Lincoln U. taps former AAMU President as new leader

Robert Jennings,  was named the 13th president of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania last week.   Jennings previously served four years as president at Alabama A&M University. 

Lincoln University,  considered one of the nation's oldest historically black universities in the nation,  has an enrollment of about 2,500 graduate and undergraduate students.

He will replace Ivory Nelson, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Jennings served at Alabama A&M from 2005-08. 

By a vote of 7-1, Jennings was fired by the A&M board of trustees for a series of alleged misdeeds - including not following school procedure in hiring a former assistant and paying the assistant for time spent away from campus.


While at AAMU he is credited with raising $4 million for scholarships and the school's endowment, a first for a AAMU president.  He previously held positions at Wake Forest University in NC.

Jennings denied the charges and sued the board. That lawsuit was dismissed because the board has immunity from lawsuits.

Last year, he was a finalists to become president at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.


Jennings will begin work in January 2012

NCCU conducting a top-to-bottom review of its academic programs

N.C. Central University has undertaken a massive review of all its academic programs that could result in the merger, realignment or even elimination of some programs.

“Make no mistake about it, this [review] will impact all the work we do here,” Chancellor Charlie Nelms told the school’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday. “We are trying to determine exactly through this who are we? What are the things we do well and the things we do not do well? We realize we cannot be all things to all people.”

NCCU Provost Debbie Thomas emphasized that the effort would not “eliminate or compromise the educational core” of the university and instead would “insure its academic integrity.”

Improved retention helps Morgan grow past 8,000

The number of students attending Morgan State University is on the rise for yet another year.

The student body now is a little more than 8,000.

“We saw an increase in our SAT scores in the process, because we are saying to high-performing students all over this state and all over this country, ‘You need to look at Morgan,’” said university president Dr. David Wilson. "Instead of waiting for the students to identify themselves as having problems, we've been reaching out individually to any student with an academic or financial issue and saying, basically, ‘What can we do to assist?"
Morgan State leaders have also noticed that more students are coming to school and staying longer. The student retention rate is 72.9 percent -- a 4.5 percent increase over last year.  That's helping more students receive a diploma.

Tuskegee U. launches $250m Capital Campaign

Tuskegee University has embarked on a five-year, $250 million capital campaign, the largest in its 130-year history.

“The landscape of higher education is changing dramatically and Tuskegee University is faced with intensified competition for the best students, faculty and academic facilities. In order to continue and further our mission, we must have adequate resources,” said President Gilbert L. Rochon.

The “Programmed for Excellence” campaign will seek to raise a quarter of a billion dollars over the next five years. Funding from the comprehensive campaign will go toward student scholarships, faculty development, facilities and infrastructure, innovative partnerships, campus life, athletic programs, endowed professorships and more.

Overall, the campaign will facilitate Tuskegee University’s enhancement of its graduate and undergraduate academic curricula; increase enrollment and retention; expand student support; grow the endowment; incorporate cutting-edge computational and analytical instrumentation; upgrade academic and physical facilities; establish a large and small animal veterinary hospital; modernize infrastructure; facilitate health care access; stimulate regional sustainable development; attain preeminence as a research university; and expand its global footprint. 

Virgil E. Ecton was recently appointed vice president for federal affairs and director of the capital campaign. He will perform his duties in the university’s Washington, D.C., office. Ecton is the former vice president for university advancement at Howard University. Prior to his appointment at Howard, Ecton worked for the United Negro College Fund for three decades. As the senior executive vice president of development for the UNCF, he raised more than $1.6 billion during his tenure. 

Tuskegee's Kellogg Hotel gets a makeover thanks to generous alums

The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Tuskegee University got a much needed makeover thanks to the efforts of two alumni, Matthew and Roberta Jenkins, who donated money to refurbish the lobby, bar and restaurant areas.

Two other alums, designer Vicki Carter and project manager Kathy Webb, planned and implemented the renovation on a pro-bono basis. The lobby features new animal print furnishings that can comfortably accommodate 40 people and an imported blown glass chandelier.

“This is a Neiman Marcus, over the top, fantasy gift for Tuskegee,” Carter said.

The 10-week project used a mix of existing and new fixtures to update the look of the hotel while embracing its history. For example, in the restaurant area, the old dining tables got a new and innovative look. The tops were redone with an automotive paint treatment resulting in a unique and glossy, deep chocolate finish that is durable and easy to maintain. Columns bearing quotes from university figures, past and present, remind diners of the university’s deep legacy.

Southern U System branches out online

The Southern University System has partnered with Education Online Services Corporation (EOServe Corp.) to implement multiple online degree 

programs for all campuses within the System.  

 “Today’s student seeks a variety of learning options," said SUS President Ronald Mason. This is just another of them.

Southern University online, will offer  students the opportunity to receive Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Sciences, and Masters degrees from the University.  No word yet on which particular degrees will be offered, the program should be up and running over the next 12 to 24 months. 

Kimbrough named President of Dillard U.

Walter M. Kimbrough, Ph.D., will take over as president of Dillard University on July 1, 2012. 

 “We are thrilled to bring such an energetic, visionary leader to Dillard,” says board chair Joyce M. Roché. “Dr. Kimbrough is uniquely well-suited to help the university build on its strengths and chart a strategic course for the future.”

Kimbrough joins Dillard after serving for seven years as president of Philander SmithCollege in Little Rock, Ark., where he orchestrated a remarkable revitalization effort. Under his leadership, the college dramatically increased student recruitment and graduation rate. The university also adopted a new mission and greatly raised its stature by focusing on its core values and history as anHBCU and a charter member of the United Negro College Fund.

Kimbrough, who is among the youngest college presidents in the nation, is known for his active use of social media to engage and stay connected with students. “The depth of Dr. Kimbrough’s dedication to students is inspiring,” says Dr. Roché. “He is successful because he puts students’ success above all else.”

Prior tobeginning his tenure at Philander Smith, Kimbrough served for four years as the vice president for student affairs at Albany State University in Albany, Ga. He also served as director of student activities and leadership at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and held administrative posts at Georgia State University and Emory University.

Kimbrough received a bachelor of science in agriculture with a major in biology from the University of Georgia. He earned a master of science in college student personnel services from Miami University and a doctor of philosophy in higher education from Georgia State University.