CHEYNEY MADE

BY DR. JANELLE L. WILLIAMS ‘07 AND DR. ROBERT W. LAY II ’10

What does it mean to be “Cheyney Made”? #CheyneyMade is a celebration, an acknowledgement, appreciation shown, and an understanding that our heritage deserves respect. It all started way back in 1837, with the establishment of the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY). Since then, the ICY – known today as Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been an advocate of and pioneer for the education of Black Americans. As the nation’s first historically Black university, Cheyney University is responsible for educating and graduating over 30,000 prominent and influential professionals including the second Black woman to become a physician in the United States, Dr. Rebecca Cole, the architect of the Philadelphia Art Museum Julian Abele, and former CBS News journalist, Ed Bradley.

As proud graduates of this trailblazing institution, we share our story of how Cheyney University laid the foundation for us to pursue our individual dreams and make those dreams our reality. There are many aspects of our time spent at Cheyney that contributed to our current positioning as scholars, thought leaders, and change agents, however we will reflect on three areas: Culture, the Keystone Honors Academy, and Greek Life and the impact these three areas have had on our journeys.

Culture - Shifting from PWI to HBCU

Attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs) for our primary and secondary education we both decided there was an essential need to be in a space where Blackness was embedded and embraced in our post-secondary educational pursuits. In a practical way, attending a historically Black college or university (HBCU) seemed to be the obvious solution. Collectively HBCUs are a representation of Black history and the Black family overflowing with traditions, legacies, and excellence.

Robert, reflecting on the culture of C heyney shared: “It was not until I attended the first HBCU, Cheyney, that my understanding of Black culture, my culture, flourished. The music, ethnicities, the accents, the fashion, the SWAG that I experienced, showed me who I was, and when people ask me why I attended Cheyney now days, I always reply I did it for the culture.”

The ability to be fully immersed in a culture that posited Blackness in the highest esteem during developmental years, allowed us to embrace our heritage, and grow in an unapologetic way both in and out of the classroom.

Keystone Honors Academy - Laying Academic Foundation

Cost was among the determining factors in our decision of which HBCU we would ultimately attend. As acceptance letters came in, so did reality, and offer letters with high tuition costs— similar to many of the nation’s colleges and universities. However, the acceptance letter from Cheyney came in with a “Congratulations Scholar and Welcome to the Keystone Honors Academy” (KHA). The KHA is a program housed exclusively at Cheyney University; the program provides high-achieving students with a full academic scholarship, room and board, and a stipend for books. In a time where student debt is crippling generations of students, this offer seemed to make the most sense, financially. Based on this generous scholarship and the pride associated with attending the first HBCU, we both decided that the KHA at Cheyney would be our choice. Upon matriculating into Cheyney we found that KHA is more than just a scholarship, it was an affirmation that we belonged and that we were viewed as scholars. As KHA scholars we studied abroad, participated in pre-professional and cultural programming, lived together in a Living Learning Center, and received extensive graduate school preparation. In fact, through the KHA we were both able to take advantage of the Bond-Hill Scholarship program which allowed us to pursue graduate study without worrying about the burden of cost. After graduating from Cheyney, Janelle used the Bond-Hill scholarship to attend The Pennsylvania State University where she earned a master’s degree in Public Administration. Robert used the Bond-Hill scholarship to attend Temple University where he earned his doctorate degree in Higher Education. What’s better than one free degree? Two.

Greek Life- Leadership, Persistence, Scholarship and Service

The Divine Nine, the collective name for nine historically African American, international Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities, are a staple on HBCU campuses and in many African American families. Being initiated into these organizations is a rite of passage, one that we both experienced at Cheyney University. Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift, are the founding principles of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. Robert was initiated into the fraternity in spring 2009 in the Beta Gamma chapter. Robert recalls, “My journey was hard, difficult an d long, but it ta ught me leadership an d persistence, two attributes that have helped me find success i n every facet of my life. Omega Psi Phi fraternity has helped me with both my professional, educational and personal goals. In addition, it has provided me with a brotherhood that rivals that of my blood relatives, and without it, I would not be as successful as I am today”.

“Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom” is the public motto of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Janelle was initiated into the sorority in the spring of 2006 in the Delta Tau chapter. Janelle, speaking of her sorority experience said, “My initiation

into Delta taught me to be strong, yet graceful, to be poised, yet unafraid to be outspoken, to be humble, yet proud of my history. Delta’s light imparted many life lessons that has prepared me in many personal and professional areas.”

Within our organizations, we gained a sense of social identity, cultivated teambuilding abilities, developed leadership skills, and formed lifelong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, respectively.

In closing, we leave this reminder as a living testimony for our generation. As proud Cheyney graduates, we say thank you Cheyney for providing the foundation, support, and encouragement, for instilling confidence, for telling us we can, for believing in us, for making a way out of no way. The knowledge, pride experiences, friendships and networks we created at Cheyney will last a lifetime. We thrive today because we are #CheyneyMade

Dr. Robert W. Lay II is a Residence Life Coordinator at the Pennsylvania State University.

Follow him on Twitter@therealroblay or contact him on his website: https://bit.ly/2SHedTt

Dr. Janelle L. Williams is a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University, New Brunswick at the Center for Minority Serving Institutions in the Graduate School of Education.

Follow her on Twitter @SincerleyDrJae