General

HAMPTON, VA. (Aug. 28, 2022) — The Hampton University Marching Force is headed back to New York City to perform at the US Open. The band will be part of the HBCU Live festivities, which aim to celebrate culture, history, and pride at this historic event. Along the way, The Force will be making several recruitment stops to perform at high schools, ahead of their performance August 31, 2022 in New York City.

“Congratulations to the Hampton University Marching Force for being invited to perform at the US Open,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “Dr. Jones, his staff, and the elite group of talented, young musicians and dancers who make up The Force continue to demonstrate THE Standard of Excellence. The Marching Force’s performance is sure to excite those in attendance in Queens and the thousands of viewers watching at home, as they did in the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Day Parade. The nation will be in for quite a show!”

Following the success of last year’s debut HBCU Live at the US Open, an expanded version of the program will return in 2022 to celebrate the culture, history and pride of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  To honor these schools and their impact, this year’s HBCU Live at the US Open—slated for Wednesday, Aug. 31—will present an experience reflective of these campuses. This starts with the space itself: HBCUs traditionally feature communal hubs called “yards,” and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will capture the spirit of these areas with the day’s music, food and other entertainment.

Tickets for HBCU Live at the US Open and all other sessions of the 2022 US Open are on sale now at Ticketmaster.

“Under the new leadership of President Williams, he has re-invigorated and inspired the HU Bands Program to truly be at the forefront of the Hampton University cultural experience,” said Jones. “It is through his support that we’ve been able to make this performance happen, and it is very much in keeping with his intent to make Hampton University the #1 (Band) Student Experience in America. We have selected four high schools at which to perform, and whether or not those students are interested in band, we have the opportunity to share the light of Hampton U in a way that no other student organization on campus can. I’m both happy and excited for our students as we look forward to the unique and fun opportunities this season will provide.”

Speaking of music: HBCU alumni will DJ during both Fan Week and the main draw. A Fly Guy (Florida A&M University), Miss Robinson (South Carolina State University) and DJ Envy (Hampton University), host of The Breakfast Club, will headline on Aug. 31. 

HBCU Live at the US Open aims to reconnect the schools’ alumni, family and friends, while also illustrating the relationship between HBCUs and tennis. The events will allow US Open fans to learn more about these great institutions, their history and their impact on both tennis and the Black community. 

Performing at the US Open is the latest accolade for The Marching Force. The band performed last year in the 95th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Marching Force performed in the 2020 Rome New Year’s Day Parade in Rome, Italy. The Marching Force drumline performed in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, prior to the Rose Bowl. In 2018 & 2020 The Marching Force performed at the Honda Battle of the Bands while over 62,000 fans filled the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Marching Force also performed in President Obama’s Inauguration Parade in 2009.

Dr. Jones reminds Hampton Nation that fans of The Marching Force are encouraged to help defray the cost of scholarships, instruments, uniforms and recruitment of new band members by visiting the band’s site: https://www.humarchingforce.com/donate/.

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 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

Williams to focus on providing supportive environment, academic excellence to students 

HAMPTON, Va. (July 1, 2022) – Ret. U.S. Army Gen. Darrell K. Williams takes office at Hampton University today, 39 years after graduating from the historically Black university with a bachelor’s degree.  

Williams, a three-star general, business leader and educator with nonprofit development experience, said his focus will be creating an unparalleled higher education experience for students that includes excellent academics, support for strong physical, emotional, and mental health, and access to cutting-edge technology, research opportunities and innovative studies. 

With the continuing support of its exceptional faculty, staff, and alumni, Williams sees a bold, bright future for Hampton University.  

“I love Hampton and the opportunities provided to me here. The university’s values and standard of excellence will not change,”  Williams said. “As the new president, my priority will be providing our students with a robust experience that is second to none and prepares them for life after graduation.”

Board of Trustees Chairman Wesley Coleman said the board is excited about Hampton’s future under Williams’ leadership. Williams was selected to lead Hampton by the board of trustees on March 30. 

