General

Hampton, VA (February 8, 2023) – Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams has named Anthony D. Henderson, Sr. as the new director of athletics. Henderson is a nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletics and has 20 years of progressive athletics leadership experience. His appointment is effective February 27. 

“We are very pleased that Anthony is joining our team,” stated President Williams. “He brings significant broad experience in critical areas necessary to elevate Hampton’s championship excellence. His reputation with the broader athletics community is second to none. We cannot wait to experience the impact of Anthony’s leadership within higher education athletics.”

Henderson comes to Hampton from Yale University where he served as deputy director of athletics, leading all revenue generation and extending the brand and messaging of Yale Athletics through private philanthropy, corporate support, ticket sales, marketing efforts, community engagement, strategic communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Prior to Yale, Henderson was the senior associate athletics director and executive director of athletics advancement at William & Mary, leading athletics philanthropic strategies and assisting in ensuring financial stability for The Tribe. Additionally, he was the sport administrator for the football program. Henderson also has served as the associate athletics director at the University of Akron where he was responsible for day-to-day operations of the Z-Fund, the fundraising arm of Akron Athletics and each of its 20 sports, including fundraising for capital projects, scholarships, and major gifts.

“I am extremely excited about being named Hampton University’s director of athletics,” Henderson said. “Hampton is home for me. I was a student –athlete who played football here, and I am a proud Hampton graduate. To return as the leader of this department is surreal and an auspicious honor. I look forward to continuing the legacy of producing championships and creating transformational opportunities for our student –athletes, inside and outside of the classroom.”   

Prior to joining the University of Akron, Henderson served as assistant director of athletic development at Old Dominion University (ODU). He managed donor relationships and helped grow the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation’s endowment to more than $16 million. Additionally, he contributed to increasing the overall donor membership to 52% during his tenure.

Preceding his employment with ODU, Henderson worked as the senior account executive at The Event Authority, LLC, in Charlotte, NC; the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) in Virginia Beach, VA; Disney Sports Attractions in Orlando, FL; and the Richmond Braves baseball club in Richmond, VA.

As an outstanding athletics administrator, Henderson was selected from among 25 senior-level administrators from across the country to participate in the prestigious 2018 NCAA Pathway Program. The program is designed to elevate those currently in senior-level positions within athletics administration to the next step in reaching their goal of becoming directors of athletics. 

Henderson, a Hampton 40 under 40 honoree (2016), holds professional credentials from the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) in which he has served as a conference representative for two separate terms (Peach Belt Conference 2011-2013; Mid-American Conference 2013-2015), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He is a two –time recipient of the NAADD Diversity Award, selected for the inaugural class of 10 individuals for the NAADD Executive Committee Mentor Program, and is a graduate of the 2011 Dr. Charles Whitcomb NCAA Leadership Institute. He also has been a participant of the NACDA Senior Level Administrators Mentoring Institute, Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium, LEAD1 (Formerly D1A Athletic Directors’) Association Institute and is also a former Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Western Reserve in Akron. 

While competing as a student-athlete on the Hampton University football team, Henderson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. He played defensive back for the Pirates and was a part of the team that won two MEAC regular-season championships and advanced to the NCAA I-AA playoffs in each of those seasons. He also holds a master of science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Sports Leadership where he graduated cum laude.

Henderson will report directly to the University President, serve as a member of the President’s Council, and oversee 17 NCAA Division I varsity athletic programs.

MSNBC President Rashida Jones Headlines Alumni Honorees

(HAMPTON, VA) – Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications alumna and MSNBC President Rashida Jones headlines the school’s distinguished alumni, as SHSJC prepares for its 20^th-year anniversary celebration on Feb. 10, 2023, Dean Julia A. Wilson announced today.

The celebration commemorates the $10 million donation in 2002 from the Scripps Howard Foundation. The gift was made during the tenure of the Foundation’s former president and chief executive officer, Judith Clabes, a champion for excellence in journalism and journalism education. The Foundation, the longtime philanthropic arm of, The E.W. Scripps Company, is now an affiliate of the newly created public-facing Scripps Howard Fund.

