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VOLUME 107, ISSUE 9 919 530.7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

Campus Echo Estes Elementary gets a lesson in HBCUs

NCCU INSTITUTE CLOSED

BY JAMAR NEGRON ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jarvis Hall learned that the Institute for Civic Engagement was on the chopping block from a former student’s post on Facebook.

The news disappointed, but did not surprise him.

When he learned of a January meeting in which a UNC Board of Governor’s working group recommended the closing of three UNC campus centers, he knew the outlook for the Institute for Civic Engagement was dim.

On Feb. 27, the UNC Board of Governors voted unanimously to shut down

The Center on Work, Poverty and Opportunity at UNCChapel Hill, the Center for Biodiversity at East Carolina University, and N.C. Central University’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change.

Hall said the closing of progressive institutes like his and like UNC-Chapel Hill’s

poverty center show deeper motives among the UNC Board of Governors than they admit to.

“It’s no secret what direction they’re going in,” Hall said. “One that is adverse to academic freedom.”

Hall said current troubles

n See INSTITUTIONS Page 3

Godfather gets his honors NCCU hosts symposium in remembrance of John Hope Franklin

NCCU alumna Turquoise Parker, a teacher at Chapel Hill’s Estes Hills Elementary, 3rd graders Blake Feamington and Donna Uhlenberg.

SHAKIRA WARREN/Echo staff reporter

BY SHAKIRA WARREN ECHO STAFF REPORTER

When Estes Hills Elementary School in Chapel Hill had its college day in May 2014, N.C. Central University alumna Turquoise Parker – now a second grade teacher at Estes Hills – was perplexed.

Why were schools like primarily white institutions, or PWIs, like UNCChapel Hill, East Carolina University and N.C. State, the only ones represented?

The issue hit home

later when her students commented on her phone case.

“I had my NCCU phone case, and the students thought it was N.C. State,” Parker said.

“Shouldn’t these elementary students know about the rich legacy of HBCUs like N.C. Central University as well?” she wondered.

That’s when Parker struck upon the idea of organizing an HBCU Week at Estes Hills Elementary.

“I wanted to expose and

n See ESTES Page 6

Student loan interest rates set to rise

Mary Frances Berry, social justice advocate and long-time friend of John Hope Franklin, was the keynote speaker at the symposium.

TIA MITCHELL/Echo staff photographer

BY LEAH MONTGOMERY ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

N.C. Central University continued John Hope Franklin’s one-hundredth year celebration on Friday with a symposium in his honor.

The symposium, held in the H.M. Micheaux School of Education building, honored the contributions and accomplishments of

Franklin, whom historians consider the godfather of African American history.

"John Hope Franklin is someone that is very dear to us here at NCCU, throughout North Carolina, throughout the nation and throughout the world,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Carlton Wilson.

“Franklin was the historian of the century."

The symposium’s main speaker, Mary Frances Berry, spoke on her relationship with Franklin.

Berry and Franklin were colleagues and close friends for many years.

As one of three children, Berry was always encouraged by her mother to strive for the best.

"Always have more qualifications than the people that you are sitting in the

room with,” her mother would say.

“If they get one book to read, you get two.”

Following her mother’s advice, Berry finished high school, got her BA and MA degrees from Howard University and received multiple honorary degrees.

Berry became the first black woman to head a university when she became

n See SYMPOSIUM Page 2

Holocaust survivor shares story

BY ALEX SAMPSON ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

BY CAROLYN BIGDA CHICAGO TRIBUNE (MCT)

Interest rates on federal student loans are set to rise July 1. It's not the first time the cost of borrowing has gone up for students, and it likely won't be the last. Still, experts say, federal loans remain a good deal.

What to expect. First, the rate increase affects only loans disbursed on or after July 1 of this year.

Loans taken before then

will not be affected.

For new loans, the rate on undergraduate Stafford loans will climb to a fixed 4.66 percent from 3.86 percent.

On Stafford loans for graduate students, the rate will jump to a fixed 6.21 percent from 5.41 percent.

PLUS loans, which either parents or graduate students can borrow, will rise to a fixed 7.21 percent from 6.41 percent.

n See RATES Page 7

Most teenagers’ worries center on school, love and socializing.

But Esther Ledermen spent her teenage years worrying about death.

Lederman, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, recounted her story to students, faculty and staff Tuesday as part of Women’s History Month and a segueway into Holocaust Remembrance Month in April.

Lederman’s speech included a showing of the documentary “Hiding for Our Lives: Esther Lederman’s Story,” originally presented at the Center for Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education of North Carolina. She came to campus as a speaker for North Carolina’s Holocaust Speakers Bureau.

Born May 3, 1924, Lederman grew up in Lodz, the second largest city in Poland, where she and her younger sister went to a Jewish private school.

“We were carefree and careless, and we were just typical teenagers and we wanted to have a good time,” Lederman said in the documentary.

Lederman spent most of her free time figure skating.

She said she had a wonderful life, a life that she thought would never end.

The life she knew came to a close on Sept. 1, 1939, when the German army invaded Poland, beginning World War II. In the documentary, Lederman said the Germans were initially polite but began to show their true col-

n See SURVIVOR Page 2

Esther Lederman signing a book after speaking about her experience as a Holocaust survivor.

KIMANE DARDEN/Echo photo editor

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Two vie for SGA prez position Elections via Blackboard on Monday, April 13

SYMPOSIUM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 chancellor at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

She also served as assistant of education for the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

She was vice-chairwoman and head of the civil rights commission for the Carter,

For instance, as a founding member of the Free South Africa Movement, Berry served several jail sentences.

"He was always sensitive to the toll that the political and emotional fights took on my mind and my body,” said Berry.

“John was always a gentleman. He was so suave and debonair...he was a quintessential Fisk man.”

MARY FRANCES BERRY JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN SYMPOSIUM SPEAKER

SGA presidential candidate Deron Perkins.

SGA presidential candidate Olivia Robinson.

KIMANE DARDEN/Echo photo editor

KIMANE DARDEN/Echo photo editor

BY DIAMOND GWYNN ECHO STAFF REPORTER

It’s that time of the year again. Student Government Association elections will be held on Monday, April 13.

Political science junior Olivia Robinson and comprehensive social studies junior Deron Perkins are both running for 2015-2016 student body president.

If elected, current SGA vice president Robinson would be the first female student body president in a decade.

“Our campus population is 68 percent female, and we’re not being proportionately represented,” said Robinson.

Robinson said she chose to run for president rather than other roles because she felt she would be a good asset and she has the experience for the job.

Robinson was student body president in her high school in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. She also ran for freshman and sophomore class president. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the current student body vice president.

Robinson said she wants to be more than the face of her class but also a voice for her peers.

“I think women run for Misses roles because it’s expected of them,” she said.

“I think I would be a great asset as a President.”

