print_edition_feburary_17__2010 by N.C. Central University Campus Echo

FEBUARY 17, 2010

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I V E R S I T Y

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Beyond . . . . . . . . . .

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Sports. . . . . . . . . . .

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VOLUME 101, ISSUE 8

Beyond

A&E

Opinions

Hammering Habitats

2011 federal budget pumps extra $30 million increase into HBCUs

Samm-Art Williams brings “The Dance on Widow’s Row” to campus

Jay Jones wants students to take on responsibility, even on snow days

Corliss Pauling spends the day with Habitat volunteers

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Campus Echo Iran’s threat

Crawley trial underway

Clinton turns up the heat on Tehran BY BORZOU DARAGAHI LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

Defendant Shannon Crawley is accused of murdering NCCU student Denita Smith in 2007. ASHLEY GRIFFIN/Echo staff photographer

BY ASHLEY GRIFFIN WITH ASHLEY ROQUE ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

It’s been just over three years since N.C. Central University student Denita Monique Smith was shot and killed outside her Campus Crossings apartment just after 8 a.m. on January 4, 2007. Smith, a graduate student at the time of the shooting, was 25 years old. According to forensics testimony, she was shot in the back of the head from a distance of about two feet. At the time, police investigators described Smith’s shooting as “planned and personal.” At the time of her death, Smith was engaged to be married to Jemeir Stroud, an NCCU alumnus and Greensboro police officer. The two met at NCCU and had dated since 2000, her freshman year. After a number of delays, the trial of her accused murderer, Shannon Elizabeth Crawley, is now underway.

NCCU talks Obama

Obama at NCCU in 2007. Echo file photo (Bryson Pope)

BY JAY JONES ECHO STAFF REPORTER

With Presidents Day just behind us, the question must be asked: Are students still hopeful? Are Eagles still talking politics? What, if anything, has changed in a year? President Barack Obama was sworn in January 20, 2009. On Presidents Day 2009, his approval rating was 64 percent, according to Gallup polls. As of February 1 of this year, Obama’s approval rating had dropped to 50 percent.

Denita M. Smith Echo file photo

In his opening statement, Durham Assistant District Attorney David Saaks said, “Denita was on top of the world. She was a graduate student, she was well-respected on campus, she had pledged [a sorority], her family loved her … and she was engaged to be married.” “And then she gets a bullet to the back of the head and ends up on the bottom of a stairwell.” Smith’s body and scattered personal items were found at around 10 a.m. by Campus Crossings resident Cory Daniels.

Angela Ashby, Durham County forensics technician, points to crime scene items including shoes, keys, and personal effects at a Campus Crossings stairwell. ASHLEY GRIFFIN/Echo staff photographer

Daniels testified that he thought Smith had fallen down the stairwell from the third to the ground floor. “I called 911,” he testified.

“I shook her shoulder and said ‘Baby girl are you OK?’” Smith had accrued a remarkable set of accomplishments while at NCCU.

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A pioneer of history in images NCCU alumnus Alex Rivera’s photography now on display at art museum BY TOMMIA HAYES ECHO STAFF WRITER

The name Alex Rivera is synonymous with photojournalism. Well known for portraying the civil rights movement through his camera lens, he told stories the country would never Centennial News forget. “I never thought I was involved in anything that was history-making or great. To me, it was just another dayto-day assignment,” he told the New York Times. Rivera died on October 23, 2008 at 95. In honor of N.C. Central University’s centennial

anniversary, some of Rivera’s photography is on display in the University art museum through April 23. Rivera was born in Greensboro in 1913. His father, a dentist, was active in the civil rights movement and a member of the NAACP. Rivera attended Howard University but hard times during the 1930s forced him leave school and seek work. His first job was working as a photojournalist and arts editor for the Washington Tribune, a black weekly in Washington D.C. Rivera’s first major photo assignment was to shoot Marian Anderson’s historic concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939. Fearing he was having too much fun, Rivera’s father

and Dr. James Shepard, NCCU’s founder, “conspired” to get him off the streets of D.C. and back to the South. Rivera arrived at NCCU in 1939, then called North Carolina College for Negroes, to finish his education and establish the University’s public relations office. He was elected student body president his senior year and received his BA in 1941. Rivera often took pictures of football games for other black colleges when they had no photographers. The famous photograph of Zora Neal Hurston attending a football game at the University in the 1940s was taken by Rivera when the

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Alex Rivera displays his Crown Graphic camera in his office. Echo file photo (Rashaun Rucker)

Program to mentor minority males BY CARLTON KOONCE ECHO EDITOR - IN - CHIEF

Gamma Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha step for visiting males.

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As an undergraduate she was an Eagles Scholar, a member of Sigma Tau Delta International English

BEIRUT–In a ratcheting up of official U.S. rhetoric against Iran, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton flatly accused Tehran on Monday of trying to build nuclear bombs and painted the Islamic Republic as an imminent military dictatorship increasingly ruled by the elite Revolutionary Guard. But Clinton also denied the U.S. was planning to launch a war against Iran, saying Washington was instead trying to rally nations to economically pressure Tehran into curbing sensitive aspects of its nuclear program. “We are planning to try to bring the world community together in applying pressure to Iran through sanctions adopted by the United Nations that will be particularly aimed at those enterprises controlled by the Revolutionary Guard, which we believe is, in effect, supplanting the government of Iran,” she said during a visit with students at Carnegie Mellon’s campus in Qatar, according to news agencies. “We see that the government of Iran, the supreme leader, the president, the parliament is being supplanted and that Iran is moving toward a military dictatorship,” she said. The Revolutionary Guard is an elite, ideologically motivated branch of the Iranian military created after Islamic clerics toppled the U.S.-backed monarch and took control of Iran during a 1979 revolution. Its members have risen to positions

WILLIE PACE/Echo staff photographer

Looking around, it doesn’t take long to realize that there is a shortage of males at N.C. Central University. In fact, the lack of minority males at higher education institutions nationwide is no new phenomenon. The Minority Male Mentoring Project is looking to change this discrepancy in the UNC system by per-

suading minority men to continue their education beyond associate degrees at one of nine state universities. N. C. Central University and other state HBCUs, including Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State and N. C. A & T, were awarded a grant from the UNC system to encourage minority males graduating from local community colleges to transfer to a 4-year institution.

