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VOLUME 99, ISSUE 12 919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM
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CAMPUS
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PHOTO FEATURE
English department chair Louise Maynor retires after 34 years
‘At the Beginning’ explores family, faith and hope in the University Theatre
Alum returns home after 32 years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
NCCU students teach eighth graders about health and health careers
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Campus Echo Internet censored, study
Student death mystery
CNN COMES TO NCCU|BLACK IN AMERICA
BY FRANK DAVIES SAN JOSE MERCURY (MCT)
Meningitis or assault?
WASHINGTON — Internet censorship around the world is becoming more pervasive and sophisticated, with governmentdirected content filtering documented in at least 25 countries, according to a comprehensive report to be released Friday. Political, social and cultural content are the primary targets of censorship, along with applications such as Google Maps and the Internet phone program Skype, according to the OpenNet Initiative, a partnership of more than 50 researchers who conducted tests on Internet access in 41 countries.
BY GEOFFREY COOPER ECHO STAFF WRITER
was here for CNN’s Black in America HBCU tour. NCCU was the second HBCU visited on the tour. “I’m just here talking to students and seeing what life is like for students on this campus,” said Holmes. The University of Arkansas graduate also spoke to a class of nearly
The N.C. Central University campus continues to be puzzled about the April 8 death of history senior Canon Tyrell Fuller. The State Bureau of Investigation suspects that Fuller’s death may have been an aggravated assault. In an April 10 search warrant, Creedmoor police officials state that household members and staff told them Fuller “was assaulted by two residents within 24 hours of his death.” Recreational sports management senior Corey Dinkins recalled the day of his friend and roommate’s death. During a 10:40 a.m. break, Dinkins was enjoying his break from classes, laughing with friends. But his fun turned to sadness when he got word that Fuller had died early that morning. The 21-year-old from Lincolnton collapsed the evening of April 7 while working at Will’s Place, a level-three licensed group home for mentally ill or emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, located in Creedmoor. Dinkins said he and Fuller were good friends from freshman year until Fuller’s death. He said they meshed well mainly because both their fathers are pastors and their families are involved in church. “It really came as a shock to me,” said Dinkins. “I didn’t want to believe it. When I heard it was true, I just had to get away from everyone and everything.” Granville County Emergency Medical Services Director Martin Bragg said an EMS report recorded a 9-1-1 call to 313 Park Ave., the address of the group home, at 10:53 p.m. After Fuller collapsed, he was taken to UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, where he never gained consciousness. Fuller died Tuesday, April 8. Public health officials first
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May 3 speaker, found BY CYNTHIA HARRIS ECHO STAFF WRITER
With just 17 days before the Saturday, May 3 graduation the Selection Committee, a sub-committee of the 17-member Commencement Committee, just locked in a commencement speaker yesterday at 5 p.m. according to Roger Gregory, special assistant to the Chancellor. The speaker, Vernon Jones, is the Chief Executive Officer of DeKalb County, Ga. Jones, a 1983 N.C. Central University alumnus, manages the day-to-day operations of DeKalb county, a county that 700,000 citizens and an annual budget of $2.6 billion. Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Jones is running for the 2008 Georgia seat in the U.S. Senate . According to Rogers the committee worked hard for six months to identify and confirm a speaker. “We contacted a number of high profile individuals ... how-
Savin Joseph and Emmanuel Tyre party hop outside the Alfonso Elder Student Union before the CNN HBCU Tour spoken word contest, April 10. The tour will be featured in CNN’s “Black in America” series. SEBASTIAN FRANCES/Echo Staff Photographer
CNN takes an HBCU road trip Students are asked about being ‘Black In America’ BY BRITNEY ROOKS ECHO STAFF WRITER
“To be black in America is to be part of a long rich tradition in this country. Being black in America, we have a lot of pride,” said chemistry junior Alexander V. Jackson while at the CNN HBCU Tour. “We have a lot invested in America. If it hadn’t been for black people in America, America would-
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n’t be where it is today. We’re the backbone.” The tour, part of CNN’s “Black in America” series hit N.C. Central University on April 10, just outside of the Alfonso Elder Student Union. The tour arrived at NCCU after stops at Florida A&M and N.C. A&T State. Marketing manager Keisha Taylor said CNN selected schools with the
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CNN anchor shares career success story BY
MARK SCOTT
ECHO STAFF WRITER
N.C. Central students in the department of English and mass communications received tips on success from one of CNN’s upcoming stars. Weekend anchor T.J. Holmes spoke to students in Brett Chambers Mass Media and Society class last Thursday. Holmes
Learning before lockdown NCCU professors participate in a program that gives prisoners an education BY SHELBIA BROWN ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Rueben Little stands outside his classroom, patiently waiting for history class to begin. The classroom is adorned with timeline posters of civil rights movements and dates chronicling the World Wars. Encyclopedias and world atlas books are situated on the shelves. Little, 20, is a post-secondary education student. He has a syllabus, homework and exams. He accumulates credit hours just like any other college student. For Little, class usually ends about an hour just before lockdown. “The more knowledge you get the more doors open for
you,” Little said. But Little does not take these classes on a traditional college campus. He takes them at a correctional facility. Little, a High Point native, was a 15-year old ninth grader when he was arrested on drug-related charges and has been serving time for the last five years. He takes courses through the Youth Offenders Program at Polk Youth Institution in Butner. In its 10th year, the Program was formed through an agreement between the North Carolina Department of Correction, and the University of North Carolina System. It was created to give inmates the opportunity to take college-level courses
and receive transferrable college credits while serving time in a correctional facility. NCCU associate history professor Jim Harper started teaching U.S. history last semester at Polk. He said teaching those like Little is an “opportunity” to help incarcerated males. “I try to help these young men get a new start in life,” Harper said. “Education is one of the things I use to help them better themselves.” When first presented with the idea to teach at Polk, Harper said he had no qualms about it but the safety issue crossed his mind. “I didn’t know what kind of level of security it would be,” he said. He said aside from the
prison experience itself, education is an added alternative that motivates inmates to not return to Polk. “This program is a good program to help these men to transition back to society,” said Harper, who plans on continuing to teach at Polk. At Polk, students have class once a week if they are enrolled in one class and twice a week for two classes. The 15-week semester schedule is similar to one at a traditional college. Students can not exceed two classes per semester. Classes last for three hours with a 15minute break in between. A typical class size is 15 students.
Jim Harper teaching at Polk Youth Institution
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BRYSON POPE/Echo staff photographer
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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
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NCCU’s test prep czar
HOLMES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Hardy coordinates Princeton Review tests BY STEPHANIE CROOK ECHO STAFF WRITER
Getting into medical school, law school, business school or graduate school is no walk in the park these days — but Leon Hardy, associate professor of mathematics at N.C. Central University, has worked for 14 years to help graduating seniors make the transition. Hardy has spearheaded the effort to help seniors prepare for MCAT, LSAT, GRE, and GMAT entrance exams. Hardy started working with The Princeton Review in 1995 to bring test preparation courses to campus. “During the Fall of 1995, The Princeton Review came and challenged me to get these testing materials on the campus of NCCU,” Hardy said. “Thinking about
the students, that’s exactly what I did.” Hardy coordinates the testing schedule and arrangements with The Princeton Review. Hardy also convinced The Princeton Review to offer its courses at up to half the retail price. The courses can be expensive: Hardy said he paid $1,600 for his son to prepare for the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT. The Princeton Review, founded in 1981, provides preparation for college entrance exams, including the SAT and the ACT, and graduate admission exams including the Graduate Records Exam, the Medical College Admission Test, the Graduate Management Admission Test, and the Law School Admission Test. The Princeton Review
program includes a practice exam to target problem areas and an interactive review of the exam that can last more than two hours. The company also offers a $90 math refresher tutorial. According to Hardy, about 45 NCCU students took the LSAT prep course last summer, about 20 took the GRE prep course and about 15 took the MCAT. He said students can get funds to help pay for the prep course from department grants, from the Office of the Provost and from employer reimbursements. Sign-up deadline for the for the MCAT is May 9; for the math refresher tutorial is May 16; and for the GMAT, GRE and LSAT is June 6. Further information about course fees and dates call Leon Hardy at (919) 5305109.