Robinson’s platform is to redefine SGA — a redefinition that, for Robinson, including getting more students interested in SGA. She said that there should be more than one or two students running for each role, and that there

NCCU’s OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS STUDY ABROAD • The remainder of the spring semester First Thursday Study Abroad Information Sessions are scheduled for April 2, and May 7 during the 10:40 break in 202 Lee Biology Building.

STUDY ABROAD DEADLINES • The campus deadline for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship application for study abroad for for spring 2016 is September 25, 2015.

• Students interested in study abroad in spring 2016, should start planning now. The campus deadline for applications to study abroad in spring 2016 is September 1, 2015.

expand your horizons

STUDY ABROAD

Contact Dr. Olivia Metzger Jones at ojones@nccu.edu or 919.530.7713

NCCU College of Arts and Sciences “The PRIORITY is Student Success” Carlton E. Wilson, Dean • Army ROTC – Military Science • Aerospace Studies • Art • Biology • Chemistry • CREST/NASA Centers • Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences • History • Language & Literature • Mass Communication • Mathematics & Physics • Music • NC-Health Careers Access Program • Pharmaceutical Sciences • Theatre/Dance

should at least be four or five.

“I want students to feel more inclined to get involved in SGA,” she said.

Deron Perkins’ goal is to encourage students as well as encourage himself to make a change in the world.

As a first-generation college student, Perkins said he is anxious to make his mark in student government.

“Everyone’s waiting for that one person to step up and make a change.

Everyone’s waiting on that Martin Luther King and Malcolm X to speak on behalf of them. I just want to give people hope,” said Perkins.

Perkins has goals to become a U.S history and government teacher.

With over 300 hours in community service logged, Perkins said takes pride in giving back to the communi-

ty and being an advocate for his peers.

It’s a point of distinction that Perkins says other candidates lack when discussing qualifications.

“What makes someone qualified? You could be the president of an organization but if you didn’t do anything, are you really qualified?” said Perkins.

“I believe I’m qualified because I care about people and I’m willing to go as far as humanly possible for the things that I care about and the things that the student body cares about.”

Perkins message to the student body is to never give up.

“If I don’t win this election, the movement won’t stop,” he said.

“If you hate the system, learn the system ... so you can conquer it,” he said.

Reagan and Clinton administrations.

Berry first met Franklin at the University of Michigan, where she earned her Ph.D. in American constitutional history in 1966 and a law degree in 1970.

“A group of us went in somebody's raggedy car ... to see the Great Man,” Berry recalled.

“Everybody was taking John’s book and marking it up and outlining it and trying to teach a course.

“John was always the gentleman,” she said.

“He was so suave and debonair … he was the quintessential Fisk man."

Too timid to say anything to Franklin, Berry said she stood in a corner and watched until the event was over.

She said she never anticipated that he would become one of her greatest mentors and closest friends.

Berry said Franklin remained a constant support in her pursuit of social justice, which left her at times emotionally and physically depleted.

Berry said Franklin was also very supportive of her as a writer.

"He could always tell me when it was time to get on with it and publish something,” said Berry.

“He said, 'you already know more about this than anybody, why don’t you just write it?'"

And so she did.

Berry has written several books, including: “Black Resistance/White Law: A History of Constitutional Racism in America” (1971), “Long Memory: The Black Experience in America” (1982); and “The Politics of Parenthood: Child Care, Women’s Rights, and the Myth of the Good Mother” (1993).

Berry said Franklin’s impact on her life has been indelible.

"He made me a better person,” she said.

“I loved talking to him on the phone in the last two years [of his life].

“I was glad that he lived long enough for me to grow and become something like John Hope Franklin and so that we could be friends.”

SURVIVOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ors days after arriving.

“They would catch Jews with beards, cut them or pull them out,” she said.

“They would take men, mostly men but women too, to do demeaning work in the streets.”

Jewish people were forced to pick up horse droppings by hand, clean the streets with toothbrushes or carry heavy loads, among other degrading work.

Lederman told audience that even though it was right in their face what was happening, the Jewish people she knew tried to deny it.

“We all felt very anxious,” she said. “But somehow in the back of our minds we could not accept it.

“We saw there was more hunger, less food and more raids for labor in the harshest of conditions.”

Lederman said they were

forced to pay fees even though they worked unpaid jobs and that their belongings including jewelry, coats and radios were taken.

“The Germans took everything.”

Lederman said many young people wished to start an uprising but were prevented from doing so because they had no guns and ran the risk of causing the entire town to be punished if they protested.

In Czechoslovakia, she said, some Jewish resistance fighters killed a German soldier.

“They took the whole village – men, women and children – and slaughtered them.”

In Dec. 1939, Lederman’s family evacuated Lodz and fled to her uncle’s home in the small town of Chmielnik.

There, she met Ezjel

Health Careers Center 40th Anniversary

Lederman, her future husband. When the Germans came to the town, Ezjel’s family left to go into hiding with a Catholic family called the Zals.

After nearly being sent to a concentration camp along with her father, Lederman left her family to go ask the Zals if they could hide out with them.

Lederman would never see her mother and sister alive again.

Even though it was illegal to house Jews, the Zals allowed Lederman to stay with them and Ezjel’s family in a 10-by-10 attic.

Lederman said that despite the severe circumstances and fear of being captured, she had to keep hope alive.

“I had to keep them smiling,” Lederman said. “If you have no hope, there’s no

life.”

In August 1943, Lederman’s hope paid out when Soviet soldiers came to liberate the Jewish people that were in hiding.

Lederman was reunited with her father by chance on Aug. 3, 1945 when she went to pick up food from a bakery.

Lederman eventually went on to marry Ezjel and the pair immigrated to the U.S. on July 21, 1949.

Lederman now lives in Chapel Hill where her daughter also stays.

Lederman told the story of when she worked in her husband’s office for blood chemistry. She said she learned a valuable lesson working with different races and ethnicities.

“The funny thing was all the blood was red. So why do we make such differences?”

United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

Find out more about the opportunities we offer.

Our special programs include the Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program, the NCCU Pre-Dental Program, and the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Program, and more N.C. Central University

For more than 35 years NCCU’s Health Careers Center staff has been developing pre-health professional students into viable candidates for health and medical careers by providing: • Advocacy • Counseling • Enrichment Activities • Health Career Network Access • Health Career Recruitment • Information • Internships & Shadowing Experiences • Standardized Test Prep Workshops •

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Contact us for more information 919.530.7128 1242 Mary Townes Science Complex Alfreda D. Evans, Student Services Specialist Durham, NC 27707 Kaye Thompson-Rogers, Ph.D., Director

For more information contact Rev. Michael Page at 530-5263 or by e-mail at mpage@nccu.edu

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Mitzi Miller: “The world is wide open”

Mitzi Miller speaks on resignation from Ebony and new job at Rainforest Entertainment.