Last Tuesday about 35 men from Durham Technical Community College and Vance-Granville Community College visited NCCU to get a taste of HBCU life. The men toured the campus with University Centennial scholars and student leaders of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and attended workshops on topics like mentorship and

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Honors Society, a saxophonist with the Sound Machine, and a member of the Worship and Praise Inspirational Mass Choir. She had been a reporter and staff photographer for the Campus Echo, earning a fellowship at the prestigious New York Times Student Journalism Institute. Smith earned her undergraduate degree in 2004. As a graduate student in English, she was working on her master’s thesis on the expression of black identity in the work of Richard Wright and Tupac Shakur. She mentored undergraduate students in the Writing Studio, was still contributing news stories to the Campus Echo, and had recently crossed to the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The shooting shocked the NCCU community. “For anyone who knows Denita, sadness will be in the air,” said Gerard Farrow, a Campus Echo A&E editor who worked with Smith. “It’s so sad,” said Bruce dePyssler, Campus Echo adviser. “She was doing everything right.” At a memorial held at B.N. Duke after her Jan. 11 funeral the Rev. Michael Page, of Campus Ministry, put the University’s grief like this: “Our hearts are numb. And our minds are confused.” In his opening statements, Saacks argued that Shannon Crawley, a 911 operator in Greensboro, drove to Durham alone on Jan. 3 to locate Smith’s apartment and again on Jan. 4 to murder Smith. He argued that she was driven by the “deadly sin” of “envy.” In his testimony Smith’s fiancé, Jermeir Stroud, said that he had been in overlapping relationships with Smith and Crawley, but that the relationship with Crawley had ended in 2005 after she had an abortion. “I never told Denita about Shannon,” he said on the stand. “It was out of immaturity. I didn’t want to put this on her.” In opening statements, Crawley’s defense attorney, Scott Holmes, argued that Stroud coerced Crawley to ride with him to Durham on Jan. 3 and on Jan. 4, 2007. He said that on Jan. 4, Stroud threatened to harm Crawley’s two children, a son who is now 11 and a daughter who is now 9. “Shannon Crawley was not on top of the world,” Holmes said. “She was under the influence of a controlling Mr. Jemeir Stroud. And she couldn’t handle it.” Holmes argued that Stroud shot and killed his fiancée while Crawley was in the car. Durham homicide investigator Shawn Pate testified that Crawley, in a Jan. 5 interview the day after the shooting, said she had never been in Durham, just “through” Durham. He testified that she changed her story in a May 8, 2007 interview in which she said that she had been to Durham both days with Stroud. Michael Hedgefield, a Campus Crossings maintenance man, testified that he first saw a black woman running “from an unusual direction” at the apartments. Hedgefield said he spoke to the woman while she was driv-

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Growing help and hope

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Greenhouse nurtures transgenic plants

Greensboro police officer Jermeir Stroud. Stroud was Denita Smith’s fiancée in 2007 when she was murdered. ASHLEY GRIFFIN/Echo staff photographer JERRY

Jiahua Xie and his students experiment with tobacco plants to find medical uses. CORLISS PAULING /Echo staff photographer

BY AMARACHI ANAKARAONYE ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Have you ever wondered what exactly is being grown in the greenhouse behind the Lee Biology building? Under the controlled conditions of the greenhouse, Jiahua Xie, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, is growing transgenic tobacco plants infused with genetically engineered human protein. Transgenic plants contain human or animal genes. Tobacco plants are a popular research product for plant genetics and physiology, due to their regional adaptability and ability to be mass reproduced. “In our lab, we use tobacco plants to produce biopharmaceuticals,” said Chiu-Yueh Hung, Biomanufacturing Research Institute and

Courtesy of the Denita Smith familiy

ing off in a burgundy Explorer SUV at about 8:30 a.m. He said she was distraught and crying and that he did not see anyone else in the car with the woman. His description of the car led detectives to Crawley. At the time of the shooting and in court, the maintenance man said he could not positively identify the woman he spoke to. According to Hedgefield’s testimony, the woman said she was frightened by gunfire and that she lived at Campus Crossing. Hedgefield testified that he had never seen the woman in the apartment complex. Stroud, Smith’s fiancé, testified that he had last seen Crawley a week or so before the shooting, pointing at him and Smith at his church in Greensboro. Cell phone records provided in court indicated that on Jan. 3, Crawley’s phone had been used by a cell phone tower about one mile from Campus Crossings and by towers between Greensboro and Durham. On the day of the shooting, records for Crawley’s cell phone indicate calls made at 5:50 a.m. in Greensboro and later at 9:40 a.m. in Greensboro. Campus Crossings keyusage records that indicate when individuals enter and leave their apartments show that Smith left her apartment at 8:10 a.m. Crawley’s 911 supervisor testified that Crawley was scheduled to work at 7 a.m. the day of the shooting, but

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Their research with the tobacco plants has been published in The Plant Biotechnology Report, a collection of scientific journals. “The tobacco plant project helped me understand scientific methodologies and approaches to scientific problems,” said Musa, now a BRITE research associate. “The research institution at N.C. Central University (BRITE and BBRI) offers great opportunities for minority students to take advantage.” Xie said, “Without plants, we cannot survive. Besides their most basic usages they provide knowledge for my students through scientific training and hands-on-experience. This knowledge leads to opportunities for them to educate society through research and exploration.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 career exploration. They also attended information sessions with the offices of U n d e r g r a d u a t e Admissions, Financial Aid and Residential Life. “We want to bridge the gap between 2- and 4-year schools for all minorities, not just black males,” said Jason Dorsette, public administration graduate and graduate assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Dorsette also coordinates the Centennial Scholars Program. Dorsette serves as a “big brother” to 48 men, encouraging them to develop academically and professionally while being involved in the community. Dorsette said some of the Centennial Scholars had GPAs that barely allowed them admission to the University, but that with mentorship they now have 3.0s and 3.5s. With this program, “Students get a sense of accountability, so they produce,” said Dorsette. “When you’re outside coming in it’s hard to find a niche,” he said. “A mentor can help lead to the light and provide insight and

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clocked in after 10 a.m., saying that she had taken her children to a doctor’s appointment. As of yesterday, no testimony had been provided to the jury documenting Crawley’s claim that she was at a doctor’s appointment. A state forensics witness testified that gunshot residue was lifted from the driver’s side of Crawley’s SUV, and a co-worker of Crawley’s has testified that Crawley bought a .38 mm handgun from him several weeks before the shooting after Crawley told him the her house had been broken into numerous times. According to state forensics testimony, a .38-caliber bullet was recovered from Smith’s body. Stroud testified that the handguns he uses as a police officer are both .40 caliber. During the course of the ongoing trial, several defense motions to suppress evidence have been denied by the superior court judge. These include a motion to suppress the Jan. 5 interview with Crawley and accusations made by Crawley that Stroud had raped her in June 2008 in Charlotte while she was out on bail. These charges were dropped when cell phone records and a restaurant receipt showed that Stroud was in Greensboro, not Charlotte, at the time.

Technology Enterprise senior scientist. “Our research focuses on increasing the production and efficiently isolating these biopharmaceuticals from plants,” said Hung. “We have been exploring various genetic modifications to enhance the production as well as the quality.” The human proteins reproduced by transgenic tobacco plants can be administered to people who have suffered injuries to the brain and spinal cord, usually as a result of strokes and heart attacks. Treatment with this protein may prevent death and extensive tissue damage to the brain, spinal cord, kidney and heart. Xie and Hung are also assisted by Diane Darlington and Tamba Musa, pharmaceutical science alumni.

MINORITY

A collage of Denita Smith from her Jan. 11, 2007 funeral.

