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.

Hampton, VA (February 6, 2023) –  Hampton University is pleased to announce that the HU Terpsichorean Dance Company took part in HULU’s six-part docu-series “The 1619 Project” that was created by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and produced by Harpo Productions, The New York Times Magazine, and HULU.  According to the HULU press release, “The series seeks to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.” 

“We could not be more proud that they are being featured in this docu-series, and they could not be more worthy,” said Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education.

Crystal Neal, Terpsichorean Dance Company creative director said, “The episode that we’re in depicts the first arrival of Africans to the shore, and that has turned into the Black culture and African-American culture that exists today; that’s what the series will demonstrate.  I am honored that I can see my work in that way.”  

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Neal was a member of the Terpsichoreans as a Hampton student. She graduated in 2007 and later returned as creative director in 2015.

Senior Jadyn Creech and president of the Terps said, “As a freshman, I never saw myself as someone who could lead a group of girls, especially into doing things as big as this, so it’s a really good feeling.”

Reflecting on the history of Hampton University, Senior Joslyn Smith said, “I feel at that moment I was encompassing everything that I thought HU was bringing me, like getting in touch with my roots and really being able to be a face for the change we hope to see because I believe the documentary is going to allow history to be shown and change to be made.”

Senior Angelica Coleman said, “I really like the idea of embodying our ancestors in that moment.  The trailer says, ‘our people were born from the sea, and we were literally in the ocean dancing,’ so I felt like I was embodying our ancestors.” 

Brandon Jones, a 2010 Hampton alumnus, 2015 Olympic track runner, professional athlete for the country of Belize, and father to six-year-old Ariana Jones said, “The experience was definitely amazing. It will give her stories to tell my grandkids and her grandkids, ‘my dad kind of impacted our culture and our future.’”

Assistant Professor Beverly Duane, director of dance and the Department of Sports Science and Wellness, said, “We were delighted when we learned of her invitation to choreograph a work that depicts the first arrival of Africans to this nation in the 1619 Project docu-series.  It represents another avenue for accurate American dance history to continue propagating through Hampton University Terpsichorean dance.”

 “This is another way of bringing well-deserved national recognition to our university and this extraordinary dance company,” said Malone-Colon.

Charles H. Williams founded the Terpsichorean Dance Company in 1934.

To find out more information, please visit https://home.hamptonu.edu

To find out more information, please visit https://press.hulu.com

Hampton, Va. (February 13, 2023) – Starting her second season leading the Hampton University softball program, Head Coach Monique White has announced the game slate for the 2023 season.

Hampton’s Lady Pirates kicked off a four-game series in Macon, Georgia, February 10-12 against Army on Friday; Buffalo and Florida A&M on Saturday; and Jacksonville State on Sunday before heading home.

Hampton is a Division I softball program.  This will be the first year competing in the CAA Conference.  In 2022, the university was a member of the Big South Conference and finished the season with a 19-36 record. 

Assistant Coaches Alyssa Rivera and Donelle Johnson join Coach White. “It’s exciting anytime we get to play this sport,” said Rivera, who works with outfielders and with the offense. “When we step in the box, we want to be better than whoever is in the circle.”

The goal is to focus on the game and “do the things that we can control really well.  Because if we do those things, we can beat anybody we step on the field against,” says Coach White.  “The way the team works hard in practice and competes is definitely something that is priceless and that we’ll be able to show on the field,” said Coach White.

This year’s roster features players that play in several positions.  Returning senior Emily Kepple, Dayton, OH, leads the team from behind the plate, in the end field, and in the box; along with transfers, outfielder Kayla Domon, Knoxville, TN; and shortstop/3^rd base Julia Sinette, Woodbridge, VA.  “Those are a couple of faces, but everyone plays an important role in our success,” said Coach White. 

“We’re a really tight-knit group, and we love to have fun.  But at the same time, we get down to business and at the end of the day we are going to do what we need to do to get wins,” said Kepple.

“We’ve always had a very supportive fan base because the atmosphere is fun to be a part of, so you have to come here to experience it for yourself,” said Coach White.

Hampton’s squad will return for home games February 17 – March 12.

Hampton, VA (January 31, 2023) – Hampton University’s sailing team competed in the Peter Wenner Rainbow Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 14-15 with East and West Coast teams. “I was satisfied with the eighth [score] overall, considering that due to Christmas break, we didn’t have sailing practices,” said head coach Alessandro Ambrosi.

Facing 18 opponents at the event, “the team did great, and I saw good commitment despite wind conditions that were not characteristic of our best sailing situation,” said Ambrosi.

Hampton is the nation’s only HBCU varsity co-ed sailing program.  The Pirates compete in Division 1 based on ranking.