Dean Wilson will present SHSJC’s coveted Achievement of Excellence Award to Jones, a 2002 graduate, while 2011 alumna Jessi Mitchell of WCBS-New York and 2008 alumnus Justin Tinsley of ESPN will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

“To paraphrase the famous Frank Sinatra song, 2002 was indeed ‘a very good year,’” Wilson said. We are grateful to Judith Clabes for the opportunity to relocate the great work done in the Mass Media Arts department into its own building as part of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. We’re delighted to honor Rashida Jones who was a shining star among the talented SHSJC graduating class that first year. She has gone on to run MSNBC, one of our nation’s most prominent and successful cable news networks. We are delighted to have her join our celebration – and salute her achievements with our school’s highest award.”

“Hampton University is a living reflection of our own company’s motto, that is: ‘Give light and people will find their way,” said Adam Chase, vice president and general manager at WTKR, The E.W. Scripps station in Norfolk, VA. “We’re proud of our longtime partnership with Hampton, helping to foster workplace diversity and providing the media industry with qualified journalists and communication professionals.”

WCBS’ Mitchell attended Hampton University on full academic scholarship and graduated magna cum laude, with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in Spanish. ESPN’s Tinsley is a senior sport and culture reporter at that network and is the author of the hip hop music icon’s chronicle, “It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World that Made Him.”

“We are fiercely proud of these highly accomplished graduates,” Wilson said. “They are emblematic of our school’s acumen in, and commitment to, producing world-class journalists.” She added that the school still is accepting commitments from news groups, public relations organizations and other corporations to present their companies’ opportunities to students and offer student interviews and ‘a foot in the door’ at the all-day Career Fair that precedes the evening award presentations. A total of 30 companies can be accommodated in the school building for the Career Fair, with each company contributing a $1,000 or $1,500 donation.

The 20^th anniversary celebration culminates with a media star-studded evening reception for alumni, students, sponsors and corporations at The Landing Hotel Marina, near the school.  The celebration will include past and present leaders of the school, students, faculty, staff and alumni. SHSJC’s namesake, Scripps Howard Fund and the E. W. Scripps Company, will serve as the event’s ‘Presenting Sponsor;’ while The Washington Post, GrayTV, Virginia Association of Broadcasters and WAVY-TV are participating donors for the Career Fair.

“We thank the Scripps organization for our longstanding and treasured partnership, as well as its gracious sponsorship of this special event,” Wilson said. “And, we’re honored to have news icons and strategic communications companies such as The Washington Post, our local TV stations and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters among our participants.

“We believe media companies; corporate communication recruiters and other participants will find some outstanding potential employees and interns at this historic event.  This 20^th anniversary reflects our school’s legacy of providing a stellar “Standard of Excellence” in teaching and service to our students,” Wilson continued.  “For our media and corporate partners, it is a reminder of our commitment to pursuing academic excellence and innovation in a fast-changing news and media landscape.  And we appreciate our partners’ ongoing financial and intellectual support, as we build on our legacy, and continue making plans to create a Global Media Center that will prepare our students for careers in the global marketplace.” 

For more information, please contact Assistant Dean Carol Crabbe (757) 727-5405 or shsjc@hamptonu.edu).

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About The Scripps Howard Fund

The Scripps Howard Fund is a public charity that supports philanthropic causes important to The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) and the communities it serves, with a special emphasis on journalism education, excellence in journalism and childhood literacy. At the crossroads of the classroom and the newsroom, the Fund is a leader in supporting journalism through scholarships, internships, minority recruitment and development and First Amendment causes. The Scripps Howard Awards stand as one of the industry’s top honors for outstanding journalism, and the Fund’s annual “If You Give a Child a Book …” childhood literacy campaign has distributed thousands of new books to children in need across the nation. In support of its mission to create a better-informed world, the Fund also partners with Scripps brands to create awareness of local issues and support organizations that help build thriving communities.The Scripps Howard Foundation, an affiliated organization with the Scripps Howard Fund, supports Scripps’ charitable efforts through its endowment, key assets and major donations.

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 undergirding. 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. 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.

About the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications

Founded in 2002, the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications emphasizes excellence and innovation while adhering to the core standards and ethical principles of the industry. The Scripps Howard School is equipped with a professional television studio and control room, a live, FM radio station (WHOV 88.1 MHz) with digital streaming to the Internet, high-tech classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art Promethean boards and a 150-seat stadium-style media auditorium. Students and alumni have worked internship positions and launched media careers with top-ranked organizations such as Google, NPR, Radio One, St. Petersburg Times, The Washington Post, Essence Magazine, Time Magazine, ESPN, USA Today, Bloomberg News, Ogilvy, Burson-Marsteller, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and many more.