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career guidance to any student.” “The men need real down-to-earth, uncensored talk to prove we care,” he said. “We need to plant the seed and provide mentors to go beyond all measures to ensure success.” The mentoring program seeks to do the same for young men attending area community colleges. Dorsette said each university in the program will focus on nearby community colleges; NCCU will target DTCC and VGCC. “We don’t want to take away from the associate degrees or trades,” said Dorsette. “We’re just leaning toward more education. Market yourself better and demand a six-figure paycheck.” Daniel Alvarado, VGCC director of counseling services said his office considers males with a minimum 2.0 GPA and leadership potential for the program. “Currently we have 25program participants but the goal is to recruit an additional 25 more by this fall term,” said Alvarado. Education freshman Tyquan Ward, a Centennial scholar who took part in the tour, said several of the visiting men had already

verbally committed to NCCU. “Our very own prestigious Greek Fraternity/Sorority bowl and adequate library seemed to be the most interesting part of the tour,” said Ward. He said participants debated the best qualities for a mentor. “Common responses were trust, love, and leadership.” Kevin Rome, vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment management, spoke to the group in a session titled “Pros and Cons of Effective Mentorship.” “We have received very positive feedback from the participants,” Rome wrote in an e-mail. “I hope that we are able to do more such events in the future. The staff at NCCU did a great job with the event.” Dorsette said the same event is planned for next year around the same time. “Several of the young men told us that they will be joining the NCCU family after they graduate from their community colleges,” he said. “NCCU is honored to be participating in this program and excited to be reaching out to minority males. They’re our future.”

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Reverend Page, on a mission

RIVERA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 current Greek bowl was the football field. Following graduation, Rivera served in the military with the office of Naval Intelligence from 1941-1945. After the war, Rivera worked for Pittsburg Courier, a black newspaper with a circulation of 200,000. It was for the Courier that Rivera took his renowned photos of the segregated South, called “The South Speaks.” Between 1947 and 1948 Rivera traveled to South Carolina and Georgia to investigate the last reported lynchings in those states. He became well known for his articles and photos that documented segregation. Rivera wrote several articles about the first blacks to integrate UNC-Chapel Hill’s law school in the early 1950s, among them Floyd McKissick, Kenneth Lee and Harvey Beech. Kenneth Rodgers, director of the NCCU art museum, said Rivera’s photography of the Brown vs. Board of Education saga is what catapulted Rivera to fame. “He never went anywhere without a chauffeur cap and bowtie,” said Rodgers. “He said if he was stopped [by police] he could say he worked for such and such.” Rivera photographed Durham’s first black male police officers in 1944 when the force was integrated and did the same for the city’s first African-American female officers in 1973. Rivera worked as NCCU’s public relations director from 1974-1993. He chronicled the University’s history in all for over 66 years.

BY ASHLEY ROQUE ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Rivera said this photo of a mother and child on a segregated bus was one of his favorites. Photo courtesy of Alex Rivera Estate

In 2002 Rivera said the photo he took of a mother and child seated on a segregated bus was one of his favorites. “It shows the kind of country that this little child was being born and reared in,” he said. “That’s the reason why I like it so much.” Rodgers said that Rivera was “humble and took pride in his work.” “People forget he wrote the stories along with the pictures,” said Rodgers. “He was the mentor to any number of black writers and photographers.” “Where else will one find a history in pictures and text of North Carolina’s early days, Durham’s black wall street, celebrities of national and international stature and some of the most celebrated civil rights photographs in the nation?” he said.

Famed author Zora Neale Hurston on campus in the 1940s. Photo courtesy of Alex Rivera Estate

OBAMA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Miss NCCU, Chavery McClanahan, said she is still excited about the president, though she doesn’t follow politics as closely now as she did during the election. McClanahan said the slogans “Yes we Can” and “Believe” have unified the country and inspired a new American spirit and camaraderie. McClanahan said that because Obama achieved the impossible, there is no excuse for anyone to not succeed. “His victory has encouraged me to walk with my head a little higher and to knock on a few more doors that may not appear to be open to me,” she said. Criminal justice senior and SGA Chief Justice Edna Commey, who is from Ghana, said Obama “has inspired me to achieve all my goals in life and stand for everything I believe.”

A young reporter, Hadassah Jones, interviews then-Senator Barack Obama Nov. 1, 2007. Echo file photo (Bryson Pope)

“Obama’s victory has changed the United States and world,” Commey said. “He has opened doors for everyone, minorities and majorities. Commey is excited about the next election; from her perspective, “four years just won’t cut it.” McClanahan is confi-

dent that even after Obama is out of office, there will be “another black president, a woman president, a black woman president, Hispanic American president, Chinese American president and the list goes on.” Nutrition senior Rodney Stephenson said he is still addicted to politics and is

still inspired by the election. However, now that he has seen what the president has tried to accomplish, Stephenson’s excitement has turned to fear. “What I didn’t know then is that Obama would make the government own banks, autos and health care,” said Stephenson. Stephenson said he hoped Americans would lead the country back in the right direction. In his first full year in office, Obama has established a credit card bill of rights, instructed military leaders to end the war in Iraq and is still trying to pass a health care bill. According to Politifact.com, the president made more than 500 campaign promises. He has kept 91 of those promises, compromised on 33, broke 14, and stalled on 86; 277 promises are still in the works.

Campus minister, county commissioner, pastor, Ph.D. candidate — Michael Page does it all. Reverend Michael Page, N.C. Central University’s director of Campus Ministries, devotes his to the community. Page was raised with his four brothers by his father in rural Virginia. Growing up, Page learned that a good work ethic and an education were the secrets to success. “I learned so much from my father’s example as he raised us after my mother died, said Page. After graduating from high school, Page came to St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh. During his first few semesters in Raleigh, Page was homesick. “It was not until a friend took me to a football game at NCCU that I felt right at home,” said Page. In 1983 Page graduated from NCCU with a B.A. in Public Administration. After earning a master’s degree in divinity from Shaw University, Page hit the work force. In his mid-thirties, Page was asked to be an interim pastor at Antioch Baptist Church for one year. He has been there now for more than 11 years. Antioch, which was a booming predominantly white church before the white flight from Durham, is now one of the most prominent African American churches in Durham. After a few years at Antioch, Page learned that many of the homeless people in the area were exoffenders who were having a hard time finding work. Moved by the high recidivism rate — the rate at which ex-offenders released from jail commit crimes and go back to prison—Page and his church began to focus on a new ministry. Antioch began to serve children with parents in

prison by providing summer camps, weekly activities, and Bible studies. In 2007, Antioch, along with Chapel Hill Bible Church, and Emmaus Way Church, came together to develop transitional housing for ex-offenders. Transitional homes are places where those who just came out of prison can stay to get support during their transition to civilian life. In these homes they receive help finding employment, housing, and spiritual counseling. The group’s first such home, in Durham, is almost done and is scheduled to be opening for service soon. In addition to ministry, Page is in the thick of Durham’s political scene. After years of discontentment with Durham County’s school board policies, Page ran for membership on the board. When elected, he became the first black chairman since the Durham city and county merged in 1996. A few years later, Page ran for county commissioner so that he could help oversee and enforce county government. “My goal is to fight for poor communities,” Page said. “I want to help build safer communities and to help people gain employment by working as a county commissioner.” Page has a particular passion for working with, and for, African American men. His politics are to improve the quality of life for the community. Page is currently studying in the United Theological Seminary in Ohio for his doctorate in ministry. Now, Page chairs the board of commissioners for Durham County. “The Campus Ministry wants to develop in students the leadership skills in for ministry,” said Page. “Two NCCU students have become ministers as a result of our ministry here.”