Next up for the fleet is the Hanbury Trophy Regatta at Christopher Newport University on March 25-26.  For more information on Hampton University sailing, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Hampton, Va. (January 31, 2023) — Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams shared a message for this year’s Quarter-Century Club Inductees during the university’s 130th Founder’s Day celebration on January 29, “Hampton is an extraordinary place because of the special, committed people who give themselves to ensure that the University positively impacts the lives of everyone who comes through these doors,” said Williams.

“Each year, we eagerly await the opportunity to recognize, to commend, and to thank those individuals,” he said. “They’ve shared their knowledge, their skills, their talents, and indeed their hearts to continue to make Hampton University the standard of excellence that it is today.”   

The annual ceremony serves to recognize and honor faculty and staff who have worked at the esteemed university for a minimum of 25 years.  Quarter-Century Club President Novelle Dickenson thanked the inductees for their service to Hampton.  The new members include  Charles Cherry, Department of Architecture; Margaret Dismond Martin, Office of the President; Carmina Sanchez Del-Valle, Ph. D., Department of Architecture; Henry Archer, Department of Physical Plant; LoLethia Boone, Department of Auxiliary Services; Phyllis Harrigan, Department of Literatures, Languages, and Film; Minetta Highsmith, Office of Development; and Algustus Thompson, Department of Purchasing.

Hampton, Va. (Dec. 12, 2022) —Hampton University announced today that it has entered into a collaborative partnership with Yale University, which has created the Pennington Fellowship. The new scholarship program will support New Haven public school students who choose to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Pennington Fellowship will support 10 to 12 students in each college-bound cohort for four years, with each student receiving up to $20,000 toward tuition and fees per year. When fully implemented, 40 to 50 students will receive Pennington scholarships at any given time.

“We are grateful for Yale’s collaboration with Hampton University in creating new educational pathways for students of historically disenfranchised communities,” said Darrell K. Williams, Hampton University President. “The Pennington Fellowship opens doors for high-caliber students from New Haven, Connecticut to obtain a world-class education here at ‘Our Home by the Sea’ or at another partner HBCU.”

In addition to Hampton University, the Pennington Fellowship is established with Morehouse College, Morgan State University, and Spelman College. Yale will add to the number of eligible institutions as more partnerships are established.

The new scholarship bears the name of Reverend James W. C. Pennington, the first Black student to attend Yale. Born enslaved on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he lived for 24 years as a fugitive before securing his freedom. Pennington was prevented from formally enrolling at Yale because of his skin color, but he audited classes at Yale Divinity School before continuing a noteworthy career as a minister, antislavery organizer, scholar, and speaker.

“This scholarship addresses, in part, historical disparities in educational opportunities for Black citizens,” Yale President Peter Salovey said Monday in an announcement to the Yale community. “It will be funded by Yale and administered by the New Haven Promise program, which the university co-founded in 2010 to put the dream of a college education within reach for young people in our home city who otherwise could not afford it.”

Despite living at a time when Black citizens were denied equality, Pennington pursued education for himself and others throughout a life lived with extraordinary courage. From 1828 to 1834, he hired teachers to tutor him in Greek and Latin and attended night school, all while working as a coachman in Brooklyn Heights and gaining prominence as a delegate at the first Colored Convention in Philadelphia. His legacy is bolstered by his work to write the first African American history textbook.  

The scholarship program is part of a broad initiative, known as Belonging at Yale, that aims to create a stronger and more inclusive university community. Belonging at Yale efforts enhance diversity, support equity, and promote an environment of welcome, inclusion, and respect.

Applicants for the scholarships must be seniors at a New Haven public high school, submit an essay, provide a letter of recommendation, and have participated in at least 40 hours of community service. Fellowship applications are currently being accepted; the first group of Pennington Fellows will begin college in the fall of 2023.

For more information, see the FAQ on the New Haven Promise website, or email info@newhavenpromise.org to ask additional questions about the application process.

#HU#

Hampton University News is produced and published by the Hampton University Office of University Relations, 757-727-5253.

HAMPTON, Va. (Jan. 11, 2023) — Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams announced today the appointment of Ms. Kori Harris as the new Title IX Coordinator at Hampton University.

“Ms. Kori Harris is a seasoned professional who will continue to bring integrity and compassion to the Title IX office,” said President Williams. 

Harris received her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Hampton University in 2018 and her M.A. in Law/Criminal Justice from Regent University in 2019. Harris has served as the Title IX investigator at Hampton University since July 2022. Before joining the Hampton University family, Harris was a victim advocate in the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney. In that position, her responsibilities included supporting victims, their family members, and witnesses through various systems, including law enforcement, healthcare and social services; providing individual and group counseling to individuals who experienced various forms of distress as a result of abuse and/or sexual assault; and conducting intake needs assessments and safety plans with participants in accordance with state standards.