KapEX Foundation to Announce Scholarship Awards Program for Hampton Students

Featured panelists include Google, Ikea, Johnson & Johnson, and others

HAMPTON, Va. (FEB. 14, 2023) —  On Tues., Feb. 21, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hampton University Student Center, in honor of the 2023 Black History Month celebration, Hampton University is holding a Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit.

In addition to celebrating Black History Month in a meaningful way with top national business leaders, this session is intended to achieve several objectives:

• To expose students to new and growing fields for which many are well-suited
• To provide students with “aspirational visions” of future success through engagement with Hampton alumni and other speakers
• To create on-campus exposure opportunities for corporation representatives to meet/greet Hampton’s stellar students and build deeper/richer relationships between influential partner firms and Hampton students

Featured participants include:

• Derek Lewis, Leader, Consultant, Former President, PepsiCo Multicultural
• Cecil Johnson, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion -Pharmaceuticals/R & D at Johnson & Johnson
• Stephani Lewis, General Counsel, Chief Diversity Officer, IKEA North America
• Melonie Parker, Chief Diversity Officer, Google
• Gena Pemberton, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Omnicom Health Group Inc.
• Dr. Janice Underwood, Director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
• Gerty Simon, Vice President/ Regional Diversity Officer, Morgan Stanley
• Cathy Council, New York Life, Head of DEI Center for Awareness and Advocacy

Dr. Barbara Inman, Vice President for Administrative Services, said, “Hampton’s partnership with these amazing organizations and their representatives will provide important information on the growing career opportunities focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Many of the speakers are Hampton alumni further demonstrating the great benefits of a Hampton education.”

Other event participants include Hampton philanthropic partners Riverside Healthcare and Sentara Healthcare. Finally, the KapEX Foundation will announce its awards program wherein four students will be awarded $5000 scholarships for the fall 2023 semester. The program is only available to Hampton students, and awards announcements will occur by April 30, 2023.

For additional information on submitting an application for this fund or if you have questions, contact Dr. Felicia Blow at 757.727/5350. 

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.

Hampton, Va. (January 24, 2023) – “It was a great honor and privilege to be the keynote speaker for the Dollar Tree Corporation’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. program. As we all know, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was a giant for justice and equality for all. However, what makes his recognition and celebration much more special is that his mother Alberta Christine Williams King enrolled in Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute (now Hampton University) and earned a teaching certificate in 1924. And Dr. King and I share a special bond of fraternity brothers as we’re both members of the first black Greek-lettered fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams.

“We truly appreciate you sharing the connections Hampton University has with both the King family and Rosa Parks.  We appreciate you sharing your personal story, your kind comments about our organization, and how you connected it to our theme of “Advancing the Dream…Educating, Evolving, and Sustaining Momentum,” said Bobby Patrick, Senior Vice-President of Merchandising-Variety, Leader of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, of Chesapeake, Virginia.

About Dollar Tree

Founded in 1986, Dollar Tree Inc. is a leading operator of more than 16,000 discount variety stores throughout North America in 28 states and five Canadian provinces.  For more information please visit:  dollar tree.com

HAMPTON, Va. (January 23, 2023) – Hampton University Vice President and Chief of Staff Dr. Walter T. Tillman, Jr. has been elected as a board member of the Hampton Roads Philharmonic (HRP). 

“Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams has prioritized Hampton’s increased engagement with our local and regional community.  As a new member of the Hampton Roads community and a lifelong lover of diverse musical genres, I am delighted for this opportunity to serve my new community. Thanks to the current members who have welcomed me with open arms.  I look forward to the great music we shall make together,” said Dr. Tillman.

“We are also looking forward to the professional advice that Dr. Tillman may be able to offer our organization, especially with regards to developing a long-term strategic plan,” said Dr. Chelsey Hamm, Director of Music Theory and Aural Skills, Christopher Newport University.

The HRP is excited about the possible collaborations between the orchestra and Hampton.  Engaging students and faculty is an important goal of HRP.  Dr. Hamm states, “The HRP is also hoping to benefit the University; for example, we would be delighted to welcome students for internships or volunteer work for Community Engaged Learning courses. We have endless volunteer opportunities, from social media to music librarianship to concert setup and take down, and we love working with young-adult volunteers.”

