Hampton, Va. (May 1, 2023) – Hampton University recently launched the Level Up to Service Internship Event, a pilot program that convened the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Hampton City Schools, and Hampton University to teach students about internship and career opportunities within the Federal government.
More than 200 Hampton University and high school students met with representatives from OPM, which serves as the chief human resources agency and personal policy manager for the Federal Government as well as representatives from various federal agencies who helped them apply for internships and navigate the USAJOBS website to search for opportunities.
First Lady Myra Williams, Hampton alumni class of 1983 and key organizer of the event, said, “Hampton is focused on tapping into the government recruitment and paid internship opportunities for students on campus and in the community. The event complements the President’s view that every student leaves the school graduating with either a job or some other kind of position.”
“President Biden has a commitment to paid internships as a part of the DEIA Executive order,” said Dr. Janice Underwood, Hampton alumni class of 1998 and director of the office of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. “Our hope is to replicate this across all HBCUs, Hispanic serving institutions, and institutions that serve people with disabilities and tribal affiliated institutions. We want to make sure that we are going to communities that are typically underserved in the federal government as opposed to just waiting for them to apply.”
HAMPTON, VA (April 28, 2023) – Hampton University announced today that TowneBank has pledged $1 million to the university for naming rights within Armstrong Stadium and premier engagement with the Department of Athletics. The grant also outlines career services and professional development opportunities between the university and the TowneBank family of companies.
Pictured from left to right: Doug Favre, Towne Insurance Risk Advisor; Evelyn Graham, Hampton University Vice President for Development; Tom Hasty, TowneBank Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Regulatory Risk Management Officer; Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams; Brian Skinner, President of TowneBank Virginia & Northeastern North Carolina; Alexis Swann, President of TowneBank Peninsula and Williamsburg; Anthony Henderson, Hampton University Director of Athletics; Joseph Walters, Hampton University Director of Development; JT Hasty, Towne Insurance Account Executive
Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams said, “We are extremely excited about this news and we look very much forward to our enhanced partnership. We truly appreciate TowneBank and its continued support and advocacy of Hampton and our vision to amplify and sustain an athletic program and culture of excellence that promote national university pride and build high-achieving leaders and champions. Thank you, again, TowneBank!”
“This gift marks the largest partnership between TowneBank and an HBCU,” said Alexis Swann, president of TowneBank Peninsula and Williamsburg. “We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate and find new, strategic ways to enhance our relationship with Hampton University.”
As a premier institution of higher learning, Hampton University seeks to partner with corporations to bring real-world experiences to students through professional interactions, internships, and workforce opportunities. “We commend Hampton University for its dedication to preparing students for positions of leadership and service,” says Tom Hasty, TowneBank SEVP and Chief Regulatory Risk Management Officer and honoree of the 2022 Hampton University Outstanding Alumnus-at-Large award. “Working alongside HU helps us to leverage the diversity that exists in our community to ensure that our workforce accurately reflects that diversity.”
Evelyn Graham, Vice President of Development, said, “Words cannot express our gratitude for TowneBank’s generosity. We know that they will be thrilled with the caliber of our students, the excellence of our operations, and the engagement of our faculty through this partnership.”
Anthony D. Henderson, Sr., Director of Athletics, indicated that funding will be utilized in the following ways:
To fund the installation of a trophy suite within Armstrong Stadium effectively upgrading the Adult Zone from a tent to a semi-permanent structure
To support the “Pirate on the Move” travel campaign that allows Hampton Athletics to support fundraising activities during athletic events away from the university
To align with the rest of the CAA medical service staff to establish a sideline injury tent for football athletes
Mr. Henderson said, “We thank TowneBank so much for their generous contribution. Its partners like them that make our work possible. This partnership also will help showcase TowneBank and further advance the brand of this banking institution. We look forward to building on this amazing relationship.” In addition to the items above, the partnership will also include branding of TowneBank on the Hampton Athletics website, signage at athletic events, and customized access to students to include interviewing, internships, and employment at the bank and its family of companies.
Contact Evelyn Graham (757-727-5356 or Evelyn.Graham@hamptonu.edu) or Joseph Walters (757-637-2122 Joseph.Walters@hamptonu.edu) for more information.
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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.