“The university community is energized President Williams has arrived,” Coleman said. “We have a great leader who has the full backing of the board, and we are looking forward to working with him.” 

President Williams and first lady Myra Richardson Williams met while attending Hampton, married in 1987 and are the first president and first lady to both hold Hampton degrees. 

While a student, the president was Mister Freshman 1979, a three-year Reserve Officer Training (ROTC) scholarship cadet, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and senior class president. Myra Williams was a four-year member of the Hampton concert choir and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Williams comes to Hampton from Fortune 250 technology company Leidos, where he served as the global  organization’s United Kingdom vice president and managing director of the U.K. Ministry of Defence Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) programme, providing global logistical support to U.K. military forces. 

Williams retired from the U.S. Army in 2020 after 37 years of service. His last leadership position was as the first Black and 19^th director of the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). He oversaw a global workforce of over 26,000 civilian and military professionals. 

From 2015 to 2017, Williams led the Army Combined Arms Support Command and the Fort Lee, Virginia, military installation. There, he was responsible for Army Logistics University and the Professional Military Education and the training of thousands of Army logistics junior officer, warrant officer and non-commissioned officer students. Additionally, he led the installation’s strategic engagement with the Richmond, Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights communities, and he assured the welfare and safety of the over 25,000 students, staff and faculty, families, and support organizations. 

Early in his career he served as a leadership and logistics instructor at Fort Lee and was named as an Army instructor of the year, one of his many awards. 

Williams, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, holds three graduate school degrees: a master’s in business administration from Pennsylvania State University; a master’s in military art and science from the Army Combined and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and a master’s in national security strategy (distinguished graduate) from the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

Media contact: Matthew White, Director of University Relations – 757-727-5253;
matthew.white@hamptonu.edu 

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. Its 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 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

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RICHMOND, Va. (July 1, 2022) – It’s a historic day for the Colonial Athletic Association as the conference welcomes Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University and Stony Brook University as its newest members.

“On behalf of the entire Conference membership, it is with great pride and excitement that we officially welcome Hampton, Monmouth, North Carolina A&T and Stony Brook to the CAA.” CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said. “As a Conference, we have been steadfast in our commitment to build a more competitive and sustainable model within the new ecosystem of intercollegiate athletics.  Today we welcome four new members that, like our current members, are committed to the overall academic and athletic success of their student-athletes as well as the overall advancement of the CAA.”

For the full article visit: https://caasports.com/news/2022/6/30/general-caa-welcomes-hampton-monmouth-north-carolina-a-t-and-stony-brook-as-newest-members.aspx

On Thursday, July 7, Leidos released a special video message featuring Roger Krone, Leidos Chairman and CEO and other employees, including Hampton University alumni, to congratulate LTG Darrell K. Williams on his appointment as the 13th President of Hampton University.

To learn more about President Williams relationship with Leidos click here:  https://www.leidos.com/insights/darrell-k-williams-becoming-hampton-universitys-next-president

HAMPTON, Va. (June 9, 2022) — Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications junior Zoey Hodge has been named a Rhoden Fellow. Hodge will participate with the sixth class of the Rhoden Fellowship, named for award-winning sports columnist William C. “Bill” Rhoden. A partnership with Andscape [andscape.com] (formerly ESPN’s The Undefeated), this is as an opportunity to increase diversity and inclusion in sports journalism. Each year, undergraduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) apply to participate in the internship. Hodge is the eighth member of the Rhoden Fellowship from Scripps Howard. 

“Bill is a friend of Hampton University and a personal friend of mine,” said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. “We are extremely proud of Ms. Zoey Hodge on her selection as a Rhoden Fellow. Ms. Hodge continues Hampton’s legacy of having a Rhoden Fellow since the fellowship was created. Ms. Hodge is the type of successful, hard-working, and dedicated student that Hampton University develops.”

The Rhoden Fellows Initiative is a training program for the next generation of sports journalists from HBCUs, headed by Andscape editor-at-large and former The New York Times award-winning columnist William C. Rhoden. The fellowship – established as part of Andscape’s mission to develop new voices and serve as an incubator for future multicultural journalists – is open to outstanding undergraduate students at HBCUs.