ALEXANDRIA SAMPSON/Echo assistant editor

BY LEAH MONTGOMERY ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

"'Did you think that this was the way your life was going to be?' I honestly wanted to say yes, but the truth is…absolutely not,"Mitzi Miller, former editor-inchief of Jet Magazine and Ebony Magazine, told a packed audience on Mar 23.

Miller wasn’t a smart kid that had it all figured out.

Her main one goal was to have fun and be happy.

Miller went to Florida A&M University to pursue a degree in pre-med. After realizing 7am classes and biology wasn't her thing, she called her mom to tell her she didn’t want to be a doctor.

"I hope you don't wind up poor," said Miller's mother before hanging up the phone.

Miller finished school with a degree in English.

Just before embarking on her senior spring break trip

to Mardi Gras, Miller came down with what she thought was the flu.

After running a few tests, her doctor called asking her to make another visit for more testing because the last results were "abnormal."

As a senior in college, Mitzi Miller was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis, a chronic disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the liver.

"Basically I had the liver of an 81-year old male alco-

INSTITUTIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in the UNC System can be directly linked to the 2010 election, when North Carolinians elected a Republican govenor, Pat McCrory, and a Republican majority in the N.C. General Assembly.

The General Assembly includes the House of Representatives, with 77 Republicans and 43 Democrats, and the Senate, with 33 Republicans and 17 Democrats.

The UNC Board of Governors, currently a conservative, predominantly Republican 34-member body, is appointed by N.C. General Assembly.

Since the beginning of the new year, the Board of Governors has, in addition to closing campus centers, relieved UNC president Tom Ross of his duties as head of the system, in a move that left UNC university leaders confused and unsure of UNC’s future leadership.

“This is evidence that elections have consequences,” Hall said.

“These are not just isolated events. There appears to be a pattern.”

Hall also said that, in deciding to close centers, the Board of Governors may be overstepping its authority.

“Here’s the Board of Governors making a decision that should be made by individual campuses,” Hall said.

NCCU alumnus Brian Kennedy echoed a similar sentiment about elections

and their consequences.

“The next step is the 2015 election,” he said.

“We have to show that as North Carolinians we’re not behind this.”

Kennedy, who graduated in 2012 and worked at Hall’s institute as a student at NCCU, praised the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change.

“It instilled that passion in me about civic engagement,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy, who is now a Brandeis University graduate student in public policy, said Hall’s institute “helped set the foundation for my career.”

Hall had texted him with information of the institute’s closing.

“I was pissed,” Kennedy said. “I felt disrespected. I thought it was completely disrespectful to the majority of North Carolina citizens who believe in equity.”

Kennedy said the institute was a source of pride for students on campus. It also was an effective vehicle for educating students about voter registration and candidates and their positions on various issues.

The institute hosted candidate forums in which students could talk to candidates for public office.

“I felt like I was a contributor to trying to achieve equality and social justice,” Kennedy said, adding that the decision to close the institute can be interpreted

as the Board of Governors “invalidating all the tons of work that people have done.”

Both Hall and Kennedy said HBCUs in particular should be taking stock of recent moves by the UNC Board of Governors.

They both said ongoing conversations within the board, such as “rightsizing” — the possibility of closing or consolidating UNC universities — could damage the quality and diversity of UNC’s 16 constituent campuses.

“It’s not hyperbole to say that HBCUs need to be really keeping an eye on this,” Hall said.

“Rightsizing is coded language for saying that ‘we want to remove systems that are not in line with our ideological issues’,” Kennedy said.

Hall said the UNC System has long been a bright spot across the South, but that it is now facing a “crucial moment.”

“In some way, everybody has a stake in it,” Hall said, adding that he is not discouraged and will continue to push for change.

“This is why I got into academia — because I viewed it as a way to bring about change.

“Too often it takes a crisis for us to respond,” he said.

“People have to have a dog in that fight.

“If this doesn’t mobilize people, I don’t know what will.”

holic," said Miller.

She was immediately placed on a waiting list for a liver transplant. Without it, she was told, she would only have three months to live.

"I didn’t regret not studying harder for a test," said Miller. "I wished I had more time to spend with my friends and my family. I wished I could play at the park with my little cousin.

Those are the things that I regretted."

After her transplant Miller decided that she was going to live her life "out loud."

As an immune suppressive, Miller’s dreams of becoming an English teacher flew out the window.

She worked a job in marketing and sales for about nine months before quitting.

One night, after a party in New York, Miller and her friend saw the editor of HONEY Magazine leaving the same venue. Miller literally chased down Amy Barnett and introduced herself.

"I said ‘Hey, I'm Mitzi and I'm going to be a star’," said Miller. "She looked at me like I had five heads and then offered me an internship."

After working seven days a week at an unpaid internship writing a column on learning to surf, pretending

to be pregnant in the streets of NY and other oddities, Miller left Honey.

That’s when she went to JANE magazine hoping to get a taste of what it’s like to work at a predominately white publication.

“The things that get on your nerves about your people now, you will miss as soon as you leave them,” said Miller.

She quickly realized that she was in search of something new.

That’s when she got a call from her former boss, Barnett, who had just been named editor-in-chief of EBONY Magazine, saying that JET magazine needed a new editor.

Soon after her arrival in May 2011, Miller changed the game for JET magazine.

Under her watch the publication saw a cover-to-cover redesign, the launch of a new website, new social media strategies and constantly buzzing stories.

"I got to be on Real Housewives of Atlanta and meet Kendrick Lamar," said Miller.

After three years at JET, Miller got a call from Barnett saying that she would soon be leaving, and in April 2014, Miller accepted the position as the editorin-chief of EBONY magazine.

"EBONY was so different than JET and it was so fun...travelling 3 weekends out of the month," said Miller.

Miller said she couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities of her creative writing. After writing awardwinning novels and several books including The Vow: A Novel and her three-title Hotlanta young adult series; Miller wanted to see where her writing would take her.

"I wanted to write the next episode of Scandal or another T. V. show," said Miller. "Or have my book turned into a movie."

Miller resigned from Ebony in February and recently accepted a position as the head of development for Rainforest Entertainment.

She is now working under an old friend, Rob Hardy.

Miller continued to encourage the crowd to have fun, live life and always be open to possibilities.

"What you learn from going to an HBCU is how to hustle and how to chase your dreams," said Miller. "It's about facing the challenges and realizing that you only get better after beating them down. Now is the time for you to stumble and fail because you can get up and keep going.”

LIFE OF A DANCER W

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Story by Alex Glenn Photos by Keyandra Cotton

NCCU modern dance group preforming “Cultural Demise” choreography by Evelyn Thomas

9th Street West African dance class performing “Sweet to Africa”

n Mar. 29 the N.C. Central University Dance group held their annual spring concert “A Day in the Life of a Dancer” in the B.N. Duke auditorium.

The show opened with a bursting collaboration of the dance students and renowned guest chorographer Evelyn Thomas.

After working with various prestigious dance schools such as Juilliard and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Thomas recently moved back to Durham. Since then, she pursued a career teaching dance at NCCU and began working with the NCCU dance group.

