HU professor works to preserve historic area churches

HU professor works to preserve historic area churches

St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Norfolk, Va.

St. Peter's features 19th century Gothic style architecture.

This summer Dr. Natalie Robertson, HU associate professor of political science and history, advocated to have St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Va., placed on the National Register of Historic Places as well as the Virginia Landmarks Register. Located at 1625 Brown Ave., the church was nominated to the registers based upon her research and completion of the formal nomination process.

According to Robertson, typically churches are nominated to the registers for their age and their distinctive architectural qualities. “It is important to get churches listed on the registers because they preserve distinctive architectural styles and they embody important historical and cultural information about the larger American or African-American contexts out of which they emerged,” said Robertson.

While Saint James Holiness Church of Christ Disciples currently occupies the edifice, the church was placed on the registers under its historic name. St. Peter’s was a mission of historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk and served as the borough church for the Elizabeth River Parish. Placed on the registers for its architecture, the church is an outstanding example of the Gothic style of architecture that was prominent in the 19^th century. The church has maintained its architectural integrity for more than 120 years and is associated historically with the Bramble and Dyson families of Norfolk.

This is the second church that Robertson has placed on the National Register and the Virginia Landmarks Register. The first was Zion Poplars Baptist Church in Gloucester, Va.

- Alison L. Phillips

First-generation college students paired with mentors at Hampton University

Read the Daily Press story on how HU's PRESS program is helping incoming freshman Breonna Williams (and 99 other first generation college students) learn the ropes of college life.

First-generation college students paired with mentors at Hampton University

September 04, 2010 | by Samieh Shalash, Daily Press

HAMPTON — — Breonna Williams and 99 other incoming Hampton University freshmen are getting help adjusting to life as first-generation college students.

Each is being mentored by a current student who also is the first person in their family to attend college. The hook-up is through PRESS, or The Program for Retention and Enrichment of Successful Students, which was started this year by a $100,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation.

Students gets a mentor, peer tutors, a $150 textbook stipend and workshops for two years. The program is run by Erica Woods-Warrior, a political science professor who applied for the grant.

HU Mathematician Honored in Who’s Who

Dr. Widad Elmahboub

HU Mathematician Honored in Who’s Who

This September, the 28th edition of Who’s Who of American Women will feature Hampton University’s Dr. Widad Elmahboub. As an assistant professor in the HU Department of Mathematics, Elmahboub also serves as the team chair of the HU Research Center of Earth, Space and GIS Analysis (RCESG) Mathematics.

Her current research focuses on the simulation and modeling for surface materials on Mars. She developed a new methodology to accurately target classifications of Earth’s resources.

She is the author of many journals and is active in publishing and editing referred journals. She works hard with her undergraduate and graduate students on different research endeavors.

“I am very pleased,” stated Elmahboub regarding the recognition from Who’s Who of American Women. “Working hard always pays off.”

Elmaboub has also been featured in Who’s Who in America Medicine and Healthcare and Who’s Who in America Science and Engineering.

HU Awarded $2.69M Grant to Assist Local School Districts

Hampton University Awarded $2.69M Grant to Assist Local School Districts The U.S. Department of Education’s School Leadership Program has awarded Hampton University a $322,489 grant for five years, totaling $2.69 million in support of the HU Leadership Academy (HULA). U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the grant. Through the grant, HU will partner with area schools to implement a multifaceted approach towards improving student achievement by improving the effectiveness of educational leadership. “Effective school leaders create a culture of success and it permeates into all aspects of the school,” said Dr. Michael McIntosh, coordinator of HU’s Educational Leadership Program and principal investigator for the grant. “At the heart of this project will be training these administrators to become more like facilitators and less like lone rangers.” With local school districts facing dire budgetary constraints, the grant will offer exposure to and participation in the most current, research-based practices that successfully turn around low-achieving schools. HULA will partner with Norfolk Public Schools, Portsmouth City Public Schools, Franklin City Public Schools, Danville City Public Schools, and Roanoke City Public Schools. “This funding to establish a leadership academy is fitting because Hampton University has a strong legacy of inspiring competent and conscientious educational leaders. This project will enhance the institution’s ability to serve the contemporary needs of local area school districts by addressing one of the most pressing needs – the cultivation of strong school leaders,” said Dr. Cassandra Herring, dean of the College of Education and Continuing Studies. The program’s goals include: To significantly increase the percentage of participants who become principals To significantly increase the number and percentage of school administrators (principals and assistant principals) who participate in professional development activities To significantly increase the number of school administrators who improve their skills and are retained in high-need schools for more than two years To regularly and systematically collect student achievement data to use as a measure to assess the effectiveness of the project Five-year grants were awarded to six school districts, three non-profit organizations, and five universities in 12 states. HU was the only organization in Virginia to receive funding.

HU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Receives $1 Million Endowment

HU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Receives $1 Million Endowment

Hampton University has been awarded a $1 million endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation in support of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at HU (OLLI at HU), which offers continuing educational opportunities to mature adults.

OLLI at HU offers educational and cultural learning opportunities for Hampton Roads citizens, ages 50 and older. The institute offers non-credit, six-week courses aimed at improving skills, exploring new ideas and interacting with active people who share similar interests. An array of courses taught by retired professors and professionals including computers, equestrian, music and theater, photography, psychology, and swimming is offered.

Membership cost is $35; registration is $50 and covers three courses. For more information or to join, call (757) 727-5434.

Learn how OLLI at HU has influenced one Hampton resident in this Daily Press article:

HU Senior Institute Gets $1M Boost

http://www.dailypress.com/news/hampton/hampton-university/dp-nws-hu-osher-20100725,0,7736777.story

HU Launches New Online Degrees, Virtual Campus

HU Launches New Online Degrees, Virtual Campus

Hampton University has launched its web-based, virtual campus HamptonU Online, offering an ever-expanding range of degree programs entirely online. HamptonU Online offers students located anywhere in the world the freedom to study online anytime to earn certificate, undergraduate and graduate degrees from HU. Courses begin August 2.

Read more about it in the Daily Press:

HU Launches Virtual Campus

http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-07-02/news/dp-nws-hu-online-20100702_1_online-courses-doctoral-bachelor-s-degrees

HU Named Top 10 Best Value Private Colleges

Hampton, VA- Hampton University is proud to be recognized by the Parent & Colleges website, www.parentsandcolleges.com. HU has been named one of the Top 10 Best Value Private schools for 2010. It was ranked number five out of the 10 schools. According to the website in a time of rampant tuition inflation, these schools represent the best value a private education has to offer. Institutions included on this list offer a diversity of degrees, have affordable tuitions and offer generous financial aid.

HU was also recognized for its excellent academics and outstanding research, particularly in health, physics and engineering. HU has a low 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio that provides personalized instruction and advisement. Out of HU’s 5,700 students 49 states and 35 territories and countries are represented. About 80 percent of our students receive financial aid.

Parents and Colleges offer objective, expert-written advice for parents looking at college options. Parents & Colleges is a unique new resource to help college-bound students' most trusted advisors, their parents and guardians, navigate the college consideration process. With the combined expertise of prominent college admissions officials, they are one of the nation's leading educational services providers.