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CNN anchor T.J. Holmes meets with mass communication students Thursday April 10 BRYSON POPE/Echo staff photographer
For the last six years, Paulette Morrison-Danner has served as the program coordinator and student support coordinator for NCCU’s University College. She said when she came on board the program was already implemented and she just picked up from there. “It’s actually like a partnership; it’s basically like a collaborative effort,” Morrison-Danner said. In addition to targeting incarcerated youth, she said the program was designed “to change lives through education.” She also said once an inmate is released, the education they received will help them maintain in the outside world. “You want them to come back productive and definitely changed,” MorrisonDanner said. “I think it’s a well-worth program.” Morrison-Danner said the grant money that they receive is allocated to books for the classes, tuition for the students, computers, school supplies and pay for the professors. This school year, tuition was only $264.68 per semester. By the close of this semester, the program would have spent about $120,000. “The program was established to provide post-secondary education,” said Kenneth Phillips, NCDOC director of the Youth Offender Program. According to Phillips, the Program is funded through a federal grant from the U. S. Department of Education that is renewed every three years. For the current threeyear period, the NCDOC division of prisons received about $1.5 million that was dispersed to the 16 constituent universities in the school system. Each period the grant amount is contingent upon the prison population. Based on NCDOC statistics, 48 per cent of inmates that are eligible for the Program will be repeat offenders, but the number drops to 18 per cent for those who were involved in the Program prior to their
release. Phillips said that when the offenders go through the Program their “cognitive and behavioral skills are bettered.” UNC-Chapel Hill was the first school to participate in the Program. From there universities including UNCAsheville, UNC-Charlotte, N.C. State University, East Carolina University and Fayetteville State University will have participated by next year. Each university is assigned to teach at one or more of the correctional facilities across the state. In order to enroll in the program, inmates must meet certain criteria. They must be between the ages of 18 and 25, possess a high school diploma or GED and must be less than five years of completing their sentence. Kaye Rogers, visiting assistant professor of instructional technology at NCCU teaches Computer Application I and II courses at Polk. Students learn computer programs and get instruction on formulas, spreadsheets and presentations with homework and tests just like her students at NCCU. “It’s no different from what students have on campus,” she said. Rogers said when Morrison-Danner approached her about teaching in the program, she feared going into a correctional facility because of the bad things she had heard and even seen on television. “At first I was kind of contemplating whether or not I should do it,” she said. But that changed when she began her first day of teaching. From then until now, Rogers said her negative perception of prison life had changed, and she enjoys teaching at the facility. She said her students at Polk just want to learn, and she has never had any bad experiences there. Upon release, MorrisonDanner said some inmates do make the choice to continue their education after being a part of the program. But the UNC system added questions devoted to criminal background information four
years ago after a UNCWilmington student was killed. Curtis Dixon, who was convicted of the murder, gave false information about his criminal history when applying to UNCW. “The question is, are they going to commit any crimes on campus,” MorrisonDanner said. Almost three years ago, the UNC school board began asking applicants to give information about crimes that they have committed. If an applicant answers yes to committing a crime, they are then asked to detail that crime. From there, the application is sent to an admissions review board to see if the applicant is eligible for admission based on the nature and severity of the crime. Morrison-Danner described the review process as “quite extensive”. She said different categories of the crimes range from fraud, sexual assault, physical harm and possession of a firearm. She also said when reviewing applicants with a criminal background, certain factors come into play including the ex-criminal’s credibility and whether or not they will be an on-campus resident. “They want to finish their education but fearful of getting admitted to school because of their background,” Rogers said. “I tell them if you really want to, you can make it happen.” According to MorrisonDanner, a past criminal history does not automatically deny one from being accepted and documents like reference letters can help the behalf of the applicant. But she said the safety of other students is primary. “You have to think about the risk versus the opportunity, but they have admitted people that have answered ‘yes’,” Morrison-Danner said. For Reuben Little the program is a first step. He expects to be released in seven months and aspires to attend barber school. “It’s like a beginning for me,” he said. “I’ve bettered myself through my past experiences.”
SPEAKER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ever their schedules simply would not permit their attendance,” he said. Many graduating seniors were not even aware that a commencement speaker had not been selected as of Tuesday morning. Kiera Fuell, criminal justice senior, said she was “shocked” and that the late selection made the school look “disorganized.” Kiera’s mother, Linda Fuell, a member of the
Charlotte NCCU alumni chapter, said she was also “surprised.” “It is always difficult to select a commencement speaker,” said Carlton Wilson, chair of the Commencement Committee that includes representatives of all key areas of commencement planning. In an April 14 e-mail Wilson wrote the following: “The University must consider a speaker who is appro-
priate for the occasion, available, and affordable. Availability is a major issue.” Last year’s commencement speaker was Attorney Timothy D. Proctor, general counsel for Diageo, a European distributor of the spirits, beer and wine company. According to Iris Hicks, assistant registrar, about 1,000 NCCU students have applied for spring 2008 graduation.
40 people about his career path, how students can prepare themselves to succeed in the field of mass communications and some of what goes on behind the scenes at CNN. Holmes said he got into the field when he took a journalism class his freshman year in college and has not turned back since. He talked about his humble beginnings in Little Rock, Ark., then in Joplin, Mo., eventually working his way up to become the youngest regular anchor on CNN today. Holmes talked in detail about how demanding the
industry can be with almost no days off. “People like Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper probably haven’t had a day off in five years,” said Holmes. Holmes told students to be sure that broadcasting was the field they wanted to be in and added that the need for African Americans behind the scenes is crucial. “It’s diverse on air but behind the scenes, we need more black directors and managers,” said Holmes. Also present was Chancellor Charlie Nelms who attended school with Holmes’ father in Arkansas.
Nelms called the visit from CNN and Holmes a “wonderful opportunity” for NCCU to get some positive exposure beyond what people’s perception about the University may be. Students also called the visit a success. “I’ve always knew what I had to do but this encouraged me more to do what I need to do” said Norman Barrett a junior mass communications major. Senior mass communications major Greg Pulley said “As an African American male, this was the exact guideline of how to do things.”
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students there would provide us with some great content around what it means to be Black in America in 2008,” said Taylor. In partnership with Essence Magazine, CNN provided a computer booth where students answered questions about race, sex and education. Students were also encouraged to text shotouts and e-mail pictures of their friends and family that were displayed on CNN's LED screen. Women were encouraged to sign up for a free one year subscription to Essence Magazine and $15 iTunes gift cards were given away. The tour held a spoken word contest where students rapped and recited poetry for $25 gift cards. Students voted for the winner of the contest by texting in their choice. Psychology sophomore Lance Johnson won the spoken word contest with his poem, “Roses Are Red.” The poem was a response to the stereotypical comments that are aimed towards young people that write poetry. Johnson said he added a sophisticated twist to the elementary poem “Roses are Red” to send older America on a mental journey back into their past. He said his poem was meant to create a connection between young and old American by communicating through shared emotions. “It allowed me to really give my voice and show what I am as a writer,” said Johnson “A lot of people here at Central do not know that I write so it gave me an
opportunity to showcase my talents.” The tour also provided a live DJ and a graffiti wall. The HBCU tour was designed to promote CNN's “Black in America” series. The series is highlighted by three documentaries, beginning with a profile of Dr. Matin Luther King Jr’s assassination. The other two documentaries are entitled “The Black Man” and “The Black Woman & Family” “We really want to deepen our relationship with the African American Community,” said Lara Hurst, U.S. CNN Sr. Marketing Manager. “We are investing a lot of resources and really talented people in producing this series and we decided we wanted to engage younger African Americans in this experience.” Another component of the tour were the the “iReports” — self-reporting done by students in booths while CNN was here and short videos produced earlier by students and entered in a contest. In the booths students were asked to express their views on one of three topics: • What does it mean to be black in America? • How is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream relative to you and your generation • Is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream still alive today? Students were given one minute to record their thoughts for the camera. The iReport video contest allowed students to submit a 1-10 minute video essay on topics picked by CNN. An iReport is when
someone captures footage of an event using cell phones and other electronics and they send that footage to a local or national news station to be broadcast on a news website or on-air. “Ultimately the goal was to collect video content that could be used on air or on CNN .com,” said Hurst. Mass communication senior Erica Horne won the i-Report contest at NCCU and her video aired on CNN. “It just gave me an opportunity to express to not only North Carolina Central University but to the world, the issues that go on in our community and how being black in America is not only a curse, but it's also a gift and it’s something we should embrace,” said Horne. Horne won a digital camera for her effort. Her entry now competes with other winners from HBCUs for a grand prize trip for two to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Students said CNN has taken a positive step by covering life at NCCU. “I think it’s a good thing that CNN and other media take notice of black colleges,” said Jackson “A lot of people aren’t exposed to black colleges and for them to get a little glimpse of the black college life it’s a good thing!” Johnson agreed and saw other benefits to the tour: “Seeing something like this on a national level may allow white employers to respect the education from the historically black schools” said Johnson. “I think it’s a great thing!”