Campus minister and county commissioner Rev. Michael Page NEKA JONES/Echo Staff Photographer

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911 for writers Writing Studio features workshops, mentors BY ALISHA BYRD ECHO STAFF REPORTER|

The N.C. Central University Writing Studio is offering workshops to help improve student writing skills. The workshops are designed to help students overcome their writing issues regardless of their major. The next workshop titled “Using the Library and Writing Studio Together,” will be held on Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. in the Shepard Library. During this workshop, students are given helpful tips on how to effectively research and use academic databases. The Writing Studio consultants will also discuss how students should prepare themselves for tutorial sessions and how they can organize their research into an outline and eventually into a paper. Karen Keaton-Jackson, director of the Writing Studio and coordinator of the workshops, said that the Writing Studio, which is open to all students, is dedicated to facilitating writing and learning through one-on-one and small group sessions. “The purpose of the NCCU Writing Studio is to offer free writing enrichment to undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and other members of the university community,” said Keaton-Jackson. All of the workshops and one-on-one sessions are conducted by Writing Studio consultants, including undergraduate and graduate students. “The purpose of Writing Studio is to help students become the best writers possible and to improve writing skills,” said Lakela Atkinson, a consultant and English graduate student.

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2010

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You can do it ladies! Program helps minority women succeed in science

60 years at Public Health B Y U YI I DAHOR ECHO STAFF REPORTER

BY N INECIA S COTT ECHO STAFF REPORTER

English graduate student Kanali Battle helps mass communication undergraduate Mark Scott with a writing assignment. NEKA JONES/Echo staff photographer

“I believe writing is very important in any field. Some of the most common issues affecting students are the transition from every day vernacular to academic writing, confidence in their writing and focus and clarity of a writing assignment,” said Atkinson. The workshops go hand in hand with the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, the University’s strategy to boost students communication skills. Upcoming workshops include: • “Time Management and the Writing Process,” March 2 • “Creating Good Outlines and effective Thesis Statements,” March 25 • “Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism,” April 6. All workshops will be held in room 140 of the Shepard Library.. The Writing Studio is open

throughout the semester on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a. m. – 5 p. m. Wednesday’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Evening and weekend hours are available by appointment on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday’s noon to 6 p.m. E-mail Deborah at drmll@duke.edu or Amy at aelmore@eagles.nccu.edu for evening and weekend appointments. The Writing Studio is located in the Farrison-Newton Communications Building in room 339. You can e-mail the studio at writingstudio@nccu.edu and check them out on the web at www.nccu.edu/writingstudio.

Students from N. C. Central University’s College of Science and Technology have formed an innovative program to encourage minority middle school females to pursue science-related careers. The program aims to break through barriers facing middle school and undergraduate females. Research shows that females retain or dismiss their interest for the sciences during the middle grades due to several influences, including societal pressures. In addition, there is a large disparity among the number of AfricanAmerican females employed in careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, abbreviated as STEM. As indicated by the 2008-2009 District Report Card, the Durham Public School System struggles to increase the performance of its middle school students, especially females, in the areas of math and science. MaKendra Umstead is the student coordinator for the Women Inspiring Learning Momentum, abbreviated as WILL. “We want them to understand that STEM

career fields are tangible and that the girls can reach their goals ...,” said Umstead. “I want students to know that within the WILL program, they have a community of support,” she said. NCCU student representatives from the departments of pharmaceutical sciences, physics, chemistry, and biology collaborated with the NCCU Women’s Center to create WILL. The program was awarded Campus Action Grant from the American Association of University Women promote equity for women and girls in STEM fields through advocacy, education and research. Umstead said STEM fields severely lack women in the workplace and that the percentage of minority women in STEM fields is even lower. WILL utilizes a double-mentoring design, in which professional women participate in the program’s infrastructure. The first WILL session will take place on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. when girls from Shepard Middle School meet at NCCU’s Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise, or BRITE, building.

It may not be well known, but N. C. Central University graduates more black health educators than any other university in the nation. The department of Public Health is celebrating “60 Years of Health Education at NCCU” by hosting a panel featuring five former department chairs on Thursday, Feb. 25 in the Miller-Morgan Auditorium at 6 p.m. “We will discuss the department’s history and its achievements as well as future challenges,” said David Jolly, associate professor and current department chair. The featured department chairs include B. T. McMillon, Howard Fitts, Theodore Parrish, LaVerne Reid, and LaHoma Smith Romocki. Dr. James E. Shepard, NCCU’s founder, worked with UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Public Health to create a program to cater to black public health educators and narrow health disparities between blacks and whites. Since then the department has lead initiatives against cancer, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases. “We thought this would be a great event as part of the centennial celebration,” said Jolly. “It provides the opportunity for the department to look back on its rich history serving the University community and state.”

Beyond NCCU

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2010

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TEHRAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 of political and economic power within the Islamic Republic in recent years. Clinton was in the Qatari capital of Doha, just across the Persian Gulf from Iran’s southern coast, for a conference on relations between the U.S. and the Islamic world. The U.S. and its allies oppose Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which Tehran insists are meant solely for civilian purposes. After negotiations stalled between the West and Tehran over a possible deal to convert some of Iran’s sensitive material into nuclear fuel plates for a medical reactor, Iranians upped the ante last week, announcing plans to produce their own purer nuclear fuel in a step that would edge them closer to weapons-grade uranium. But Ali-Akbar Salehi, chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, said Monday that the Iranians were now considering an apparently fresh proposal backed by the U.S., Russia, China and France to get them to stop the process. He did not divulge details. Iran’s current stockpile

of fuel, enriched at 3.5 percent, is suitable for powering electrical plants. Nuclear weapons require enrichment rates of 60 percent or higher. “Following Iran’s decision to produce 20 percent enriched uranium, we received a proposal from Russia, France and China. We are currently studying this proposal and other proposals from various countries,” he said according to Tehran’s semi-official Iranian Labor News Agency. “Their proposal will only end in the halt of uranium enrichment in Iran if they accept all our conditions for the exchange of enriched uranium.” U.S. intelligence agencies concluded in 2007 that Iran had ended steps toward creating a nuclear bomb by late 2003. But an upcoming U.S. National Intelligence Estimate might alter that assessment. Clinton cited no new intelligence that Iran was aiming to build a nuclear bomb, but insisted that “the evidence is accumulating that that’s exactly what they are trying to do.”