About TowneBank
Founded in 1999, TowneBank is a company built on relationships, offering a full range of banking and other financial services, with a focus of serving others and enriching lives. Dedicated to a culture of caring, Towne values all employees and members by embracing their diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences. Today, TowneBank operates over 45 banking offices throughout Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, as well as Northeastern and Central North Carolina – serving as a local leader in promoting the social, cultural, and economic growth in each community. Towne offers a competitive array of business and personal banking solutions, delivered with only the highest ethical standards. Experienced local bankers providing a higher level of expertise and personal attention with local decision-making are key to the TowneBank strategy. Towne has grown its capabilities beyond banking to provide expertise through its controlled divisions and subsidiaries that include Towne Wealth Management, Towne Insurance Agency, Towne Benefits, TowneBank Mortgage, TowneBank Commercial Mortgage, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty, Towne 1031 Exchange, LLC, and Towne Vacations. With total assets of $16.73 billion as of March 31, 2023, TowneBank is one of the largest banks headquartered in Virginia.
Virginia Association of Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Recognizes HUPTI Cancer Treatment and Research Work
Hampton, Va. (April 18, 2023) – The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) was recently honored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. with the Alpha East Community Service Award in recognition of their outstanding work in the area of cancer treatment and research during their 91st Annual Eastern Regional Convention in Hampton, Va., at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.
Receiving on behalf of the university are (pictured from left to right): Dr. Walter T. Tillman Jr., Hampton University Vice President, Chief of Staff and Associate Professor of Education and Tiffany Velez Rodgers, HUPTI Marketing Director.
About HUPTI
The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI), established in 2010, has successfully helped fight the cancers of more than 3,500 patients from across the globe. Located in Hampton, Virginia, HUPTI is the largest standalone proton treatment center in the country, and at its inception, was the eighth center in the United States.
Proton therapy is universally accepted as a viable and effective method to treat many forms of cancer – one of the top killers in Virginia. It is a noninvasive option that precisely targets the tumor, sparing healthy tissue. At HUPTI, patients receive outpatient treatment in about 30 minutes, which means no hospital stays, allowing them to maintain their current lifestyle. The center treats several types of cancer, including breast, lung, prostate, head and neck, ocular, brain and spine, gastrointestinal and pediatric tumors. For more information, www. hamptonproton.org.
About Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Phi Alpha™, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded on December 4, 1906™ at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country. The fraternity initially served as a study and support group for minority students who faced racial prejudice, both educationally and socially, at Cornell. The Jewel founders and early leaders of the fraternity succeeded in laying a firm foundation for Alpha Phi Alpha’s principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. For more information, visit: Our History – Alpha Phi Alpha (apa1906.net)
The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) recently presented a tour and lecture to more than a dozen members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), a membership-driven organization through Hampton University which offers non-credit courses to mature adult learners 50 years and older. OLLI’s affordable adult education courses cater to lifelong students who want to improve their skills, explore new ideas, and interact with interesting peers in their community.
Executive Director MaryBeth Sullivan kicked off the visit with a presentation titled, “An Introduction to Proton Therapy,” which provided behind-the-scenes access to HUPTI operations and the proton therapy treatment process. The visit included a tour of one of the treatment rooms, an imaging suite which houses HUPTI’s MRI and PET/CT systems, and demonstration of the equipment that delivers critical care.
Students Share Research Efforts and Engage with Peers and Faculty at Largest Annual Display of Student Research at Hampton University
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hampton, Va. (April 12, 2023) – Three distinguished Hampton alumni were tapped to deliver keynote addresses as part of the 27th Annual School of Science Research Symposium which kicks off today at 4:00 p.m. and runs all day tomorrow in the Student Center.
Keynote sessions will address the theme, “S.T.E.M.: The Answer to Life’s Questions,” and feature Dr. L. Michael Burke, Jr., ’90, CEO and founder of ASIR Materials Corporation, an entrepreneurial venture with the mission to develop and commercialize the next generation of materials suitable to handle the ever-changing needs of the device and biomedical industries. Dr. Burke will be followed by Dr. Trevon Swain, ‘09, who is Scientific Reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Audra Stone, ’03 and ’10, Clinical Protocol Developer at Odyssey Systems, a leading provider of outstanding management, analytical, and technical support services to the government and private sectors, will close out the main sessions.
“The annual research symposium provides a forum to highlight the outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty in different disciplines at Hampton University,” said Dr. Isi Ero-Tolliver, Dean of the School of Science. “The symposium also provides an opportunity for interested students to be exposed to a variety of research fields and the opportunity to network with faculty, graduate students, and other scientists within their area of interest.”
