Speeding up the East Coast from HU to NASCAR to Grad School

Hampton University Class of 2015  #GradHU15

The Hampton University Class of 2015 is ready to soar. The graduates will don their caps and gowns on May 10, 2015 and join the ranks of thousands of Hampton University alumni making an impact all over the world. This blog series will feature a different member of Class of 2015 during Commencement week.  

Speeding up the East Coast from HU to NASCAR to Grad School 

Sydnei Fryson

After graduation on May 10, 2015 one Hamptonian will be switching gears with plans to speed up and down the East Coast.

Sydnei Fryson, a senior broadcast journalism major in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, will be taking her talents to Charlotte, N.C. where she will be interning with NASCAR for the summer. 

During her time at HU, Fryson was a member of the Blue Thunder cheerleading squad, correspondent for ESPNU’s Campus Connections, sports producer for WHOV-TV’s student run newscast, and is a member of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society. These leadership positions helped prepare her for what lies ahead.

Fryson will be placed with Rev Racing, a team that operates four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East teams and two NASCAR Whelen All-American Series teams. NASCAR’s Drive For Diversity, managed by Rev Racing, is the industry’s leading developmental program for minority and female drivers and crew members.

“This program will be great,” said Fryson. “I believe this will springboard me into the world of sports journalism. It seems like NASCAR is openly looking for more diversity within their company." 

In August, the Charleston, West Virginia native will head North to the Big Apple where she will enroll in Columbia University’s Masters of Science Digital Journalism Program. 

  

“Based on my broadcast journalism experience that I got from the Scripps Howard School of Journalism, I’m going to focus on learning digital media at Columbia,” said  Fryson. "The fields of broadcasting and digital media are merging and by being proficient in both I will be more marketable.” 

As Fryson departs from her “Home by the Sea” she will always think fondly of the memories  and connections made with her fellow Hamptonians. 

“I am forever grateful for all of the lessons learned here at Hampton,” said Fryson. “I know no matter where I go or what I do, I will always have a connection to the friends and family I’ve made over the last four years.”  

Matthew A. White '10