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ABC 11’s ‘Big Give’ Local news station donates to mass comm department
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month BY LATASHA WALKER ECHO STAFF REPORTERS
A panel discussion on the book “Cry Rape” will commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month at N.C. Central University today at 9 a.m. in the Eagle Landing multipurpose room. “Cry Rape” is the true story of a rape victim’s quest for justice. The panel features Bill Leuders, author of “Cry Rape,” and other sexual awareness advocates. The event is sponsored by NCCU’s Women’s Center, the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC), Durham Human Relations and the North Carolina Coalition against Sexual Assault (NCCASA). “I am glad that awareness is being raised around the campus of NCCU concerning sexual assault,” said family consumer science senior Angela Morse. A report by the UNCChapel Hill departments of maternal and child health and epidemiology stated 1 in 5 North Carolina women and 1 in 16 men are assaulted at some point in their lives. More surprisingly, 1 in 4 females and 1 in 7 males are sexually abused before age 18. According to Leslie Thompson, a sexual assault interventionist at the DCRC, sexual assaults on NCCU’s campus are often related to alcohol use. “I am seeing more cases of alcohol-facilitated sexual assaults at NCCU,” said Thompson. “Sexual assault violence
doesn’t just hit females,” said Thompson. “A man or a woman can be hit at any time. [Sexual assault] is a genderless crime.” Thompson, whose mother is a domestic violence survivor, said she always had a passion for helping others. “I am very, very blessed and fortunate to be able to do this work,” she said. “I am about women’s health issues and ending violence against women.” DCRC and NCCU are working together to eliminate sexual assault and domestic violence in the community and on campus. DCRC provides shelter, counseling support groups and a 24-hour crisis line for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Last year, DCRC assisted some 170 people. Services for victims of sexual assault are available on campus at the Women’s Center, student health services, the campus police department and the campus ministry. The Women’s Center, located in suite 120 of the student services building, provides counseling services, workshops, presentations and support groups. DCRC volunteers must complete 40 hours of advocacy training, be 18 with a driver’s license and have a passion for helping others. Volunteers also are needed for fundraising and organizing sexual awareness events on campus. Students can contact the NCCU Women’s Center at (919) 530-6811 and DCRC’s crisis line at (919) 403-6562.
NCCU TV studio manager Felecia Casey-Hicks and English senior Tiffany Holden pictured in an interview. JACQUELYN HALL/Staff Photographer
BY TIFFANY HOLDEN ECHO STAFF REPORTER
Thanks to WTVD, ABC 11, N.C. Central University has an enhanced television studio for its mass communication program. The television station donated a news desk, a column with two background pieces and three light boxes with pictures of the Triangle community. Students will shoot pictures of NCCU to add to the light boxes. John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 11, said the station donated the set pieces and lights to
NCCU to help the mass communication department. “Being that we are local broadcasters operating out of the same city as NCCU, we would like to see the success of the students at NCCU and we are committed to helping students achieve that success,” Idler said. The donation was made when Monica Barnes, ABC 11 community affairs director, contacted Felecia Casey-Hicks, NCCU television studio manager. Key players at ABC 11 and NCCU, including Chancellor Charlie Nelms, helped coordinate the
donation. “As a former ABC 11 employee and now an NCCU employee, I feel the donation was a family effort,” said Hicks. “The set pieces will be used in student productions such as interviews and news shows,” she said. “The enhanced set will lend these productions a more professional look and add to the versatility of the studio, giving students a feel for a real news studio,” Hicks said. Nikia Hemphill, mass communication junior, said, “The new pieces are going to help give students
an opportunity to see how it feels to be on a real news set or studio.” Hemphill said the experience will prepare students for the field of broadcasting. Hicks said, “As for future use of the set pieces, we will use our creativity to adapt to the set and use it to our production needs and training. “Soon I hope to revive the broadcasters’ club,” she said. “I am looking into the community service program so more students can be involved in using the equipment.”
Brandnewz.com accentuates the positive Christopher ‘Play’ Martin brings the ‘good newz’ BY DENIQUE PROUT ECHO STAFF REPORTER
Christopher “Play” Martin decided it was time for a new brand of news — one that didn’t focus on negative news in neighboring communities and the world. So he created Brand Newz (brandnewz.com), an online entertainment and news station with a show that airs on My RDC/CW22. Host and lead anchor Martin said, “There’s as much good news as there is bad news to air about our communities, but the present mass media communications have twisted reporting to disproportionately highlight negative
activity in certain sectors of society.” “We started out as a twominute segment on a 7:30 p.m. commercial slot,” said Siegfried “Ziggy” Leyh, mass communication junior and a Brand Newz correspondent. “Now, starting in the spring, we will be starting on a 30-minute segment.” Brand Newz features individuals who are telling their stories in order to have an optimistic, inspiring influence on different communities. Story themes cover topics like education, inspiration and health. “We go around the world to find positive news instead of neg-
ative things,” said Leyh. “It’s a turn-around for news all together.” Leyh said a lot of issues get covered, but not as well as they should be. He said the goal of Brand Newz is to tell community stories and empower individuals. “Everything that is aired or displayed on the Web site has to get the approval from me,” said senior producer and director Jeffonda “Jae” Evans. “I’m present at all of the interviews, and I do the line producing and field producing as well,” she said. Evans said he and Play have worked together for the past four years, when he was starting out as
an intern at a local radio station. “Play is like a brother to me,” said Leyh. “We work close together and I believe in his business.” “He is a teacher, but I consider him as a father because he teaches us as if we were his sons and daughters.” “He has a lot of patience for what he does and gives us the opportunity to make mistakes; then he corrects us so we can see what we did wrong.” NCCU is a major sponsor for Brand Newz, along with Mechanics and Farmers Bank, Hp4 Digital Works and others. Brand Newz encourages community members and groups to participate by submitting information about events and ideas
that they are trying to promote. Leyh said Brand Newz’s target audience are middle schoolers and college students who want positive news. “We’ve even had an elementary student who interviewed Barack Obama and was very professional about it,” he said. Brand Newz hopes to dismiss inaccurate stereotypes by giving victims of typecasting the opportunity to prove their critics wrong. The station seeks new broadcasters, journalists and industry interns, as well as apprentices and experienced people, to fill various crew positions. Details are available at brandnewz.com.
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Alumnus had 32-year career at MIT Clarence G. Williams recruited black students, faculty to the Mass. Institute of Technology BY CHI BROWN ECHO STAFF REPORTER
In 1961, an ambitious young man graduated from North Carolina College at Durham. Forty-seven years later, Clarence G. Williams returns to Durham after dedicating his life to educational institutions like Hampton University, the University of Connecticut and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Goldsboro and NCCU Williams has fond memories of what is now called N.C. Central University. “NCCU was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Williams said. “It’s the heart of whatever I am today.” Williams’ bachelor’s degree in history was the first step toward a life in academia. Growing up in Goldsboro when the community was extremely segregated, he got a glance at the Eagle college life during a high school basketball game. “We came to play our state championship at McDougal Gym,” he said. Although his team lost, he remembered the experience and was eager to enroll at NCCU after graduating. A high school adviser who was an NCCU graduate also pushed him to apply. During the second semester of his freshman year, he met his future wife, Mildred Cogdell. Williams’ most memorable academic experience at NCCU is being mentored in history and social science by Helen G. Edmunds, for whom the history building is named today. “She was my mentor up until the time that she passed away,” Williams said. He even had the opportunity to bring her to MIT to teach while he was there. From dishwashing to academia After graduating from NCCU in 1961, Williams moved to Washington, D.C., and applied for several teaching positions. While waiting to hear from possible employers, he worked as a dishwasher. “My first job after NCCU
Clarence G. Williams stands in front of the Edmonds Classroom Building. SAVIN JOSEPH/Staff Photographer
was really a big letdown,” he said. “I thought I wasn’t going to get a [teaching] job because I had applied and hadn’t heard anything.” He eventually got a job at an all-black high school in Williamsburg, Va., during a time when the school system was still segregated. “It was a very good experience in the sense that I learned how to work with young black folks,” said Williams. During his time as a high school teacher, his wife worked at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University). “It turns out that they needed an assistant dean of men at Hampton,” he said. “My wife told them that they ought to look at me,” he said, and he was hired as assistant dean of men. In this position, he was put in charge of a residence hall with 257 young men. There, he developed extracurricular programs. He also counseled students and taught seniors post-graduation life skills. “Hampton is where I
learned the values in terms of education and how to deal with people,” he said. “I lived in an apartment in the residence hall with my wife.” After leaving Hampton with a master’s degree and experience as an assistant dean, Williams went to the University of Connecticut to work in the school’s counseling and testing center and to pursue a degree in counseling education. At U Conn, he noticed a difference in his environment immediately. “We saw virtually no black folks,” he said. This was the first time in his working life that he had been the only black person. He said the experience helped him deal with other nationalities. During a summer at U Conn, Williams was placed in charge of a summer program in which the university brought in under-represented minorities (mainly black and Latino students) from the state who may not have met the requirements neces-
sary to enter as freshmen. The summer program assisted these students with study skills and helped them deal with problems related to their transition into a predominantly white institution. Making his mark at MIT In 1974, Williams finished his Ph.D. and took a position at MIT as an assistant dean who would spearhead the school’s effort to increase the number and retention of minority graduate students in MIT’s 23 departments. After doubling the number of minority graduate students within a year and a half, Williams was promoted to special assistant to the president for minority affairs. Williams also brought black faculty members into the institution, and began to counsel both students and faculty. In 1980, after a number of white males complained that they didn’t have anyone who was close to the president to bring grievances to, Williams’ title became special assistant
to the president. This position allowed Williams to address any faculty member with an issue, regardless of his or her racial background. Williams also taught a course on race relations at MIT for 13 years, until his retirement two years ago. “That’s one of the things that I really consider as one of my major contributions to the institution,” he said. “I think that at the end of the course almost every year, everyone hated to leave because they enjoyed each other so much,” said Williams. Research on MIT’s black faculty For his book, “Technology and the Dream – Reflections on the Black Experience at MIT: 1941-1999,” Williams spent five years traveling across the country, interviewing more than 75 black students, faculty members, staff and administrators. “Here I had spent nearly 30 years to try and increase the number of black faculty, students and administra-
tors,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave that institution without laying out a history so that black folks, particularly, could have something to read and have some sense about where we have come from.” Advice for students After 30 years in academia, Williams has some advice for students. “College should enable you to be able to come to grips with what you really enjoy doing,” he said. “You can learn these things in a safe environment. That’s what the university experience is all about.” When asked what black students could do to further themselves, he said: “Over the years I think that one of the things that we have lost is the love and respect for one another. I think we have to start there.” Williams and his wife are now retired and living in Durham, close to all the places they love in North Carolina, including NCCU, where they met 51 years ago.