The mission of the Hampton University School of Science is to provide quality and rigorous instructional programs, conduct discipline-specific research, engage in service, and demonstrate leadership. An integral part of its mission is to educate students based on a commitment to ethics in education and sustained excellence. With a collaborative team of interdisciplinary faculty members, the School of Science implements state-of-the-art pedagogy and innovative technologies to promote and cultivate students with competence, integrity, and compassion. Graduates are well-prepared for professional, scientific and academic careers with applicable skills to compete for direct entry into the workforce and graduate and professional programs.
Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically Black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations that is committed to Delivering the #1 Student Experience in America.
Hampton, VA April 12, 2023 – Hampton University Provost and Chancellor JoAnn Haysbert, Ed.D. has been named to the 2023 “Top 25 Women Making a Difference in the World of Academia” by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine, an annual list that showcases the exceptional contributions and leadership skills of women in the academic world.
“Dr. Haysbert has been an instrumental leader at Hampton University for several decades, providing guidance and insight that have strengthened Hampton’s reputation and success,” said HU President Darrell K. Williams. “Her exceptional work ethic, combined with unparalleled vision and expertise, have made her one of the most respected academic leaders in the industry today.”
A prolific grant writer and fundraiser, Dr. Haysbert has secured both public and private funds for Hampton University and has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have improved the quality of education, research, and the student experience on campus. She has also been a critical voice during the transition in leadership, maintaining a keen eye on the preservation of the standard of excellence known as Hampton University.
“I have been at Hampton from 1980 through 2005 and from 2011 until present for a total of 37 years,” said Dr. Haysbert. “I am humbled by the honor, and it confirms my belief that according to II Chronicles 26:5: ‘As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.’ I also hope that my journey as a first-time college graduate from a small town in South Carolina will serve as an example to others, that ‘performance does count’,” she said.
About Diverse: Issues In Higher Education
For more than three decades, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education has been the premier source of timely news, provocative commentary, insightful interviews and in-depth special reports on diversity in higher education. Savvy individuals who appreciate the crucial and ever-changing role that higher education plays in the lives of students, professionals, their families, and their communities make reading Diverse a regular habit. For more information, visit Diverse: Issues In Higher Education (diverseeducation.com)
About JoAnn W. Haysbert, Ed.D.
JoAnn Haysbert, Ed.D., provost and chancellor at Hampton University, has served for more than four decades as chief academic officer, delivering strategic and inspired leadership that focuses on supporting faculty, promoting continuous growth in research activity, and delivering a rich student experience. She has held positions at Virginia State University, Auburn University, and Alexander City State Junior College.
She has served on professional boards, including the National Campus Compact and the Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee of the College Board. Dr. Haysbert is a member of the Hampton City Schools Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She holds the BA degree in Psychology from Johnson C. Smith University, the M.Ed. degree in Educational Administration and the doctoral degree in Educational Administration with a teaching specialization in Psychology from Auburn University. She was also selected to participate in the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Institute for Educational Management.
About Hampton University Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically Black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations that is committed to Delivering the #1 Student Experience in America.
Hampton University Recognizes Outstanding Students for Excellence in the Classroom, on Campus, and in the Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hampton, Va. (April 6, 2023) – The Hampton University Honors Council will host its 48th annual Honors Day on Saturday, April 8th at 1:30 p.m. in Robert C. Ogden Auditorium.
The Honorable Catherine J.K. Sandoval, recent federal appointee to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), will deliver the keynote address based on the theme, “Honors as Key to Delivering the #1 Student Experience in America.” Sandoval, a published author and tenured faculty member at the Santa Clara University School of Law, was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed with the unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate in December 2022. The presidential appointment builds on Sandoval’s decades of regulatory, legal, and safety leadership.
“For nearly half a century, Hampton University’s springtime event known as ‘Honors Day’ has been an absolutely amazing opportunity to acknowledge students from every corner of the university based upon their academic achievement,” said Dr. Carlton Long, president of the Honors Council and president and director of the Freddye T. Davy Honors College. “The various academic departments and honor societies are presented with the chance to highlight student exceptionality in academic achievement and leadership. On this special occasion, the President’s Cup Award is customarily announced and presented to a top member of the graduating senior class.”
Professor Sandoval is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor limited to the top 1% of lawyers in each jurisdiction. She earned a B.A. from Yale University, a Master of Letters from Oxford University, and a J.D. from Stanford Law School. Sandoval has achieved a series of historic firsts: first Latina CSB Board Member, first Latina CPUC Commissioner, first Latina tenured professor at SCU Law, first Latina Rhodes Scholar, and the first in her family to earn a four-year college degree.
