Vince Bullock

HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 30, 2022) — On June 30th, Hampton University’s very own Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, graduating class of 1970 and the legendary president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), retired after 30 years of historic service to the institution he transformed into a leader in STEM education. 

During Dr. Hrabowski’s three-decade tenure at UMBC, he utilized a data-driven plan to assist at-risk students by establishing a support system for them, and he transformed entry level courses with the goal of increasing retention numbers for freshmen, to one of his many accomplishments. 

“Dr. Freeman Hrabowski has been a truly transformative leader at the University of Maryland Baltimore County for the last 30 years,” said Darrell K. Williams. “His intellect, experience, visionary leadership and overall presence will be sorely missed in higher education. Dr. Hrabowski has more than lived up to THE Standard of Excellence, that all Hamptonians aspire too, as he has unequivocally let his life do the singing.”

Under Hrawbowski’s leadership, UMBC transformed into an institution noted for research and innovation. From 2009 – 2014 UMBC was ranked by U.S. News & World Report magazine as the #1 Up and Coming University in the country. When that designation was eliminated UMBC was regularly listed among the Most Innovative National Universities.

Hrabowski’s published book and articles focused on minorities entering in the STEM fields. He is the co-author of the books Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Males (1998); Overcoming the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Young Women (2001); Holding Fast to Dreams: Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM (2015); and The Empowered University: Shared Leadership, Culture Change, and Academic Success (2019).

Dr. Hrabowski is a consultant on science and math education to national agencies, universities, and school systems. He was named by President Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He also chaired the National Academies’ committee that produced the report, Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America’s Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads (2011). In 2011, Hrabowski received the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Academic Leadership Award, one of the highest honors given to an educator. Several publications have named him one of America’s best leaders, one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and one of America’s 10 best college presidents.

HAMPTON, VA (Sept. 30, 2022) — The Prudential Foundation has awarded Hampton University a gift in the amount of $10,000. The funds will be used to provide student scholarship support.

The donation was presented during the Hamptonians on the Vineyard event, which alumni organize annually during the month of August to raise funding for the University.   

Hampton President Darrell K. Williams said, “The alumni of Hampton University are among the greatest anywhere. Their devotion, dedication, and support of this institution is tremendous and is greatly appreciated. The organizers of this fundraiser are using their contacts to ensure Hampton remains great, and I will forever be grateful for supportive leaders like these.” 

Kirsten Roach, co-chair of the Martha’s Vineyard event as well as co-chair of the 2022 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated fundraising effort for Hampton said, “We are delighted to support our alma mater through these fundraising efforts. Without the experience we received at Hampton, many of us would not be where we are today. Go, Pirates!” 

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 757.727.5253. 

About Hampton University
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts under girding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of the highest quality. A historically black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism. The University serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. Visit www.hamptonu.edu for more information. 

HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 30, 2022) — Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams, who served as Acting U.S. Surgeon General from April 2017 to September 2017, has been named the seventh president of the University of North Texas Health (UNT) Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC).

“We extend sincere congratulations to Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams for her recent appointment as the President of the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “For many years, Dr. Trent-Adams has been dedicated and committed to providing the best scientific information available for improving health.  She will continue to ensure positive outcomes for students under her leadership, and she is yet another example of one of our graduates upholding the Hampton ‘Standard of Excellence.’” 

Dr. Trent-Adams will succeed Dr. Michael R. Williams, who was named chancellor of the UNT System on Jan. 1. In her capacity as HSC president, she will report to the UNT System chancellor and is the CEO of the university. She will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all campus programs, services and activities in every area of the university, including academic affairs, administration, strategic planning, student services, financial management, external relations, and fundraising.

The president leads, champions, and leverages the critical and unique role of the campus in advancing HSC’s academic, research, and outreach mission, and in supporting the university’s reputation as a distinguished academic health science center. 

Dr. Trent-Adams formerly served as the executive vice president and chief strategy officer at HSC. In this role, she assisted the president in developing, communicating, executing and sustaining strategic initiatives, and she led the strategic planning process with a focus on accelerating organizational performance.

Prior to joining HSC, Dr. Trent-Adams served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health from January 2019 through August 2020. She shared responsibility with the Assistant Secretary for Health for planning, coordinating, and directing substantive program matters; policy and program development; and determining and setting legislative and program priorities. She also served from 2015 to 2018 as the Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. In that role, she was a trusted advisor to the Surgeon General, providing support on a variety of critical issues, including efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

Prior to serving as Deputy Surgeon General, Dr. Trent-Adams was Deputy Associate Administrator for the HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration. In this role, she helped manage the $2.3 billion Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, which funds medical care, treatment, referrals and support services for uninsured and underserved people living with HIV disease, as well as training for health care professionals.

In 2017, Dr. Trent-Adams earned the International Red Cross Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor that can be bestowed upon a nurse. Among her other recognitions is a Distinguished Service Medal for sustained leadership, dedication, and service at the highest levels while serving as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Deputy Surgeon General. Dr. Trent-Adams is also the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal for her leadership during the Commissioned Corps response to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa; and the Surgeon General’s Medallion for service as acting Surgeon General from April to September 2017.

Dr. Trent-Adams earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at Hampton University and in 1987 was commissioned into the U. S. Army as a graduate of the University’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.  Trent-Adams received a Master of Science degree in Nursing and Health Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

She is a fellow in the National Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Nursing, National Academy of Practice, and the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. Dr. Trent-Adams is also a member of the U.S. Army ROTC Hall of Fame.

HAMPTON, VA (Sept. 6, 2022) – Hampton University, one of the nation’s leading Historically Black Colleges & Universities, today announced the addition of award-winning newsman Maynard Eaton to the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. A 1971 Hampton University graduate, Eaton is an eight-time, EMMY-winning journalist and the first African American local newsman at WVEC – Channel 13 in Hampton. 