The HRP is a volunteer orchestra comprising community members that include active and retired military, music teachers, students, senior citizens, and youth.  The orchestra performs four programs throughout the season:  October, December, March, and May; HRP Music Director Steven Brindle leads it.  “Sharing our passion for the music with a live audience is why we’re here,” said Brindle.

The mission of the HRP is “To strive for artistic excellence, increase community awareness and participation in the performing arts, program a diverse selection of repertoire, and create a variety of educational opportunities and experiences,” said      Dr. Hamm.

For more information on HRP, Phone: 757-726-7369 or https://www.hrphil.org/.

Hampton, Va. (January 24, 2023) – Hampton University senior Margaret Daramola was selected to deliver her poem “Promised Land” during the 130^th Annual Hampton University Founder’s Day Ceremony.  Daramola is the winner of the Hampton University Student Poet Initiative Award.

“We are excited that Margaret is the recipient of this distinguished award.  The student Poet Initiative is the brainchild of our illustrious President Williams, who continues to create opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, dean, School of Liberal Arts and Education; and primary investigator for the Center for Teaching and Learning in the Humanities, Arts, and Sciences.

The poem tells the story of Hampton University. “By concretizing my experience at HU, I aim to tell a story of resilience, using an extended metaphor to which every Hamptonian can relate,” says Daramola.  While writing the poem, she says Hampton University’s student body, faculty, and history were considered.  “With this poem, I wish to remind the students of their resilience and the faculty of their immeasurable value,” said Daramola.

Daramola was born in Nigeria and grew up in Switzerland.  The English and history major is the recipient of the prestigious Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.  She chose to attend Hampton University because, as she says, “I was very interested in African history and African American literature. What attracted me to Hampton was its curriculum in the School of Liberal Arts and Education. I came to Hampton on a full-ride scholarship to play volleyball. Playing Division I volleyball in the USA was a dream come true. It was through athletics that I got my foot in the door.”

Pathway Through Survival is a collection of poetry published by Daramola about healing.  She wants young people to remember that “healing may not look like what we envision it to look like, but it will come if we persevere and work on it,” said Daramola.

“Margaret is truly one of Hampton’s student stars and is a shining example of the promising individuals that we attract to Hampton and that we nurture towards excellence and to realize their full potential, “said Malone-Colon.

Founder’s Day occurred on Sunday, January 29 at 11:30 a.m. in Robert C. Ogden Hall.

HAMPTON, Va. (January 29, 2023) – President Darrell K. Williams presided over his first Founder’s Day celebration as Hampton University celebrated the 130^th Annual Founder’s Day Ceremony on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

“Amazing and awesome are my thoughts when I consider the connection between the founder Brigadier General Armstrong and myself, a retired Army officer, accepting the mantle and pushing us forward. Amazing!” said Williams.

Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute was founded on April 1, 1868 by Brigadier General Samuel Chapman Armstrong.  The Institute offered an education of “the head, the heart, and the hand” to the formerly enslaved. In keeping with tradition, a commemorative service was held at the Hampton University Cemetery, during which President Williams placed a wreath on General Armstrong’s tombstone.

Hampton University Alumnus Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, president emeritus of The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), who served from 1992 to 2022, was the Founder’s Day keynote speaker.

“Though a visionary, General Armstrong could never have imagined that one day an African American would also be a military general and the president of this institution,” Dr. Hrabowski said during a motivational address in the historic Robert C. Ogden Auditorium on the Hampton campus. “I want us to celebrate today the idea of this journey of leadership and excellence,” Hrabowski said.

Hrabowski and his wife Jacqueline are both 1970 graduates of then Hampton Institute and are generous supporters of their alma mater. In 2018, Hampton University recognized their generosity with the naming and dedication ceremony of the Freeman and Jacqueline Hrabowski Student Success Center.

During his speech, Hrabowski said, “Hampton is the number one producer of African Americans who earn Ph. Ds in natural sciences and engineering in the country. You’re in the top five.” During his rousing and inspiring speech, he challenged every student to stand and repeat, “Thoughts, words, actions, habits, character, destiny. Your thoughts become your words; your words become your actions; your actions become your habits; your habits become your character; and your character becomes your destiny. We become what we think we are,” said Hrabowski.

