University of the District of Columbia responds to NCAA report

Washington, DC - The NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions Report, released today, marks the official end of an exhaustive internal review conducted by the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the official end of the NCAA’s own investigative inquiry into the policies and practices of the institution’s Intercollegiate Department of Athletics for the 2000-2001 through 2003-2004 academic years.
In response to the report, President Sessoms, who assumed the reigns at UDC just two months ago declares, “UDC understands and accepts today’s ruling by the NCAA Infractions Committee.” Sessoms further states, “The penalties proposed in the Committee’s report are consistent with our own recommendations and what we have already self-imposed. We understand that during the years 2000-2001 through 2003-2004 UDC failed to effectively carry out its responsibilities and obligations as a Division II member institution. UDC regrets that the violations occurred. The University has already taken proactive steps to ensure future compliance with all NCAA regulations.”

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Cosby to emcee gala at Xavier University - Nov. 21

Legendary vocalist and seven-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight will be joined by world renowned comedian, actor and philanthropist William “Bill” Cosby for the Nov. 21 “Legacy For a Legend” gala concert presented by Liberty Bank & Trust.
The Friday evening Gala, planned to celebrate Dr. Norman Francis’ 40th anniversary as president of the nation’s only Historically Black and Roman Catholic college, will feature a concert at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Hall B) with performances by Knight and Cosby, the latter of whom will also serve as master of ceremonies.
Liberty Bank & Trust, a local New Orleans institution since 1972, is the Presenting Sponsor of the Gala.

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Xavier campus expands via real estate acquisitions

The purchase of two buildings on either side of the Washington Avenue canal in the past few months has allowed the University to quietly expand its properties in and around the general campus area.
The biggest acquisition was the old Printworks Building bounded north-to-south by Howard Avenue and Dixon Street. The large warehouse-style building, which encompasses an entire city block, has housed several commercial businesses in the past in addition to the namesake printing company, but has been largely vacant since Hurricane Katrina.
A feasibility study is being conducted to determine the best use of the building, including if it would be better to renovate or demolish the building.
A smaller property, a free-standing, one-story brick building located at 7800 Washington Avenue directly across the canal from the Administration Building, has also been  purchased. This property, which housed a machine shop prior to Hurricane Katrina, received a new roof and windows following the storm from its previous owners, but the building remained unoccupied following the storm.
The future of the Washington property is no less tentative, with the possibilities ranging from a student exercise and workout facility to a base for community outreach programs.

Dillard University to honor its own at homecoming - alumnae new national president of 200,000-member sorority

(New Orleans) — President Marvalene Hughes, faculty, staff and students will host a reception in honor of alumnae, Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre for her new appointment as national president of the prestigious Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 6 to 8 pm on campus at 2601 Gentilly Blvd. in the Will E. Alexander Library. The event is one of many activities slated for Dillard’s homecoming week ~ November 8 -16.
Cynthia M. A. Butler-McIntyre is a 1976 Dillard alum who was elected unanimously, receiving over 800 votes, as the new and 24th national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at the organization’s 49th National Convention in Orlando, FL. Butler-McIntyre has been a member of the sorority for 35 years and held several local, regional and national offices.

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Spelman alum Cassie Davis to return to present “The Dream of my Life”

Cassie Davis, a star on the big screen and stage who has worked extensively over the years with producer Tyler Perry, will return to Spelman to present her highly anticipated senior showcase, “The Dream of my Life,” on Saturday, November 15, at 8 p.m. in the Spelman College Fine Arts Building, Baldwin Burroughs Theatre. Davis, a member of the class of 1988, currently stars as Ella Payne in Perry’s sitcom, “House of Payne.”