“I am deeply honored, humbled, and extremely excited to accept the appointment as Title IX Coordinator,” said Harris. “It is a privilege to come back to my Home by the Sea to serve the students, faculty, and staff of this wonderful University. I plan to do my part to honor President Williams’ mission of Delivering the #1 Student Experience in America along with encouraging students to ‘Never stay silent, always come forward!’ I appreciate all of the support that I have received thus far. Go, Pirates!”

Hampton University adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. Hampton University does not discriminate in its admissions practices [except as permitted by law], in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, national origin, military or veteran status or for engaging in protected activity.

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY

On January 25, The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) hosted the year’s first Spotlight on the Peninsula event for the Virginia Peninsula Chamber. The evening was attended by about 65 key members and leaders of the Hampton Roads community, including Barret Stork, director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for COX Virginia, the event’s presenting sponsor; City of Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck; and Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams.

The Spotlight on the Peninsula is a monthly, free networking event that started about four years ago. The third visit was hosted at the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, said Bob McKenna, the Virginia Peninsula Chamber President/CEO. “The intent of the program is to show people some of the great assets that we have [in the peninsula].”

During the opening remarks, President Williams thanked the Chamber and McKenna for spearheading efforts to raise millions of dollars for additional equipment at HUPTI.

McKenna has championed HUPTI and Hampton University through various communal efforts, Williams said. These efforts ultimately resulted in the ability to raise about $2 million for an MRI that resides in the center and helps provide support to somewhere between 60 and 80 patients a day. “That’s to real people here in the Tidewater area that are getting help through the Proton Therapy Institute.”

MaryBeth Sullivan, HUPTI’s executive director, spoke on the history of the center and state-of-the-art technological advancements that are to come, including a revolutionary PET scanner that will be brought to HUPTI in 2024.

The event included a 20-minute presentation led by one of HUPTI’s radiation oncologists, Dr. Allan Thornton, who offered attendees a high-level review of the history of proton therapy, what its capabilities are, and some real case studies of patients he has treated. The evening concluded with members of HUPTI’s leadership team offering tours of the facility, including a behind-the-scenes look at the machinery that is used to treat about 75 patients daily.

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About Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI)

The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI), established in 2010, has successfully helped fight the cancers of more than 4,000 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 such 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 & neck, ocular, brain & spine, gastrointestinal and pediatric tumors.

Media Contact:
Lourdes Hernandez
Multimedia Marketing Specialist
757.251.6814
Lourdes.Hernandez@hamptonproton.org

Hampton University and The Wall Street Journal have partnered to provide school-sponsored WSJ memberships to all students, faculty and staff. Through the partnership, members will have full digital access to the WSJ’s award-winning journalism via WSJ.com and the app, as well as a wide variety of curated content, from podcasts and newsletters to career insights and personal finance advice.

In addition, students, faculty and staff members will receive exclusive benefits with WSJ+, a complimentary program that gives members access to virtual events and offers, such as invites to talks and a free ebook each month.

How to activate your complimentary Wall Street Journal membership:

Students, faculty and staff at Hampton University can activate their complimentary memberships by visiting WSJ.com/HamptonU. Those who currently pay for an existing WSJ membership may call 1-800-JOURNAL and mention they are switching to their school-sponsored membership.
Partial refunds will be made.

Why The Wall Street Journal is right for Hampton University students:

The Wall Street Journal offers students unrivaled coverage of business, finance, politics and world news, including focused insight into career development, technology, health, arts and culture.

About The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal is a global news organization that provides leading news, information, commentary and analysis. Published by Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal engages readers across print, digital, mobile, social and video. It holds 38 Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding journalism.

1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036

Hampton, VA (January 11, 2023) – The Hampton University Office of Student Activities, in conjunction with the Hampton Chapter of the NAACP and the National Pan-Hellenic Council will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. March and program, Monday, January 16 on the grounds of HU.

The march begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Emancipation Oak. Rev. Dr. Jerome A. Barber, of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton, Virginia will offer prayer.  The march will proceed up William R. Harvey Way and end at Robert C. Ogden Hall on campus.  A light reception hosted by the Gamma Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will immediately follow the program at the Student Center, Student Lounge.

Rev. Michael Eley, Jr., Youth & Young Adult Pastor at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina, will be the keynote speaker at the 11 a.m. program. Reverend Eley is a Spring 2018 honors graduate of Hampton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing. In the spring of 2021, he graduated from Wake Forest University School of Divinity, earning the Master of Divinity and a certificate in Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership.  Reverend Eley was ordained into the Gospel ministry in June of 2022 and is a career technical educator in the Wake County Public School System.

The march and program is free and open to the public. “We’re asking all students and community to come out,” said Anzell Harrell, Director of Student Activities.  For more information, contact the Hampton University Office of Student Activities at (757) 727-5691.

To learn more please visit: https://www.michaeleleyjr.com/about.html