During the Founder’s Day ceremony, President Williams presented the Hampton University Presidential Citizenship Award to Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, superintendent of Hampton City Schools.  Dr. Smith began his tenure as superintendent on July 15, 2015.  Under his leadership, the division’s 32 schools earned full accreditation without conditions in 2019. University Chancellor and Provost Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert presented the Hampton University Professors Emeriti Mamie E. Locke, Ph.D., Department of Political Science, History, and International Studies; and Isai Urasa, Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry. Mr. Novelle Dickenson, president of the Hampton University Quarter-Century Club, recognized the 2023 Quarter-Century Club inductees. Senior English major and history minor Ms. Margaret Daramola stole the show with the recitation of her original poem “Promised Land.” She was the winner of the Hampton University Student Poet Initiative Award. Professor Omar Dickenson conducted the University Choir in two soul-stirring musical selections.

~Commemorative Career Fair & Anniversary Event Held at the Landing~

HAMPTON, VA (Dec. 19, 2022) — Founded in September 2002, this calendar year represents the 20th Anniversary in the establishment of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University. To recognize this important milestone, a celebratory program will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Landing Hotel in Hampton, Va. In addition, a commemorative career fair will be held at the Scripps school featuring the top news and public relations firms in the nation for direct student engagement.

Julia A. Wilson, Dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, said, “Our school was founded to serve as a pipeline
of talent and to bring diversity into the newsrooms. Our students are trained to become professional journalists and strategic communicators who can compete globally. One of the industry’s most glaring weaknesses, when the school was founded, was that there were few people of
color in high profile, leadership positions. We are proud that the Scripps school has contributed greatly to changing that paradigm over these past 20 years by providing exceptional talent to media organizations and public relations agencies worldwide.”

The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is a 36,000-square-foot building and includes classrooms, broadcast journalism facilities, a television studio with state-of-the-art digital editing equipment, a radio station, a multi-media lecture hall and
auditorium, and four computer labs for writing, reporting, and editing for print, broadcast and online journalism and communications.

“Our students are the reason for the success of our school, said Dean Wilson. “With industry professional lecturers from across the country, they are exposed to some of the most prolific journalists and media figures who share real-world industry experiences. We receive inquiries from around the world regarding enrollment. And our faculty are second to none by providing top-tier educational experiences for our students.”

Members of the Scripps team are:

• Julia A. Wilson, Dean (View Full Bio) 
• Carol C. Crabbe, Assistant Dean ( View Full Bio) 
• Maynard Eaton, Endowed Professor (View Full Bio) 
• Deborah Flippens, Assistant Professor (View Full Bio) 
• Dr. James Ford, Assistant Professor (View Full Bio) 

• Efrem Graham, Adjunct Professor (View Full Bio) 
• Tommy Heffron, Assistant Professor (View Full Bio) 
• Jay Lang, General Manager, WHOV 88.1 FM (View Full Bio) 
• Willie C. Moore, Scripps Howard Endowed Professor (View Full Bio) 
• Chad Potter, Broadcast Engineer / IT Manager (View Full Bio) 

• Lynn Waltz, Assistant Professor (View Full Bio) 
• Kimberly Wimbish, Adjunct Professor (View Full Bio) 

Scripps school boasts of partnerships with numerous organizations, including the Scripps Howard Fund, NBC Universal News Group, White House Correspondents Association, WTKR-TV 3, RF Binder, Sloan PR, NBCUniversal/Comcast, WAVY-TV 10, Warner Media, the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Daily Press, 21st Century, Oculus, Canon and MTV Entertainment Group, and many other
organizations.

For more information on the Career Fair and the 20th Anniversary celebration, 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 strong liberal art undergirding. 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.

The Hampton University family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Tyre Nichols. We send our deepest condolences to his parents, family, friends and the entire Memphis community. Though you are geographically hundreds of miles from Hampton, what happens to one of us happens to all of us. We are united with you in spirit. There are no words that can alleviate the hurt we all feel in the wake of this senseless tragedy.

Police Chief Cerelyn C. J. Davis said, “this is a failing of basic humanity towards another individual. This incident was heinous, reckless and inhumane.” The Hampton Pirate nation is keeping Tyre’s family, and everyone impacted by this event, in our prayers during this difficult time.