“He always had a comedic approach to everything,” said Scott. “Along with him being very sociable and humorous, he was most responsive to anything asked of him.” Fuller’s death also hit home for history chair Carlton Wilson, one of Fuller’s professors. “It’s a sinking feeling,” said Wilson, “when a parent sends their child off to college and has to get a call like that.”
Wilson, along with other friends and family of Fuller, attended funeral services at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cherryville on Sunday. Wilson said Fuller’s degree will be awarded posthumously at commencement. Dinkins said Fuller’s death is an emotional time for everyone who knew him. “We just have to be strong during these times and lean on each other for support,” said Dinkins.
Fuller CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 suspected that Fuller’s death may have been linked to meningitis, an inflammation of thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges, according to the National Institutes of Health Web site. Durham County Health Department and NCCU Student Health Services feared that Fuller may have died from meningitis. An April 9 e-mail from Chancellor Nelms suggested that individuals who had
sexual contact or shared drinks or cigarettes with Fuller seek antibiotic treatment. Kendrick Vann, supervisor of Will’s Place and an NCCU alumnus, declined to speak to the Campus Echo after numerous attempts to ask about the night Fuller fell unconscious. Fuller’s autopsy report has not been released. Carol Schriber, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Health and
Human Services, said that although the results of Fuller’s autopsy were inconclusive, examiners are not ruling out the possibility of meningitis yet. Currently, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner along with the Center of Disease Control are conducting more tests. Fuller was scheduled to graduate May 3 with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in psychology. He was a resident assis-
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tant in the 400 and 500 buildings of Campus Crossings. Darrin Scott, resident director of Campus Crossings, said he heard of Fuller’s death around 11 a.m. Tuesday. He said Fuller’s death came as a shock, as he had just spoken with him that Saturday. Scott said he had a big brother relationship with Fuller. He remembers Fuller as someone who enjoyed life.
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JOSH PARKER For Durham County Commissioner
Durham native and Eagle Class of 2008 Josh Parker
Congratulations, Graduates!
Josh will work to … • Optimize local government • Empower Durham’s young people • Energize leadership in the region • Ensure Durham’s prosperous future
www.JoshForDurham.com
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Maynor matriculates Popular chair known for dedication, kindness BY CANDICE MITCHELL ECHO STAFF WRITER
After 34 years in the English and mass communication department at N.C. Central University, Louise Maynor, the department chair, will retire at the end of this semester. From the age of 10, Maynor had a “love for learning.” She said she was an avid reader and loved to study. One thing she loved the most was homework. “I loved coming home with homework. I expanded my world by reading,” she said. Maynor’s heritage as a Lumbee Indian prevented her from going to predominantly white schools. But in spite of these limitations, Maynor graduated from from Pembroke State College (now UNCPembroke) in 1965. She is chair of the state advisory council on Indian Education on which she has served for 20 years. “Education has always been a top priority in the Lumbee Indian culture,” said her daughter, Malinda Maynor Lowery, an assistant professor of history at Harvard University. “It is the main avenue toward independence.” Maynor said she was inspired in 11th grade by her English teacher. “She encouraged us to read and engaged the American Indian students,” she said. “She made us proud of our heritage.” Maynor said this teacher influenced her to maintain supportive relationships with all her NCCU students. As a professor of English teaching composition and literature, she used
ARE YOU A SOPHOMORE? WE NEED YOUR HELP WE NEED YOUR INPUT ON THE SOPHOMORE SURVEY! BE A PART OF THE MOVEMENT TO MAKE NCCU “THE VERY BEST”
Louise Maynor keeps things tidy in her office on the third floor of the Farrison-Newton Communications Building. BRUCE
DEPYSSLER/Echo
her skills not only to engage students, but to make them analytical readers and good writers. As English and mass communication department chair and former English professor, Maynor has seen an increase in the number of faculty and has seen computers replace typewriters. “There were sometimes when we didn’t have the resources to do as much as we wanted to do … but we’ve come a long way,” said Maynor. “Our facilities have improved tremendously,” she said. She also has seen students change. “Students are more affluent. They have more money, more gadgets, and more material things,” she said. Working alongside Maynor as a work aide student for the past two years, Spanish and English senior Karen D. Bethea says she appreciates how much
TOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE SOPHOMORE SURVEY AS A SOPHOMORE: 1.You want to share how satisfied you are with campus programs and services! 2.You want to give feedback on your undergraduate education thus far at NCCU! 3.You want to be part of the NCCU movement in making it the VERY BEST Liberal Arts Institution in the Southeast!
staff photographer
Maynor helps others. “Her door is always open,” said Bethea. “Whenever there’s confusion, she diffuses it. She’s a problem-solver.” Bethea said Maynor inspires her. “She’s in a position to help people, and that’s where I’d like to be,” she said. Maynor’s daily activities show how much her students mean to her. “Her total concern is for her students. She understands how that personal touch makes a difference,” said Lowery. Maynor says she hopes the English department continues to grow intellectually and spiritually. “Every student has great potential. As educators our goal is to help develop that potential,” said Maynor. Maynor plans to spend more time on American Indian issues and one day write a book about her life.
6.You want to express your negative experience(s) with NCCU! 7.You want to express your positive experience(s) with NCCU! 8.You want NCCU’s motto, “Truth and Service”, to be demonstrated through your participation in NCCU’s assessment efforts! 9.You want campus administrators to use the findings from the Sophomore Survey to MAKE A DIFFERENCE! 10.You are passionate about NCCU!
4.You want to be part of the NCCU movement in making it the VERY BEST student experience! 5.You have a major concern(s) about NCCU and you want senior administrators, faculty and staff to KNOW your concern(s)!
WATCH OUT for your SOPHOMORE SURVEY IN YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT “We are large enough to dare and small enough to care”
Sponsored by the Office of Research, Evaluation and Planning 2027 H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education Building 919-530-6367 ~ rep@nccu.edu
Beyond NCCU INTERNET CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
CENSORING THE WEB The OpenNet Initiative conducted research in 41 countries suspected of Internet censorship. In some countries, the filtering is quite limited (India); others (China, Iran) it’s extensive. • Evidence of filtering: Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Burma, China, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen
Walt Disney Thursday, April 3, 4:00-6:00 pm
Thurgood MarshallCollege Fund US Department of Treasury Internship
Campus Interviews
UNC in Washington Fall Program Friday, April 2
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Condensed five-week program has you in the job market fast Curriculum provides skill-based training Daytime Classes: Monday — Friday, 8:30am — 4:30pm NC State Bar Qualified Program
Free e Information n Session:: Tuesday, April 22nd at 6:30pm Erwin Square Mill Building 2024 W Main Street, Bay C Must have either an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree for admission
For More Information: www.learnmore.duke.edu/paralegal Jennifer Thiessen Program Manager Phone: 919-681-1025
2008 DURHAM COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE Dear Fellow Eagles,
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• No evidence of filtering: Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Nepal, Russia (based on preliminary tests), Ukraine, Venezuela, West Bank/Gaza, Zimbabwe.
Information Sessions
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• EXPERIENCE YOU KNOW & TRUST
Source: Berkman Center for Internet & Society
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• Suspected filtering: Belarus, Kazakhstan
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JPMorgan Chase Technology Analyst Summer Internship
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The breakdown:
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and Yahoo, provide the technology that allows countries to censor the Internet. Palfrey said the report would highlight efforts by human-rights groups, online activists, investment groups and the Internet companies to negotiate a code of ethical conduct for business deals that allow these firms to operate abroad. The companies also face the threat of congressional action. One bill now under consideration would regulate these business activities, forcing companies to report the details of their agreements with “Internetrestricting” countries. Such regulation has been vigorously opposed by industry groups. “Governments can’t do this on their own, and these companies are caught in the crosshairs of Internet filtering,” Palfrey said. The report found that online activists, or “hactivists,” are constantly seeking new ways to circumvent filtering and protect privacy. The OpenNet Initiative will next study government surveillance of Internet users. As more groups and individuals gain access to the Internet and use it to communicate and organize, more governments see it as a threat and are tempted to censor it, the report found. And censorship is becoming easier to mask, creating what the report calls a “1984” Orwellian problem: “You can’t find information that you cannot search for, as you have no way of knowing it existed in the first place.” The OpenNet Initiative report, and information about the research and methodology, will be available today at http://opennet.net/.