“I’m honored to welcome the sixth class of Rhoden Fellows into the Andscape family,” said Rhoden. “You are a part of a great tradition of aspiring HBCU journalists who have come through our program. You will be working with an extraordinary team of professionals who will expand your horizons in ways you cannot imagine. Thanks to everyone within the Disney universe whose support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities continues to make this unique fellowship possible.”

Part of the fellowship’s learning curriculum includes writing for various onsite events, producing weekly podcasts, pitching creative storytelling ideas and contributing content to be published on the Andscape digital hub.

The 2022-23 class, selected by Rhoden and a panel of senior editors at Andscape, also includes students from Alabama State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, North Carolina A&T State University and Xavier University. 

About Andscape

Andscape is a Black media platform dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity. Magnified by the power and reach of ESPN and The Walt Disney Company, the Andscape umbrella includes an editorial division, book publishing arm, film and television division, and music publishing group – each united by the shared mission of illuminating the culture and experience of blackness. Founded in 2022, Andscape is a re-imagination, expansion, and diversification of The Undefeated’s former platform.

Zoey Hodge

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY

Zoey Hodge is a junior journalism major from Charlotte, North Carolina. She works on the social media team for the Hampton University Men’s Basketball team. “I am looking forward to collaborating with the other Fellows and learning more about the journalism field as it relates to sports and the HBCU community,” said Zoey.

HAMPTON, VA (June 16, 2022) – The NCAA released the Academic Progress Rate report for the 2020-21 academic year. The Hampton University Football program received the highest score among all HBCU football programs and Big South Football Programs. 
 
Hampton Football’s score of 966 is the highest score the football program has received since the NCAA started the APR reports in 2003.
 
“This is the kind of news that every football coach wants to receive heading into Summer workouts,” said head coach Robert Prunty. “Academic excellence is the championship mindset we push our players to strive for in the classroom, and it’s the expectation of excellence Dr.Harvey has instilled into our campus culture.”

“I strongly believe that one of the chief roles of any college or university is the promotion of learning,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President. “At Hampton University, we strive for excellence in everything that we do. Football having the highest APR score for  in our athletic conference and of all HBCU programs is an example of achieving this goal. “
 
The NCAA implemented the APR report in 2003 as part of a collaborative effort to encourage expectations of academic excellence and hold NCAA institutions and athletic departments accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes. 
 
The APR is calculated as follows:

• Each student-athlete receiving athletically related financial aid earns one point for staying in school and one point for being academically eligible.
• A team’s total points are divided by points possible and then multiplied by 1,000 to equal the team’s Academic Progress Rate.
• In addition to a team’s current-year APR, its rolling four-year APR is also used to determine accountability.

Teams must earn a four-year average APR of 930 to compete in championships. 
 
“I’m proud of my guys,” said Prunty. “Football teams are comprised of about a hundred young men that my staff and I are constantly on cases about staying on top of their performance in the classroom.”
 
Today’s news was surely a sign for Prunty and his Pirates football coaching staff that they’re headed in the right direction and cultivating a culture that positions Hampton student-athletes for success after football. 

Women’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Soccer, and Softball lead the charge in team APR scores for Hampton University Athletics based on the NCAA Academic Progress Rate report for the 2020-21 academic year.
 
Hampton University Women’s Basketball team earned the highest score for the Pirates with an APR of 991. 

“We lost three players this year, and then it’s been an adjustment simply returning from COVID-19 for most athletic programs, “said women’s basketball head coach David Six. “I’m proud of my student-athletes’ hard work and dedication. They come to Hampton for two things basketball and a degree; I want every young lady I recruit to come here to leave with both. Assistant Coach Lauren Johnson has been a huge asset to my coaching staff and the driving force behind our academic success.”
 
Both Men’s Cross Country and Men’s Tennis followed up with APR scores of 989. Women’s Soccer received a 983 and Softball received a 972.

For more information about Hampton University athletics, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com

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.”