Southern partners with IBM for cloud computing technology

BATON ROUGE – Two graduates of Southern University are helping the institution take its technology into the clouds. Dexter Henderson and Elmer Corbin, with technology giant IBM, officially launched the Cloud Computing initiative at Southern on Tuesday morning.
The so-called “Cloud,” they said, will establish the Baton Rouge campus as one of the leaders in education in Louisiana and among historically black colleges and universities across the nation. 

“This is a historic moment at Southern University,” said Henderson, vice president of Systems and Technology Development at IBM. “What we’re putting in place here is a leap over anything that we have instituted at any other HBCU.” 

Corbin and Henderson presented Southern with a $40,000 check Tuesday which they said will be used to train SU personnel on Cloud systems and to set the groundwork for the new technology on the campus.  

Cloud computing is a system in which jobs are assigned to an array of connections, software and service accessed over the Internet. The network of connections and servers is collectively known as “The Cloud.” Computing at the scale of the cloud allows users to access supercomputer-level power. Users are able to access the cloud with technology such as iPhones, Blackberrys or laptops, essentially reaching into the cloud for resources as they need them. 

Corbin, IBM’s director of systems development and university alliances, said the cloud will give Southern students the ability to link to information available at other colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. Eventually, other historically black colleges will be included in the cloud.

“There will be one giant cloud for HBCUs here and around the world,” Corbin said. 

Jackson State granted $1 million to study levee strengthening

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University, in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to study levee strengthening under full-scale overtopping conditions. The research project is the first of its kind.
“This is a major research project and it involves innovations in levee strengthening systems during full-scale, unstudied conditions for the first time,” said Farshad Amini, professor and chair of Jackson State’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and principal investigator on the project.
  The research project aims to determine the effectiveness of three innovative levee strengthening systems during full-scale overtopping conditions simulating waves or combined wave and storm surge. The simulations will evaluate the articulating concrete block system, the roller compacted concrete system and the use of anchored high-performance turf reinforcement mats.  The researchers expect the project will help establish disaster resilient communities throughout the country.

Best-selling author Terry McMillian to speak at South Carolina’s spring commencement - May 8

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – This year’s Spring Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on the campus of SC State. Nearly 500 graduates are expected to receive degrees.

The keynote address will be given by international best-selling author, Terry McMillian.

“We are very excited that Terry McMillan will serve as our 2009 spring commencement speaker,” said Dr. George E. Cooper, president. “As evidenced by her work, she will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience during her address to the 2009 class.”
Since her breakout novel “Waiting to Exhale” surged onto The New York Times bestseller list, critics and readers alike have been captivated by her irreverent, often-hilarious take on the issues faced by contemporary African-American women. With several of her bestsellers, including Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Disappearing Acts made into hit movies, McMillian has made her mark on both the literary world and in Hollywood.
In 2002, McMillan won an NAACP Image Award and an Essence Award. She released her first non-fiction effort in 2006 under the title, “It’s Okay if You’re Clueless, and 23 More Tips for the College Bound”. Her most recent work of fiction is “The Interruption of Everything”. McMillan is currently at work on her next book and is also working on a signature household line.
For more information, call Erica S. Prioleau, director of University Relations and Marketing at (803) 533-3617 or esprioleau@scsu.edu.

Maryland Center at Bowie State awarded million-dollar grant

BOWIE, Md.– The Maryland Center at Bowie State University has been awarded a $1.1 million grant from the Maryland State Department of Education to increase advanced math skills of Prince George’s County students in grades 5-9. The grant is part of the 21^st Century Community Learning Center program funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

The project was spearheaded by State Delegate Gerron Levi (23 A) in an effort to afford students in the Lanham and Capitol Heights community an opportunity to participate in a real-world math summer camp and school-year booster sessions.  Over the next three years more than 400 Prince George’s County students will have the opportunity to participate.

“This program is a collaboration of community stakeholders who took it upon themselves to develop a program to improve math and science skills for youth living in distressed communities and finding the resources to implement it,” said Terry Lawlah, executive director of The Maryland Center.

Critically Acclaimed Poet to Offer Reading at Lincoln University - April 17

(Jefferson City, MO) - A critically acclaimed poet will visit the Lincoln University campus as part of National Poetry Month.  Tyehimba Jess will offer a reading from his collection of poems on Friday, April 17, at 5:30 p.m. in Scruggs University Center.  Jess will read from “leadbelly,” which won the 2004 National Poetry Series, before being published in 2005.  The reading is free and open to the public.  

Prior to the reading, Lincoln University students will compete in a poetry slam, where they will be judged on their poetry, as well as the performance during the reading.  A maximum of eight students will be selected to participate for their chance at three cash prizes.   The Tyehimba Jess reading and poetry slam event is sponsored by the Lincoln University Student Government Association; the Office of Student Activities; the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Journalism; and the Campus Activity Board.  This is the final event this semester for the university’s Falling Rock Reading Series, which also brought poets Alicia Casey and Chris Hayes to campus, as well as fiction author Alex Taylor. 

