Friday, April 22, 2011

HU Students Win Honors at Genesis 2011 Artist Awards

HU Students Win Honors at Genesis 2011 Artist Awards

Two Hampton University students were awarded at the Genesis 2011: College Student Juried Exhibition at the Peninsula Fine Arts Center (Pfac) on April 8.  

Marie E. Jarrell won first place for "4 Views of Growth" a digitally enhanced linocut.  Jarrell received $300 in honor of Mayor Ann Kilgore by Ed Kilgore.

Jeromyah Jones received Honorable Mention for his piece "Soulyah" using clay.  Jones received a prize of $50.

Marie E. Jarrell, first place winner, stands with her piece "4 Views of Growth."


Jeromyah Jones, honorable mention, stands with his sculpture "Soulyah."

Students from Hampton Roads colleges submitted work to be considered for the exhibition, with winning entries from HU, College of William and Mary, Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College.  Judged by Pfac Curator and Program Director Michael Preble, Genesis 2011 allows college students the opportunity to show their work in a professional gallery alongside their peers.  Pfac awarded more than $1,500 to artists at the event.  

The exhibition continues through May 8 with free Pfac admission for college students.  Peninsula Fine Arts Center is located at 101 Museum Dr., Mariners’ Museum Park, Newport News, Va. 

-Alison L. Phillips

Thursday, April 21, 2011

HU Professor Wins at LA WebFest 2011

HU Professor Wins at LA WebFest 2011

Hampton University is proud to salute Assistant Professor Phill Branch, HU Class of 1994, for his recent awards at the Los Angeles Web Series Festival (LA WebFest).  Branch's web series, "The PuNanny Diaries," won Outstanding Dramedy, Directing and Guest Star.  The show competed against nearly 150 web series selections to earn these distinct honors.

"The PuNanny Diaries" webseries centers on a woman trying to live as a single woman in Los Angeles, livng a normal, celibate life after a string of bad relationships.  Branch co-created and writes for the webseries. 

The LA WebFest is the world's first festival dedicated to original shows created for the Internet.

A graduate of the American Film Institute, Branch currently serves at HU as an assistant professor of English and cinema studies.  He is the co-host of a podcast on illprofessors.com and his column, "Muse," can be found in Written Magazine.  He is a member of the University Film and Video Association and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Phill Branch
-Alison L. Phillips

Friday, April 15, 2011

HU Students Tell Girl Scouts Smart Girls Rock

 HU Students tell Girl Scouts Smart Girls Rock




The Hampton University Student Recruitment Team (SRT) hosted a group of Girl Scouts from various parts of Virginia as part of the Virginia College 101 Girl Scouts College Awareness Program. The program, which introduces middle and high-school Girl Scouts to Virginia colleges, is partnered with the Girl Scouts Commonwealth Council of Virginia, Inc.

Though in existence for four years, HU is the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) the program has visited. Other school visits have included, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond and Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Mary Washington University, James Madison University, and Christopher Newport University.

The “Smart Girls Rock” event included presentations by members of the HU Office of Admission about college requirements and expectations, a campus tour and a presentation by HU Fine and Performing Arts Professor Bresean Jenkins on costume design called “Girls Love Clothes ... And Theatre.”

“Hampton University is elated to host such an important event,” said Melinda Gainer, HU assistant director of admission and coordinator of special events/campus visitation. "It is great for these young ladies to see that HU is as much a viable educational option as any of the larger universities. And, we’re always happy to showcase what we have.”

Shirley Dietz, program coordinator for the Virginia College 101 Girl Scouts Program, said the girls’ Peninsula visit was an opportunity to branch out and offer this group of girls, mostly minority, to all their college options.

“I wanted the girls to know Hampton is here and see what it has to offer, to see if it is a good fit for them,” Dietz said. “I came to visit in December and was really impressed. Everyone on the campus was very helpful. All the students were polite, helpful and well mannered. I thought that was a sample of what (Hampton) has on campus.”

During the program, the Girl Scouts were informed about HU’s academic and social offerings. They also heard an address from HU graduate Ashley Wimbush ’10. When Wimbush graduated she was the only female in the university’s aviation department. She is currently at HU pursing another Bachelor of Science degree in Air Traffic Control, and is the only female in that program.

Jasmine Caldwell, 16, an ambassador Girl Scout, from Fredricksburg, Va., said she had fun and learned a lot about HU during the day. Prior to her visit, she’d heard of HU, but didn’t know it was an HBCU.

“My biggest lesson today was to take the opportunities that are given to you,” Caldwell said. “Just don’t let them pass by.”


-by Leha Byrd

Thursday, April 14, 2011

HU Army ROTC Hosts Military Ball

HU Army ROTC Hosts Military Ball

The Hampton University Army ROTC Pirate Battalion hosted its 63rd Annual Military Ball on April 8 at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel in Hampton, Va.  Guests enjoyed fun, food and dancing.  The department welcomed Col. Xavier Brunson, HU Class of 1990, as the ball's guest speaker.







-Alison L. Phillips

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Four HU alums named White House Fellowship Program Finalists

Four HU alums named White House Fellowship Program Finalists

The White House Fellowship Program is a very competitive program that draws applicants from all over the nation. The Fellowship offers exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the federal government.

More than 1,000 people applied this year and 11-19 will be awarded the Fellowships. Of the 120 regional finalists, four are Hampton University alumni.  Myles Caggins ’96, Sabin Duncan ’96 & ’97, Theodore Johnson ’09 and Kendra Taylor ’99 are all a step closer to becoming Fellows.

Individuals chosen to be White House Fellows are placed in the offices of cabinet secretaries, senior White House staff, and other high-level executive branch officials. As part of their education program, Fellows regularly meet in roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors and travel domestically and internationally to study U.S. policy in action. Fellowships are awarded on a strictly non-partisan basis.

Distinguished civic, community, and business leaders from around the country will interview the candidates and recommend the most qualified to meet with the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships in Washington D.C. this summer.

To learn more about the White House Fellowship Program visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/fellows.