HU Museum, Greater Williamsburg Women’s Association and Armstrong School for the Arts commemorate Harriet Tubman

HU Museum, Greater Williamsburg Women’s Association and Armstrong School for the Arts commemorate Harriet Tubman

The Hampton University Museum with support from the Hampton Arts Commission and The Greater Williamsburg Women’s Association (GWWA) will present Charmaine Crowell-White of Richmond, Va in her portrayal of Harriet Tubman.  Crowell-White, director of speech and drama at Tomahawk Middle School in Chesterfield County will portray Harriet Tubman for the fifth graders at Armstrong School for the Arts on Thursday, April 26.  Crowell-White will also perform at the Hampton University Museum for a Brown Bag Lunch on the same day at 12:15 p.m. This performance is presented in conjunction with the museum’s exhibitions, "Freedom Fighters: Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman Series" by Jacob Lawrence in Commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial and "Civil War Vignette: Paintings and Drawings of Freedom Fighters" from the Hampton University Museum Collection.

The Museum, Armstrong School for the Arts and GWWA has had a two-year partnership.  Conversations began with former Armstrong principal, Linda Byrd, right before the school was renamed Armstrong School for the Arts.   Committed to continue with the goal to establish the partnership, incoming principal, Levia Stovall, continued to work with the committee to form this relationship. Students have visited the museum with special programs provided by over fourteen dedicated volunteers every other week. Arts Chair for GWWA, Brenda Pollard Prather has organized these dedicated women, who travel all the way from Williamsburg to provide tours, read and develop fun art projects for the children, including projects such as learning about artists such as Jacob Lawrence.

Fall 2011 and 2012, the children visited the museum and learned how to serve as museum docents showing off their skills during the Holiday and Kwanzaa Marketplace.  Also, a special holiday chorus from Armstrong sang for our many shoppers and parents of students.

Levia Stovall, the principal of Armstrong School for the Arts, and teacher liaison, Michelle Bowers have worked with Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Hampton University Museum liaison to keep this partnership fresh and fun.  GWWA is a volunteer service organization of concerned, committed, and talented women who desire to impact the quality of life in our community through service in response to an ever-changing society. In an effort to contribute to the formulation of a positive, productive, and culturally diverse society, GWWA focuses on education, cultural enrichment, health and wellness and civic involvement.

Omega Chi Nu Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Omega Chi Nu Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Omega Chi Nu Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota

The Omega Chi Nu Chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society for Counselors announced their 2012 officers and inducted 14 new members April 11. Mr. Carlton Ashby, Newport News Public Schools Board member and Hampton elementary school teacher for 25+ years, was the ceremony’s guest speaker.

During his speech, Ashby urged students to, “view [their] counseling as a calling.” Omega Chi Nu is the only all-graduate honor society on campus and in their second year they have 44 members. “A goal is something you have; a vision is something that has you,” Ashby told students.

New officers include: Ashley Pauling as President, Adyam Redae as Vice President, Shannon Evans as Treasurer and Allison Willis as Secretary.

New members include: Whitney Bamburg, Darlene Barnes, Whitney Curley, Shannon Evans, Regina Gibbons, Jennifer Lowell, Kerry Mizell, Ashley Pauling, Georgette Price, Adyam Redae, Tamera Turner, Chantel Twine, Jasmine Wakefield and Jean Walden.

To view more photos please visit the Hampton University flickr page.

Business Students Exposed to History of Japanese Culture

Business Students Exposed to History of Japanese Culture

Ben Karp, shares history of African-American and Japanese relations

Karp, who studies African-American studies and history, lived in Japan for eight years. His presentation focused heavily on W.E. B. DuBois’ relationship and views with the Japanese following their victory in the Russo-Japanese territory war in 1904. DuBois later traveled to Japan in 1936 and had a positive view of the Japanese culture and people.

“In recent times many have assumed that the Japanese were a very racist culture, which is untrue,” stated Karp. “On the contrary they respected the African-American story and used it in their case against the West. Dubois used this as a model… they never sacrificed their culture. That’s what Dubois wanted for African Americans, for us to be seen as equals while still being ourselves. ”

In an effort to expose students from various departments to the discussion Dr. Kanata Jackson, chair and associate professor in the Department of Management, invited students from the Departments of Sociology, Psychology and History to hear Karp’s message.

“This lecture brought a better understanding of cultures across the globe,” stated Zalika Bailey, a junior business management major. “As business students we may find jobs across the world. You never know what part of history you may need to know.”