Jackson State University to host Math/Engineering Fair - April 17

 (JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University will hold the 29th annual Mathematics/Engineering Fair April 17 in the university’s new School of Engineering building.
The fair will bring together some 200 juniors and seniors from seven area high schools who will compete individually and in teams in such events as mathematics bowls, exhibits and games, and a written exam and essay contest. The fair also will offer hands-on activities for teachers.  
One of the highlights of the day will be the bridge design and construction competition at 11 a.m., during which teams will present hand-made bridges built from balsa wood.
“The students are asked to construct a bridge under certain specifications,” said mathematics professor David Bramlett, who directs the fair. “The bridge that withstands the most weight wins.”
The theme of the fair is “Building a Better World through Mathematics.” Its objective is to introduce students to Jackson State and to expose them to career opportunities in the fields of mathematics and engineering.
“We hope to attract some of the students to our campus for the long term,” Bramlett said. 
            Participating schools include Collins High School, Crystal Springs High School, the Piney Woods School, St. Joseph Catholic High School, Jim Hill High School, Murrah High School, and Velma Jackson High School. 
            All activities will take place throughout JSU’s newly opened School of Engineering building, which is the first state-funded construction project to earn a LEED designation by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council. The building was constructed with eco-friendly materials and includes such features as a storm water management system that recycles rainwater for landscaping uses.

            The Mathematics/Engineering fair is sponsored by JSU’s Departments of Mathematics, Civil Engineering and Computer Engineering in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. The event will run from 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.jsums.edu/announcements/4.7.09mathfairsched.pdf.

            For more information, contact David Bramlett at (601) 979-3751 or david.c.bramlett@jsums.edu.

 

Bowie State sweeps CIAA Softball Honor Roll

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) recently released their Player and Coach of the Week Honors for games through April 1st and Bowie State made a clean sweep again. 
(From left to right) - Darrell Toney, Heather Enders and Ashley Cook)

Senior Heather Enders (Glen Burnie, MD) was selected as Pitcher and Player of the Week.  Senior Ashley Cook (Port Republic, Md.) also received double honors, receiving the nod for Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.  Head Coach Darrell Toney was named as the CIAA Coach of the Week.
  

CEO of Minerva Media and Publishing, Dana Tucker to speak at SC State - April 8

(Orangeburg, S.C.) - SC State will host executive speaker Dana Tucker, on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at noon in the Belcher Hall fourth floor auditorium. Tucker’s discussion topic will be “How to Gain National Markets for your Bank.” 
Tucker is president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Minerva Media & Publishing, Incorporated, parent company to How We Live Public Relations and How We Live Magazine where she acts as publisher and editor-in-chief.  
Tucker describes her publication as a melding of some of her favorite magazines where House Beautiful meets Ebony meets InStyle to form the sleek, enlightening and innovative, How We Live Magazine.
She created the publication to fill a need for the minority segment of the population largely overlooked in print by mainstream home, décor and style editors. Additionally, she created a magazine that showcases the inherent beauty, raw talent, positive images, and matchless style spread throughout the African-American community, while breaking down myths and stereotypes that seek to confine a culture and define “How We Live.” 
How We Live Magazine can be found nationwide at Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Hastings and B. Dalton Booksellers, plus Publix, Food Lion, Ingles and Marty’s grocers, as well as Universal News Stands, 15 airports nationwide, the gift shops at Palmetto Health Richland and Baptist Hospitals, Columbia Newsstands, BJ’s Restaurant, J&J Interior Designs, and many other booksellers, newsstands, and salons across the country and in Canada.  
 For additional information about the Executive Speaker Series contact Dr. Ann S. Winstead, leadership and professional coordinator at 803-516-4864.
 

Bethune-Cookman University to Honor Distinguished Alumni at Commencement Ceremony - May 9

(Daytona Beach, Fla.) - On Saturday, May 9, 2009, Bethune-Cookman University will welcome two distinguished alumni back to to campus as participants in the University’s 2009 commencement ceremony.  Mr. Ricardo P. Deveaux (’90), senior assistant secretary in the Bahamian Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and Mr. Lee Rhyant (’72), executive vice president and general manager for the Marietta, Ga., facility of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and a B-CU Trustee, will both receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.  Mr. Deveaux will give the commencement address.
The commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 9th at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL.“It is my great honor to welcome these two distinguished alumni back to Bethune-Cookman University.  Mr. Deveaux and Mr. Rhyant represent the kind of excellence that we seek to develop in our students – professionalism, leadership and a commitment to serving the community.  In these challenging times, our graduating seniors will benefit greatly from the advice and wisdom Mr. Deveaux will provide in his remarks,” notes B-CU President Trudie Kibbe Reed.

Original Temptations singer to perform at JSU College of Public Service gala - April 25

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Otis Williams of Motown’s legendary Temptations will perform with his group the Temptin’ Temptations at the Jackson State University College of Public Service “Celebrating the Giving Heart II” Scholarship Gala April 25 at the Hilton Jackson Hotel in Jackson.
            The event will honor the legacy of the college’s founding dean, Gwendolyn Spencer Prater, and raise money for an endowed scholarship in her name. Prater will step down from her post in June.
            “My first love, my passion during my entire academic career, is the students,” Prater said.  “I am very pleased that funds raised will be for students.”
            Prater began her career as a social worker and started teaching at Jackson State in 1978. She is the founding dean of the JSU’s School of Social Work, which launched in 1995. In 2003, she became the founding dean of the College of Public Service, which encompasses the School of Social Work, the School of Health Sciences and the School of Policy and Planning. 
            Williams, 67, is the only surviving member of the original Temptations, which created a slew of R&B hits including “My Girl, “Ain’t to Proud to Beg” and “I Can’t Get Next to You.” The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. 
            Tickets for the gala cost $125 per person and $1,250 for a reserved table of 10. Supporters may also make a tax-deductible donation to the scholarship fund. For complete details and an order form, visit http://www.jsums.edu/cpsweb/gala.pdf.
            For more information, call the Jackson State University College of Public Service at 601-979-8836.

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