Next, special guests Ebonette Strutters, a group of teen dancers, took the stage and delivered a performance full of energy and skilled isolations.

O

African dance group preforming “Sweet to Africa”

Three elderly women called the Platinum Praise Dancers were next to move the crowd with a spiritual piece to “Somebody’s Calling My Name.”

The rest of the show was a compilation of pieces by the NCCU dance department.

Closing the show was the 9th Street West African dance which performed a finale piece to “sweet to Africa.”

Exercise sports science junior Shenise Demons, a member and chorographer of the NCCU Dance group, was very pleased with the outcome of the concert.

“Dancing is a form of expression for me and when I enter practice the dance group serves as a stress reliever” said Demons. “The crowd gave a n See DANCER Page 8

Precious and NCCU modern dance group preforming “BaBopByeYa” by choreographer M. Clayton Barrier

NCCU modern dance group performing “Hometown Glory”

Ciearra Cummingham, a member of eClipse, and NCCU modern dance group preformaing “Emotional EL”

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Former NCCU Sound Machine drummer Marcus Joyner put on a thrilling display of his skill at Estes Hills Elementary School on Friday, March 24.

BRUCE

DEPYSSLER/Campus

Echo adviser

Being in Chapel Hill, the children don’t get exposure.

They only know about UNC-Chapel Hill.

KIMBERLY TAYLOR ESTES HILLS ELEMENTARY THIRD GRADE TEACHER

NCCU Catholic Campus Ministry is offering Sunday Mass for Students, Staff & Friends 5 pm Sunday, April 19, 2015 Venue: The Little Chapel next to Eagle Landing (1801 Fayetteville St., Durham)

Bring Friends As You Come!

For more information call us at 919.801.0428

Rev. Fr. Joseph Oji, C.S. Sp. NCCU Catholic Campus Ministry

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percent implant seeds in the children,” said Parker.

“Ninety percent of them have not heard of HBCUs.” Parker was inspired to create HBCU Week, which she hopes will become an annual event, because she feels that Estes Hills Elementary students need to be informed about equality and racial and ethnic diversity.

Parker said diversity is important and it’s never too early to teach children about it.

Parker said she wanted to teach the kids the difference between HBCUs and PWIs and affirm that a 4.0 GPA means the same at either type of institution.

At Estes Hills, kindergarteners were assigned to learn about Johnson C. Smith University.

First graders were assigned to learn about Winston-Salem State University, and second graders learned about N.C. Central University and Elizabeth City State University.

The third grade was assigned to learn about Shaw University and Livingstone College.

Fourth graders were assigned to learn about St. Augustine College and Fayetteville State University.

HBCU week at Estes Hills concluded on March 27 with the fun part — a

pep rally that brought together all 500 Estes Hills Elementary students with NCCU’s Sound Machine Marching Band.

Some NCCU fraternities also participated.

The students filed into the school’s gym, which was decorated with North Carolina HBCU posters.

The gym buzzed with excitement.

First grade teaching assistant Savada Gilmore stepped up to the microphone and shouted “I.” The entire student body shouted back “I.” He shouted “AM.” They shouted back “AM.” And so on until the sentence “I am ready to listen” was completed.

Then Gilmore asked each class a few questions about the HBCU they had researched about.

When asked what the mascot for NCCU was, the second graders shouted, “Eagles.”

A highlight of the pep rally was when former NCCU band percussionist Marcus Joyner took the stage to display his drumming acumen.

Joyner was the drummer stunt double in 2014 film “Drumline 2.”

During the close up drum solos, Joyner’s hands were the hands recorded.

“You can accomplish anything as long as you put your mind to it,” Joyner

explained to the kids.

Joyner then played the drums to the hit song “One Less Problem” by Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea.

Joyner said it is important to help the kids. He added, “I will do whatever I can.”

NCCU’s Sound Machine Marching Band taught the students the “NCCU chant.”

The fraternities of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. came and talked to the children. They also strolled while the band played.

“It is important to give back to the community. I want to teach them that it is important to live successful lives,” Deron Avery, business administration sophomore and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. member, said.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Superintendent Tom Forcella also attended the rally, along with faculty members.

“Being in Chapel Hill, the children don’t get exposure,” said third grade teacher Kimberly Taylor.

“They only know about UNC-Chapel Hill.”

Substitute teacher Rani Imandi said the pep rally was good and brought awareness to the children.

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Fewer Americans fretting about the environment

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BY ARIT JOHN BLOOMBURG NEWS (TNS)

Why rates are changing.

Rates are fixed for the life of the loan, but the cost of debt in future years could still go higher.

In 2013, Congress passed legislation that tied federal student loan rates to the 10year Treasury note, resetting every July 1.

Without the new law, rates last year would have doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent.

But now Treasury rates are rising — and could go higher, pushing up the cost of borrowing for students.

In fact, according to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, student loan rates could reach 7.05 percent by 2018.

“People will think fondly of when the rate on a Stafford loan was only 6.8 percent,” said Mark Kantrowitz, an expert on college financing and publisher of Edvisors, an online resource about financial aid.

What to do. Steeper

interest rates mean students will face higher monthly bills once they’re out of school.

Even so, Kantrowitz says, federal loans are still the best option for the growing number of students who need to borrow to pay for college.

In 2012, the latest year for which figures are available, 71 percent of all students graduating from fouryear colleges had student loan debt.

This is up from 68 percent in 2008, and 65 percent in 2004, according to The Institute for College Access and Success.

For one, interest rates on federal student loans are capped at 8.25 percent to 10.5 percent, depending on the type of loan.

Also, “You have a range of repayment options and consumer protections that other financing doesn’t provide,” said Lauren Asher, president of TICAS. Those options include income-based repayment

plans, which cap your monthly bill to an affordable percentage of your income, and the ability to defer payments if, say, you lose your job.

Federal student loans may be cheaper than private loan options.

At Sallie Mae, for example, fixed rates for private student loans range from 5.74 percent to 11.85 percent.

To get the lower rate you need an excellent credit rating.

In contrast, most federal student loans do not require a credit check.

And this year’s rate jump for federal loans may be manageable.

A freshman who borrows the maximum $5,500 allowed during the 2014-15 school year will see the monthly payment after graduation rise by little more than $2.

The more you borrow, though, the more you’ll feel the pain.

“The amount of debt has a more significant impact on the monthly payment than the change in interest rates,” Kantrowitz said — something to keep in mind if you’re starting a college search this summer and comparing costs.

“You don’t have control over interest rates, but you do over the amount you borrow,” Kantrowitz said.

Americans’ concerns over environmental issues including air and water pollution, plant and animal extinction and rainforest loss has crept downward since last year, according to a new poll.

Gallup measured how many Americans care “a great deal” about those issues and found a drop of 5 to 8 percentage points, the polling organization said Wednesday.

That came after an uptick from 2013 to 2014.