“It will be a special treat for me to introduce the Honorable Catherine J.K. Sandoval to the Hampton University community,” said Long. “Cathy and I were both members of the same class of U.S. Rhodes Scholars quite some time ago. She was brilliant then, and she is blindingly brilliant now. I am confident that her talk to our students will showcase true wisdom, skill, talent and grace. Honors Day, after all, is – and ought to be – where mentorship and wisdom greet youthful brilliance and eagerness.”
ABOUT THE HONORS COLLEGE AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Since its inception in 1986, the Honors College at Hampton University (first known as the W.E.B. DuBois Honors College and subsequently renamed the Freddye T. Davy Honors College) was designed for intellectually curious, academically engaged students who want to learn in a close-knit community of their peers at the heart of a vibrant liberal arts university. The Honors College has experienced exponential growth, earning the deep respect of the campus community and rising to the exceptionally high bar set by Dr. Freddye Sue Turner Davy (1922-2012). Honors College students actively and conscientiously develop their scholarly voices through serious academic inquiry, rigorous dialog, and communal sharing.
Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically Black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations that is committed to Delivering the #1 Student Experience in America.
Educators and Working Journalists Explore Best Practices in Global Media and Journalism Instruction and Programs
(HAMPTON, VA.) – As part of a global partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications today hosted a 10- member Georgia (Eastern Europe) delegation of journalists and faculty to learn, evaluate and discuss higher education’s best practices in media education programs in the U.S. “We are honored to collaborate with ICFJ to support a global free press and examine world-class journalism values, ethics – and educational practices,” said Julia A. Wilson, SHSJC dean. “It is admirable that these passionate journalists and educators are demonstrating their dedication and commitment to building international journalism programs in various universities throughout the country,” she continued. “It’s our pleasure here at the SHSJC to support these educators in any way that we can. We look forward to a long-lasting exchange of ideas and information for our mutual support and growth. “Our mission at the International Center for Journalists is to build the expertise and storytelling skills of reporters worldwide,” said Sher Kasimov, program director of ICFJ, who accompanied the group and served as a language translator. “Partnerships with schools like the Scripps Howard School are vital and valuable in executing this important mission.” As part of the visit, the delegation visited select journalism and strategic communications classes, toured the school, and discussed best practices for developing curriculum in media instruction with SHSJC professors. The visit ended with an ongoing commitment from both parties to continue closely communicating and working together toward faculty and student exchange programs. The group also will visit the American University School of Communication in Wash., D.C., and Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. ### Georgian cohort with Scripps Howard School Dean and faculty 2 About The International Center for Journalists: The ICFJ works at the nexus of journalism and technology, building the expertise and storytelling skills of reporters worldwide. Through ICFJ’s work, journalists are enhancing news coverage and connecting more deeply with their audiences. This is resulting in an increased flow of reliable, trustworthy news – a cornerstone of healthy democracies. The ICFJ says: “We believe that better journalism leads to better lives.” For more information please visit: https://www.icfj.org/. 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 core industry standards and ethical principles. SHSJC 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. SHSJC students and alumni have worked in internship positions and launched media careers with top-ranked organizations such as Google, NPR, Radio One, The Washington Post, Essence Magazine, Time Magazine, ESPN, USA Today, Bloomberg News, Ogilvy, Burson-Marsteller, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and many more. For more information please visit: https://home.hamptonu.edu/shsjc/. About Hampton University: Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to promoting learning, character building and preparing 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 all that it does to 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 offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to society in a productive and useful manner. For more information please visit: https://home.hamptonu.edu/. ###
Global Agency Partner and Thought Leader in Branding and Business Transformation Tapped to Become Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hampton, VA (March 29, 2023): Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams announced today the appointment of Richelle D. Payne, Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing, leading efforts to advance the institution’s national reputation for academic and community excellence.
Payne is an industry leader with more than 30 years of experience in public relations, change management, brand and reputation management, and crisis preparedness. In 2022, she was named to the Philadelphia Titan 100 and received the Top Woman in PR-Change Maker award from PR News. She is president emeritus of the National Black Public Relations Society, Inc., a member of the national board of directors for Diversity Action Alliance, strategic adviser to Public Relations Society of America, and member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Payne will serve on President Williams’ Senior Leadership Team and lead all marketing and communications for the academic and research enterprise, athletics, and alumni affairs. She is charged with redefining and executing on the university’s strategic communications and marketing plan, overseeing the university’s primary communications channels while identifying marketing strategies to help advance student success, strengthen alumni support, and move the brand forward.
