Hampton, Va. (October 28, 2022) — Six Hampton University students have recently earned official university endorsements for the prestigious U.S. Rhodes Scholarship. Under the direction of Hampton University’s new President Darrell K. Williams, Hampton University deans were encouraged to nominate their strongest possible undergraduate contenders for the extraordinary post-graduate scholarship to Oxford University. The result was that the following six Hampton University graduating seniors, all with “A” academic averages, were encouraged to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship:
– Ms. Niara Chaney, an electrical engineering major, mentor to TRIO Program students, and member of the Society of Women in Engineering
– Ms. Kamaria Horton, a computer science major and a track-and-field scholar-athlete
– Mr. Myles Ragins, an electrical engineering major and mathematics minor, who is also a percussionist in the Hampton University band
– Ms. Imani Porter, a biochemistry major, member of the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute, and the lead author of a recently published manuscript based on experiments conducted by HU undergraduates in a Hampton University laboratory
– Mariah Smith, a pre-law member of the Freddye T. Davy Honors College, Greer Dawson Wilson Student Leadership Program, and the William R. Harvey Leadership Institute. Ms. Smith is an economics major with a minor in leadership studies
– Ms. Zyen Smoot, an English (Creative Writing) major at Hampton University, poet, literary magazine editor, and aspiring publisher/professor with a perfect 4.0 GPA
“These fine Hampton University candidates – one young man and five young women — are absolutely exceptional,” said Dr. Carlton Long, the Director of the Freddye T. Davy Honors College at Hampton University, and a former U.S. Rhodes Scholar himself. “They are certainly destined to achieve great things, to solve big problems and forge important pathways forward for their generation, our society, and indeed the world. Hampton University is extremely proud to endorse these humble and brilliant people for Rhodes Scholarships. They stand on the shoulders of persons who make up the proud legacy of Hampton University and they also represent, simply put, the ‘best and brightest’ of their generation.”
“Hampton University takes great pride in nurturing and developing leaders who excel and achieve above and beyond our expectations,” said Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, Hampton University’s Chancellor and Provost. “These young scholars are perfect examples of the ‘best and the brightest’ students here at Hampton University. We are confident that they will continue to demonstrate character and excellence in all that they do.”