HU Military Alumni Continue Great Works

HU Alumni Darrell Keith Williams Promoted to Major General

Hamptonians gather and celebrate promotion of Darrell Keith Williams.

Darrell Keith Williams '83, a West Palm Beach, Fla., native and former Hampton senior class president, was promoted to Major General at the Redstone Arsenal base, in Huntsville, Ala.

Ten visiting Hamptonians, as well as his wife and Hampton Institute sweetheart of 25 years, the former Miss Myra Richardson,'83- were present at the promotion ceremony.

Currently Williams, the Army's 121st two-star general of its 82,000 servicemen, serves as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

-Tim Alston, '77

HU Alumni Col. James George Returns to HU School of Business 

HU Alumni Col. James George is joined by HU MBA students

The HU School of Business hosted retired Col. James George, the CEO of Management Support Technology Inc (MSTI), located in Fairfax, VA. for a Leadership Application Program seminar on March 25.  George is a 1958 graduate of Hampton Institute where he majored in biology and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant.

During his hour-long presentation, George centered around differences between large and small companies, leadership, networking and many other interesting topics.  George also shared information about his extensive military training and experience.

LAP students presented George with a gift at the conclusion of his presentation.

-Lt. Col. Claude Vann, III, '77

HU Professors Capture and Explain the PanSTARRS Comet Seen Over Hampton Roads

HU Professors Capture and Explain the PanSTARRS Comet Seen Over Hampton Roads

The PanSTARRS Comet has been in the news recently due to its proximity to Earth’s moon, making it visible to many stargazers and comet lovers in North America and Europe.

On the evenings of March 12 and March 13, Dr. Kunio Sayanagi, HU assistant professor of atmospheric science, was able to take a few pictures of the comet as it blazed across the Hampton Roads skies.

While the comet has been available to observers since the weekend, it has been hard to capture a picture because of the comet’s low position above the horizon.

Dr. WilliamMoore, associate professor of atmospheric and planetary science, researches comets and was able to share information about the PanSTARRS Comet:

“It is called PAN-STARRS after the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, a robotically controlled telescope in Hawaii which first spotted the comet in June 2011.  It is a visitor from the outermost reaches of the solar system, a region known as the Oort cloud.  It takes over 100,000 years to go around the sun, and spends almost all of that time very far away, much further than Pluto.  

When it is out beyond Mars, it is a solid chunk of ices, frozen substances including water, methane, ammonia and dust. When it comes close to the Sun, like it is now, those ices turn into vapors and expand away from the surface of the comet, taking little chunks of ice and dust with them.

The chunks reflect sunlight, like a cloud, that makes the comet look hazy or fluffy. The vapor and dust get blown by the solar wind making the distinctive tail. Comets don't last forever. They lose mass every time they come near the sun, but since PAN-STARRS doesn't do that very often, it should last a long time.”

Sayanagi’s pictures were taken behind the HU Dining Hall. The images capture the comet and it’s tail as it glides across the skies of Hampton Roads. Click on the images to enlarge the picture.

The PanSTARR comet is circled in the image above to the left. The crescent moon is to the right. Picture taken March 12.

The PanSTARRS Comet is circled in the image above. The crescent moon is high above. Picture taken March 13.

The PanSTARRS Comet is circled in the image above, just above the Virginia Air and Space Museum in Downtown Hampton.

HU Child Development Center Welcomed Student Athletes for Read Across America Day

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” –Dr. Seuss

HU Student Athletes joined faculty and students at the HU Child Development Center (CDC) to celebrate the National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America program. 

“Dr. Seuss has been instrumental in all of our lives and it really starts with the basics… reading,” said Alexis Robertson, assistant director of athletics for student services and senior women administrator. “Our students are students first and athletes second so what better way to get out in the community and promote literacy than starting right here at the HU Child Development Center.”