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Obama’s 2nd budget sits better with HBCU leaders BY WILLIAM DOUGLAS MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)

WASHINGTON — The leaders of the nation’s HBCU’s breathed a sigh of relief last week when they learned that President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget includes a $30 million funding increase for their financially struggling schools. Last year, many black educators were shocked by what they considered to be substantial cuts to black colleges and other educational institutions dedicated to select minorities, such as Native Americans, in Obama’s first budget proposal. “The United Negro College Fund and the entire community of minority-serving institutions were disappointed at last year’s budget proposal, which recommended a decrease from previous funding levels,” fund President Michael Lomax said in a written statement analyzing Obama’s latest budget. “The increase — $30 million higher than last year’s levels — proposed in

the budget that has just been released shows that the administration was listening.” For the fiscal year that will begin on Oct. 1, Obama proposes $279.9 million for HBCU’s— $30 million more than he proposed for fiscal 2010 and $13 million more than Congress appropriated, according to the United Negro College Fund. Including other minority-oriented educational institutions, Obama’s total budget request is for $520 million, up from $496.3 million this year. The proposed funds are discretionary, meaning that colleges that receive the money would have leeway to spend it on items ranging from academic programs to construction and maintenance of instructional facilities to student services. Administration officials said the funding request reflects the premium it places on minority education institutions, which they say will play an important role in helping to meet Obama’s goal of the U.S. having the world’s highest college graduation

rate by 2020. The U.S. ranks 15th among 29 developed countries in college completion, according to the most recent National Report Card on Higher Education. “I said from day one we desperately need HBCU’s not just to survive, but to thrive,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent television interview with syndicated columnist and talk show host Roland Martin. “So, we want to support the institutions. We’re going to make sure many more students can go through.” HBCUs — 105 federally recognized schools that were accredited and established before 1964 for the purpose of educating black Americans — are just 3 percent of the nation’s higher education institutions, but they produce almost 20 percent of blacks who earn undergraduate degrees. More than 50 percent of black public school teachers and 70 percent of black dentists are HBCU graduates, according to the United Negro College Fund. The impact of the nation’s

weak economy is being felt at all of America’s colleges and universities, but officials at black colleges say their schools have been hit harder than most. Heavily dependent on tuition, with modest endowments and dealing with declining student enrollment, even some of the most prestigious black colleges are shedding faculty, reducing course offerings and weighing other measures to stay afloat. Atlanta’s all-female Spelman College, one of the wealthiest black campuses, eliminated 35 teaching positions last year. Its neighboring brother school, all-male Morehouse College, saw its endowment take a $40 million hit last year. North Carolina’s Barber Scotia College made news last year when its enrollment dwindled to double-digits. In Mississippi, Republican Gov. Haley Barbour is advocating merging three statesupported HBCUs — Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State — to save money.

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NCCU chair of the history department and professor Carlton Wilson hammers a frame together.

English junior Ashley Roque holds a ladder steady for English instructor Shirley Faulkner-Springfield. In the background is subcontractor Jesus Gutierrez directing workers.

English instructor Shirley Faulkner-Springfield with English junior Ashley Roque

wning a home is a dream that is often out of reach. But volunteers from N.C. Central University, Duke University and the Durham chapter of Habitat for Humanity are working hard to make that dream come true for one family and build a house. The groundbreaking ceremony for the future home of Tijuanda Farrington and her daughter Constance was held on Martin Luther King Day at 615 Hickory Street in the Eagle Village community. Participants at the ceremony signed their names on pieces of framing lumber that were used to make the walls of the home. Saturday morning, a few inches of snow from the night before covered

the worksite. Consequently, the morning shift of student volunteers was cancelled, but the clouds broke and the sun came out just in time for the afternoon shift. Jesus and Christian from Habitat for Humanity shoveled snow off the construction site and prepared tools and supplies for the volunteers. “It was great to finally be outside putting the walls up for Ms. Farrington’s home,” said Deborah Bailey, director of the Academic Community Service Learning Program at NCCU.

NCCU associate history professor Jerry Gershenhorn amid the soon-to-be-completed house frame.

Shirley Faulkner-Springfield, Patt Hatcher, Habitat for Humanity volunteer coordinator and Jesus Gutierrez erect the front wall frame of the house.

“We really have not been able to work since MLK day because of bad weather.” The weather didn’t stop NCCU’s history department faculty from representing their Eagle pride. Jerry Gershenhorn, associate professor of history, demonstrated his facility with a hammer and showed students how to straighten a nail that failed to go in cleanly. “The most rewarding aspect of the experience is the feeling that you are doing something that is going to have a direct impact on improving someone’s life,” said his-

tory department chair Carlton Wilson. “Through the cold, dampness, and trying to properly drive a nail, you keep that thought in mind. “It was rewarding in every way. “I think students will come out … They just need a little encouragement from their professors or advisers. “Saturday several students in the department of history would have been there if not for the uncertainty of the weather.” Gershenhorn said, “I enjoyed the whole experience. “It was nice to do some outside physical

History adjunct professor Terry Mosely with Debra Bailey, director of NCCU’s Academic Community Service Learning Program.

work, which is in contrast to what I usually do as a historian and teacher, which tends to be more cerebral and sedentary.” Members of Sigma Tau Delta worked hard as well. “Some people are fortunate enough to own a home while others aren’t and it’s our job as members of the community to help each other out,” said English junior Ashley Roque. Since 1985, the Durham chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200

homes for residents in need. The home being built off Hickory Street is the second Eagle Habitat build and has a special attachment to NCCU. Farrington, a native of North Carolina, has worked in the James E. Shepard Library since

1995. Her daughter is a freshman at Northern High School. Families selected to receive homes are screened based on their housing need, ability to repay the zero-interest loan in full, and willingness to work with Habitat for Humanity and volunteer 250-350 hours building their home. Those interested in joining the group may contact Swetha Kumar at the NCCU ACSLP office at 919-530-6143.

NCCU history student Mike Taliero nails a supporting board to the house frame.

Debra Bailey, Ashley Roque, Shirley Faulkner-Springfield, Mike (last name unknown), Christian Pikaart, Terry Mosely, Jerry Gershenhorn, Mike Taliero, Jesus Gutierrez, Carlton Wilson.

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For love of money N.C. native Samm-Art Williams brings laughter to NCCU 12345 1234 123 12 T R A S H

Sade Soldier of Love Sony

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The cast of "The Dance on Widow's Row" crack up the crowd. CHRISS HESS/Echo staff photographer

BY CHRIS HESS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Last Friday N.C. Central welcomed the romantic comical production from North Carolina native Samm-Art Williams, “The Dance on Widow’s Row.” Williams is best known for writing on such television hits as “Martin,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.” Directed by Kenneth Hinton, an adjunct professor of drama at NCCU, this production is part of a series of events scheduled for Black History Month during the N. C. Central University centennial year celebration.

