HU Freshman Recognized at BET Honors Award Show

HU Freshman Recognized at BET Honors Award Show

Hampton University freshman, Chental-Song Bembry, attended the 2015 BET Honors Award Show in the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., and was recognized as an “Early Riser” for her accomplishments and community service as a young author. Bembry is the author of the book series, “The Honey Bunch Kids.”

The BET Honors Award Show will air on Monday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. EST and will show Bembry being recognized by SAG-award winning actress Aunjanue Ellis, star of the new BET miniseries The Book of Negroes, after Kanye West accepts the Visionary Award.

Bembry, a broadcast journalism major and leadership studies minor from Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, described the experience as “simply a blessing from God.”

W/ Usher Raymond

“It is amazing to have so many influential and successful individuals in the entertainment industry aware of the positive changes I am making in the community,” said Bembry.

“Being recognized by the most successful African-American network emphasized how I am on the right path and have to continue the positive work I am doing to impact not just my community, but the world.”

Bembry, 18, wrote and published her first book at thirteen. She’s since added more characters to emphasize “The Honey Bunch Kids” theme of friendship. She also uses her book series to promote literacy.

W/ Bobby Brown

Bembry’s creativity has evolved into entrepreneurship as she is currently working on turning her books into an animated series—writing 90 minute holiday specials and several episodes for 11-minute TV segments to one day air on a major network. She thanks the HU William R. Harvey Leadership Institute and HU Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications for maturing her drive into goals and action.

"We are so very proud of Chental," said DaVida Plummer, director of the HU William R. Harvey Leadership Institute. "She continues to shine through the door with inspirational accolades."

Having conversations with stars like Glynn Turman from A Different World, Anthony Anderson from Black-ish and Bobby Brown were exhilarating moments as well as sitting in the second row with her mom Holly Amanda Glover, HU alum ’89, with singers Trey Songz and Ne-Yo only an aisle away.

Even aside from her red carpet experience and interviewing with several TV networks, her favorite part was listening to award recipients who spoke with wisdom and humility.

“It is one thing to admire someone for their album sales or performances, but to see them in person and hear them speak of their struggles, successes, and most importantly their gratefulness is truly amazing,” said Bembry.

-Gianina Thompson

NewsChannel 3 Anchor Laila Muhammad Joins HU Scripps Howard School

NewsChannel 3 Anchor Laila Muhammad Joins HU Scripps Howard School

Photo Courtesy: Andrew Bond

WTKR NewsChannel 3 anchor Laila Muhammad has joined the Hampton University Scripps Howard School as an adjunct professor.

Muhammad, who has more than a decade of experience working as a news anchor, reporter, and host, will teach Advanced Broadcast News.

Currently anchoring NewsChannel 3 First at 4 p.m. and WGNT News at 7 p.m. at WTKR-TV and WGNT-TV in Norfolk, Va, she has also been on assignment to the sets of NCIS: Los Angeles, The Young and the Restless, Judge Judy and the Blue Bloods to interview the shows’ leading stars. 

"There are numerous people who have helped me get to this point in my career, said Muhammad. "I have an obligation to give back and to be a mentor to those who are embarking upon a career in broadcasting. My goal is to inspire and fully prepare students to begin careers as working journalists when they leave HU."

Muhammad speaking with students from her class.

Muhammad has always had a passion for helping students shape their career goals and accomplish. She had the opportunity to teach media writing and performance courses at East Carolina University, while dually working as a reporter and anchor for the CBS-affiliate in Greenville, NC before coming to the Hampton Roads area.

“To have a faculty member like Laila Muhammad, who is both an accomplished newswoman and an experienced journalism educator, is a real coup for the Scripps Howard School,” said Brett Pulley, Dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. “Our students stand to benefit greatly from the opportunity to learn the craft from a broadcast news professional whose work can be seen daily, right here in our market.”

Muhammad shared how HU was her first choice as a high school student. She was accepted to the university, but a week before she was set to leave for HU, she changed her mind and chose to stay closer to home and attended Salem College in North Carolina.

“It’s funny how life comes full circle,” said Muhammad. I eventually made it to Hampton’s journalism school, but in a different capacity."

By: Gianina Thompson

HU Faculty receive Academic Excellence Faculty Award

Eight HU faculty members recognized for efforts

Eight Hampton University faculty members received the Academic Excellence Faculty Award during the 2015 Winter Education Staff Institute. The winners pictured above with University President Dr. William R. Harvey and Executive Vice President & Provost Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert are accompanied by their respective Dean's include:

Dr. Francis Ndemo - School of Pharmacy
Dr. Ralph Charlton - School of Education and Human Development
Dr. Candace Wallace - School of Liberal Arts
Ms. Donna Pendergraft - School of Nursing
Mr. Wayne Dawkins - Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications
Dr. Sharad Maheshwaro - School of Business
Dr. Arun Verma - School of Science
Mrs. Margaret Browning - School of Engineering and Technology

-Matthew A. White '10

Hamptonians are thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving from your 'Home by the Sea'

Here are a few things Hamptonians are thankful for

Khalil Lewis

Freshman, Accounting major

“Being alive and healthy. Also for being able to have the family and friends I have in my life.”

Daisha Roberts 

Senior, Public Relations Major 

"I am thankful for my life and opportunity to excel in every aspect of life. I am also thankful for the good health of myself and my family."