“I am thrilled to welcome Richelle back to her Home by the Sea,” said Williams. “She is a highly accomplished communications professional, with experience in reputation management, a track record of progressive responsibility in agency leadership and management, and more than a decade immersed in the issues and challenges of higher education. She has a stellar reputation as an honest and accountable leader, with a proven ability to motivate and support her teams. In many conversations during the search, Richelle impressed Hampton colleagues with her warmth, insight, and thoughtful approach to complex issues. I very much look forward to working with her in the coming years.”
She previously served as partner and senior director of brand management for Ascendant Group, a branding and book marketing agency in the Greater Philadelphia area. At Ascendant, she was instrumental in expanding the agency’s practice areas and growth across offices in four states and global teams in the Netherlands, Canada, the UAE, and Cairo, ultimately leading the firm to excel to seven-plus figures, a feat achieved by only 1.7% of Black-owned companies.
A former journalist, college English instructor, and serial entrepreneur, Payne has provided counsel and coaching on the behavioral changes that help senior business leaders grow their reputation and revenue. She has worked across a variety of industries for such clients as The Obama Foundation, T.D. Jakes Enterprises, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Pittsburgh Public Schools, actor, activist and author Dondre Whitfield, NBA athletes-turned-executives, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, LPL Financial, and Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA).
“It is an honor to be invited to join Hampton at a time of exciting growth and opportunity,” Payne said. “President Williams’ vision for delivering the #1 student experience in America along with the institution’s rich history, culture of innovation and collaboration, and strong curriculum are extraordinary. I am excited to help share the inspiring stories of Hampton students, faculty, and alumni on the world stage. And, as an alumna, I am happy to return home.”
Payne has received industry recognition from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), American Corporate Video, Dalton Pen Company, and the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals (HRBMP). She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Hampton University, a master’s degree in Corporate Communication from Duquesne University, and the CCP (certified communications professional) designation from the AWC Matrix Foundation.
ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education. For more than 150 years, it has been dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character, and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. It emphasizes a scientific and professional curriculum with a strong liberal arts undergirding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of 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. For more information, visit: hamptonu.edu
Phillip D. Jones Named Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, Leading Efforts to Evaluate, Engage, and Expand on the Institution’s Achievements and Outcomes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hampton, Va. (March 24, 2023) – Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams announced today the appointment of Phillip D. Jones to the position of Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, where he will lead the execution of the college’s strategic plan and support institutional growth and efficiency goals. In this new role, Jones will coordinate both the long-term and short-term initiatives across academic and administrative disciplines and help implement best practices to enhance the experience of students, faculty, and staff.
Jones is currently serving as the 27th Mayor of Newport News, Virginia, where he is working to improve education, invest in public safety, and modernize City Hall. He brings a well-established record of public-private sector experience. As a Marine Corps infantry officer, he led his Marines to support peacekeeping and security cooperation missions on multiple continents. As a management consultant with a leading global firm, he advised Fortune 500 companies, municipalities, and nonprofits on strategy, marketing, organization, and operations.
In the wake of 9/11, Jones accepted a nomination to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated with merit with a B.S. in History. He earned an M.S. in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School; and the MBA from the Harvard Business School where he served as a Tillman Scholar and Co-President of the Veterans Club.
“We are delighted to welcome Phillip Jones to the Hampton Family,” said President Darrell K. Williams. “Today’s organizational announcement is another building block in our transformational journey. We are moving quickly to position the institution for faster growth and responsiveness. Phillip is a highly capable strategic thinker, and I look forward to using his unique set of skills towards delivering the #1 student experience in America.”
Jones, who is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; serves on the board of trustees for the Veterans Service Foundation; board member of Ironbound Boxing; member of Leadership Now Project; and member of 100 Black Men of Virginia Peninsula.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to join the President’s senior leadership team,” said Jones. “I look forward to helping the institution expand its influence and impact in the Hampton Roads area and across the global landscape.”
ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education. For more than 150 years, it has been dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character, and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. It emphasizes a scientific and professional curriculum with a strong liberal arts undergirding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of 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. For more information, visit: hamptonu.edu
Hampton, Va. (March 20, 2023) – The Hampton University Board of Trustees proudly announces the investiture of President Darrell K. Williams, Lieutenant General (USA Retired), March 29 – April 1. This presidential investiture is the first in 45 years.
