Celebrate Homecoming Week With Miss Hampton and Mr. Pirate 

  

Hampton University’s 2012 Homecoming week, “A Pirate’s Festival,” has begun and will continue through Oct. 28. Several events are planned, including the Miss Hampton University Coronation, the annual Homecoming Bazaar and the football game, which is against Savannah State in Armstrong Stadium. All events are open to the public. For more information about ticket prices and events call the HU Office of Student Activities at 757.727.5691 or the HU Office of Alumni Affairs at 757.727.5425.

A schedule of upcoming events is listed below.

 

Oct. 24

Miss Hampton University Coronation

7 p.m.

Ogden Hall

Free

Oct. 25

“Pirate Bash” Homecoming Concert

7 p.m.

Concert Lineup Featuring Dom Kennedy, Curren$y, Kirko Bangz, LoveRance

HU Convocation Center

$12 in advance and for students with ID

$17 General Admission

$22 Event Day

Tickets available at the HU Convocation Center Box Office and Ticketmaster

“The Social Network”

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Bar Louie in the Peninsula Town Center

21 and older starting at 8 p.m. – Proper ID Required

Meet and Greet with Olympic Medalists Francena McCorory and Kellie Wells

3 p.m. 

HU Student Center Ballroom 

Free 

Oct. 26

Homecoming Bazaar

“Thieves Market Fair”

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HU Student Center

Campus wide Homecoming Office Decorating Contest

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Homecoming Step Show

7 p.m.

HU Convocation Center

$12 in advance and for students with ID

$17 General Admission

$22 Event Day

Tickets available at the HU Convocation Center Box Office and Ticketmaster

Shades of Purple:  An Evening of Graceful Elegance

(Hosted by GE ’92 Omega Psi Phi – Dress To Impress)

9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Student Center Ballroom

$40

(Call 757.727.5425 for more information)

Oct. 27

Homecoming Parade – “Procession of the Pirates”

10 a.m.

Downtown Hampton, Va.

Homecoming Game - HU Vs. Savannah State

2 p.m.

Armstrong Stadium

$35 Reserved Adult Seating

$25 General Admission

$20 Senior Citizens

$20 HU Employees

$10 Graduate and Continuing Education Students

$10 Youth Ages 6-17

Tickets available at the HU Convocation Center Box Office

Hampton University Young Alumni Council (HUYAC) Day Party

4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Student Center Ballroom

Free

Oct. 28

Sunday Jazz Brunch Reception         

1 p.m.

University Museum

$8

Above and beyond: HU professors accept teaching award 

The Edward L. Hamm, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes members of the Hampton University (HU) faculty who have been nominated by their peers and/or students and selected by HU President, Dr. William R. Harvey, for their teaching excellence. On September 30 at the 70th Annual Fall Convocation, two exceptional members of the faculty were recognized for their hard work and dedication to HU students.

Dr. Halima Ali, professor in the HU Department of Mathematics, began teaching in 1976 in her native country, Somalia. She came to the United States and earned a masters degree and Ph.D from Howard University. Ali joined the Department of Mathematics at Hampton University in 1993.

“Teaching is the only job I’ve ever done. I’m an all around [educator],” stated Ali.

One of Ali’s passions is mentoring students. Working at summer workshops with high school students was one of the most memorable experiences in her career. She has mentored various students at secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Ali has authored numerous publications and has led and participated in over 15 funded projects.

“I love engaging students on different levels, many of my students have won awards and I have received plaques as recognition for my mentorship,” said Ali.  “ I take pride in my students when they’re doing well. It gives me the fuel to keep going.”

Ali’s teaching method and style vary based on the course. Teaching methods change because different students have different mathematical maturities.

“When you have been teaching a long time like I have, you get a sense of how students are responding and you adjust your teaching accordingly.” She believes that it is very important to motivate and encourage students.

“Being recognized as a distinguished teacher was a high point for me. There are no words to describe being recognized for what you love to do. When President Harvey announced that I would receive the award, I said ‘Wow,’ I could not believe it, I am honored.”

-Jalisa Stanislaus

Dr. Ziette Hayes, assistant professor in the School of Business, was also selected by Dr. William R. Harvey to obtain the Edward L. Hamm Sr. Teaching Award.

“It was a pleasant surprise. Very humbling experience,” Hayes said.

Hayes has significantly impacted Hampton University (HU) by assisting in the development and implementation of HUs first online Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration program.

As an assistant professor in the Department of Administration, Hayes often finds ways to improve logistics within the HU Leadership Application Program. Hayes engages in several discussions with students regarding their career interests and the status of their professional and academic goals. Dr. Hayes encourages students to make the most of the opportunities HU and the business program have to offer.

“I have a bit of an open door policy that allows students to share with me whether it is during office hours or not, so my office is usually pretty busy,” Hayes said. “Because I am very student focused, the time I have with students is very energizing.”

She has a passion to deliver instruction in a way that reaches students on a daily basis, as the 2011-12 Provost Innovative Teaching Award Recipient Hayes has made strides with that goal. 