Launched in 1998, Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. NEA’s Read Across America, which falls on beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss’s birthday, expects more than 45 million readers, both young and old, to pick up a book and read. With research showing that children who are motivated to read perform better in school, this annual reading motivation and awareness program aims to bring reading excitement to children of all ages.

“Read Across America Day became a very special occasion for the children of the HU Child Development Center thanks to an outreach from the Athletic Department and the volunteer HU student athletes,” said Constance Goode, director of CDC.

The track team and women’s basketball team read to small groups during the visit at HU’s CDC. Later that day, volunteers from the football, tennis and volleyball teams joined the group at other schools throughout Hampton Roads.

To view more images from the day click here!

HU Pharmacy students visit, advise at General Assembly

HU School of Pharmacy students and faculty  stand outside the General Assembly Building on Virginia Pharmacy Day.

HU Pharmacy students visit, advise at General Assembly

Twenty-four Hampton University School of Pharmacy students traveled to Richmond, Va. Jan. 30 to participate in Virginia Pharmacy Day at the General Assembly Building. The event is hosted annually by the Virginia Pharmacist Association and is a combination of a health fair, and legislative visits with state representatives, to discuss pharmacy-related issues.

HU School of Pharmacy Drs. Antonio Carrion, Carl Tullio and Ebony Andrews took the trip with students. Members of HU’s National Community Pharmacist Association (NCPA) developed informational brochures on diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, to disseminate to legislators. The group was honored as guests of HU Liberal Arts Dean and United Sates Senator, Mamie Locke D-Hampton, during the Senate session.

The trip was an opportunity for students to see the power of their voices, Andrews said.

“Meeting with the legislators and sitting in on the House and Senate sessions allows them an opportunity to voice their concerns and hopefully assist in the passage or denial of laws that impact the profession, and the provision of care to the patients we serve,” she said. “I want them to see they have the power to make a difference if they take the time to get involved.

Pharmacy Student Brittany Lowe was able to perform blood pressure checks on various people, including legislators, during the General Assembly visit. She also gave advice to politicians, as she witnessed them in the rush of their workday.

“I noticed that this population … traveled from room to room in a very hasty manner. I detected that their blood pressures were running very high,” she said. “Being in health care, I strongly believe it is imperative to be able to interact with patients that have different careers, and take into consideration the flow of their everyday work environment.”

The health fair consisted of cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure screenings. This year, a booth to take back expired and unwanted medications was available to both legislators and the public.

This experience can help students become well rounded, Andrews said.  

“I hope this trip inspires our students to become more involved in the laws and regulations that affect not only their profession as future pharmacist, but healthcare as a whole,” she said.

Lowe said the experience was eye opening to the health field’s political side.

“It gives students the opportunity to learn about the different health care laws and bills that are passed and can have an appreciation for health care from a political view instead of only as a clinician,” she said.

-Leha Byrd

HU WHOV Station Manager Hosts Book Signing

Jay Lang- “Wisdom From The Jazzman”

Jay Lang, station manager of 88.1 WHOV FM Hampton University Radio, has authored his first motivational work. The book was inspired by the author’s nightly motivational segment on his radio show, starting in 2001. An inspirational devotional, titled “Wisdom From The Jazzman” possesses segments based upon life experiences and wisdom learned through his spiritual journey. Köehler Books, an Imprint of Morgan James Publishing, published “Wisdom From The Jazzman” on January 1. It can be found in the Self Improvement section of bookstores worldwide as well as through iTunes, Kindle, Nook, Amazon.com, Quill, Books -A-Million and Sony E-Books.

A book signing will be held at Barnes & Noble Saturday Feb. 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. located in the Peninsula Towne Center in Hampton, Va.

For more information about “Wisdom From The Jazzman” and the author or to purchase the book please visit www.wisdomfromthejazzman.com

-Brianna Dance '14



Alum chosen to introduce the First Lady and decorate the White House for the holidays

  Alum chosen to introduce the First Lady and decorate the White House for the holidays

Jennifer Cole, a 1990 Hampton University graduate, started out the holiday season by introducing First Lady Michelle Obama on Nov. 28 at the press preview of the White House decorations. 