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The research, conducted in 2006 and early this year, identified six countries with “pervasive” filtering of political content: Burma, China, Iran, Syria, Tunisia and Vietnam. Nine countries, including China, Pakistan and Vietnam, use technology to conceal their censorship, disguising it with techniques such as flashing network error messages. “Online censorship is growing in scale, scope and sophistication around the world, which is not surprising, given the importance of the medium,” said John Palfrey, executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. The report was conducted by groups at four universities — Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford and Toronto — and covered thousands of Web sites and 120 Internet service providers. “These tests are the first comprehensive global assessment of Internet filtering practices,” said Jonathan Zittrain, an Oxford professor. The researchers, often local experts, faced the threat of surveillance and even arrest in Iran, Syria and other countries, said Rafal Rohozinski of Cambridge. Two researchers in Uzbekistan were briefly detained for seeking access to political sites. To the surprise of some researchers, no filtering was found in Russia, Egypt, Algeria, Israel, or the West Bank and Gaza, even for information that might be seen as a threat to security. “Israel and the West Bank were the most democratic locations in the Middle East” as measured by access to Internet content, said Rohozinski, who oversaw the research in the region. The most active countries censoring social content, ranging from satire to religious debate to pornography, were in the Middle East: Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Some governments use selective or temporary filtering. Belarus blocked access to opposition and media Web sites for a week before a national election, and then removed the filtering. South Korea’s filtering system heavily censors information about one subject: North Korea. Researchers chose the 41 countries based on reports of filtering and surveillance. North Korea and Cuba were not included because of security concerns. The United States and most European countries were not included because filtering practices, often led by the private sector, are better known. But many U.S. companies, including Microsoft, Google
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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
I am a proud graduate of North Carolina Central University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science! I served on the Durham County Board of Commissioners for a total of eight years. My goals include advocating change in the workforce in Durham County. I believe all of our citizens who are seeking employment deserve an opportunity to gain viable employment. I have worked hard to open employment doors for all citizens, especially college graduates. We must increase employability of our unemployed and under-employed citizens; therefore, I will continue to be a champion for them. Presently, Durham County has one of the strongest private job markets in the state. Yet, we have the lowest average household income and the highest poverty rate in the region. Most individuals I know are either under-employed, working temporary jobs, or unemployed. Durham Must Change, We Can Do It! Currently, our property tax dollars are sent to a bank in Charlotte for deposit. This needs to change. Therefore, I will continue to advocate for our tax dollars to be mailed to our local tax office, as well as push to ensure that our tax dollars and other moneys generated in Durham are deposited in our local banks. These deposits will generate money for small businesses, economic development, and will pump money into local banks to make our economy stronger. This will generate jobs for our citizens and help bring banks and new businesses to downtown Durham. Durham Must Change, We Can Do It!
VOTE - JOE W. BOWSER
• IMPROVEMENT IN EDUCATION
Tuesday, May 6 Vote Early April 17-May 3
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (JOBS) • BETTER ROADS & STREETS • SAFER COMMUNITIES • REDUCTION IN POVERTY
Paid for by the Bowser Campaign Committee
United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus
Access Your Health Career Undecided about your major?
(held in the Student Union)
Want to become a health professional? (for more information and to apply visit www.monstertrak.com)
Walt Disney Friday, April 4 Sherwin-Williams Tuesday, April 8 Target Corporation Thursday, April 10
Career Fairs HBCU Senior & Alumni eJob Fair April 15-May 16, 2008 www.nccu.edu/Students/ careerservices.cfm
For More Information, Contact Career Services William Jones Building, Lower Level Hours of Operation Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone: 919-530-6337 Email: nccucareerservices@nccu.edu
For more information or to get involved in Campus Ministries contact us at 530-5263 or e-mail us at mpage@nccu.edu
Want to attend health career seminars and workshops? Want to meet recruiters from health professions schools? Want to meet students pursuing health professions?
Michael D. Page Campus Minister
Join Christian Student Fellowship
If so, find out about the N.C. Health Careers Access Program at NCCU.
Health Careers Center 521 Nelson Street Durham, NC 27707 919 530-7128 Barbara S. Moore, Director Alfreda D. Evans, Program Assistant
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Photographic Essay by Brian Latimer
NCCU public health and nursing students (from left to right) Davida Sackey, Erica Perry, Calbee Cooper and Faith Smith talk to Shepard Middle School 8th grade students about smoking, obesity, nursing, nursing opportunities and drinking. bout 130 Shepard Middle School 8th graders know a little more about health issues and health careers thanks to a Children’s Health Career Fair organized by N.C. Central University’s Health Careers Club. Cierrea Roach, president of the Health Career Club, organized the April 10 fair. “We knew this school had a lot of minorities and it would be nice to touch local middle school students,” said Cierrea. “We thought the students would be more likely to listen and learn if students from NCCU were talking to them.” In all, 18 NCCU biology, health and nursing students met with the 8th graders for about three hours.
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The NCCU students set up six tables to discuss topics such as dental hygene, fitness, drinking, obesity, smoking, the food pyramid, and health careers, like dentisty and pharmacy. When public health student Davida Sackey asked one group of the 8th grader if they knew anyone who smokes cigarettes, marijuana or any other drug, she got a surprising answer: All the students raised their hand. When she asked if they knew of anyone their age who smokes, she got another surprising answer: They all raised their hand again. According to Roach, it’s important to motivate students early to take their health seriously.
Nursing junior Faith Smith shows a student how blood pressure gets tested.
Davida Sackey talks about public health careers.
Students stretch before jogging in place as part of an exercise to check their heart rate.
Kashif Hall talks about brushing, dentistry and the structure of the human mouth.
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God’s word on stage Play focuses on faith, hope and family
Grandma Ruby Manning, played by Jasmin Jones, tells 11-year-old granddaughter Lora Manning, played by Desiree Bailey, entertaining stories from the Bible and relates them to real-life events. RAY TYLER/Echo Staff Photographer
BY BRANDY HINTON ECHO STAFF WRITER
N. C. Central University’s Theater Department just might have another hit on its hands. “At the Beginning” opened April 11 and runs through April 20. The play was written and directed by former NCCU student Gil Faison, who has been directing plays for the last 10 years. The actors are all NCCU students. According to Faison, the play focuses on faith, hope and family. “My grandmother’s involvement in my family is what inspired me to do this play. She always has held the family together and kept us close, like ‘big mamma,’” Faison said. “I like the idea of bringing God’s word to life on stage.” The play tells the story of a grandmother, Ruby, played by Jasmin Jones, who entertains her 11-year-old granddaughter Lora, played by Desiree Bailey, with stories from the Bible, beginning with the creation of the world and ending with its destruction by the flood. Ruby mixes Bible stories with tragic events that have affected her family. These events include the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq war, and Hurricane Katrina. Faison’s unusual staging of the play shows the grandmother telling Bible stories while the scenes are acted out. “The play was really good,” said child development graduate Crystal Leftridge. “I was raised in a religious household so the play really hit home for me.”
Theatre students in “At the Beginning” bring emotional depth to the production.
Sellars sells out, first time ever Sheesh … I can’t believe my undergraduate career is coming to an end. It was just the other day when I entered NCCU, as a freshman from Fayetteville, with three of my best friends. We were so Brooke stoked about coming to Sellars college. I pictured life at NCCU like a scene from TV-sitcom “A Different World.” Life at NCCU was indeed a different world for me. I remember that steamy July when my mother and I traveled to the verdant green for SOAR T. There I first experienced of being an Eagle and I will forever bleed maroon and grey. Through these four years, I have experienced many challenges and obstacles, but with God’s grace, my mother’s love, and encouragement from friends, I prevailed and I will be walking across that stage May 3. Receiving my degree in mass communication is not the end of the book but the conclusion of one chapter in my life. This was not a journey I endured alone. First I thank Jesus. My mother, who nourished me in all my 21 years of breathing deserves the highest recognition after God. For my sisters, Jaime and Holly, I hope I set the example. Follow my path but in your own unique way. My best friend and roommate Amaryllis McRae,
we’ve been through this struggle of life since ninth grade. May ’09 is your time, and I will be the first to congratulate you at the finish line. Crystal, Ashley, Jhiauna, Shemale and Yasmine, thanks for always listening in times when I most needed it. Ray and Squish, always there to hold me down, thanks for being my big brothers. My Goonies: Gabi, you’re going to be the best mommy ever! I love you and can’t wait until Aiden gets here. Kesh: you’re remarkable and you have brought so much laughter to my life this semester, its bananas! Chas: you are fabulousity! Gee, you’re a freakin’ trendsetter. “I won’t!” And Eric, you are the best to represent NCCU. Continue shine through. My Campus Echo family, I will always love and cherish our memories. DP and Dr. Carl, thanks for you wisdom and dedication. Dr. Ware, Dr. Mathews, Dr. McKissick-Melton, Dr. Trevy McDonald, Kimberly Pierce, Mrs. WatsonAlexander, and Dr. Graham, thank you all for your wisdom and guidance. Joanna, you’ve been like a big sister and mentor, you taught me so much in so little time. Tyrell Fuller, you’ll always remain in our presence, just not in the physical. Watch over us. We love you, T. To those I forgot, I love y’all! The sweetest girl ever known is never saying goodbye but simply, “See ya lata, shortie.”
