We kicked off year three of the Black Male Initiative with Dr. Rani Whitfield of Baton Rouge, LA, also known as Tha Hip Hop Doc. http://www.h2doc.com/landing/

He began the day talking with the women who are participating in Platinum By Design. Then, he got to the brothers. Dr. Whitfield talked with us about our health, including eating, exercise, and sexual health. He has developed a unique approach to reaching young people through music, working with some local artists and well as national artists to get his health message out.

Very active in his community, he also works at the prisons, and has provided physicals for high school athletes. He was very well received, and the guys hung around to get more information.

I highly recommend him to come to your school, church, or civic group. He's excellent!

The Prez

The preacher for our convocation was Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina in Chicago. He's an activist preacher, picketing the Jerry Springer Show, defacing billboards promoting liquor in the community, and purchasing time from drug dealers and prostitutes so they could get counseling and job training. And since we're addressing social justice here, he was a great choice.

Pfleger argued that as a country we must be comfortable with unequal, unjust and unfair due to the lack of outrage we project. So he speaks out, even against how we act as Americans, noting that a friend is someone who loves you enough to tell the truth.

Pfleger argued that for America to be a great nation, we have to lift up the least. He told our students that they are the new seed to address these issues.

The students weren't ready for Pfleger. He hit them hard with straight talk.

In fact, a few said he was the best we have had, which is a high compliment if you check out the list of Bless the Mic speakers.

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Today was our fourth opening convocation, reviving a time-honored tradition in higher education. Our preacher was AWESOME, but more about him tomorrow. Tonight let me talk about our new award.

When we launched our social justice initiative, we wanted to create an award to salute someone who epitomizes the fight for justice. We named the award the medal of justice, and I wanted to name it after an alum. I chose Dr. Ozell Sutton, who was the first Black reporter for the Arkansas Democrat newspaper in 1950, and spent most of his career with the Department of Justice.

He was also the first alum to receive the distinguished alumni award, and served as the past president of the national alumni association and member of the board of trustees.

I have known him since 1986 when I joined Alpha Phi Alpha, as he served as our 26th general president.

Sutton recently released his memoir, "From Yonder To Here." It was great to have him present for the award named for him.

The recipient was 23 year old Nigel Haskett. One year ago yesterday he was shot working at McDonald's when he intervened in a domestic dispute. He was shot multiple times defending a woman being beaten in the McDonalds.

He was the obvious choice for the first Sutton Medal. This was the first public recognition for Nigel for his act of true heroism. I was disappointed that no one sought to do so before now, but that meant we were supposed to do it!

When you meet him, you're surprised he acted in such a manner because he is very quiet, shy and reserved. He didn't want to say anything but I told him just share a few words. The audience gave him a great ovation and it was very genuine.

We never really see a young Black man being recognized as a hero, so today was so uplifting for all of us.

 

The Prez

Being a student affairs professional, I love to have a chance to advise a student group. When I got here, I created one to advise- the Bless the Mic Street Team. Each year, I choose new students to work the world famous lecture series (which kicks of September 21st with RNC chair Michael Steele).

As the program has grown, I have begun to add student leader positions to handle many of the duties of the series. This year, the team directors selected the team for this year. The interest has grown. My first year, all 16 who applied participated. Last year (year 4) was the first year I had to make cuts- 33 apps for 25 spots. This year, we had 43 applications for 25 spots.

So we did 3 minute interviews today to get a sense of the candidates. Our freshman class is strong, so all 43 were more than qualified. They all had great credentials and a history of involvement. So that meant the directors would have to battle it out to determine who made the team.

And battle they did- for about 90 minutes.

But we have a new team and they'll be announced this Friday.

 

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Here is my newest group of scholars:

Naandie Wright, Kansas City MO

 

Breanna Tarkington, St. Louis MO

 

Veneta Graham, Memphis TN

 

Veronica Maples, Wichita KS

 

Terry Anderson, II, Wichita KS

 

Fanchon Laster, Jacksonville AR

 

Martiza Tynes, Nassau Bahamas

 

LaTisha Isaiah, Alton IL

 

Maobe Obwocha, Helena AR

 

Sharice Loftin, Tulsa OK

 

Pakeshia Benton, Dekalb TX

 

Cara Carter, Kansas City MO

Our tradition is to gather at the prayer circle on campus at noon on the first day of classes for a communal prayer. Our chaplain, Rev. Ronnie Miller-Yow, involved members of our campus community in this short service of anticipation. He reminded the students as he told them last Sunday to follow the plan and they will do well. A scripture was read, and then prayers offered by a faculty member, an administrator, and a student.

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Jacque's doing the scripture

 

Three Mo Divas!

 

Here are some of the sights from the new students moving in this past Saturday, as well as from the "Transition to Independence" ceremony.

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On Thursday, we officially opened the year with our faculty-staff institute. Our speaker was Dr. Kathleen Gabriel of California State University, Chico. She is the author of a GREAT new book- Teaching Unprepared Students. I read about it in Inside Higher Ed, and once I read the book, I knew she would be a great choice.

The premise is that we have to do much more when working with unprepared students. Many HBCUs have a significant student population that comes from poorly performing schools, and in need of remediation. In Arkansas, over HALF of ALL STUDENTS require at least one remedial course in college. So we needed to hear new strategies.

She focused a lot of engaging the students, and that starts with knowing their names. She challenged us to know all of our students. I did a quiz and had 12 student leaders come before the institute, but only a few could name most. So we have a lot of work to do.

I'll be following up with our faculty especially. She challenged them to give points in the syllabus for each student meeting them during office hours so they can learn about the students. This was a great idea and I hope most faculty will at least try it.

 

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