Actors Rachel Smith, Ashley Chestang, TaraWhitney Rison, Johnanna Burwell, Corwin Evans, Yuri Brown and Malcolm Green complete the comical cast of seven. “The Dance on Widow’s Row” focuses on four widows whose husbands all have met untimely deaths from suspicious circumstances, such as cut brake lines and food poisoning. Four wealthy widows in their mid-40s from the fictional Port Town neighborhood invite four eligible bachelors from the area for a quadruple date, resulting in amusing banter, the women hoping to find mister right. After already burying a

total of nine husbands, the women try to keep the dates under wraps, knowing that neighbors will tell all. The widows in the sotrywere “basically getting rich from insurance companies,” said Corwin Evans, theater senior. Though the play is full of amusement, rehearsing for and acting in the show requires hard work and preparation. “The process time varies,” said theater junior Yuri Brown. “It can take up to the time of the show, but usually four to six weeks.” “This is a challenge for the student actors, to play older men and women,”

said Hinton. “That’s part of why I wanted to bring this production to NCCU.” Hinton is confident that the students are more than up for the challenge of aging themselves by 20 years or more. The actors and actresses seemed excited and honored to work with Williams. “It’s a blessing to be in his presence,” said Evans. “He’s not uptight at all … very down to earth.” “The Dance on Widow’s Row” can be seen Feb. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Farrison-Newton Communications Building Theatre.

Let’s talk about the novel NCCU joins Durham Public Library for book discussions BY CHANEL LEWIS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

N.C. Central University scholars will team up this Saturday to debut a series of discussions titled “Let’s Talk About It: The African-American Experience: Looking Forward, Looking Back.” The discussions will focus on five seminal pieces, all reflecting African American history. This will be the second installment NCCU has been involved in. “The purpose of these discussions is for participants to engage in dialogue about extraordinary works by African-American writers,” said Dr. Karen Keaton-Jackson, assistant professor of English. “It is also a way for NCCU to collaborate and connect with members of the Durham Public Library and the local community.” Dr. Keaton-Jackson will lead this Saturday’s group discussion with a book titled Family by J. California Cooper, a dynamic multi-generational story about a slave and her family. Later discussions will consider such books as Go Tell It on the Mountain” by James Baldwin,

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison and the 1983 Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple by Alice Walker. The discussions will embark upon subjects that everyone, regardless of

ethnic background, can relate to. “I plan to connect many of the book’s themes to historical and current societal issues, so everyone will find some way to participate and contribute to the discussion,” said Keaton-Jackson. Each event will be organized according to the preferences of the discussion leader. The discussions are expected to last between one and two hours. “For my particular session, I plan to start with a brief lecture and then mostly open discussion,” said Keaton-Jackson. The next gathering after KeatonJackson’s will be held March 6 and will be led by Lynne T. Jefferson, visiting assistant professor of English. The upcoming session of “Let’s Talk About It” will take place at 2 p.m. this Saturday at the Stanford L. Warren Library. Books will be provided on a firstcome, first-served basis. Additional information, including pre-registration is available at (919) 560-0268 or via e-mail at mfragola@durhamcountync.gov.

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Breaking out of a hiatus since her 2000 album “Lovers Rock,” Sade Adu is back on the front line with her first album of the new decade, “Soldier of Love.” Many believe Sade is a one-woman act, but Stuart Matthewman, Paul Spencer Denman, and Andrew Hale make up the band, which takes Sade’s first name. The band has been together since day one. “Soldier of Love” is Sade’s sixth album within the band’s 25-year career. Sade returns with a broken heart and a mourning soul, taking to lyricism to express her despair. Though she isn’t singing about the “sweetest taboo,” her voice reclaims her stake as one of the best female vocalist in the industry. The lead single, “Soldier of Love,” is out of the norm compared to Sade’s past work. The guitar riffs and heavy bass drums give the track an electrifying militant feel.

Lil’ Wayne Rebirth Cash Money Records

out of on the 1 5 black hand side After several pushbacks since early 2009, Lil’ Wayne’s highly anticipated album “Rebirth” finally released February 2. “Rebirth” is one of Wayne’s unfortunate projects, especially compared to the multi-platinum-selling “Tha Carter III.” Numbers on the charts prove this. The rock album debuted at #2 and “only” sold 176,000 copies. What happened to our “milli”-selling rapper? Perhaps fans aren’t feeling the commercialized material on the album, which is lacking all the essentials of authentic rock music. Lil’ Wayne is a successful rapper. There is no reason for him to switch genres and attempt to be the black Travis Barker. The only songs worthy of mention are lead singles: “On Fire” and “Drop the World,” which features Eminem. Perhaps these two songs are lead singles because they possess qualities of the “rapper” Wayne. Miami duo Cool & Dre fruitfully produced “On Fire.” Using basic hip-hop elements, Amy Holland’s “She’s on Fire” sample was genius. The drums and electric guitar complimented the lyrical bars on the sec-

#TT-Trending Topic #RadioStar #BlogWorthy #NeedsTranslator #SMH-Fail! If they don’t already, Generation Y will soon know exactly who Sade is. “The Moon and the Sky” opens the album and sets a grieving tone with questions for a disloyal lover: “So why did he make me cry? Why didn’t you come get me one last time?” My personal favorite, “Babyfather,” is one of the two up-tempo tracks on the album. It holds a reggae vibe and a first-time collaborator, 13-year-old daughter Iba. The other up-tempo track, “Bring Me Home,” is about hopelessness. Sade sings, “I’ve cried for the lives I’ve lost, like a child in need of love. “I’ve been so close but far away from God. “I’ve cried the tears so let the tide take me. “I won’t fight, I’ve cried the tears.” Though it’s not our usual lively Sade, she still uses her vocals for consumer pleasure as she pleads of hopelessness and heartache. Sade is back with new contemporary vocals. I recommend all fellow songstresses to watch out.

— Theresa W. Garrett

ond verse. The non hip-hop tracks on the album turn Wayne into an example of when rapper-turned-rock-star goes wrong. “Knockout,” featuring Nicki Minaj, releases a pop rock vibe, but not quite as pleasing as “Fall Out Boy,” “Gym Class Heroes” or “Paramore.” The track also obsessively use of auto-tune and another wacked-out verse from Nicki Minaj. The only rock-influenced song on the album that is somewhat decent is Track 1, “American Star.” The track features pleasant vocals from Young Money songstress Shanell, following slight lyricism from Wayne. The beat is simple, with basic drum and guitar instrumentation. The majority of the tracks have a confessional main “emo” aspect, which in Wayne’s case is relationships and life. “Die for You,” “The Price is Wrong,” and “Get a Life” all feature Wayne’s extreme raspy yelling, when he’s either pleading or complaining. Overall, this album deserves the Twitter trending topic: “#fail.” Wayne needs to stick within the hip-hop market and let the real rock stars handle the rock scene. Or perhaps, Wayne needs a few lessons from Pharrell Williams, who is part of the multi-talented rock/hip-hop band N*E*R*D*. In conclusion, Wayne, we don’t believe you … you need more people! — Belinda Dunn