RAY TYLER/Echo Staff Photographer
Raleigh resident Sabrina Kittrell also was impressed. “The play was awesome,” she said. “I travel to Durham every time Central’s theater department puts on a performance. They always do a great job.” The play’s lyrics and music are written by Denen Tatum and musical arrangements are by Cameron Morgan. Stafford Berry Jr. designed the play’s choreography. Theatre junior Robert Wallace plays two roles in “At the Beginning” — Ruby’s youngest son Jesse and Japheth, Noah’s middle son. “Friday night was great,” said Wallace. “It was the ice-breaker performance, to get a feel for the stage with the audience present, and see how they would react, to what we created.
Noah’s youngest son’s wife Harmora is played by theatre sophomore Jameeka Holloway. “This was my first time performing in a main-stage play, but it was a great experience,” said Holloway. Eleven-year-old Lora Manning was played by theatre freshman Desiree Bailey. “I am the youngest cast member so I learned a lot from the older cast members,” said Bailey. “At the Beginning” is showing at the University Theater in the Farrison-Newton Communications Building. General admission is $15; student tickets are $10. Children under four are not permitted to attend. Ticket information is available at 530-5170 or 530-6242.
Students break into music was sad to learn last semester that N.C. Central University wouldn’t host The Hip Hop Summit this February as we had for the past few years. I also heard that the chancellor had eliminated the Hip Hop Initiative, which includes the Hip Hop In Context class taught by Christopher “Play” Martin and Grammy-Award-winning producer 9th Wonder. Joanna I searched for Hernandez answers. What I found was that Sherise Malachi, coordinator of the summit for the past two years, was planning a Break Into the Music Conference for April. On April 9, media, business and music students from colleges across the state came to campus to hear from music industry professionals. “I feel that this was a great opportunity to get advice from the people who work in the field of my interest,” said art sophomore Sean Davis. “I learned a lot from the panelists,” Davis said. The event also featured a job fair in the B.N. Duke Auditorium, where students could speak with representatives from NBC 17, BET, allhiphop.com and other media professionals. The job fair was followed by a forum on W.E.B. Dubois’ theory of the talented tenth. My favorite part of this
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Demeanor CoQuett performs and gets the crowd on their toes. RAY TYLER/Echo Staff Photographer
discussion was hearing panelist Martin, who discussed the change in context of DuBois’ theory over time. However, my least favorite part was the rude behavior of one of the forum’s hosts. It’s called Q&A for a reason. I was a little disappointed in the closing concert. In comparison to last year’s old-school blowout featuring MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh and Dana Dane, this year’s was under par. This was mainly because of the shoddy sound in B.N. Duke. I’m guessing that last year there was enough money for a sound team. The fact that an event like this wasn’t completely supported financially baffles me. Demeanor CoQuett’s performance won the crowd ove, however. His
heavy metal hip hop had the crowd moving and shouting “pour some sugar on me!” If you were there, you know how to say it. The show also included NCCU and Durham area artists, including Jerry Blackwell, NCCU English junior. The Break Into the Music Conference suceeded because its supporters were willing to make something out of nothing. I am proud of everyone who made the event happen, but I am disappointed in the University’s lack of support. We cannot allow the initiative to become a memory. Students, take pride in what it represents. Support the initiative. Ask questions. Stay involved.
Greensboro native and N.C. Central University English junior Jerry Blackwell is giving the world a dose of reality. His new album, “Reality Check,” was recently released online. That title perfectly fits the compelling storytelling that Blackwell feeds his listeners, one dose of reality at a time. Blackwell touches on such subjects as abortion, crime, alcoholism and love. With witty word play and vivid scenarios, he eases listeners along. These are stories that some will be able to relate to; many will be intrigued. “Have Me” looks at abortion from the point of view of an unborn child. The child recalls his conception and talks about
C h a n c e l l o r ’s S c h o l a r s Photo shoot in Brooklyn Gage Dis how bright his future could have been. Blackwell raps, “I’m in the land of the never known, never seen, never grown. “You’ll never know how great I’ll be unless you have me.” These songs are not brought to life by his lyricism alone. The eccentric, freshsounding beats give us the feeling that hip hop will never be laid to rest. This is proven by the uplifting “Freedom Song,” which embraces hope and the strength to overcome the impossible. Blackwell advises listeners not to fall victim to the false ideals of society. Blackwell raps, “I just want to fly like an eagle, tell all of my young black guys that you’re equal — you’re not 3/5ths human, that’s a lie. “We’re so much easier to concur when we stratify.” Blackwell’s album brings real issues to light, keeping hip hop flowing through every verse. This album will definitely keep your mind in check — a reality check, that is. — Blair Tripp
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24-hour film shoot
All that jazz at NCCU
Students digital film award
Four-day jazz festival and conference begins today BY TRACY CARROLL ECHO STAFF WRITER
It’ll be jazz, jazz and more jazz starting today when the 2nd Annual N.C. Central University African American Jazz Caucus Research Institute (NAJRI) Jazz Conference and the 18th Annual NCCU Jazz Festival kick off a four-day jazz festival and conference. Ira Wiggins, NCCU’s director of jazz studies, is excited about the conference and festival, which runs through April 19. “I encourage all students to come out and support the jazz industry,” said Wiggins. “Hopefully this conference will be beneficiary to everyone.” The festival features a variety of performers, including Cedar Walton, David “Fathead” Newman and Wes “Warm Daddy” Anderson. Cedar Walton, a jazz pianist, will perform tomorrow in the B.N. Duke Auditorium with his trio. “We will have Fathead, the saxophonist who played with Ray, for one of the featured performers,” said Wiggins. Newman, a.k.a. “Texas Tenor,” a legendary saxophonist, had a 12-year association with the Ray Charles Band. He will perform on Saturday with NCCU’s Jazz Ensemble. Alto saxophonist Wessell “Warm Daddy” Anderson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., will perform Friday with NCCU’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble. “I think that Warm Daddy
will make students think they can achieve more being that he is in his 30s,” said Wiggins. “This will encourage middle school students to have an understanding of jazz.” The event includes three jam sessions, the first with music assistant professor Robert Trower. “This first session is very
essential,” said Wiggins. “It helps the audience recognize the importance of jazz and the jazz musicians.” The opening reception features legendary pianist Dr. Billy Taylor. Taylor is the founder of Jazzmobile — an outreach organization committed to promoting jazz. Taylor is an inductee into
NAJRI Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees into the Hall of Fame include N.C. jazz greats Max Roach, John Coltrane, Percy Heath and Thelonious Monk. Coltrane was born in Hamlet, Heath was born in Wilmington, Roach was born in New Land and Monk was born in Rocky Mount. Floyd Hayes will be the plenary speaker at tomorrow’s 9 a.m. session. Hayes is an NCCU alumnus and a senior lecturer in the department of political science at Johns Hopkins University, where he teaches a course called “Bebop, Modernism and Change.” Conference workshops will include “Building a More Comprehensive Jazz Education Curriculum” and “Jazz and Hip Hop as an Education Performance/ Ritual.” There will be four panel sessions at the conference including, “The Role of Jazz Radio, TV, and Print Media and the Internet” and “Developing Situations to Strengthen Jazz Programs at HBCUs.” “The conference is open to everyone,” said Wiggins. “You are never too young to understand the jazz industry.” Registration for the 2008 NAJRI Jazz Conference and Festival begins today at 9 a.m. in B.N. Duke Auditorium. The conference is free for NCCU students. Prices vary for the special concerts. More information is available at to www.najri.org.
BY SADE THOMPSON ECHO STAFF WRITER
Three N.C. Central University mass communication students — Woodrow “Tre” Rowell, Gabriana Clay-White and Rhy’sha Massey — won the 2008 Digital Film Award for their work on the film “Pulley,” submitted to the Movie Making Marathon. The marathon evolved from an idea of Duke senior Annie Fleishman after she saw the 24-Hour Plays on Broadway in New York City. The plays are written, rehearsed and performed in a single day. “Pulley” explores the decision a husband has to make between an important job interview and being with his wife, who has gone into labor. “We turned the story around to make it more interesting,” said Rowell. “We never thought we would win.” According to Duke University biology major Kevin Jeng, the play was based upon an experience of Rowell’s. Jeng said one morning Rowell woke up for work and couldn’t get the garage door open. His dad eventually saved the day by manually opening the garage door by yanking on a pulley. The storyline of the pregnant wife, which was inspired by Clay-White and her pregnancy, was then added to the story. “I definitely saw that it had more potential as a sitcom-style short film,” said Jeng. “So the humor was intended, but not at first.” Students started shoot-
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ing the film at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 29 and had to submit 8-minute films by Sunday morning. The student films, ten in all, were then shown at the Griffith Film Theatre at Duke University. Judges included Bob Balaban, director of HBO’s “Bernard and Doris” and Bill Teitler, the producer of “Polar Express,” “Jumanji” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” Duke University provided video and editing equipment for the project. “I found that taking writing for radio and television and video production, during the fall semester helped me a great deal for this competition,” said Rowell. “I think they beat out a lot of other, more experienced teams for the award,” said Jeng. According to Rowell, they edited the film through the night. All the students in the project worked on scripts and then five scripts were selected for the 24-hour production. Two teams were assigned the same script to work on separately. As it turned out, Rowell, Clay-White and Rhy’sha Massey were assigned “Pulley.” “It worked out really well. I’m glad they won — I thought they really deserved it,” said Jeng.” Brett Chambers, an instructor in video and mass communication at NCCU, described the Movie Making Marathon as an “important opportunity for our students.”