“Last year’s increased worry proved temporary, rather than the start of a trend toward renewed concern about environmental problems,” Gallup’s Jeffrey M. Jones wrote.

Gallup surveyed 1,025 adults over the phone from March 5-8, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Concern over “global warming or climate change” dropped 2 percentage points over the past year to 32 percent, according to the poll.

One trend that hasn’t changed is declining concern about the environment in the GOP. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of Republicans who said they worried a great deal about drinking water and air pollution dropped 21 percentage points and 28 percent-

age points, respectively.

Concern about climate change among Republicans dropped 16 percentage points during that time. It rose 4 percentage points among Democrats.

The poll results come as the environmental movement shifts its focus from more immediate concerns like water pollution to long-term risks like climate change.

But despite increased media coverage over the last several years, concern for climate change remains nearly identical to the poll’s March 2013 and 2014 results — 32 percent of Americans say they care a great deal about it, and another 23 percent say they care a fair amount.

At the same time, it’s worth paying attention to what questions a poll is asking.

A January 2015 Pew Research poll asked what issues should be a top priority for President Barack Obama in 2015.

Thirty-eight percent of Americans said global warming, a rise of 9 percentage points from the previous year. By that measure, concern over climate change is still on the rise.

Pew interviewed 1,504 people over the phone from Jan. 7-11, 2015. the survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.

To balance budgets, governors seek higher education cuts

BY ELAINE S. POVICH STATELINE.ORG (TNS)

WASHINGTON — Governors in nearly a half-dozen states want to cut state spending on colleges and universities to help close budget shortfalls, often sparking vehement opposition among state lawmakers of both parties.

Republican governors in Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana and Wisconsin and Connecticut’s Democratic governor have proposed higher education cuts for the coming fiscal year.

Higher education spending traditionally is a juicy target for budget cutters because schools can make up the lost revenue by raising tuition.

But students and their families already are being squeezed by steadily rising college costs.

In fiscal year 2013, schools got about 47 percent of their revenue from

tuition, up from about 24 percent in fiscal year 1988, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut has suggested a tuition hike to compensate for the cuts, but the Republican governors are urging the schools in their states to find the necessary savings by trimming bureaucracy and consolidating campuses.

University officials argue that past budget cuts have pushed them to the breaking point, forcing them, for example, to rely heavily on adjunct professors and teaching assistants instead of full professors.

During the recession, 48 states cut higher education spending. Alaska and North Dakota didn’t. They are the only two states spending as much or more on higher education than they did before the recession, when

the numbers are adjusted for inflation, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a Washington, D.C.-based research group.

Some critics have urged the Republican governors to roll back recent tax cuts to spare the colleges and universities. But so far the governors have balked, arguing that lower taxes have helped working families and attracted businesses.

Nowhere is the controversy greater than in Louisiana, which has a complicated higher education system and a Republican governor who is considering running for president.

Gov. Bobby Jindal proposed a budget that would reduce higher education spending by $141 million in fiscal 2016.

In recent weeks, he has proposed offsetting some of the cuts by getting rid of some refundable business

Campus Echo @campusecho www.campusecho.com campusecho@nccu.edu 919.530.7116

tax credits, which have a total value of $526 million.

But the business community is strongly opposing that idea.

That leaves the Republican-dominated legislature in a bind, forcing members to choose between education and low taxes, two priorities they generally support.

State Sen. Conrad Appel, a Republican, said in an interview that if the higher education cuts Jindal proposed all go into effect “it would be really serious” and a big blow to colleges and universities.

He said he wants to scale back the proposed cuts, but wasn’t prepared to say exactly how.

“If we vote to replenish, some of the cuts will be mitigated to some extent,” he said.

But, he noted that the Louisiana public university system has “structural inefficiencies” that will mean more budget cuts in the future.

He said he told college administrators last week that they should take steps to cut their budgets, whether that means consolidation of campuses or other methods.

“What I don’t recommend is for higher education to ignore the opportunity to fix the problem,” he said.

“Either they are going to fix it or we are going to fix it for them and they won’t like it.”

Robert Scott, president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, said that since Jindal became governor in 2008, the number of full-time employees at state colleges and universities has decreased 23 percent due to budget cuts, and that schools have been raising tuition along the way.

But now, he said, “they

are about to price themselves out of the market.” He said the flagship school, Louisiana State University, “still has some headroom” to continue tuition increases, but most of the small schools in the state system don’t have that luxury.

Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a potential presidential candidate who has cut state income and property taxes by $541 million during his tenure, has proposed cutting $300 million from the University of Wisconsin system.

According to Walker, that amounts to a 2.5 percent cut, but other analysts have put the figure as high as 13 percent.

The fact-checking service PolitiFact split the difference, assessing the reduction at about 6 percent.

The cut would be exacerbated by the fact that there is a tuition freeze in place.

In Illinois, Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner recommended a reduction of nearly 6 percent in direct spending on state colleges and universities.

Despite the cut, Rauner argues that “this budget proposal continues to offer state support to our public universities” through contributions to the universities’ retirement system and insurance benefits for university employees.

But Rauner faces strong opposition from the Democratic-controlled legislature and from the state’s universities.

Senate President John Cullerton said on his Facebook page that the governor’s budget cuts will “undermine access to health services, child care, affordable college and retirement security for working- and middle-class families” and vowed that the legislature

will amend it.

While Rauner has proposed cuts in a range of areas, the education chunk is drawing the most attention.

In Arizona, the Republican-led legislature went further than Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in cutting higher education, agreeing to a $99 million cut, down from an earlier legislative proposal of $104 million.

Ducey had proposed a $75 million reduction as a way to pay for business tax cuts.

Universities and proponents of higher education fought the governor’s cuts so doggedly that they prompted a backlash in the legislature, which upped them.

Arizona State University President Michael Crow called the action a “drastic remedy to the state’s budget troubles” and one that will come back to haunt the state when it has fewer college graduates contributing to the state’s economy.

In Connecticut, Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy proposed cutting $10.6 million from the University of Connecticut system and an additional $20.6 million from the state’s regional universities. Malloy has expressed support for tuition hikes, after several years of urging that tuition merely keep pace with inflation.

In Kansas, Republican Gov. Sam Brownback since 2011 has pushed through a 25 percent reduction in the state’s top income tax rate, lowered sales taxes and eliminated a tax on smallbusiness income.

As a result, state revenue has declined by $685 million. Brownback now is looking to make cuts in education and elsewhere in an effort to balance the books.

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Fashion Meets Art 12345 1234 123 12

Trending Topic #FTW (For The Win) #WTF (What The ...) #FAIL

3DT R A S H

Kendrick Lamar How to Pimp a Butterfly TDE 5 out of 5 on the black hand side

Author’s note: This review will focus on the sonic and lyrical qualities of “To Pimp a Butterfly,” rather than its pointed social commentary — a subject worthy of another article, probably multiple. I just won’t be doing that in this piece.

