On Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 2 - 6 p.m., Virginia State Uni versity hosted its Org Bazaar Home coming event as a part of its week long celebrations. This event is tra ditionally hosted to support many different organizations the univer sity has in the center of campus, University Avenue.
Students visited tables along the avenue to meet members, see friends, and help support causes. The NAACP and Si Se Puede were just a couple of groups were students sat at their table collect ing donations and selling refresh ments.
The VSU NAACP chapter was at the front of the yard selling org bazaar juice to all the students out that day. The organization actually sold out of juice two hours before the event even ended.
“The NAACP on campus isn’t just another association or politi cal group, but is a safe space that relates to black people and more importantly students of today,” President Christian Cozart said. “We want to be the voice of the people and black students to proj ect important issues and concerns that affect black and brown bodies everyday and night! We are the as sociation that is a mix of many dif ferent layers and aren’t just one or the other, we are for the advance ment of those that look like us in
serious and fun ways, such as this very event.”
The Si Se Puede also had a “unidos” poster for students to write Spanish words on and cute novelties for visitors to learn Span ish while at the table. Yulisa Mo rales, their Vice President, ran the table.
“The Si Se Puede E-Board mem bers had a blast at the Org Bazar. Si Se Puede is the only Hispanic/ Latinx organization on campus. We enjoyed being able to interact with other students and staff by showing them who we are and what we do,” Morales said. “It was an amazing time embracing a few of our tra ditional drinks like Horchata and sweets. We hope to continue shar ing our culture and diversity.”
This event has much history as it gets put on every year for home coming. There were also other or ganizations there such as Women of Victory, NSLS, and CSA. There was a lot of free food for the stu dent body to enjoy such as turkey legs, fried Oreos, and funnel cake.
There was also a great DJ and an area for each organization to present themselves and a demonstration of choice.
The ROTC revealed the new line of the National Society of Perishing Rifles. The university could not have been more excited. Caribbean Stu dents Association and African Stu dents Association performed as well.
Due to the strong attendance and student involvement from so many organizations, most could say that the event was a truly successful part of Homecoming 2022.
The fall 2022-23 incoming class is the univer sity’s largest incoming class of new students in more than three decades. VSU welcomed more than 1700 new students (first-time freshmen and transfer students). The fall 2022 Uni versity enrollment grew by 349 students for a total enrollment of 4649 students. This is an increase of more than 8 percent over fall 2021.
(Above) The Executive Committee members of the NAACP pose with President Christian Cozart and body members representing the association. (Below) The Si Se Puede organization displayed a poster for students to write Spanish words on and cute novelties for visitors to learn Spanish at their table along the Avenue during the Org Bazaar. Yulisa Morales, their Vice President, ran the table. Photos by Isammar Kirby.
Miss VSU Joy Watson was named Miss HBCU on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation’s annual event in Atlanta. This is the first time a student from VSU has won the honor.
Starting Monday, Oct. 24 students will be able to log on and schedule classes for the upcoming semester. Students should contact their advisor if they have any questions about class selection.
The Virginia State Univer sity Marching Trojan Ex plosion has been to the Honda Battle of the Bands nine consecutive times, will they return for the tenth?
The Trojan Explosion Marching Band, under the new interim director, Mr. Taylor Whitehead, is on the voting ballot for the 2023 Honda Battle of the Bands, which will be held Feb. 18, 2023 at Alabama State University in Mont gomery, Alabama.
“It is an honor to be on the voting ballot for the Honda Battle of the Bands,” Whitehead said. “I am overjoyed. The amount of hard work my students put in is paying off. These opportunities do not come easily. They are the true reflec tion of my leadership. I am more than honored to have the opportunity as the new Interim Director of the Trojan Ex plosion, to lead my band to the Honda Battle of the Bands.”
Whitehead continues to inspire and motivates his students to be able to be nominated for the Honda Battle of the Bands. He dedicates his time, money, and effort to ensuring musical superior ity in the Trojan Explosion. His expert leadership qualities continue to over flow into his students as they are work ing hard to be selected to participate in the Honda Battle of the Bands.
One student in particular, Travon Banks, a Graduate Student participating in the Trojan Explosion, believes that Whitehead is more than capable of lead ing the Trojan Explosion to the Honda Battle of the Bands, and has no doubt that The Explosion will be one of the se lected bands to participate.
“Mr. Whitehead’s leadership is amongst no other, not only this but he never hides anything from us. His high energy continues to reflect in the band and is flawless.” Banks said. “Mr. White head is the reason I am at and graduated from Virginia State. His commitment to me attending here is more than enough
The Trojan Explosion marches its way down Grove Avenue in Old Towne Petersburg during the Homecoming Parade 2022. Below is the link to vote for the Trojan Explosion. Scan the QR code to help the band make it to the Honda Battle of the Bands. Staff photo.
to prove that he is a man of his word. Mr. Whitehead is more than capable of lead ing the band or any band for that matter to Honda Battle of the Bands. He is the epitome of a true director,” Banks said.