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Sports
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
Field of sorrows Duke hands NCCU consecutive road losses on the same day
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Athletes, mind your pees, they tell a story Student-athlete drug use under radar BY THEODORE LAPERRE ECHO STAFF WRITER
NCCU pitcher Brandon Oatis delivers a fastball in game one of the doubleheader. MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo Staff Photographer
BY QUENTIN GARDNER ECHO SPORTS EDITOR
The N.C. Central University men’s baseball team faced off against Duke University in a doubleheader last night at Jack Coombs Field. The two games mark only the second and third meetings between the two Durham institutions. Duke won the first meeting 10-2 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on March 26. In game one of the dou-
bleheader, Duke defeated NCCU by a score of 8-2. NCCU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with runs scored by Oliver Jenkins and Kurt Wilson in the first inning. However, Duke’s offense pummeled the Eagles from the second inning on. Alexander Hassan hit a towering home run off NCCU pitcher Brandon Oatis. Duke’s Nate Freiman and Matt Willams both would score on fly outs in
the third inning. Freiman would add another run in the fifth inning. Jeremy Gould’s home run in the 6th inning led to the final score of the first game. Despite the loss, Oatis feels optimistic about his performance. “The Duke batters just hit my spots,” said Oatis. “They are a good team.” “We have to do a better job of keeping their offense in check overall.” NCCU baseball coach
Henry White remained confident despite his teams’ two tough losses. “I can see that we are getting better,” said White. “Duke is an extremely talented team.” “We have had many baserunning miscues that we need to take care of.” Duke slammed NCCU in the second game by a score of 22-0. Next Wednesday, NCCU will face UNC-Wilmington in Wilmington at 7 p.m.
Eagles to visit Mickey BY ANIELLE DASILVA ECHO STAFF REPORTER
Two N.C. Central University student-athletes were chosen from among 1,840 applicants to attend the National NCAA Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. Biology junior Naima Stennett and elementary education junior Tim McAllister will attend the National NCAA Leadership Conference from May 25 to 29 at the Walt Disney World Resort with 700 student-athletes from all over the country. Stennett, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, is a member of the Lady Eagles volleyball team. Raleigh native Tim McAllister is an outfielder for the men’s baseball team. The National NCAA Leadership Conference is an annual event created in 1996 by the NCAA Foundation. The conference’s mis-
Eagles Naima Stennett and Tim McAllister will participate in the National NCAA Leadership Conference May 25-29. Courtesy of NCCU Athletics
sion is to provide some of the nation’s top student-athletes an opportunity to participate in challenging activities that will enable them to become better campus and community leaders. The conference also will provide athletes the opportunity to enhance communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. The conference promotes better communication
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among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities. To qualify to attend the conference, applicants must be in good academic standing and must have athletic eligibility remaining in the following academic year. Throughout the selection process, the NCAA requires each institution to nominate four student-athletes. Two females and two males
must be nominated. At least one male or one female must be an ethnic minority or an international student-athlete. The athletes cannot be previous participants, and must demonstrate strong desire and an ability to be a leader at their respective institutions. “I am very excited and happy to be attending this conference,” said Stennett. “I think it will be a lifetime experience, and I can’t wait to represent NCCU the best way I can while I am there.” Environmental science junior and men’s basketball forward Joshua Worthy participated in the National NCAA Leadership Conference last year. “It was a lifetime experience,” said Worthy. “I definitely wish I could do it again. “I think that all studentathletes deserve a chance to attend this conference at least once.”
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The NCAA relies on its drug testing policy to create a balanced playing field for all competitors. N.C. Central University also depends on drug testing. Each year, student-athletes will sign a consent form demonstrating their understanding of the NCAA drug-testing program and their willingness to participate. This consent statement is required of all studentathletes before participation in intercollegiate competition during the year in question. The policies differ in what the tests look for and in how penalties are assessed after positive tests. Student-athletes can be tested multiple times during their respective seasons, by both the NCAA and NCCU at anytime. The NCAA brings its own staff to campus to administer the tests for studentathletes. NCCU independently contracts an agency to come in and give the tests. Every year, the athletic department sets money aside to pay for its own drug tests, which cost about $25 per test. According to NCAA policy, any positive test will result in an automatic suspension for 365 days. NCAA tests for all drugs, but focuses on performance-enhancing substances. The only reason the NCAA would test an athlete for a recreational drug is if it has evidence or other reason to believe that an athlete is using banned substances. The NCAA drug testing policy focuses on making sure that no athlete has a competitive edge through the use of performanceenhancing drugs. In contrast, the NCCU drug testing policy is aimed at dealing with recreational substances such as alcohol and marijuana. NCCU concentrates on rehabilitating these athletes from their drug use. If a NCCU student-athlete tests positive for drugs or alcohol, the player will receive a 10-day suspension from all Universitysanctioned sporting competitions. The player must then register at the NCCU Student Health Center to receive substance-abuse counseling. The Center monitors the player’s rehabilitation for the duration of the student -athlete’s career at NCCU.
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Physical education junior Oliver Jenkins is a receiver on the football team and starting centerfielder on the men’s baseball team. Jenkins said the randomness of the NCCU policy aids in the fight to keep illegal substances out of collegiate sports. “NCCU can come in at any time,” said Jenkins. “They can test me this week, and they can test me the next week if they want to,” he said. Although both NCCU and the NCAA have strict regulations and consequences, some say athletes will still use these banned substances. English junior Sheldonia Summers is a member of the NCCU track and field team. “If players want to use these illegal drugs, then they will use them,” Summers said. “The drug testing policy simply serves as a deterrent,” she said. “This might not stop each and every player from using illegal drugs, but the athletes understand that the policy will hold them accountable.” One facet of the drug testing policy that the NCAA addresses is a test for the performance enhancer HGH, or human growth hormone. There has not been a test created to detect HGH because it is a natural hormone. Since the human body naturally produces hormones, the tests cannot detect HGH as a banned substance. Some athletes may use HGH because they perceive that it is as effective as anabolic steroids, but has fewer side effects and is not detectable in a drug test. Athletes also may choose to use HGH as a steroid substitute to prevent loss of muscle after discontinuing steroids. Michael Essa, NCCU’s drug testing coordinator, has worked at NCCU for two and a half years. “At the end of every academic school year, the training staff comes together to try to improve upon their testing policies,” he said. “Any university that does not assess their policy and look to strengthen and build upon it is doing their school a grave injustice,” said Essa. Although there is still much work to be done, NCCU and the NCCA are taking cooperative steps to keep athletes clean of all illegal substances.
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Opinions
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008
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Letters Neighbor sad about litter, wants healthy ‘Town and Gown’ Dear Editor: There was an era within the context of the black community in America when one could hardly distinguish lines of demarcation relative to the institutions of home, school and church. Even the lines of socioeconomics could not really divide us because all blacks were contained within the defined lines of apartheid which were drawn by the white ruling class. Therefore, in Montgomery, Alabama where I grew up, Rosa Parks, a seamtress — the courageous black woman who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus — was my neighbor. Mrs. Parks lived in public housing; our homes located at the other end of the street were surrounded by well manicured lawns and flowers. In contrast, public housing was embellished only with small strips of grass
and stingy scrubs. And we all lived pridefully together. Nearby, was Alabama State College for Negores where congenial coexistence was, also, experienced. There appears, now, to be a new day. It seems that as black people rush away from their historical communities, the once symbiotic relationship that existed between “town and gown,” those institutions that sustained us through the horrific experience of Jim Crow and legal segregation, have given way to the “illusion of inclusion.” It appears, that we have come to believe that we are unconditionally assimilated throughout the land. The behavior of many blacks lead some of us to believe that those who leave our community are losing respect for those they leave behind. It does not show proper respect for communities surrounding NCCU, when students and others litter our yards and streets with food containers and other trash.
If you question who the perpetrators are, take a look at the street parking on Fomosa Avenue, parallel with the Mary Townes Science Complex.
