There is a new show called "Undercover Boss" where CEOs of major companies work at the ground level for a week. I missed tonight's show, but I had my own experience this weekend.

I traveled with our SGA to a conference in New Orleans. We have never been to this conference, and it was a great eye opener for students. So I am expecting new innovation.

But traveling in a van for 8 hours with 10 students is an experience that I think every faculty member, staff, and administrator should have. In all our committee meetings, proposals, positioning for power, etc. I am often surprised how few times we talk about students. And when I saw we, I'm not speaking about just PSC, but all of higher education. We need to spend more time at the basic level getting to know students, understanding them, and engaging them so that we can be reminded of our true purpose.

I guess we need some sort of communion for those of us who work in higher ed.

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Our Black Male Initiative hosted an oratorical contest this week. The men had to discuss the importance of the five wells: well read, spoken, traveled, dressed and balanced.

The concept was developed by Dr. Robert Franklin, president of Morehouse College. I absolutely love the concept, so I have asked our students to adopt them as a way of life as well. I really hope Morehouse promoted this for all HBCUs and maybe even do an annual conference to help schools teach their students how to be well.

Our six winners received a great prize: a trip to St. Louis for the upcoming Jay-Z concert! Man, I wish someone did something like this when I was in school. We had local professional men serve as judges, which was another great way for our students to interact with men in the community.

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So I'm going to be working with SGA for the remainder of the semester. This takes me back to my days as the SGA advisor at Old Dominion University. So, as a new advisor for this group, the first thing we had to do was have a mini-retreat.

They are all so busy, so the only time open was late night. So they gathered at my house starting at 10 p.m. last Friday, and left around 2 a.m. We had a great session and I think we're going to see some good results from this group.

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Yesterday I went by Shorter College to see Drs. James and Cecil Cone. Both are graduates of Philander Smith College and are legends in ghe field of religion. Both have worked on the idea of Black liberation theology, which most of the country heard about during Obama's run for presidency. I always hated that no one ever spoke with them about what it really meant.

I've had a chance to hear both of them on different occassions, and heard some of Dr. Cecil Cone's lecture yesterday. They are definitely two of the legends from our ranks.

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This weekend our campus chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha competed at the state convention. They racked up a number of major awards, including:

Brother of the Year

Chapter of the Year

Step Show winner

Charles Wesley Award (undergrad-grad relations)

Most registered brothers

They really had the highest GPA as well but did not receive that award. Finally, their Miss Black and Gold came in third place. So they really represented for the College very well.

I owe them dinner.

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Last Wednesday I spoke for the honors assembly at Dodd Elementary school. They recognized 3rd, 4th and 5th graders.

Lots of students were recognized. I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the school: 40% African American, 30% Latino, 25% White.

Dr. Jill Brooks is the principal and has done a great job improving the performance of the students there.

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Last night, I went to Horace Mann Middle to see my little brother's science project. This is my 4th year as a big brother with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. There still is a need for volunteers, especially Black men.

 

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This past Wednesday we hosted Washington Post financial columnist Michelle Singletary for Bless the Mic. I was excited to finally get her to campus, and she did not disappoint.

Effectively using powerpoint, video, and humor, she discussed the 5 steps to financial freedom, which link to her new book.

She reminded all of us that we should have 3-6 months of expenses saved, as well as a life happens fund (car repairs, home repairs, etc.).

She reminded us not to buy stuff we can't afford. She told us to imagine paying for that $3,000 flat screen in cash with $100 bills, knowing that somewhere along the way we would ask ourselves what we were doing.

She had lots of good ideas. Don't use more than 30% of your credit card limit. When you use plastic (including debit card) you spend 30-40% more. With so much practical information, and a down to earth presentation style, she takes the honors for best Bless the Mic speaker!

The Prez