The faith in Whitehead does not stop at Banks. His fellow staff members believe in his leadership qualities as well. Whitehead often has students who grad uate from Virginia State University and come back aspiring to be part of his lead ership team. These individuals have also marched in the Trojan Explosion. One individual, in particular, Matthew Ra ton, Operations Director of the Trojan Explosion, finds himself on Whitehead’s leadership team.
Raton participated in the Trojan Ex plosion for four years playing the trum pet. After graduating, he acquired a po sition on the leadership directory for the Trojan Explosion Marching Band.
“Mr. Whitehead helped me under stand the HBCU band culture. He has given me opportunities to travel and work alongside him for many years,” Ra ton said. “He has a lot of passion in his band. I get a lot of my passion and drive from Mr. Whitehead as well. He has a goal for the band and the Virginia State University Music Department.. that is to excel and be a place worthy of wealth and knowledge. It is an honor to work alongside him and assist in leading the band to the Honda Battle of the Bands. I have no doubt in my mind that we will be selected for the Honda Battle of the Bands,” Raton said.
Whitehead’s hard work and dedi cation to the Virginia State University Trojan Explosion Marching Band is in action at every Saturday football game, as well as band competitions and per formances. Whitehead continues to be an inspiration to both the Virginia State University Music Department and The Trojan Explosion Marching Band. Moreover, his leadership passion and drive will be key elements in being se lected for the Honda Battle of the Bands.
“It’s the music that keeps me go ing. My students produce distinguished sounds from their horns to create music appealing to the ears. The music they produce continues to reassure me that I am doing the right thing for them as they continue to be a reflection of me,” Whitehead said. “I have no doubt in my mind that the Trojan Explosion March ing Band will be one of the bands select ed to participate in the Honda Battle of the Bands,” Whitehead said.
Forthe first time in Virginia State University’s history, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) has a female dean, Dean Isis Walton, PhD.
Previously, the CHSS had been led by the dean alone. The structure has changed, and Dean Walton has as sembled a super team to lead the CHSS forward. She is accompanied by Associ ate Dean Jerry Crawford, PhD and As sistant Dean of Student Affairs Stephen Rockenbach, Ph.D.
On any given day, one may ap proach Colson Hall and be greeted at or outside the door by “The most lit dean on campus,” as Dean Walton pleasantly describes herself. She is a veteran of hos pitality who thrives on being accessible to students and guests.
The Talladega College and Wayne State University graduate is also an es teemed member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Dean Walton exemplifies excellence in education and leadership mixed with a comforting ex perience.
Associate Dean Crawford, is a hands-on, new addition from the Uni versity of Kansas administration. He has initiated a media boot camp, open to all students, every Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Center to receive practical training.
Recently, Associate Dean Craw ford, and student interns, re-established broadcast capabilities in Rogers Sta dium which allowed a full crew of ener getic students to successfully launch the Greater Trojan Sports Network (GTSN).
They hosted a pre-game show and a live stream of the game against Blue field College on Oct. 8. Students were directors, producers, and operators of the cameras during the game and inter viewed guests. GTSN will now turn its attention to the basketball season.
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Dr. Rockenbach, is a professor of history within the CHSS. ‘Dr. Rock’ is an expert on the Civil War. He is author of, “War Upon Our Border: Two Ohio Valley Communities Navigate the Civil War,” which examines the complexities of the war in a region often overlooked in the bloody conflict.
Dr. Rockenbach’s knowledge is of
great value to students, since it’s the first public institution of higher education in the country for blacks.
“Being Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for our college allows me to be a problem solver, which is something I re ally like doing,” Dr. Rockenbach said.
Dr. Rockenbach added that he pur sued history as a discipline, since gather ing information is required to make an assessment and draw a conclusion.
“Helping students confront and solve some of the issues they are facing is much the same sort of approach,” Dr. Rockenbach said.
Executive Assistant Aisha Singfield added that students need more from ev eryone in her office since Covid-19.
“Student energy feeds our energy,” Singfield said. “...Their whole being was rocked and we’re seeing that there are certain types of challenges that our di rectors all come to handle.”
Making sure all sides are covered, in true super team fashion, Associate Dean Crawford points out that they have also strengthened support of, and communi cation with, the CHSS faculty and staff.
“[These leaders] are activating our powers,” Dean Walton said. “[They are doing so] to make sure faculty no longer hear about actions after the fact, but are part of the decision-making process and have a seat at the table.”
Dean Walton champions the prow ess of the CHSS and celebrates its merits and capabilities. The CHSS is the largest college on campus and boasts nine wide ranging departments: Art and Design, Military Science, Mass Communica tions, Political Science and Public Ad ministration, Social Work, History and Philosophy, Criminal Justice and Sociol ogy, Music, and Languages and Litera ture all fall under her vision, power, and direction.
“We are a Super Team! Right?! We are the most lit college! I have superhe roes standing beside me because this is what we do,” Dean Walton said. “We are passionate about it. That’s what makes the College of Humanities and Social Sciences the most lit. We are supposed to know how to interact with people. We are supposed to know how to problem solve. We are the people who change the world.”
