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. 

State Senator Calls for Dismissal of SC State President

SC State Sen. Robert Ford, a member of the Legislative Black Caucus, has asked the Board of Trustees at South Carolina State University to remove President George Cooper, citing the board's grade of D+ for the university's leader.

"It is time for a change," said state Sen. Robert Ford in a statement.

Sen. Ford says Cooper has had ample time to enact an agenda, but he "instead continues to earn poor grades on his leadership abilities."

This latest turn of events with Cooper is in a long line of events stretching back to 2010. In July 2010, the Board of Trustees voted to fire Cooper, but he was later reinstated after two new board members voted to reinstate him.

Ford is threatening to get Gov. Nikki Haley and members of the General Assembly involved if the board does not act in removing Cooper.

Off Topic: So long friend !!

Savannah State opens new Student Union

Savannah State University recently gave students, alumni and  faculty a look at its new student union building.  The new $11.75 million building will house new office suites, study lounges, a dance studio, meeting and events space with video projectors and smart technology, and a food court.

Students voted in 2009 to pay an extra $150 a semester to pay for the building.

SC State plans $100 million Capital Campaign

South Carolina State University is planning its first capital fundraising campaign.  The full University Trustees will consider the idea on September 29, after a trustee committee approved the plan last Thursday.

Trustee Matthew Richardson says the campaign probably will start next year.

South Carolina State vice president Anthony Holloman says state support for the school has dropped dramatically.

Money raised from the campaign would go for need-based scholarships, building an endowment, as well as faculty development and perhaps a new student fitness and wellness center.

UDC receives $200,000 Kaiser Permanente Workforce Grant

Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States has awarded  the University of the District of Columbia a $200,000 workforce grant, as a part of its mission to invest in the future of health care and help build communities that sustain good health.  The workforce development grants will support an estimated students with scholarships, equipment, and educational training in nursing, allied health, and health technology.

At UDC Kaiser hopes to build capacity in health related programs and purchase simulation equipment to enhance instruction.

Southern University pushes its faculty for pay cuts

Southern University “likely” will ask to declare a financial emergency next week unless nearly all of the faculty agree to furloughs and shorter termination notices, the chancellor said Wednesday.

Southern’s new chancellor, James Llorens, said the budget shortfall proved larger than expected and greater demands are being asked of the faculty. But some of faculty members are balking at the requests, essentially creating a standoff with Southern’s administration.

Declaring a financial emergency, called exigency, allows the administration more leeway to lay off tenured faculty and axe academic programs. Exigency is generally considered a serious blemish that could scare away current and potential employees.

Southern faculty are receiving “voluntary furlough and program discontinuance” agreements to sign. The wording includes furloughs equaling 10 percent of their annual pay across-the-board for all Southern employees.

The agreement does not guarantee that exigency, which would allow the university to force furloughs, will not be declared.

Llorens said unless 95 to 100 percent of the faculty voluntarily sign the agreement, university administrators would have no option but to call exigency. “I understand this is a difficult situation. It’s nothing we go into lightly,” Llorens said.

After initially agreeing to furloughs of up 10 percent last month, Southern Faculty Senate President Sudhir Trivedi said the extra demands and lack of guarantees change everything.

“They refuse to be fair and equitable, and that is why our offer is not on the table anymore,” Trivedi said, noting that the executive committee of the Faculty Senate unanimously opposes signing the agreement.

“We will fight in every possible way against financial exigency,” Trivedi said. “If they are bluffing, I am calling out their bluff.”

Llorens said he plans to meet with faculty leaders Thursday.

Atlanta church steps in to help Morris Brown pay debt

Cascade United Methodist Church, in Atlanta, presented a $22,000 check to Morris Brown College Sunday to help the college paying off a $500,000 debt to the U.S. Department of Education. The funds represented the exact amount needed to help the 130-year-old college eliminate its federal government debt. The U.S. Department of Education's offer to settle the college’s multi-million dollar debt with an amount of $500,000. With Cascade’s donation, Morris Brown will have more than enough funding to pay the settlement, due Wed., Aug. 24th. “We recognize the historical significance of Morris Brown College to our community and the world,” says Rev. Dr. Moss.  “We are grateful that our Cascade members have answered the call during these tough economic times. We are called to be a light in the community so we are pleased to participate in this vital way.”

McClaurin out at Shaw U.

Irma McClaurin, Shaw University's third president in three years, has stepped down.   Neither McClurin or the university would say what led to the resignation, both said it was a mutual decision.  McClurin is Shaw's 15th president and the school's first femaie leader.  She held the job less than a year.  She was hired Sept. 6.

"Shaw University has seen many changes and experienced challenges in the last six months. And with change comes transitions," the university said in a statement issued today.