Jennifer Cole listens to First Lady Michelle Obama.

Cole was one of 80 volunteers selected to help spread the spirit of the season by decorating the White House for the holidays.  In her application to volunteer to decorate the White House, Cole spoke about being a military spouse.  

“I gave them what I thought were ordinary details about Don’s [Cole’s husband] years of service,” said Cole. “This is the fourth Christmas in 15 years that we will actually get to spend together and since he retired from the Air Force I have been looking for other ways to serve.”

From Nov. 23 -Nov. 27, Cole worked with other volunteers from across the country to prepare the White House for the holiday season. Cole’s team of volunteers were assigned several rooms including the East Entrance and the East Landing, where the tree dedicated to military families is located.

HU Alumnae Jennifer Cole, '90 and her husband Retired Col. Donald Cole

“It happens to be my favorite tree, I was assigned to make ornaments for that tree and it was a great honor since I am the daughter of a WWII veteran and the wife of an Air Force retiree with 30 years of service,” said Cole.

On the second day of volunteering, Cole was told about the press preview of the holiday decorations and was asked to introduce Mrs. Obama. “It was emotionally overwhelming!” she said.

Shortly before the press briefing, Cole, her husband and father had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Obama in the Blue Room and took a picture with her. “ She is everything you would imagine - warm, funny and grateful to meet those who have served our country,” said Cole. 

Cole delivered a funny, yet moving three-minute introduction speech and when Mrs. Obama arrived on stage, she hugged Cole and thanked her family for everything they’ve done for the country and for making the White House beautiful. 

Cole and her family truly enjoyed the experience. Hampton University roots run deep in her family. Her father, Rhomie L. Heck, Jr. is a 1952 Hampton graduate as well as her siblings Rhomie L. Heck III, '76, Julie A. Heck, '80 and Theodore Heck, '80. Her sister-in-law, Dr. Rosalynne Whitaker-Heck, is the assistant dean of academic affairs in the HU Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications and her stepson, Jonathan Cole is the graphic designer in the Office of University Relations. 

The White House Christmas 2012 special was featured on HGTV on Dec. 8. The special will run throughout the holiday season. Check HGTV White House Christmas 2012 for more information.    

 - Jalisa Stanislaus

HU joins group to increase safety and enhance the future of aviation

HU joins group to increase safety and enhance the future of aviation

Hampton University has been named an affiliate member of the FAA Center of Excellence Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability (PEGASAS) group. The PEGASAS group is a part of the newly established FAA Center of Excellence led by Purdue University, The Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology.  

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently established the Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) for general aviation.  The COE will focus research and testing efforts on safety, accessibility and sustainability to enhance the future of general aviation.

The FAA’s COE program is a cost-sharing research partnership between academia, industry and the federal government.  Research and development efforts by PEGASAS will cover a broad spectrum of general aviation safety issues, including airport technology, propulsion and structures, airworthiness, flight safety, fire safety, human factors, system safety management and weather.

Hampton University’s Department of Aviation is the only Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in America with a FAA approved air traffic control instruction program. Graduates from the HU aviation programs have established careers as pilots for the military and commercial airplanes and serve in airports and air traffic control towers across the country.  

The FAA established the first Center of Excellence for General Aviation in 2001 through a 10-year agreement to conduct general aviation research in airport and aircraft safety areas.  The research topics included pilot training, human factors, weather, Automatic Dependent Surveillance/Broadcast (ADS-B), remote airport lighting systems and other matters.

As the first Center of Excellence for General Aviation research concludes, the new team will continue critical research, testing and education efforts. The FAA intends to invest a minimum of $500,000 per year during the first five years of the new, 10-year agreement with PEGASAS.