Enjoy. endrick’s longtime girlfriend Whitney Alford on “King Kunta” yells “We want da funk!”

“Yass!” I respond with spine curved into obeisance.

With equal parts confidence and vacillation, guilt and innocence, rage and love, “To Pimp a Butterfly (TPAB)” sprints across the high-wire of genius.

Unafraid of the consequences, Kendrick Lamar’s third studio album is dripping with the one thing missing from mainstream Hip-Hop, consequence.

To start, it is important to note that TPAB isn’t remotely similar to his last album “Good Kid, MAAD City (GKMC).”

In fact, the projects seem divergent, or even schizophrenic.

In the way Harvey Dent and Two-Face reside in the same psyche, the two albums represent an artist fractured in both intent and personality.

GKMC is the mild-mannered attorney, the whiteknight of Gotham, while TPAB is the kinetic villain, loud and brazen.

However, despite its obvious greatness, GKMC is still just a rap album.

Now before y’all start reaching for the pitchforks; I’m not saying that GKMC is ordinary, far from it.

If you had to pin me down, I would call it one of the best albums in the genre’s history.

But “TPAB,” man, dat thang an AL – BUM! (“Man” should read with like three syllables.)

Analogous to a rainforest, TPAB is rich with biodiversity. Built around humid baselines and scintillating horns, Kendrick masterminds a yeasty soundscape tugging on the heart-stings of imagination.

Where is Big Sean when you need him? He did such a good job holdin’ Kendrick’s cape on “Control,” the least he can do is get the man a drink.

Cuz dammit, Kendrick is workin’ Ok, enough jokes. But seriously, on TPAB Lamar literally has his own orbit.

On every track, Kendrick’s gravitas is almost lunar, crimping and contorting the sonic tidal waves to his every whim.

The truly amazing thing about his vocal performance is the way Kendrick feathers his larger-thanlife verses with restraint.

It’s kind of like shaking hands with Clark Kent; the path of least resistance is to crush everything he touches, but he never does. Kendrick’s delivery never feels heavy-

K Apparel design senior Stefan Bryant sews a dress.

Textiles and apparel senior Candace Lee sews a garment.

KIMANE DARDEN/Photo Editor

KIMANE DARDEN/Photo Editor

BY MELQUAN GANZY OPINIONS EDITOR

N.C. Central University’s fashion leaders will dominate Fashion Inc.’s annual fashion show on April 7 in McLendonMcDougal Gymnasium.

This year’s theme is ‘Fashion Meets Art’.

The designers’ work is inspired by movies, artists, and music.

The apparel designer students are challenged to construct artistic fashion lines that match with the theme.

For some apparel students the fashion show is their first hands-on experience with creating fashion.

Senior human science major Stacey Holloway, is the secretary and coordinator for Fashion Inc. Holloway’s artistic inspiration for the fashion show is painter Ivan Guaderrama.

Holloway said he is inspired by evening wear

designers Russo and Marchesa.

Holloway said she appreciates designers’ detailed and structured garments.

“I like to top myself all the time,” said Holloway.

“I don’t really compete with anyone but myself.

“When people see something they expect more from you the next time, so I’m always pushing myself.”

Holloway started draping last semester and began working on his designs as soon as the theme was chosen.

He is still diligently working on his fashion line using finishing techniques such as adding zippers, top stitching, and hemming.

“Finishing the garment, is the most difficult part for me because I don’t like doing it,” Holloway said.

Human science major Baheeyah Madany, began sketches over the summer.

Her goal was to start

draping as soon as she learned the technique.

Madany is inspired by Edger Allan Poe and the human psyche.

Her line is expected to be romantically horrifying.

“You can’t underestimate any of the designers,” said Madany.

“You may see the people who’re great in class but you may not see other people’s work.”

The process of constructing a fashion line isn’t as easy as it seems.

“It’s frustrating because your friends and colleagues don’t understand how hard it is,” said Madany.

“You don’t just cut out pieces of fabric and stick it together.”

Madany said not only does constructing garments require math and coordination but it also requires a lot patience and effort.

“I usually don’t give myself a break,” said Madany.

“I usually don’t sleep.

“Most of my college career has been dedicated to the show.”

Madany said through the process of coordinating a fashion show you may begin doubt your work.

“The hardest part of the process is sticking with your designers, not letting anyone influence your garments,” Madany said.

The students are required to be done by judging day on April 2.

The students will display their fashion line in front of five judges for critiques.

The top three winners will be announced the day of the show.

“There are great turn outs at probates, pageants and games, but when people try to offer something new, people turn away,” Madany said.

“Everyone should develop appreciation for our art.”

DANCER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Mr. NCCU Dance Group Michael Keels, political science sophomore, at a practice session during “My Life as a Dancer” at B.N. Duke Auditorium, March 29.

KEYANDRA/Campus Echo staff photographer

lot of energy and that really did help our performance as a whole.”

The NCCU dance group was founded in the fall semester of 1968. Nancy Pinckney has served as director and advisor over the NCCU dance group for 47 years.

“When students first join the dance group they quickly realized that we are not looking for perfection but we are looking for excellence,” said Pinckney.

It is not required that members of the dance group have to be students of the dance department but participants must be eager to come to the practices.

They are also required to work hard and be dedicated to their craft.

“The students are very committed to Ms. Pinckney’s philosophy and dedication as a dancer and advisor, which has allowed me to honor that and it serves as a vessel to present my work,” said Thomas.

The students usually practice three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

“Our practices consist of general warm ups, technique, traveling dancing and barre work,” said Clayton Barrier, assistant advisor of the dance group

and NCCU alum.

“This is my 17th year working with the dance group and they are a bunch of hard working individuals who have persevered through a lot of challenges and have continuously kept their eyes on the goal every step of the way,” Barrier said.

There are two major shows that the students spend the majority of their time practicing for: one in the fall and one in the spring.

Approaching concert time, students get a chance to choreograph their own pieces to be taught to rest of the group for the concert.

“One piece is no bigger than another piece in the show,” said Pinckney. “We believe that all the students should equally shine.”

The dance group focuses on various styles of dance including: modern, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and liturgical.

The styles they perform mostly depend on the students that are apart of the dance group.

“They by these students being apart of the NCCU dance group, they have been able to express themselves fully through dance,” said Barrier.

handed.

Like a luxurious fabric, every lyric nestles the groove.

This restraint is the work product of a grueling level of focus and an unrivaled attention to detail.

Simply put, on TPAB Kendrick Lamar is a superhero.

Lyrically, the album is flawless; demonstrating their own exigency, each bar, stanza, and verse stalk both emotion and meaning.

Despite their lush wordplay, the verses shine not just as beacons of triumph, but as gateways to a subtle, nuanced narrative.

Foregoing the straightforward exposition of GKMC, TPAB lays out its perspective as vignettes.