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Every day a star is born NCCU re-connects with alumna for a Q&A about her recent success After graduating from N.C. Central University in May ’09, Carlitta Durand has continued to climb the ladder of success. Durand, driven by her passion for music, has fully devoted herself to pursuing a singing career. She has headlined shows and been featured on several projects, including emcee Buckshot and N.C. natives 9th Wonder and Little Brother. Her latest project, “The Doug and Patty” EP, has received more than 5,000 downloads. Now Durand is gearing up for her long-awaited album release party, which goes down this Thursday at The Pour House in Raleigh. Campus Echo: How has life been treating you since graduating from N.C. Central University? Durand: Interesting and busy. I miss being in school sometimes, but I’m able to put 100 percent into my music. Campus Echo: What are the top three highlights of your music career so far? Durand: Being noticed on a national and international level, touring and signing with The Foreign Exchange, and putting out my own music. Campus Echo: What’s the inspiration behind the title of your latest EP? Durand: Vaughn [Garcia, from M1 Platoon] and I were just brainstorming and going through different titles. I

was trying come up with a title that involved two people, for example Bonnie and Clyde. I said Doug and Patty and he agreed. Campus Echo: What fellow up-and-coming artists are you currently listening to? Durand: I don’t know about up-andcoming, but P.U.T.S [People Under the Stairs] is a rap group from California and they are way underrated. I love them and Alice Smith. She's from D.C. and she's dope! Campus Echo: How was your experience with The Foreign Exchange? Were you proud of their recent Grammy Award nomination? Durand: It was a great experience. I learned a lot about the industry, touring and myself as well. And yes, I’m very proud. Campus Echo: So tell us about some of the featured artist on “The Doug and Patty” EP. Durand: The EP features Big Chopps and Vaughn Garcia of the M1 Platoon, who are very talented young men from the D.C. area. The EP also features Jabee, who is another up-and-coming rapper from Oklahoma. I support them all. Campus Echo: What’s next for Carlitta Durand? Durand: I’ll be releasing a full album, possibly a movie. I would also like to get on the

road. Campus Echo: Now it’s time for complete randomness. Facebook or Twitter, and why? Durand: Twitter, because I’m addicted now (laughs) just kidding. But really, it’s a quick and effective way to network and spread news. Facebook is always freezing up. Campus Echo: What advice would you give up and coming artists at NCCU? Durand: Don’t ever get discouraged. Keep grinding and never burn a bridge. Kiss babies. and shake hands. —Joanna Hernandez

Carlitta Durand prepares for “knockout” upcoming performance in style. COURTESY

CARLITTA DURAND

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PREPARING FOR THE GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT? ATTEND A STRATEGY SESSION WITH THE PRINCETON REVIEW

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010 THE MARY TOWNES SCIENCE COMPLEX CORNER OF CONCORD & LAWSON STREETS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Seating is Limited COST: Free! Registration is Required GMAT, GRE and MCAT participants will meet on Saturday, February 27, 2010, 10 am – 12 noon, in the Mary Townes Science Complex. Please take the practice test at Review.com and print and bring the scoring report to the strategy session LSAT participants are asked to make a two day commitment. This includes a practice LSAT, 9 am – 1 pm on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in 1233 Mary Townes Science Complex, and a two - hour session on Saturday, February 27, 2010, 10 am – 12 noon ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PRE-REGISTER BY Friday, February 19, 2010 in Room 3209 Mary Townes Science Complex FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Leon B. Hardy, Test Prep Program 3209 Mary Townes Science Complex, NCCU, Durham, NC 27707 (919) 530-5109, lhardy@nccu.edu Sponsored by the Test Prep Program, NCCU, a Title III Activity

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Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17, 2010

It’s senior night NCCU SENIORS BID FAREWELL TO MCDOUGALD-MCLENDON GYM

Almost had ‘em NCCU falls to Coastal 68-57 BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

Before the largest crowd of the season (2,421) the N.C. Central University basketball team missed its first 10 shot attempts. Coastal Carolina raced out to a 17-0 lead in the first 8 minutes of the game. The final home game told the story of the whole season. The Eagles have struggled to score points all season and have shot less than 40 percent for the year. “We didn’t come out mentally ready tonight,” said junior guard C.J. Wilkerson. Even with a horrid start and being down by as much as 20 points, the Eagles were able to cut the lead to 11 and go into halftime down 31-20. NCCU came out of the half matching Coastal Carolina bucket for bucket. The Eagles trimmed the Chanticleer lead to 8 points, led by the heroics of sophomore forward Nick

Chasten, who finished with a team high of 17 points. “I felt confident in my shot tonight after I was able to knock down a couple of shots,” said Chasten. The Chanticleers, now 23-5, were led by senior duo Mario Edwards and Joseph Harris who combined for 34 of the team’s 68 points. “We just ran up against a team that was bigger, stronger, faster, quicker and better than we are,” said coach LeVelle Moton. Coastal Carolina, firmly in first place in the Big South Conference, looks poised to make a run to get into the NCAA basketball tournament. “We played against the best team that we are going to play against in this gym this season,” Moton added. With only one game remaining, versus Longwood in Farmville, Va., the Eagles will look to bounce back and end the season on a positive note. “We have to go back and all the guys have to eat a slice of humble pie,” said Moton.

Recent NCCU graduate and basketball player Josh Worthy stands with his family and head coach LeVelle Moton before his last home game at the McDougald-McLendon Gymnaisium. MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo staff photographer

BY LEA RANDOLPH ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

The McDougaldMcLendon gymnasium was full of students, faculty and family members Monday night to watch the N.C. Central University men’s basketball team take on Coastal Carolina University in its last home game of the season. The home crowd eagerly anticipated the ceremonies celebrating seniors involved with the basketball program as well as the game to follow. In addition to bidding farewell to senior basketball players, cheerleaders and members of the athletic training program this occasion is formally known as senior night.

“I will miss the camaraderie of the team the most,” said senior basketball player Joshua Worthy. Before the game, all seniors were presented with an Eagle trophy and personal momentums from teammates and family members. “If Joshua Worthy’s picture was in the dictionary it would be beside student athlete,” said Coach LeVelle Moton. Once the ceremony commenced, the crowd, the largest of the season, was full of school spirit anticipating a possible win over Coastal Carolina. Sororities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta Inc. had their own seating section along with fraternities Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi

Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. The fraternities and sororities kept the crowd entertained during 30-second time-outs with chants and party hops. The NCCU band also kept the atmosphere thick with energy. The varsity cheerleading squad was in full effect, having to say goodbye to three of their own. The three senior cheerleaders cheered in the front row the entire night and dressed differently from the other cheerleaders. “I was feeling happy because I made it through and I’m a little reminiscent,” said varsity cheerleader and psychology senior Joi Robinson. Half time was strictly for

entertainment; the junior varsity cheerleaders put on a performance showcasing their talents. The varsity squad lined up in front of the basketball court to offer their support to the JV squad. “I was so proud of JV,” said varsity cheerleader and athletic trainer Nicole Warren. They did really well and their hard work in practice paid off,” said Warren. At the end of the game seniors Worthy, Clee Sherrod, Joi Robinson, Camille Strachan and Taraza Tyler were elated to know that they will be missed by their peers, and appreciative of the recognitions they were given by the NCCU athletics program.