It’s a sad memorial to the genius of a distinguished black professor, whom I remember with utmost respect. As a former employee of NCCU, who experienced the satisfaction of helping to restore students who came to the university traumatized, due to destructive rejection that they experienced in desegregated high schools during the early sixties. I must say that we are disappointed with the current university population who litter our community. Have you thought about how litter detracts from
the appearance of the university? We also wish to raise the consciousness of student of other racial,
Gardner CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
Senator Clinton’s campaign interjected the once latent ugliness of racism to sabotage the campaign of Senator Obama by taking out context a sermon delivered by Obama’s minister, Dr. Jeremiah Wright. His sermon does not convey the message he is charged with. The corporate media exploited the sermon to divide the Democratic Party and to enhance their ratings. Please let us not see ourselves in negative racial terms, no matter they arise, and loose the consciousness of our valuable heritage. So, students and others,we do not charge you with malicious intent, but we do ask you to be more sensitive to and respectful of our communities, where NCCU's founders and faculties once resided. Let there be a healthy “Town and Gown” symbiosis.
social groups around the fact that not only are we a proud people, but we are still a high achieving people, in spite of the new more complex and subtle Jim Crow that still suppresses our aspirations. Dr. W.E.B. Dubois was right when, in the early 19th century, he asserted: “The color line will be the main problem of the 20th century in America.” Since “everything is relative,” I call your attention to the political divide within the Democratic Party centered around race.
Delores S. Eaton Member and former president of The Old Hillside Association
done this without you. Cooper, I know you will do well as the next Echo editor-in-chief. You’ll be the next Ed Bradley one day. How fitting. The Olympics are approaching, and now I have to “pass the torch” to Anielle DaSilva. Anielle, my advice to you: Don’t be like me; be better than me. Find your own path and see where it takes you. To the remaining Echo staffers, continue the legacy of this wonderful awardwinning newspaper. You all better represent at next year’s HBCU National News Media Conference. To my close friends — Torry, Marcus, and Shereka and anybody else I hang with who I forgot — thank you for being there for me. I love all of you. And Shereka: Can you stop calling me to make sure I go to class? That’s a little aggravating. LOL. Hewitt and Travis, thank you for being my roommates. Congratulations to the class of 2008. Good luck in life and remember to keep God first. Peace.
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Opinions
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God first. Peace. t’s time to say farewell. First, I want to give honor and glory to God for giving me the ability to set foot on this campus and graduate. It is an honor to say that I am a black man with a degree. Not many can say that. I also take pride in my 3.5 GPA as well as graduating in four years — Quentin that’s something to brag about. Gardner When I came to NCCU, I had three goals: make my mother proud, have fun and excel in every situation. I am glad that I have reached these goals. I am blessed to be a part of such a supportive and loving family. My mother, my late grandmother and my grandfather are the inspirations of my life. To my grandma: I know you’re looking down on me from heaven. I think I can call myself the “man of the house” now. To my mother: Thank you for everything you have done for me. To my grandfather: Thank you for being my father and showing me what a real man really is. Although I’m leaving NCCU, I realize a new chapter in my book of life is about to begin. NCCU has taught me so much and I can say I have had some of the best, caring professors here. I joined the Campus Echo my freshman year, not knowing where it would take me. With the help of D.P., I am the journalist I am today. Thank you for your guidance. Last fall, I was gravely nervous about becoming the sports editor. I strived to continue our legacy of excellence. I gazed across the Echo office and thought, “I want to win one of those awards.” I did my best to enlighten readers with the achievements of our student-athletes. I can’t thank them enough for making my job at the Echo worthwhile. I also want to thank my Echo family. I couldn’t have
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D.T.P., signing owt our years ago, I stepped onto these sloping hills and verdant greens with several goals in mind — to make the dean’s list, become editorin-chief of the Shelbia Campus Echo, Brown attend the New York Times Student Journalism Institute, get a job directly after graduation and join the greatest sorority known to man. As a freshman still trying to fit into the grooves of the NCCU jigsaw, my initial goals seemed unattainable. So many times I wanted to quit. I wanted to throw in the
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towel, especially during midterms and finals. But like Kanye West says in his song “Champion,” “Giving up is way harder than trying.” I’m glad I didn’t give up because I accomplished my goals. When I decided that I wanted to become Echo editor, I was a freshman and I had just written my first story about the senior exit survey, not really thinking about the fact that I would take that same exam my senior year as Echo editor. I grinded for the next three years, going to journalism conferences and interning at WTVD ABC-11 and the Herald-Journal in Spartanburg, S.C. What I enjoyed most about my student
journalism career was being accepted to the New York Times Student Journalism Institute in New Orleans. These experiences led me to my first job, staff writer at the Times Daily in Florence, Ala., a New York Times regional newspaper. It was too hard for me to give up because I thought of all of the things that I would miss out on — all of the opportunities and chances to better myself and build my career. So when the road got hard, I persevered. I am thankful for friends and family who helped me complete this trying fouryear period. And not to forget my extended family — my line sisters and all sorors.
Being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an honor. But being a member of the Alpha Lambda chapter was a privilege. I learned from my sorors and built lifelong sisterhoods with many. Delta introduced me to people who I may not have otherwise met, and it’s those bonds that I will always cherish. And now I’m ready to start a new chapter in this chronicle of my life. NCCU has afforded me the best memories and the greatest opportunities to grow as a young woman and as a leader. I will reach great heights, but I will not forget my foundation as an Eagle. So NCCU, I bid you adieu.
Gabi gets going guess it’s my turn to give some long, drawn-out speech about making the best of your time at NCCU, huh? Well, I’m not going to because we should know that by now. Plus, Gabi Clay-White I know that I hate it when people give me that speech. After transferring in spring 2006, I never knew that I would be so influenced by so many great (and notso-great) people. Sure, NCCU has its flaws but it also has its perks. When I came here, I was transferring from a predominately Hispanic university.
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Joanna Hernandez Brooke Sellars Britney Rooks Tiffany Kelly Erica Horne Quentin Gardner Shenika Jones Mitchell Webson Bryson Pope Savin Joseph Jacqueline Hall Ray Tyler Sebastian Frances Joshua Harrison Kenice Mobley Lakela Atkinson Mark Scott Geoffrey Cooper Larisha Stone Natalia Pearson-Farrer Candice Mitchell Travis Rufffin Mathew Beatty Raena Boston Vanessa Jackson Akilah McMullen Sade Thompson Switzon Wigfall Brandon Murphy
I always wanted to go to an HBCU, but after getting accepted to California State University at San Bernardino, I pushed those dreams aside and settled for less. Why do I call CSUSB “less”? Simply because that’s not what I wanted. I wanted to be around people of my ethnicity who had gone through the same struggles I have. So, by God’s divine intervention, I found my way to NCCU. Driving down Fayetteville Street for the first time, passing the abandoned houses and prostitutes, really changed my life. I knew no one and no one knew me. I was 21 years young and still trying to “find myself.” Luckily, I think I
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The Echo welcomes letters and editorials. Letters to the editor should be less than 350 words. Editorials should be about 575 words. Include contact information. The Echo reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, vulgarity, typos and miscellaneous grammatical gaffs. Opinions published in the Echo do not necessarily reflect those of the Echo editorial staff. E-mail: CampusEcho@nccu.edu Web address: www.campusecho.com Phone: 919 530 7116 Fax: 919 530 7991
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Spring 2008 Publication dates: 1/16, 1/30, 2/13, 2/27, 3/26, 4/16 © NCCU Campus Echo/All rights reserved The Denita Monique Smith Newsroom Room 348, Farrison-Newton Communications Bldg. NCCU, Durham, NC 27707
guys keep me sane and crazy at the same time. 4. Campus Echo: “Dressed in all black like the Omen...” Continue to write the most intriguing and award-winning stories, y’all! Coop and Jo, I know you will do great next year! 5. My first timers: There are too many to name, but I appreciate every one of you. 6. D-Pizzle and Dr. C: Thanks for putting up with all of my antics. I just jumped on board the Campus Echo ship, but you guys took me right in. 7. All my ladies, “simplicity and wisdom” isn’t everything. Just know that. I think I’ve covered everyone. If I forgot you, well … nevermind. See ya across the stage!
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have succeeded in that portion of my life. Yet I don’t think I would even have made it through these two years if I didn’t have the following: 1. Maee and Dad: Where would I be without you? From putting money in my account every other day to being my support system. I love you. 2. Aiden Nicholas: You’re not even here yet and mommy loves you so much. When you’re able to read this, I want you to know that you taught mommy so much before you were even born. You made me into a woman and I appreciate it, son! 3. Kranisha #2, #3 and Stacy: Boy, do I love y’all! Who would’ve thought we would be so close, yet SO different. You
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Question: Graduates, has the time you spent at NCCU been worth it to you? “Yes, talking with students from other colleges, has shown me that Central teaches a lot more of the basics needed to adapt and function in the real world.” — Brittany Allgood
“Yes. Because NCCU showed me the tools I needed in life to become successful.” —Charles Whitley
“Definitely. It has been a great experience. I wouldn’t change it for the world, but I would have done a lot more research on HBCUs.” —Tim Bowden