By Reginald Stuart NASHVILLE, TN — Fisk University alumni across the nation have expressed surprise and anger over the institution’s unexpected announcement last weekend that Dr. Vann Newkirk, university President, has been relieved of his leadership position in that post. Fisk gave no explanation or details of the sudden move, ending a two-year leadership stint by the Fisk veteran who had served as Provost and was publicly praised in recent months for boosting donor-giving and enrollment. The Fisk announcement came as the school was opening its doors for fall enrollment and was set for an ambitious school year. It projects…
Author: Reginald Stuart
By Reginald Stuart Tennessee State University’s dramatic move to boost high school students financial ability to attend college by awarding four-year, tuition paid scholarships starting in fall of 2023, received a surprise endorsement this month from Rita Sanders Geier, (the sister of Rev. Edwins C. Sanders, II )the Memphis native and Fisk University graduate who spent nearly 40 years in federal courts trying the get the state to dismantle its “dual system” higher education. “It’s important to provide opportunities for students who have financial need to have this steppingstone,” Geier said in an interview near her home in Maryland. “It’s…
By Reginald Sturt NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee State University’s phenomenal leap onto the college scholarship landscape has revised chances for hundreds of Nashville-area high school students to seriously consider thinking of going to college without encountering tremendous debt. After decades of declining to even consider college upon high school graduation, ‘dropping out’ or ‘stopping out’ while in college to help family debt and others, TSU has recast the challenge by waving some $9,000 in undergraduate tuition costs for 100 students entering TSU next fall for each of the four years required to graduate. Total value of the plan is more…
By Reginald Stuart NASHVILLE, TN — Long before Theopolis Boyd III braved the early evening train heading out of his Pearl High School 1965 graduation ceremony, he was already set for success. Being a member of the well-established Boyd family of North Nashville, he just needed to follow the game plan laid by his parents and family to succeed in his run of life’s race. Along the way, he ran into episodes of racism, stemming from ignorance, he said. Still, with his head held high and self-propelled dignity intact, “T.B.” as close friends called him, did not get distracted from…
By Reginald Stuart Hampton University, one of the nation’s first historically black institutions, was a small struggling four-year college on the Virginia banks of the Chesapeake Bay when an ambitious, young, Alabama man, Dr. William Harvey, Jr. from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, was chosen to be president of the school, originally known a Hampton Institute. The 1978 gamble on Dr. Harvey, a relative newcomer to higher education administration, became a winner, winner, winner, for the son of a building construction contractor and civil rights activist in tiny Brewton, a small rural town between Mobile and Montgomery. Dr. Harvey, who spent…
Lauded for Her Efforts and Pledges To Continue By Reginald Stuart KNOXVILLE, TN — Tennesseans across the state were able this month to pay formal tribute to a historical Tennessee icon in higher education—Rita Sanders Geier. “I consider this honor a symbol of progress and commitment to the future,” said Ms. Geier, thanking the audience of several hundred people gathered at the Geier Hall residence center for a ribbon cutting to mark the center’s official opening. Ms. Geier, a Memphis Melrose High School graduate, who graduated from Fisk University then spent a small stint teaching at Tennessee State University and…
By Reginald Stuart Nashville’s colleges and universities are taking big steps this month to help mitigate the spread of the deadly COVID-19 Coronavirus in their communities as they open their doors this month for the 2021-22 academic school year. From tiny America Baptist College to giant Vanderbilt University, Fisk and Belmont universities and institutions in between, the steps range from a very simple ‘get vaccinated or don’t come here’ admonition to strong encouragement messages to get vaccinated. Thousands of college students are expected by Labor Day to enroll in Nashville area colleges. Some institutions are offering gift cards and other…
By Reginald Stuart The year 2021 got off to a muted full start this week with an overflowing plate of unfinished business from 2020. The political drama stemming from November’s national elections continued this week, as more than three million energized voters in Georgia cast votes in two U.S. Senate contests, the outcome of which determines nationwide control of the U.S. Senate. Results, still to be officially confirmed by the state of Georgia, indicate both Democrats won, unseating staunch conservative Republicans who are strong supporters of out-going President Donald Trump. The early results showed voters elected the Rev. Raphael Warnock,…
By Reginald Stuart Nashville’s historic role in higher education was this month set to open a new chapter, when Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, appointed Georgia Representative David Scott as new chairman of the House Agriculture Committee starting in January. Rep.Scott, a strong advocate for years of federal land grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBUCs), of which Tennessee State University is one, is the first Black person to chair the powerful federal legislative panel. The Committee helps set policies and rules for myriad federal agriculture programs from food quality standards for all to food…
By Reginald Stuart With holiday shopping chances evaporating as ideas, time, funds and opportunities appear to disappear, this year’s deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic 2020 and the widespread economic disruption at home and abroad, has trampled lives and plans for many at home and around the world. For people still pondering how to address the challenge, two new real-life books, overshadowed by the year’s drama, may be ideal stocking stuffers for people of any age. “Conversations About Education, Careers and Life,” gives readers an upclose look at the future as seen by a dyed-in-the wool college educator and his son. a…