HU Cadet Named George C. Marshall Award Recipient

Cadet Ronald Britt

HU Cadet Named George C. Marshall Award Recipient

Graduating senior Ronald Britt, a psychology major and an Army ROTC cadet from Ellicott City, Md., was recently awarded the prestigious George C. Marshall Award.  The award is given to only the top-ranked cadets from across the nation. 

Each year, cadets are ranked and selected from their respective battalions based on scholarship, leadership, physical fitness, community involvement. Recipients are college seniors and a majority hold senior leadership positions within their schools or Army ROTC battalions.  To date, more than 9,000 Army cadets have been named Marshall Award winners.

By winning the award, Britt was invited to attend the 34^th Annual George C. Marshall Awards and Leadership Seminar, April 17-20 in Lexington, Va.  He was one of only 272 Army ROTC cadets from across the nation gathered for the three-day event to discuss the challenges they will encounter as new leaders in the U.S. Army.  

The event is designed around the principles of leadership practiced by the late George C. Marshall, former general of the U.S. Army, U.S. Secretary of State and Nobel prize winner. 

At first, Britt wasn’t aware of the value of the prestigious honor he had received.  But once at the seminar, he “realized it was a big honor.”

As the only cadet present from the HU Pirate Battalion, Britt had the unique opportunity to hear from several U.S. Army and military leaders, including U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Secretary of the Army John McHugh.

“You can learn a great deal from listening rather than talking,” said Britt.  

Following graduation, Britt leaves for Georgia on July 23 to begin training to use various military vehicles such as the Abrams tank and Humvee.

-Alison L. Phillips

Senior Launches Career Fighting for Justice as a Community Organizer

Senior Launches Career Fighting for Justice as a Community Organizer

Aaron Washington, a graduating senior at Hampton University, will put his education into action this summer by launching a career in community organizing with the Direct Action and Research Training (DART) Center.

The DART Center is a national network of congregation-based community organizations working to promote justice and fairness. Washington is one of fifteen individuals selected from a pool of more than 850 applicants to have been accepted into the DART Organizers Institute, a field school designed to train a new generation of community organizers.

Washington will be graduating in May with a major in English and a minor in criminal justice. During his time at HU, he was involved with Golden Key International Honour Society, Alpha Pi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society, worked as a Youth Program Leader with Youth Family & Education Services and the Hampton Parks & Recreation Department, and completed an internship with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

The Institute’s four-month curriculum, offered annually, begins with a week of intensive coursework at Xavier University on the fundamentals of organizing. Following the week long classroom training, participants are matched with a DART member organization, where they engage in fifteen weeks of field training and skill development. Organizer Trainees also help community members explore possible solutions and implement action plans. After completing the training, graduates are then placed onto permanent salaried staff with a community organization while receiving continuing education, training, and mentoring.

Ben MacConnell, DART’s Recruitment Director, summarizes the program and why Aaron was selected from so many applicants, “We scour the country for individuals with hard-to-find personality traits like passion for justice and a strong work ethic. And then we give them the skills and training to launch a career tackling serious issues as community organizers. Aaron stood out from hundreds of applicants because he has shown tireless commitment to the Hampton community and is aware of the systemic problems many vulnerable populations are facing now during this recession.”

Washington believes that working as a community organizer with DART will give him, “a way to positively express my frustration and hopefully become part of making changes that will benefit various communities.”

Washington first learned about the DART Center from an information session he attended at Hampton University this past February. Attendees of this session were asked the question, ‘What in the community makes you angry?’ Washington reflects, “This question sparked a nerve inside of me. I have seen schools without a gym. I have seen community centers close. I have seen the mistreatment of the homeless and the poor. I have seen people fall prey to the loan industries. I became inspired. I believe that I have found my calling as a community organizer.”

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

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

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

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

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.