Her love for business came from warm experiences with her father; who allowed her to write checks as a child. Hayes then gained experience as an intern at a bank. Over the course of 11 years she has held several positions within several divisions of General Electric (GE) and the Early Morning Shows of NBC, such as “The Today Show” and more.

Being a community leader is important to Hayes, who calls her leadership style “very situational.”  She prefers a participative style of leadership in an environment without boundaries.

“My goal post continues to move,” Hayes said. “I see personal growth and contributing to society as a lifelong goal. Professionally and personally I have much to yet accomplish.” 

- Brianna Dance

HU NAACP hosts Voter Empowerment Rally

Da’Quan Love '14 speaks at the HU NAACP Voter Empowerment Rally

HU NAACP President Austin Hutchinson ‘13, Author, Motivational Speaker Kemba Smith, and HU NAACP Member Da’Quan Love ‘14

Students signed up to become registered voters

HU NAACP hosts Voter Empowerment Rally

The Hampton University NAACP hosted a voter empowerment rally to help motivate students to register to vote and be active in the Nov. 6 election, that pits President Barack Obama against Governor Mitt Romney. The Sept. 13 rally was in the HU Student Center and included spoken word, voter registration information, and an address by author and motivational speaker Kemba Smith.

HU NAACP member Da’Quan Love ‘14, who hosted the event, said it was an opportunity to encourage students to use their vote as their voice.

“A lot of folk think that young people are apathetic, but in 2008 we made a difference at the polls,” said Love, who is also state president of the Virginia NAACP Youth and College Division. “The NAAP is non partisan; we have no political affiliation. People died so we could vote today. We’re trying to make voting exciting, the cool thing.”

The group has other events planned prior to Election Day, including voter registration in the Student Center during 12 p.m. -2 p.m.  hours and debate watch parties. HU Senior Austin Hutchinson, is the president of the HU NAACP chapter.

“If we don't vote, someone will vote for us, and it won’t necessarily be in our best interest,” Hutchinson said. “As young, minority college students, they’re threatening to take away grants and things we need. Activism will not skip our generation. We have to promote this.”

To find out more about the HU NAACP follow the group @HamptonNAACP. Also, text VAYCD to 6227 to get updates about the Virginia NAACP Youth and College Division.

Leha Byrd

HU Professors Host Book Signing Events

Author Wayne Dawkins

Wayne Dawkins - “City Son: Andrew W. Cooper’s Impact on Modern-Day Brooklyn”
Wayne Dawkins, assistant professor of Journalism at the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, has authored the first biography of an unforgettable African-American journalist and activist, Andrew W. Cooper. The biography, titled “City Son: Andrew W. Cooper’s Impact on Modern-Day Brooklyn,” possesses sound facts and tantalizing tid-bits. University Press of Mississippi published City Son on July 1.

A dialogue with Dawkins and book signing will take place in the William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library Atrium Meeting Room, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m.

“City Son: Andrew W. Cooper’s Impact on Modern-Day Brooklyn” is now available at amazon.com.

Shonda Buchanan participating in a VA Beach Pow Wow, 2010.

Shonda Buchanan - “Who’s Afraid of Black Indians?”
Hampton University Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing Shonda Buchanan has authored an award worthy book titled, “Who’s Afraid of Black Indians?” The book is a beautiful collection of poetry that peeks into one American family's cultural window.

A book release party will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Sept. 23. Taking place in The Hampton University Museum’s Native American Gallery, the gathering will feature poetry reading and traditional Native American songs accompanied by Eastern Sky Intertribal drumming.

For more information about “Who’s Afraid of Black Indians?”  and the author or to purchase the book please visit www.shondabuchanan.com.

Former Miss HU adds Miss National Sweetheart crown to her winnings

Desiree Williams is crowned Miss National Sweetheart 2012

Former Miss HU adds Miss National Sweetheart crown to her winnings

Hampton University Graduate Student and Miss Virginia First Runner Up Desiree Williams was crowned Miss National Sweetheart 2012 on Sept. 2. Forty ladies competed in the pageant, which consisted of first runner-ups from the Miss America state pageants.

Williams has a glowing track record in pageantry.

She was Miss Hampton University 2010-2011 and was crowned Miss Peninsula in November of last year. Also in 2011, Williams was featured in Ebony magazine as one of 10 Historically Black College or University (HBCU) Campus Queens. In June, she was first runner up in the Miss Virginia pageant. She will hold the National Sweetheart title for a year.

“My (National Sweetheart) competitors were, without a doubt, among the most talented women in the nation,” Williams said. “Any one of those girls could have been one point or one vote away from representing their state at the Miss America Pageant in January, so I was completely shocked and honored to have won.”

The future holds more opportunities for Williams, academically and socially.

At HU, Williams is in the second year of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from HU in 2011.

And there’s more pageantry, too.

“I will be competing in a Miss Virginia local pageant either late this year or early next year in order to qualify for the Miss Virginia Pageant next June,” Williams said. “Of course my goal at that pageant is to be successful enough to represent Virginia at the Miss America Pageant.”

Leha Byrd