For any member of the Hampton University community who needs additional support in processing this event, please contact the Student Counseling Center. (757) 727-5617.

Hampton, Va. (February 13, 2023) – Hampton University has again distinguished itself in establishing the Hampton University Repertory Theatre to provide professional theatre offerings for the University and Hampton Roads Community.

“One of our goals is to present engaging, thought-provoking, professional theatre for the campus and community,” says Dr. Karen Turner Ward, artistic director for the Hampton University Repertory Theatre.  Ward is the Old Dominion Endowed Professor of Fine and Performing Arts at Hampton University and has more than 30 years of experience in writing, directing, acting, and producing in theatre.

Establishing a professional theatre on an HBCU campus provides a platform for professional theatre practitioners, playwrights, designers, directors, and actors to showcase world premieres and set the stage for theatergoers to enjoy many of their all-time favorites.  The Hampton University Repertory has the support of an impressive advisory council comprised of Hampton University award-winning theatre and media alums, industry professionals, and successful business advisors — all committed to the University and its distinguished arts legacy. 

“On behalf of everyone on the advisory council board of the Hampton University Repertory Theatre, we’re honored to be a part of this historic endeavor of being the first and only repertory theatre housed on a historically Black university campus. We are all examples of why “The Arts Live Here,” and we celebrate the commitment that President Darrell K. Williams, the students, deans, faculty, and staff have to making it a great success,” said Richard Montgomery, advisory council chairman, 1979 Hampton alum, filmmaker, and imaginer at RixStar Studios.

“I credit my experiences in the Little Theatre on campus as the catalyst for my career in Hollywood. My dream began in the costume shop on the second floor of Armstrong Hall and took me to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hampton University Repertory Theatre can provide that same inspiration for students who want to pursue a career in the arts, TV, and film industries. I’ve also established an endowed scholarship to assist students with financial aid to help make their dreams come true,” said Ruth E. Carter, 1982 Hampton Alumna, Oscar-award-winning costume designer, and Hollywood Walk of Fame Honoree.

“I know that the theatre department at Hampton gave me the education for life that has guided me on my 37-year career in the entertainment industry. First as an actor in major Hollywood feature films, then as a producer making independent feature films, and now as a producer and development executive at a major cable network. I know the Hampton Repertory Theater will provide students with the same exposure and experience that helped me succeed. I look forward to working with the advisory council and being a resource for its continued development,” says Raye Dowell, 1982 Hampton alum, BET Networks.

“I think it’s great exposure for the school, being the first HBCU to be able to operate with a repertory theater company and mainly to provide the residents of Virginia the opportunity to work in professional theater with people that have been on Broadway and have been on television,” said advisory council member Kris Coleman, 1998 Hampton alum, Broadway and television actor.

The staff has an impressive lineup of theatre offerings that will take center stage beginning in the spring of 2023 and including star-studded casts. Not only will Hampton Roads audiences benefit from the establishment of the Hampton University Repertory, but Hampton students will also have the opportunity to view professional theatre on their own campus. An additional benefit will be students’ opportunity to work alongside professional theatre practitioners as repertory interns.

This opportunity to house a professional theatre company on the Hampton University campus and expose our students to theatre industry icons personifies President Darrell K. Williams’ commitment to deliver The #1 Student Experience in America.

For more information, contact Dr. Karen Turner Ward, Artistic Director at 757.727.5402 or karen.ward@hamptonu.edu

Hampton, Va. (January 23, 2023) – Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, former University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) president and member of the Hampton University class of 1970, will give the keynote address at the 130th Annual Hampton University Founder’s Day ceremony on Sunday, January 29 at 11:30 a.m. in Hampton’s historic Robert C. Ogden Hall.

“I am honored to welcome Keynote Speaker, Dr. Hrabowski, a proud Hamptonian and supporter back to his alma mater. I am also proud to continue the tradition and legacy of celebrating Founder’s Day. Our visionary founder, General Samuel Chapman Armstrong, believed in ‘an education that encompassed the head, the heart, and the hands.’ We look forward to continuing his principles,” said Darrell K. Williams, Hampton University President.

“I am also excited to hear the poem of Hampton University senior Margaret Daramola, the winner of the Hampton University Student Poet Initiative Award,” said Williams. The poem is entitled “Promised Land.”