The CHSS desires continued collab oration between the colleges, in order to to set new educational and community standards that define “Greater.”
Turnovers, slow start prove too much to overcome in 41-14 loss
The Virginia State University Foot ball Homecoming Game took place on Saturday, Oct. 1 and the Trojans went up against Bowie State University. The seats in the stadium were filled to the brim, but unfortunately many Trojan fans and alumni left Rog ers Stadium disappointed as Bowie State prevailed 41-14.
The game started out a bit slow as both teams went three and out on their first drives of
the game, however Bowie State picked the pace up with their second drive with it only taking two plays for them to score to put them up 7-0 on the Trojans.
The Trojans failed to gain any real momentum against the Bulldogs as the first quarter end ed with a score of 24-0 in favor of Bowie.
The Trojans finally managed to score in the second quar ter after a rushing touchdown by Quarterback Jordan Davis. However, that didn’t prove to give the Trojans any real juice as they went on to not score again in the first half and only scoring
once more in the last minutes of the fourth quarter.
Even with the loss to Bowie State, the Trojans continued to play strong as they defeated Elizabeth City State Universi ty on Oct. 22 34-12 and lost to Chowan on basically the final play of the game. With just two weeks left in the season the Tro jans should finish strong against Lincoln and Virginia Union.
VirginiaState Univer
sity Women’s Volleyball team swept rival Virginia Union in three sets 2519, 25-15, 25-22 on Mon day, Oct. 17 at Barco-Stevens Hall.
Sophomore outside hitter Helena Eubanks led the team with 11 kills while freshman right-side hitter Ama ya Cooper had 10 kills and 3 blocks.
Eubanks’s teammates rallied around her 5 kills which scored the team’s last 5 points of the first set, and led to the Trojans early lead of 1-0.
The Panthers had a few bright spots from their roster – Amilex Lo pez-Ayala had 13 kills and 3 aces to lead the team. VUU Head Coach Joe Sullivan was pleased with the team’s serving and ball control despite the loss.
The Trojans will face Virginia Union University again at home on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Center for their senior night.
The Trojans have just 3 games left in their season. The CIAA Tourna ment begins on Nov. 7.
Class registration opens on Oct. 24 for the spring semester. All students should meet with their advisors and determine what classes they wish to take for the spring semester. Meeting with your advisor to ensure you are taking the courses you need for your major is critical.
For freshmen who need help with scheduling, contact your advisor or visit the ACE Department on the 2nd floor of the library for assistance.
And even though students meet with their advisors and know what classes they want to take, it is still not easy. Despite your best intentions, there are multiple reasons why things might go wrong with scheduling classes.
Classes fill up fast.
There are a lot of students here at Virginia State University, and there are a couple of required classes that all students must take. Classes like Health and Wellness fill up very fast each semester. Do not be discouraged if you don’t get a specific class; multiple semesters offer many highly-requested classes. Another thing you can do is email the professor who teaches the filled class you wish
to take and ask them if they could put you in their class. Sometimes, professors can add students to specific filled courses. But don’t expect every professor to add you to a filled class.
You might not realize there is a required prerequisite for the class you want to take.
Many classes within different majors have a required prerequisite course that students must take before students can take other advanced courses. Ensure that the courses you want to put on your schedule don’t conflict with the
required courses you need to take.
The times for classes you need might overlap.
Look at the time of each class you wish to take. Times may conflict with some other classes you need. If some course times overlap, try to find a course you can take instead at a different time.
Good luck to all students registering for spring semester courses. We hope you are placed in all the classes you need, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the exact schedule you want.
If you take a 10-minute stroll around Virginia State University, you will see historic buildings, pretty nature, and great students – but you will also see litter on the sidewalk.
Our campus and community are great, but we have always had a trash problem here. There hasn’t been a year where a specific dorm hasn’t been fined for excessive trash in the dorm, or campus cleanups haven’t had to take place to handle the trash prob lem. Even at the end of Homecoming Week, student organization members (like the Junior Class Council) cleaned up the campus because so much trash
was left out after the week’s festivities. Even at my residence hall, I’ve seen people throw trash on the ground and throw trash right next to an empty dumpster.
The trash issue is not just a big problem because of how it looks on campus; it’s a big problem because of how it looks to visiting students. It’s a big problem because so much trash ends up as litter in the rivers and ponds around campus. It’s a big prob lem because a huge burden is put on the campus maintenance employees to clean all of it up constantly.
As students, we should want to look at a clean campus when we walk to our classes. It makes us look bad as a school. If you are a student at Virginia State that litters, you pay to
make the campus look dirty. It doesn’t make sense.
It shouldn’t be the responsibility of campus employees to go out of their way to clean up constantly after us students. We should be doing our part to keep the campus clean. While cam pus cleanups are held, more students should be outside at campus cleanup events. And after seeing the insane amount of trash left on campus after Homecoming Week, I know that I will be doing more.
To any students who litters on campus, I urge you to think about the impact of your actions. To campus employees that are constantly cleaning up after us, thank you. I know many of my peers, and I appreciate your effort to keep the campus clean.
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