In June 2009, Dorothy C. Yancy took over as interim president after the abrupt announcement that President Clarence Newsome was taking a one-year leave of absence and would not return.

Shaw in 2009 announced that it was drowning in more than $20 million in debt. In 2010, the university was given a $31 million federal loan to keep its doors open.

On April 16, the school suffered more than $3 million in damages after a tornado touched down on campus. More than 27 buildings were damaged.

The school mounted a rapid recovery. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 17, with all classrooms and residence halls open.

On Sunday, McClaurin said Shaw's financial burden had prompted her to seek new investors.

McClaurin said she planned to take her "Imagining More" campaign - an effort to improve upon prior blueprints - to private investors and alumni across the country.

"We still have a funding challenge," she said Sunday. "The goal is to boost donations more aggressively."

Board members referred questions about the resignation to Willie Gary, chairman of Shaw's board of trustees. Calls to Gary were not immediately returned. 

Work continues on new dinning facility at Hampton

Hampton University is completing construction on a new $25 million, 100,000 square-foot cafeteria.  The university broke ground for the new waterfront dining facility in September 2010 and expects to complete it by June 2012.   The 3-story facility will house two dining halls, one for students that will seat 1,500 and another for special University dining and entertainment events that will seat 1,150.

The building is designed to offer views of downtown Hampton through a 3-story convex glass curtain wall that will be the length of the building. The facility is surrounded by a terrace where eaters can dine outside when weather allows.

Hampton has been raising money for the new cafeteria since late 2006 and planned to break ground when reaching $25 million.  In May 2010, the University needed only $1.4 million more and a hard push was made to raise the rest by late 2010.   Officials are still encouraging alumni to donate toward the project.

Fire Damages Tuskegee U. Dorm

A fire on the Tuskegee University campus has severely damaged a residence building.  News video showed large flames and thick, black smoke pouring from the roof of the West Commons apartments, described as a dormitory-style building.

University officials say the blaze began shortly before 5 p.m. Investigators say they believe lightning from a thunderstorm is a possible cause, though an official cause had not yet been determined.

Authorities say three students lived in the building during the summer session but were not in the complex when the fire started.

University officials say they are trying to find housing for students affected by the fire.

SSU hires former UGA A.D as "consultant"

Former University of Georgia athletic director Damon Evans has been hired as a "consultant" at Savannah State University the newest member of the Mideastern Athletic Conference.  Evans will consult on athletic matters.

The hiring come on the heals of  the dismissal of Marilynn Suggs as SSU athletic director.  Evans has indicated he is not interested in the job. 

Evans was hired by Savannah State president Cheryl Dozier to take a look at the university's troubled athletic department, including its administration and fundraising.

While taking the athletic director position might have seemed like a big step down after a six-year stint as AD at Georgia, Evans could have used the job as a springboard to a comeback of sorts.

Evans succeeded Georgia's head football coach Vince Dooley as athletic director for the Bulldogs in 2004. That came tumbling down on June 30, 2010 when he was arrested for DUI. He resigned from Georgia five days later. He pleaded guilty to the charge and received probation, community service and a $750 fine.

Alabama State economic impact approaches $1B annually study says

The results of a one-year study which measured the economic impact of Alabama State University showed that the school has a nearly $1 billion impact on its region.

The study, conducted by the Washington Economics Group, of Coral Gables, Fla., shows that the University's operations and related activities have a $901 million impact on the state's economy and in particular the economy of the three counties that comprise the River Region. The study further reported that the University “is a powerful catalyst of economic development for the state and for the River Region in particular.”

"We want to share this news because our long-term development secures a bright future for our children and grandchildren," ASU President William H. Harris said. "We want others to know the importance of the University so they will become partners with us. These numbers reinforce the importance of Vision 2020."

In addition to the annual $901 million state-wide impact, the University generates 10,500 jobs.

Howard Opens New Center for Drug Research and Development

The Howard University School of Pharmacy recently opened a new Center for Drug Research and Development in a renovated area of the school’s basement. The Center will provide 4,900 square-foot of dedicated space for faculty, students and outside companies to develop new drugs and drug products.

“This is a significant occasion,” said Beatrice Adderley-Kelly, Ph.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. “This allows our faculty to be on the cutting edge of research and allows the school to partner with industry to develop new drugs.

Emmanuel O. Akala, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, will serve as the program director for the new facility, which was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Research Resources.

Included in the center’s numerous work spaces are a Formulation Laboratory, where active and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients are handled; an Aseptic Laboratory for developing drugs for intravenous use, and a Manufacturing Laboratory, where capsules and tablets are produced.

The center also contains an Analytical Laboratory to check to insure that products have the correct amount of active ingredients, and a Quality Assurance Laboratory for a final check of the products and packaging area, where drugs will be packaged and labeled.