During the ceremony, Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams will present the Presidential Citizenship Award to Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, superintendent of Hampton City Schools. Dr. Smith began his tenure as superintendent on July 15, 2015. Under his leadership, all of the division’s 32 schools achieved full accreditation without conditions in 2019. Dr. Smith will retire on July 1.

Founder’s Day activities will also include the commemorative wreath-placing ceremony at the gravesite of the University’s founder Brigadier General Samuel Chapman Armstrong in the Hampton University Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.

Hrabowski was president of UMBC from 1992 to 2022. He continues to serve as a science and math education consultant to national agencies, universities, and school systems. In 2012, he was named by President Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. During his years as president, he helped UMBC gain recognition as a model for inclusive excellence through publications such as U.S. News and World Report, which for over a decade has recognized UMBC as a national leader in academic innovation and undergraduate teaching. In 2012, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People by TIME, and more recently he received the American Council on Education (ACE) Lifetime Achievement Award (2018), the University of California, Berkeley’s Clark Kerr Award (2019), and the University of California, San Francisco’s UCSF Medal (2020).

Hampton, Va. (January 19, 2023) – Hampton University’s Office of the Vice President for Research organized the two-day research workshop “Cultivating Your Research Ideas:  Federal Proposal Development” on January 9 and 10, 2023. The workshop was designed for both STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and non-stem faculty who are interested in applying for federal grants. “This is the first time there has been such a workshop for faculty. Quality Education for Minorities (QEM), our partners in grant writing, coordinated the workshop. I am looking forward to more informative sessions and am hopeful that the workshops will significantly benefit Hampton faculty,” said Dr. Neelam Azad, Vice President for Research and an Endowed University Professor of Pharmacy.

Hampton University President Darrel K. Williams emphasized that research is a major part of the University’s strategic plan.  Hampton is presently designated an R3 research institution. Moving forward, Williams’ goal is “to regain R2 designation during the 2025 designation cycle and then work toward achieving R1 designation. I want to make it very clear that I am dedicated to doing those things which are necessary in order to get us there.”

R1 research institutions invest in new technologies and innovations in diverse fields.  Because they drive discovery, research universities play a major role in the economy.  The Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education recognizes R1 universities as the most research-intensive institutions.   To achieve the R1 classification, a university must award at least twenty research or scholarship doctoral degrees and spend at least $5 million on research (as reported by NSF) in the update year. 

Climate research is an area of interest for President Williams. Hampton is uniquely positioned for such research because of sits on its own peninsula. “Because of our atmospheric science program, marine biology program, and the excellence that we have in our aviation program, I think it is a natural area of research for us,” Williams stated.

Green energy is another sector where Hampton has notable expertise.  Citing the green energy projects that are happening in Hampton Roads and offshore — including wind energy, solar energy, and Hampton’s ties to NASA — Williams says, “We are perfectly positioned to be a leader in this space.”

Williams, a retired three-star general and business leader, notes that the University is in close proximity to a number of military installations. “This is where I think my former military experience might attract some different interests in Hampton. In my opinion, there is no reason the University can’t be the leading research institution in Hampton Roads, if not the Commonwealth of VA,” said Williams.

During the workshop, faculty took part in small group breakout sessions with former program officers and QEM consultants, Drs. Caesar Jackson and Monica Mitchell, founder & CEO MERAssociates, LLC. (MERA) and consultant. Mitchell states her goal is to support Hampton in the development and submission of project ideas and proposals. “We know HU is considered one of the flagship HBCUs that has been successful in securing external funding from federal agencies and we want to ensure that as many faculty as possible can take advantage of those opportunities,” said Dr. Mitchell.

Increasing the capacity of minority-serving institutions to secure funding from external sources is a major component of research.  Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert, Hampton University chancellor and provost, said QEM is offering faculty “an opportunity for training that will increase their possibility of securing grants.  They are going to be our partners so that as we continue to move our research focus from doctoral training to gaining R2 classification.”

Preparing students to be successful leaders in the workforce and scholars in graduate and professional programs is Hampton University’s goal.  “Hampton has always designated itself ‘the standard of excellence.’ We have done this by maintaining awareness of the requirements our students must meet when they move beyond our gates. Higher education is not just a step up from high school, it is a place that literally prepares students to be contributors to our communities,” said Dr. Haysbert.