Hampton University President, LTG (ret) Darrell K. Williams
President Williams returned to his Home by the Sea to become the University’s 13th president on July 1, 2022. His wife and First Lady Myra Richardson Williams and he are 1983 graduates of Hampton. “I am thrilled to have been selected as the next president. I will work tirelessly with students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community to prepare our graduates for today and for the continuously evolving, technology-driven workforce of tomorrow,” said Williams.
The West Palm Beach, Florida native and global leader brings to Hampton over four decades of proven success in leading complex domestic and international military, government, civilian, academic institutional, and commercial business organizations. He served for over 37 years in the U.S. military, the final 11 at the executive and enterprise levels.
A grand celebration is planned to acknowledge President Williams’ inauguration, who has shared his vision to Deliver the Number One Student Experience in America for Hampton students.
On Wednesday, March 29, the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will spotlight star athletes, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Convocation Center. This event will be live streamed. Following the induction, After Glow, a dessert reception, will take place 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center.
The Hampton University Museum will host An Evening at the Museum on Thursday, March 30, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. The event will feature the unveiling of the inaugural painting, a commissioned work by Preston Sampson, as well as the official ribbon cutting for the museum addition. A Touch of Spice band will perform live.
The Student Salute in Song and Dance in the historic Robert C. Ogden Auditorium will be held on Friday, March 31. The University Concert Choir will open the program at 7:00 p.m., followed by performances by the Phoebus and Bethel High School choirs, Hampton City Schools. The world-renowned Terpsichorean Dance Company will grace the stage at 7:45 p.m., after which the outstanding Hampton University Choir will perform. The choirs and Terps will combine to present a magnificent finale to close out the evening.
The investiture ceremony will take place 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., April 1 in the University Convocation Center. “This is an historic event that is celebrated to show deference and honor to our institution, so I invite all to come out to enjoy this occasion,” said Williams.
President and First Lady Williams invite guests to a Sunday morning worship on April 2 in the Hampton University Memorial Chapel. The Hampton University Alumni Band and University Alumni Choir will perform from 10:30-11 a.m. The worship service begins at 11 a.m.
Retired United States Army Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida and the eighth of nine children born to the late James E. Williams and Ida Mae Williams, has been elected by the Board of Trustees of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, to serve as the institution’s 13th president and will be duly inaugurated into the position at an official investiture ceremony on the university’s campus on April 1, 2023. To mark the momentous occasion, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to declare the date as “Darrell K. Williams Day” throughout Florida’s second largest county.
As a decorated military officer, Williams successfully worked his way up the chain of command, having served as deputy director of Strategic Communications in the office of the Army Chief of Staff, and as commander of the 3rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He has also served as brigade commander of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade in Fort Stewart, Georgia, during which he was deployed in Northern Iraq. In 2017, Williams was promoted to lieutenant general while serving as commanding general of the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Williams, affectionately known as “Choo-Choo” to his many family and friends, graduated from Twin Lakes High School (now Palm Beach Lakes High School) in 1979, where he participated in the marching band, ran track and cross-country, played basketball and was in the chess club. With an Army Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship in hand, Williams matriculated to Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), the alma mater of one of the most influential African Americans of the 20th century, Booker T. Washington, and a “home by the sea” for generations of students seeking an “education for life” at one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher learning.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard (District 7), who sponsored the proclamation honoring Williams, and represents the commission district from which the general hails, was not unmindful of the implications that Williams’ presidency will have on future generations. “Darrell Williams’ life of leadership and service deserves both our admiration and appreciation,” Commissioner Bernard said. “The children of Palm Beach County will be able to point to him as a symbol of what is possible—as he truly represents the best in all of us.” Echoing his sentiments are other well-known community leaders who are inspired by Williams’ accomplishments. “The General’s investiture is historic not only in terms of the fact that he is only the 13th president in the university’s 155 year history, but also because he is a native son of West Palm Beach and a product of one of the area’s first Black neighborhoods, Pleasant City,” declared fellow Hampton University alumnus Rev. Elvin J. Dowling. “We are proud to call him our own,” he continued. Dowling, also a graduate of Palm Beach Lakes High School, will be traveling to the inaugural ceremonies to present a proclamation on behalf of the citizens of Palm Beach County.
As president of Hampton University, Lt. Gen. Williams, whose personal ethos is “Lead by example, take care of those in your charge, and accomplish the mission,” brings more than four decades of proven leadership experience to the helm of his esteemed alma mater, and pride to the residents of Palm Beach County, as he continues to make our nation, and the world, a better place to live and learn.