Kyle Fitzgerald

Freshman, Kinesiology Major

“God, and having the Cafeteria food to eat every night. I am also thankful for my challenges, because they make me stronger.”

 Tanya Howard
Assistant Professor of Journalism and Communications
"The health and happiness of my loved ones. I am very thankful for the opportunity to join the faculty here at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, I really enjoy working with the students, faculty members and administrators."

Katelyn Hull

Sophomore, Mathematics Major 

“I am thankful to be at Hampton on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Without that I wouldn't be here at Hampton.”

Atia Strange

Junior, Strategic Communications major

“My friends and family and for being alive today.”

                                                        
                                                                                               
-Sechemelia Lewis '15

HU Senior Competes Live at 4 p.m. to be AOL Sports’ Newest Host

HU Senior Competes Live at 4 p.m. to be AOL Sports’ Newest Host

Brandon Theo Dorsey

New York—Hampton University senior Brandon Theo Dorsey, is one of the eight finalists for the AOL Sports Search competition. The competition opened auditions for the next great sportscaster to host their new sports show.

Open auditions were available in Los Angeles and New York City, as well as online submissions.

Dorsey, broadcast journalism major from Missouri City, Texas, sent an online submission right from the anchor desk in the HU Scripps Howard School television studio. He impressed the judges and was flown to AOL New York Studios earlier this week to further advance in the competition.

Dorsey and the other contestants have competed in various activities, games, and trivia. AOL Sports will crown the winner today, November 19 at 4 p.m. live on their website. 

The competition also encourages social media support via Twitter, which will tally into each competitor’s final score.

To vote for Dorsey as AOL Sports’ newest host, you simply tweet: “I want Brandon08 to win #AOLSports Search @BrandonTheoD.”

Dorsey is currently ranked in first place.

-Gianina Thompson

HU Business Students Exposed to Industry Leaders

Hampton University had the great pleasure of having students, Jordyn Hawkins-Rippie, sophomore, business management major from Baltimore, MD and Alex Garner, junior business management major participate in the University of California Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders program.

SIEML is an all-expenses-paid, career-building fellowship for first year students from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).

The overall objective of this program is to expose students from these institutions to various MBA programs offered through the University of California System. Participants in this program, spend two weeks over two consecutive summers learning from world-class educators at the University of California's graduate business schools.

Hawkins-Rippie and Garner met one-on-one with CEOs, CFOs and other industry leaders in some of the country's most thriving hubs for enterprise and innovation. The networking further complimented the dynamic workshops that immersed them in principles of business development and entrepreneurship, while also developing analytical, technical and management expertise.

“The most memorable experience overall is building great relationships with classmates from various universities throughout the country in my cohort,” Garner said. 

Hawkins-Rippie and Garner agreed that this experience furthered their knowledge of the business industry. Keeping in mind that Hampton was built on the standard of excellence helped to encourage the two even more throughout the tenure of the program.

Aside from the in-class experience, the two had the chance to have lunch with the CEO of Kaiser Permanente, Bernard Tyson. They also visited the Wells Fargo headquarters and other banks.

I highly encourage all freshmen to apply as soon as possible to this program because the network that you form amongst your peers and the connections you make with the companies are insurmountable said Hawkins-Rippie.

Rippie-Hawkins and Garner thanked the Hampton University business department for making this invaluable opportunity happen to for the two of them.

By Daisha Roberts

HU Student Spends the Summer in Bath

HU Student Spends the Summer in Bath

Ashley Payne is a senior English arts major from Gurnee, Ill. Last semester Ashley was afforded the opportunity to attend an Advanced Studies in England (ASE) program in Bath, England. The program started in February and ran through May. Payne was introduced to this program her freshman year at Hampton University by the English department. When Payne became more interested in the opportunity to study abroad she was able to meet with a staff member from ASE in the campus’ study abroad office.

Payne admiring the view of Bath, England

During her time in Bath, Payne was enrolled in four courses. Of those four she enjoyed her Irish literature class the most. Payne says that her instructor, or tutor as they are referred to, motivated herself and her classmates to understand the Irish culture. She was engulfed in the Irish culture when her class voyaged on a study trip to Dublin and toured the city. “There is something about being able to pair up what you’ve learned in the classroom,” Payne says while reminiscing upon the life moving weekend exploration.

Payne chose to attend Hampton University because of the family history it holds for her. Her three older sisters all attended Hampton University “I was able to see the positive impact Hampton had on my sisters and couldn’t wait for my chance to be a part of the Hampton family.” Payne says that the director of the international office, Ebony Majeed and Professor Buchanan in the English department were sources of support during her process to study abroad.

The ASE program is not at a university but they have academic ties with University College, Oxford. Oxford professors are among many professors who taught the weekly seminars at Oxford. When Payne wasn’t submerged in her studies, she explored what Bath and neighboring areas had to offer her. She along with her classmates, who all happen to be American, visited historic sites around the city. Payne says that she also ventured out to visit places outside of England including: Wales, Italy, Greece and Amsterdam.

Payne outside of University College, Oxford 

Although this wasn’t her first time out of the United States, Payne says that this experience has her eager to explore other parts of the world. “Studying abroad for a semester was the best decision I could have made,” Payne remarks about her experience.  

After finishing her tenure here at Hampton University, Payne is contemplating teaching abroad in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching program (JET). Along with the JET program, she is also considering applying to Northwestern University to continue her studies in English while teaching through Teach for America.

            -Sechemelia Lewis