Yet, despite K-dot’s Godlike presence, it’s the supporting cast that propels TPAB into the stratosphere.

In an interview with XXL Magazine, TDE inhouse producer Sounwave — architect of TPAB — stated, “There are barely any samples on this project … There’s a couple inspired moments but the majority of it was just us.”

TPAB is a creative spectacle. Robert Glasper’s piano performance on “For Free,” “These Walls,” “Complexion,” and “The Blacker the Berry” is magical.

It’s precise without being sterile, but at the same time allowing enough flexibility for the other instruments to shine.

Stephen “Thunderkat” Bruner, on this record, is a treasure.

The work he does on bass and background vocals gives the project a sense of optimism and giddiness that act as wings for Kendrick’s at-times heavy subject matter.

The only thing I will say about jazz-futurist Terrace Martin is that he is a BAAD MAN (Stephen A. Smith voice).

Ronald Isley and Snoop Dogg provide the album a much needed sense of history.

But outshining the enormous list of collaborators is NC native Rapsody, who is truly a revelation. With her scene-stealing verse on “Complexion,” the 9th Wonder (NCCU Alum) progeny makes her mark on the mainstream HipHop scene.

If you haven’t heard of Rapsody, stop what you’re doing immediately and peep her back catalog.

She is incredible.

TPAB is a certified classic. In both scope and execution, TBAP outpaces Kendrick’s past efforts in every way.

With this record, Kendrick Lamar stamps his place in the pantheon of rap immortals.

TPAB is an audacious celebration of the revolutionary act that is living as black.

Every song, verse, lyric, and syllable resonates with the underpinnings of my identity.

How good is TPAB? I’m not sure it matters when its peers are albums like “Life After Death,” “Aquemini,” and “All Eyez On Me.”

-Aaron Dial

Sports

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Unsatisfied II: a retrospective NCCU men’s basketball closes out another effective, winning season BY

AVERY YOUNG

ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

From the first game of the season against University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to their last against University of Miami in the National Invitation Tournament, N.C. Central University Men’s Basketball team showcased their talents as a Division I program.

Last year in March, NCCU men’s basketball team lost to Iowa State in the second round of the NCAA March Madness tournament to a score of 93-75.

With that loss, the men’s team used that early round exit as fuel for their fire for the 2014-2015 basketball season.

Notable returning players from the previous season, forwards Karamo Jawara and Jordan Parks, headed into the season with a chip on their shoulder.

“I am just as excited as last year. I want to come out with my teammates and go on a great run again,” Parks said.

Both were selected as team captains and received preseason honors within the Mid-Eastern Athletic conference.

Jawara received third team and Parks earned first team AllMEAC. However, Jawara brushed off the fact that he

Parks (no. 2), McDonald (no. 5) and Jawara (no. 10) celebrate after season sweep of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

LEAH MONTGOMERY/Assistant Editor

received notification for his individual achievements.

“I don’t really care about the individual stuff. I just want to win. If I’m third team, sixth team or first team then it really does not matter to me,” Jawara said.

During the offseason, the team added multiple players to fill much needed roles that were left vacant due to seniors graduating.

The notable additions included four new guards: senior Nimrod Hilliard,

senior Anthony McDonald, junior Jeremiah Ingram and sophomore Jamal Ferguson.

Also, the team welcomed two junior big men, Enoch Hood and Nate Maxey to help strengthen the team’s inside game.

These new additions had a crucial impact in helping the team remain cohesive throughout the entire season.

NCCU men’s basketball team swept through the regular season against

their MEAC opponents by winning all 16 conference games by an average of 14.7 points per game.

As a result, the team snagged the 2014-2015 regular season MEAC title with ease.

The Eagles headed into the MEAC tournament as the number one seed and projected to win it all in Norfolk, Virginia.

Their first game of the tournament was March 11 against the Eagles of Coppin State University.

That game resulted in NCCU completely winning in a landslide, 91-43.

Their next opponent was the Hornets of Delaware State University. The last time these two teams collided was Jan. 26 in the McDougald-McClendon gymnasium on ESPNU. The Eagles escaped with a one point victory after Delaware State missed two potential free throws that would have won the game.

However, the Hornets got their poetic justic dur-

ing the MEAC semifinal game.

Delaware State found a way to fight until the finish and beat the Eagles by a score of 63-57.

Even though the Eagles did not receive a bid to the “Big Dance” tournament again, they still had a good enough year to be selected into the NIT where they faced their second Atlantic Coast Conference team of the season, the Hurricanes of the University of Miami.

The Eagles fought a tough fight and went blowfor-blow but could not skate past the Hurricanes.

Hilliard scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half and Parks scored 23 of his 25 in the second half.

The Eagles’ last game of the season ended with a four point loss in the first round of the NIT, 75-71.

Hilliard finished the season third on NCCU’s single season assist list with 184 assists.

Karamo Jawara played in 86 wins during his four year career in a maroon and gray jersey.

Anthony McDonald is the second Eagle to make 100 3pointers in a season Despite the season’s premature ending, NCCU Men’s basketball season still holds records .

They are #1 in the nation in conference wins and still ranks #2 in homewinning streak with 35 consecutive wins.

Racking up a winning streak Daniil Gerasimov receives recognition for his achievements on the tennis court BY

LYNDON B ASS

ECHO SPORTS WRITER

On March 25th, N.C. Central University’s senior tennis player Daniil Gerasimov was named MEAC player of the week by the league’s office.

The current winning streak that Gerasimov is holding onto captured the eyes of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference statistician immediately.

The tennis competitor from Belgorod, Russia went 3-0 last week against the 2014 All-MEAC honorees that included the First Team selections Carlos Waitman of Florida A&M, Martin Figura of South Carolina State University, and Second Team honoree Walid Gtari of BethuneCookman University.

Also, with beating the Aggies of North Carolina A&T University on Friday and winning another singles match against Davidson College on Sunday, Gerasimov extended his streak to 12 straight wins in the singles match category.

“To be honest,” said Gerasimov, “I don’t feel special. I’m here to play tennis and this is what I’m supposed to do and I have

to take the court and give it to my opponents. But it’s also a nice feeling to receive this honor.”

Gerasimov was selected by the head tennis coach, D. Curtis Lawson as a twotime team most valuable player in his career at NCCU. “I have a really good relationship with coach [assistant coach] John Mclean. They always support us and bring out our best,” said Gerasimov.

“Just in general, I feel really good about our coaching and happy to be here because I know a lot of players on different teams that I receive feedback from and by the sounds of it, we are really lucky.”

Gerasimov said he has a good feeling about this team and has a goal to win it all this year in the MEAC conference.

“I want to help the team as much as I can,” said Gerasimov.

“We were really close to beating the reigning champions South Carolina State so I think we have a chance to win the MEAC championship.

“Of course it’s going to take all of our efforts, energy, and some pain so again, we just have to do our best

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Senior Daniil Gerasimov said support from the NCCU student body goes a long way when he is playing a match.

