices, and centers to promote racial reconciliation.

Larry Robinson Appointed the 12th President of Florida A&M University

Dr. Robinson has been serving as interim president of the university, a role he had taken on twice before. Over the years, he has served in a number of posts including provost and vice president of academic affairs and director of the Environmental Sciences Institute.

Cornell University Historian Russell Rickford Wins the Hooks National Book Award

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis has announced that Russell J. Rickford is the winner of the 2016 Hooks National Book Award. The award is given to an author of a book that "best advances an understanding of the American civil rights movement and its legacy."

In Memoriam: Lennette Johnson Ivy, 1953-2016

Professor Ivy joined the faculty at the University of Mississippi in 1990. She served as clinical supervisor in speech pathology, an assistant and associate professor, and chair of the department of communication sciences and disorders.

New Administrative Duties in Higher Education for Seven Black Americans

Here is this week’s roundup of news of African Americans who have been appointed to administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

A New Ph.D. Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric

The new Ph.D. program at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis will focus on the special role that preaching has in the African American community, viewing it as an art form, a force for social change, and an area overdue for academic study.

Mandara Savage Is the New Leader of the Extended Campus of Southern Illinois University

The Southern Illinois University Extended Campus includes all online courses and courses taught at off-campus facilities. Dr. Savage is an associate professor and chair of the department of technology at the university.

Two African American Scholars Honored With Major Awards

The honorees are Katherine Grace Hendrix, a professor in the department of communication at the University of Memphis and Anthony Reed, an associate professor of English and African American studies at Yale University.

African American Historian Honored for His Biography of Stokely Carmichael

Peniel E. Joseph, professor of history at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, received the National Book Award from the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis.

Ohio University Scholar Elected President of Journalism That Matters

Michelle Ferrier is associate dean for innovation, research/creative activity, and graduate studies at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University in Athens. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Central Florida.

Two African American Women Honored With Prestigious Awards

The honorees are Katherine C. Hendrix, professor of communication at the University of Memphis and Annette K. Pridgen, an assistant professor of accounting at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

Nine African Americans Taking on New Administrative Duties in Higher Education

The new administrative appointees are Karyn S. Hollingsworth, Sheila Caldwell, Mark Alnutt, Ernie T. Hughes, Redgina Hill, Nyeema Watson, Nyote Calixte, Steven Smith, and Gordon A. Rowe Jr.

LeMoyne-Owen College Exploring Technology Cooperative With the University of Memphis

LeMoyne-Owen College, the historically Black educational institution in Memphis, is looking for ways to provide high-tech services without the expense of purchasing major computer and networking infrastructure.

Karen Weddle-West Named Provost at the University of Memphis

Dr. Weddle-West has been serving as interim provost since last May. Previously, she was vice provost for graduate programs and the director of diversity initiatives at the university.

Two African Americans Honored by Science Organizations

Avery August, a professor at Cornell University, was honored by the American Association for Cell Biology and Rosie Phillips Bingham, vice president of student affairs at the University of Memphis, will be honored by the American Psychological Association.

Melanie Murry Honored by the National Bar Association

Melanie Murry, University Counsel at the University of Memphis in Tennessee, received the 2014 A.A. Latting Award for Outstanding Community Services.

Notable Honors and Awards Relating to Blacks in Higher Education

Rosie Phillips Bingham of the University of Memphis had an award named in her honor. Cristal Truscott of Prairie View A&M University, Elias S. Siraj of Temple University, and the Africana studies program at Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis were also honored.

New Study Abroad Program Will Take 16 University of Memphis Students to Ghana

The African and African-American Institute at the University of Memphis is guided by the African proverb, "Those who learn must teach."

Five African Americans in New Administrative Positions at Universities

Appointed to serve in new positions are Anre Dixon at Cheyney University, Kimberly Logan at Alabama A&M University, Shari Clarke at Ohio University, Rychetta Watkins at the University of Memphis and Lorraine Goffe-Rush at Washington University.

Karen Weddle-West of the University of Memphis to Chair the GRE Board

Karen Weddle-West, dean of the Graduate School at the University of Memphis, was named chair-elect of the Graduate Record Examination Board. Dr. Weddle-West also serves as vice provost for academic affairs and director of diversity initiatives at the University of Memphis.

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