Paine College Lions finish third in inaugural “Leave A Legacy” Golf Invitational

The Paine College Lions arrived in Caton, Ohio and were greeted by scenery they know very well. The six golf team members accompanied by head golf coach, Hoover Johnson walked onto a lush green lawn and entered the immaculately designed club house of the first and thus far, only golf course designed, built, owned and operated by an African-American. The Leave A Legacy Golf Invitational was the first hosted by the Clearview Legacy Golf Foundation and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The tournament was designed to give recognition and build awareness of the game of golf to the minority community as well as provide internship opportunities for the golfers. John Deere and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and JC Watts Corporation were on hand to distribute information. Paine College, Benedict College and Kentucky State University all took part in the historic event made possible by Dr. William Powell. Powell, 92, faced racial discrimination on the golf course after returning home from World War II. That discrimination pushed him to build a course that welcomed all races. In 1946, he carved all nine holes of the golf course himself. He later added nine more in 1978. The golf invitational was appropriately named being that Powell’s family has continued his legacy. Powell’s daughter, Renee Powell learned the game of golf from her father and went on to the LPGA Tour. She is one of three African American women to ever play in the tour. She also serves as Clearview’s Head Golf Professional, and is known as one of America’s top teachers. Read more

Morehouse School of Medicine physician wins national AAMC award

Dr. Yolanda Wimberly Becomes First from School to Receive Humanism in Medicine PrizeAtlanta — Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) pediatrician Yolanda Wimberly, M.D. has been named the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) 2008 Humanism in Medicine Award recipient. Wimberly becomes the first MSM physician to receive this mark of distinction. The award, sponsored by the Pfizer Medical Humanities Initiative, honors a medical school faculty physician who is a caring and compassionate mentor and a practitioner of patient-centered care. The honor will be bestowed Nov. 1, 2008 at the AAMC Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Wimberly is an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics and program director of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health - the first such center in the nation.

Daddy’s Promise at Morehouse Highlights Importance of Father/Daughter Relationships

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

Lemuel Payne stood in Sale Hall and reflected on raising his daughter, Chrisette.“She wasn’t a hard kid to raise,” Payne said as his daughter laughed and rolled her eyes. “She had her situations in school, like the school bullies. I took her in the bathroom and said ‘Put up your dukes!’”
“Oh, Dad,” said the doe-eyed daughter, better known as R&B songstress, Chrisette Michele, who goes by her first and middle names.
“But daughters, you always try to teach them honor and to respect themselves - to be sweet and to be a lady,” Payne said. “I’m proud of Chrissy.”
Their bond is the kind of father/daughter relationship that journalist Ed Gordon hopes to encourage through his national Daddy’s Promise campaign. Fathers are being asked to sign a pledge that makes a public acknowledgement of love and support for their daughters.

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Tuskegee University’s Booker T. Washington Economic Summit to feature ‘Apprentice’ winner

The 13th Annual Booker T. Washington Economic Summit will be held Nov. 19-21, at the Kellogg Conference Center on the campus of Tuskegee University.
The meeting aims to inform the Summit’s members, partners and other supporters of the achievements and opportunities for community economic development in the upcoming year.
This year, the Alabama Association of Community Development Corporations-Education Fund Inc. will hold their annual meeting in conjunction
Dr. Randal Pinkett, entrepreneur, speaker, author and community servant

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Environmentalist visiting Elizabeth City State University suggests green economy for the Albemarle

 Majora Carter, an environmentalist who specializes in environmental justice and environmental racism, greeted guests at Elizabeth City State University to explore the development of a green economy for the Albemarle. Carter told her audience a green economy, entrepreneurship and a clean environment are factors community leaders must consider for a successful future. The audience consisted of guests from nearby towns, counties and economic development commissions.
Citizens shouldn’t rush to toss used items in the trash when they could be recycled for another purpose Carter advised.
Training men and women recently released from jail for green collar jobs is a crucial strategy she promotes to reduce the number of convicts returning to jail and to reduce the money the tax payers spend on correction facilities.
She has advised numerous cities, universities, communities and businesses of the virtues of green collar jobs and environmental sound planning measures.

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