ANTHONY ORTIZ/Echo staff photographer

and leave it all out there,” he said.

Gerasimov said he thinks his team would benefit from more cooperation

from the NCCU community.

“Even though tennis is not the most popular sport here but we still would really appreciate when

everybody comes out to the courts to support,” he said.

“When everybody comes out to cheer for you it’s a special feeling,” he said.

The Eagles of NCCU play their next home match against Shaw University on Thursday, April 2.

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Opinions

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Let us in A

ccording to The Huffington Post, Bethann Hardison, a fashion activist and model recently wrote a letter to several high end fashion houses like Versace, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, Prada and Chanel about the lack of diversity on the runway.

In the letter, Hardison mentioned: “Eyes are on an industry that, season after season, watches design houses consistently use one or no models of color.”

This isn’t the first time Hardison has written a story about the racism in the fashion industry.

In September 2013 Hardison posted a memo about diversity on BalanceDiversity. com.

I have to say, Hardison is hitting the nail on the head with this Melquan issue.

I’ve witnessed Ganzy, what he’s comOpinions plaining about enough to know Editor that he is deadly accurate.

For example, VFiles Made Fashion F/W 2015 on YouTube featured at least 5 fashion houses: Andrea Jiapei Li, Julia Seemann, Ximon Lee, Discount Universe and VFiles Sport Plus. In the entire fashion show, I counted just seven black models.

I am huge fan of VFiles. Their fashion is distinctive, artistic, diverse and free. I love it.

But it’s unfortunate that black models aren’t given the same opportunities to represent designers as white models are.

I appreciate the fact that Hardison took the initiative to speak on a known issue in the fashion industry.

There are many black people in the industry who actually have a voice but choose not to speak out.

For example, André Leon Talley, a former American editor for Vogue magazine, doesn’t speak up as often as he should about the lack of diversity in the fashion industry.

Talley is alumnus of N.C. Central University. Talley majored in Apparel Design.

But he hasn’t given the Human Science department any recognition.

Being into fashion I’ve always noticed designers use few black models. I believe it’s extremely selfish for designers to not provide black models a fair opportunity to embrace the art.

Designers use black models as fads — a temporary fashion. They use black models only when they’re “en vogue.”

The truth is this: black models are a crucial element of the fashion industry.

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2015

How not to rebound T

he hardest thing to do is to be alone. Everyone dreams of having that special someone they can surrender their all to, to be loved by and grow old with.

Unfortunately not every relationship works out.

And when they don’t you have to know the proper way of how to transitioning from one relationship to the next.

You must give yourself time to heal and recuperate from that recent relationAlex ship before Glenn jumping into a new one.

Often times someone who’s freshly out of a relationship will say “the best way to get over someone is to get with another” and this phrase is wrong.

That’s like getting a new dog after your dog just died.

By giving yourself some alone time, you are able to focus on yourself which will help the healing process.

Healing gives you time to know your likes and dislikes in relationships.

Often times someone who’s freshly out of a relationship will say “the best way to get over someone is to get with another” and this phrase is wrong. That’s like getting a new dog after your dog just died.

By taking this time to yourself allows you to figure out what not to settle for in the next relationship while giving yourself time to actually find yourself and know yourself as a whole.

The same amount of time that you would normally devote to that significant other can now be devoted to a specific hobby or a certain goal that you have been trying to accomplish.

Instead of going out and searching for that new person you should focus on yourself and the right person will come along when you least expected and sweep you off your feet.

You will never be able to love someone else if you cannot love yourself alone.

Often those who do not give themselves time to heal usually carry baggage from the previous relationship into the next “making him/her pay for his mistakes” in the words of

usher.

By giving yourself time to heal will give yourself time to let go and heal from that baggage so when you are actually ready for the next person you can both start with clean slates.

Also those who rush into a new relationship without giving themselves time to heal often compare their new mate to their ex-boyfriend or exgirlfriend and in the process they end up running their newly boyfriend or girlfriend away.

So if you were to meet your soulmate today or tomorrow who would they meet?

A brokenhearted person? A person who is still stuck on their previous ex? A saddened person?

If you were to give yourself some time to heal they shouldn’t see any of these things but a strong independent individual with a lot to offer.

Illustration by Krystal Porter

Sound Off What can the student body do to unify our university?

Give gays a break H

omosexuality isn’t new.

Someone being into the same sex isn’t something that’s rare nor is it a trend.

Yet, still today some people have trouble accepting it.

According to Thehealthy place.com, studies have shown that LGBT youth attempt suicide more than three times more frequently than heterosexuals due to bullying, harassment, the lack of acceptance.

According to Diamond the National Gywnn Strategy for Black Gay Youth in America, 43 percent of black gay youth have thought about or attempted suicide as a result of issues related to their sexual orientation.

Just a week ago UNCCharlotte student and activist, Blake Brockington, committed suicide.

He’d recently transitioned from female to male. His family weren’t supportive of his decision and he moved in with a foster family where he continued to struggle with gender identity and accept-

Whether you agree or disagree with homosexuality, the harassment and discrimination must come to an end to prevent suicides in the future!

ance.

Not only was Brockington an advocate for the gay community but for minorities as well. He had a voice for those who didn’t.

For those of you who find it hard to accept those of the LGBT community, imagine if Brockington was your child or brother.

Imagine if it was you.

Imagine if you felt like you were born in the wrong body and a particular lifestyle was forced upon you.

Imagine feeling trapped.

Imagine feeling alone and disowned.

I wouldn’t wish those feeling upon anyone.

It saddens me to see people still being so closed minded about homosexuality, especially in the black community.

Black people, of all people, should know what it feels like to be discriminated against.

It’s not fair to treat people unfairly because of their sex-

ual orientation or for any reason in that case.

Homosexuality isn’t a chosen lifestyle. People are born the way they are.

Most homosexuals say they can tell their orientation when they’re small children.

Some people think otherwise but it’s still not okay to treat them disrespectfully.

To those who disagree with homosexuality because of their religion: We all sin!

All sins are the same in God’s eyes. Who are you to say that one sin weighs more than the other?

Whether you agree or disagree with homosexuality, the harassment and discrimination must come to an end to prevent suicides in the future!

Whether you like it or not, the LGBT community will be around regardless. It’s time to put aside your own petty opinions, because at the end of the day we are all humans.

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

Campus Echo Jamar Negron, Editor-in-Chief

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READ AND THEN RECYCLE

READ AND THEN RECYCLE

“Have knowledge about our history.

If we don’t know our history we’ll continue to be oppressed. I will also support black businesses.”

— Kourtney Robinson, Junior

“Have more positive communication. People don’t speak their minds as much as they used to, if they do it’s usually negative.”

—DeNea Crowell, Junior

“Enrich ourselvesso that we’re more approachable. We have to be more informal instead of downing ourselves.”

— Keyona Presha, Junior Sound Off by Melquan Ganzy