“We are honored to welcome Endowed Professor Eaton to our school,” said Julia A. Wilson, dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. “Professor Eaton is a veteran journalist and local pioneer in the television industry, with vast experience and expertise in covering high-profile news stories.  

“I know Professor Eaton will inspire our students with his skills in investigative reporting and his knowledge of media ethics and America’s formative Civil Rights Era. His exceptional journalistic mastery and high standards of ethics will be invaluable in helping us develop culturally literate, diverse, and internationally competitive journalists and strategic communicators,” Wilson said. 

For more than 40 years, Eaton has conducted numerous high-profile news reports and interviews with heads of state, political luminaries, renowned entertainers, athletes, and civil rights leaders. For the past decade, he has served as National Communications Director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy organization.  Eaton continues to write feature articles for the National Association of Black Journalists’ Black News & Views and the Spelman College Messenger.

Eaton has garnered many prestigious awards and accolades including a Gannett News Service reporting award, 2008 Journalist of the Year by the Rainbow/PUSH civil rights group, eight EMMY Awards for TV news reporting/writing, two Atlanta Association of Black Journalist awards for his excellence in writing and reporting, and several honors from the National Association of Black Journalists.  

Eaton earned his Master’s of Arts degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where he was mentored by the late Fred Friendly (former president of CBS News), and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University. In addition to teaching writing and content editing classes, Eaton will teach JAC 454 Civil Rights Era & the Media, and JAC 404 Media Ethics.

About Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications

The Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is committed to preparing its students with a high-quality and well-rounded education for global careers in journalism and strategic communications. SHSJC emphasizes accuracy, balance, fairness, integrity and high ethical standards. The Scripps Howard brand is internationally renowned as a foundation that promotes supporting and enabling aspiring journalists. Website: shsjc.hamptonu.edu

The 94th Oscars celebration was this past Sunday and we know what everyone is talking about– how Hampton University represented! Here are some of the pictures from the event.

Behind the Scenes, with Jack Manning HU Alum Jack Manning was on the red carpet and behind the scenes. Here are some of the snapshots he captured.

To help expand the diversity of the talent that will shape the future of robotics, Amazon has invested in a number of academic engagements with colleges and universities, including a new collaboration with Hampton University.

At Hampton University, a historically black college and university (HBCU) based in Hampton, Virginia known for its cutting-edge STEM research, Amazon Robotics is funding the establishment of a robotics degree program.

By investing in developing Hampton’s robotics program, Amazon supports building expansive learning opportunities for faculty and students by offering cloud-based robotics research, infrastructure improvements, and STEM-based activities to increase the overall talent pipeline. The goal is to create an undergraduate curriculum that will lead to both advanced robotics degrees as well as robotics careers within industry.

“We are very thankful Amazon Robotics has invested in Hampton University and its students for this project which will enable the growth and development of the next generation of diverse STEM scholars,” said William R. Harvey, Hampton University president. “Amazon Robotics recognizes the stellar talent that comprises Hampton University’s faculty, staff, and students to launch this program. I look forward to seeing what innovations will blossom from this cutting-edge partnership.”

Amazon funding will assist with establishing:

• A new research laboratory in an existing space
• A one-year faculty position dedicated to artificial intelligence and machine learning
• A senior capstone course where students will receive side-by-side mentorship from leading researchers, software developers, and engineers at Amazon
• The expansion of kindergarten through grade 12 programming, including an annual drone camp aimed at encouraging high school and middle school students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue degrees in STEM and robotics

“This will not only build infrastructure inside the school, but it also provides funding for Hampton to go out into the community,” said Tye Brady, chief technologist for Amazon Robotics. “That will allow Hampton to share the excitement of robotics and the excitement of engineering with those who may not have had exposure to it yet.”

Hampton’s existing relationship with Amazon — its computer science students participate in AWS training and certification — provided an avenue to explore the robotics opportunity. It also provided Hampton an opportunity to both revive a dormant project and to allow its faculty to expand their own knowledge.

“Several years back, we were engaged with a cross section of HBCUs in a robotics initiative to get our students interested in computer science through introducing them to robotics,” explained Jean Muhammad, chair of the Hampton computer science department. “That was a great project that fell to the wayside, and it included a course in robotics that students really liked. So we’re pleased to add robotics back. We’re also very excited about getting more engaged with AI and machine learning.

“Quite a few of us have experience in AI, but we have not had as much experience in machine learning. I look at this as a way not only to get back into the robotics space, but for both our faculty — and then subsequently our students — to build capacity in those other areas that are all tied together. Our faculty is quite excited about this as well.”

Hampton students will also receive free AWS credits, allowing them to use AWS tools and computational power for robotics projects. Hampton officials said they hope to eventually create a master’s degree in robotics for their students, and noted that the nature of Amazon’s support makes that much more achievable.

“Amazon had a unique approach. They asked, ‘What do you want and what do you need?’ Then they said, ‘Put something together that’s going to benefit you and let us see how we can help you achieve that,’” Muhammad said. “We have a lot of industries that approach us in engineering and computer science. It’s not often that we get someone that comes in with that approach.”

Muhammad also emphasized that Amazon’s willingness to encourage and incorporate feedback from Hampton was a crucial part of the collaboration. “Sometimes we told Amazon, ‘This idea is great, but if you did this it would be greater.’ And then they said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get you that’ and ‘OK, we can do that.’ I haven’t seen that before.”

“Not only does that support help ensure the program launches smoothly,” Harrison noted, “It also goes a long way toward ensuring it can be a success. What does a successful program look like? It looks like a partnership; it looks like a true collaboration between Amazon and an HBCU. It looks like this.”