NCCU Freshman center Dijon Manns goes up for the bucket over a Chanticleer defender. MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo staff photographer

Eagles ready to lace them up NCCU baseball team hopes to set a precedent this year BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

Since being revived in 2006, the N.C. Central University baseball team has seen great triumphs and humbling defeats. In its first season, the team amassed a record of 2124 and won the CIAA regular season title. In the second season and its first at the Division I level, the team finished with

6 wins and 30 losses. None of their victories were over Division I teams, with the low point being a 220 drubbing at the hands of Duke University. Last season, the Eagles finished with a disappointing 6-35 record to complete its second Division I season. However, the team did manage to win its first Division I game which came against Savannah State on

March 7, 2009. With 18 letter winners returning the NCCU baseball team aims to reach new heights in 2010. The team will get a steady dose of southern hospitality because it will not venture past the Mason-Dixon line this season. The Eagles lost two of the program’s most important pioneers and 3-year starters Oliver Jenkins and Robert

Landis in addition to 6 other players leaving the program. However, the Eagles are more experienced than they have ever been as a result of many young players logging major innings since the program’s inception. The NCCU hitters will be led by sophomore outfielder Akeem Hood, who led the Eagles in batting average and stolen bases (.322, 16 stolen bases).

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On the mound, the Eagles will rely on sophomore Brandon Strickland who logged the most appearances and led the Eagles in wins with 2. NCCU will start the season with five home games, three of which are part of the Inaugural Eagle Baseball classic, which will match the Eagles against Iona, Delaware State and Navy. Throughout the season

the Eagles will face five future MEAC foes and battle ACC opponents North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. The Eagles’ entire schedule is filled with Division I opponents with the exception of one team, the Virginia State Trojans the two time CIAA champions. The team will arguably face its toughest opponent in 15th ranked East Carolina.

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can use your major and help people? Residential Services is currently looking for Direct Support Professionals to work in our group homes for children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Entry-level positions available, no experience necessary! Gain valuable experience beyond the classroom and make a difference in the lives of others. Part-time ($10.10/hr.) and full-time positions ($10.20/hr.) available.

Apply online at www.rsi-nc.org

Opinions

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2010

IVER SITY

Stop whining about snow couple of weeks ago we got some snow and like usual the city went crazy. It wasn’t just the county that always seems unprepared for snow, nor was it just the administration waiting to see what the county was going to do, but the students followed suit. We sat on our butts in our apartments, houses or dorms screaming that Jay the administration wasn’t doing Jones enough to clear the ice and snow. Some of us said, “I’m not going to class at all,” or “Other schools have a delay, why not us,” or “I don't feel like going out in this mess, they should cancel classes,” etc. Do we realize that we are always complaining instead of acting to provide a solution to the problem? Of course the school was covered in snow and ice and needed to be cleared up. Of course the administration

... we are too quick to dismiss getting our education because of snow when we can get together and clean it up or make an effort to act like adults and deal with it and go to class. has a limited staff, which is why some bathrooms look like crap in some buildings and we know this, but yet we expected them to make a duck pull a truck and clear acres of snow from our campus. I pose this to the students: Why not get the SGA or try to mobilize some of the fraternities and sororities on campus to get to together and help shovel sidewalks and parking lots when this happens? Ask the administration for shovels or for those groups that can, go out and buy shovels and share them. I know we don’t believe in doing something for nothing, so maybe those who need motivation could get community service hours for helping out. This is Black History Month.

Do you really believe that any civil rights movements would have been effective by simply whining? The civil rights movement happened because people mobilizing and did what needed to be done. Could you imagine Booker T. Washington, Martin Luther King or Malcolm X not going to class because there was snow on the ground? Stop playing. They would get their fellow students together to clean it so they could get that education no matter what. Men would say, “OK, our females feel unsafe walking to class, let me clear a path for them or at least help walk them to class so they don't hurt themselves.”

Maybe it’s just me, but we are too quick to dismiss getting our education because of snow when we can get together and clean it up or make an effort to act like adults and deal with it and go to class. Sure, it might mean parking farther away where the roads have been cleared better. Is it really that bad to have to walk further? It is a joke for those who live on campus to say anything, as you don’t have to drive to class. Take your time, leave earlier and walk for your education. Some of our fellow Eagles were still whining on Wednesday when the roads were clear. At some point it has to stop and we have to value our education more. We should be upset when classes are cancelled instead of looking at it as party time or thinking, “I have an extra day to do that homework I haven’t started on yet that was going to be due today.” I'm not saying, I’m just saying...

‘Cast down your buckets’ he black liberation struggle and Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 70s marked a period of social reform and advancement in the African American community. Led by political leaders and artists like Stokely Carmichael, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amiri Baraka and DeeDee Nikki Giovanni, Mozee this movement radiates the biblical notion that the least of us may be used in efforts to effect great change. While the discourse of the movement communicated extreme dissatisfaction in the African American community with social and political inequalities, the movement was a response to the utter disregard of the inalienable rights of black people by white America. Resulting in small gains,

the Black arts movement encouraged a culture of political and socially conscious productions, fashioned with the purpose to give “power to the people.” Yet, I assert that the power gained during this time was not enough to help us obtain resources and a quality of life equal to that of white hegemony. Now, in 2010, blacks are still in the back of the bus and there are a number of reasons why we will remain there, lest we move toward change. Statistical information on educational achievement continuously shows a large performance gap between whites and blacks. We, more privileged blacks, allow our less fortunate brothers and sisters to complacently accept food stamps and Work First checks as suitable forms of income, by our unwillingness to educate and motivate them on better ways of living and obtaining greater social and economic status. Furthermore, our culture

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

Campus Echo

would rather encourage black youth to accept ADHD and other behavioral disabilities as life-long inhibitors, masking fears of failure, as opposed to teaching a child discipline, and encouraging one to make strides toward realizing the truths of their biggest dreams. We need a new movement, yet the current state of African-American culture and society is too divided to support a successful effort. Some declare that “We do not have leaders.” Others assert that “There have been no catastrophic events of a large enough caliber to ignite a movement.” I posit that we have ignored all opportunities to move toward change, and for this reason we cannot bemoan the position of “our people” because much of the fault is ours. Currently, there are several different classes of black people, and those class divisions keep us from talking to, or sharing with, one another.

We who are better informed politically and better off economically, continuously ignore the plight of our people who continue to struggle. Even we students of NCCU are afraid to venture into the wilderness of our backyard, and make efforts to understand the plights of our people in the projects. We are afraid to take sides during local or national conflict for fear of how our opinions might affect our social status or our personal favor in white American society. But let us not permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities. Instead, let us “cast down our buckets where we are,” and continue to preach the philosophies of our leaders who have already given us blueprints to success. Receive this piece as a call to action — all who are fortunate enough to live comfortably in a society that does not welcome them wholeheartedly. Stand up.

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