campus digest - Tuskegee University

CAMPUS DIGEST
WHAT’S INSIDE
Students, alumni say complacency has
replaced student activism on campus
HOMECOMING
From bonfire to BET to the ballroom, homecoming 2006 was
unforgettable.
5
6-7
UNIVERSIT Y
HIV/AIDS
New student group
emerges to address HIV/AIDS
pandemic
9
TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT:
Should brothers and sisters cut
off their dreadlocks and natural
hairstyles to get a job?
DECEMBER 2006
EYE OF THE TIGER
T U S K E G EE
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Logan Hall isn’t what it used to be. Tuskegee University students aren’t either, according to some alumni and students who say Tuskegee students have become too
apathetic and complacent. A special report by the Campus Digest reveals what
many students and alumni are thinking.
Dwayne Garrett remembers the student protest that occurred at Moton Hall
as if it were yesterday.
It was the fall of 1967, his freshmen
year at Tuskegee. The architecture students
decided to stage a protest outside of the
department of architecture as a result of an
issue in which students believed that white
professors within the department had little
concern toward their passing rates.
“The students would ask for help, but
the instructors didn’t seem to care,” remembered Garrett, 57, a 1980 alumnus who’s
now a residence hall director at Tuskegee.
“They didn’t feel they were getting their
money’s worth and didn’t have a voice. So
they joined together.”
Though Garrett recognizes the social
differences then that spawned social protest, both large and small, he said today’s
Tuskegee University students have lost
their spirit of activism. In short, he said,
today’s students are far too complacent.
With the kickoff of Tuskegee’s 125year celebration, many students and alumni
agree with Garrett, according to interviews
conducted by the Campus Digest. Many
feel the atmosphere of being proactive
has diminished because of the population
of students caught in apathy. The Digest
‘Complacency’ continued on PG 2
Escort program helps keep students safe
Graphic by Arielle Hairston
Registration takes a new route
It’s about that time of year again when
many students will be standing in long
lines, waiting for their loans to be processed. The time has also arrived for those
who are on payment plans to sign up again
and try to get registered.
However, the days of waiting in long
lines to register for classes will soon be over,
according to University officials. There’s a
new sheriff in town and its name is online
registration.
Over the past year, Tuskegee University
administration has come together to figure
out the best way to alleviate the stress, the
lines and also the errors that surface around
registration time. It’s not perfect yet, the
administrators said, but it’s a start.
Online registration is designed to
squash many of these problems.
“This will knock out many of the lines
and also help those who are not on top
of their finances to plan better,” said Barbara Chisholm, who works in the Bursar’s
Office.
Many students wait until the last minute to pay their expenses, which is necessary
before registering for classes This results in
students having to sit through registration
‘Registration’ continued on PG 2
The Tuskegee University
Department of Public Safety
and Security has over the years
increased their efforts toward the
wellness of the campus. As a way
to administer action in the face
of previous instances where students were victims of crimes, the
department has recently restored
its Campus Security Escorts program.
Though not to be confused
with the Tuskegee University
Escorts, who provide campus-wide
tours to prospective students and
parents, this service was designed
to help students, faculty and staff
travel from one destination to
another, especially during those
peak hours of the night.
For those students who spend
countless hours in the Veterinary
School Library, Engineering and Architecture buildings, or even dorm rooms, security escorts will accommodate males and
females from one destination to another.
The service is offered 24 hours, seven days
a week and restricted to areas only within
the Tuskegee University campus.
“This service was created to respond
to the concern for safety among our students,” said Calvin Smith, an officer with
the department. “We care and would like
to at all cost avoid any problems or mishaps. This is a permanent service and as
long as there are students, we will keep on
serving and protecting them.”
Officer Smith also stressed that anyone who calls in to request an escort must
Photo courtesy of TU Marketing Dept.
be patient during the process. The department only has a limited amount of personnel who try their best to answer all calls as
quickly as possible.
Security plans to continue encouragement of a safe atmosphere with the new program. Just as the Lincoln Gates surround
the 100-acre area with limited access, they
also want students to remain respectful to
one another and out of trouble.
For a Campus Security Escort, call
334-727-8757 or 334-727-8756.
By Joseph B. Covington II
Digest Student Life Reporter
2
CAMPUS NEWS
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
University officially opens Bioethics Center
Tuskegee University officially opened
on Oct. 20 the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care building. With words of encouragement and
hope from the Rev. Gregory Gray, dean of
the University Chapel, the red ribbon was
cut and the celebration began.
To understand why the bioethics
building is so important to Tuskegee University ’s campus, one must first know the
history:
In 1932, a medical research study
was conducted by the U.S. Department
of Public Health on African American
males in Macon County who had syphilis,
a sexually transmitted disease. The federal
researchers conducting the study told the
Black men they were receiving medications
to cure them of their disease. In reality, the
researchers were giving the men a placebo,
a pill with no medicinal value in treating
syphilis. This infamous experiment is now
known as the Syphilis Experiment and is
considered one of the most horrific studies
in biomedical research. The study lasted 40
years.
In 1997, then President Bill Clinton
issued a public apology to the nation,
Tuskegee University, and the citizens of
Macon County. Along with this apology
was a promise to build the Bioethics Building to further the research of public health
and safety. The state-of–the-art building
houses offices, an auditorium, labs and
all of the liberal arts and education classrooms.
The research study was conducted in
John Andrews Hospital, which is precisely
where the new Bioethics Center now sits.
“When students think of the bioethics building, the first thing that comes
to mind is school and class work,” says
Jacques Moore, a freshman. “All students
should take the time out to learn about the
Tuskegee Syphilis case, and how important
it is to educate ourselves. We as a race and
student body owe that much to our educa-
tion.”
Some are concerned that the building
is not being fully appreciated.
“The building has only been open for
one year, and it already looks three years
old,” says Vernon Thomas, a member of
the staff. “The most important thing that
should be stressed is pride. Students and
staff should have great pride in this building and what it stands for.”
‘Complacency’ from on PG 1
what students want.”
During a one-on-one interview with
University President Benjamin Payton, he
mentioned aspects within the university
that he would like to see expand. One of
his priorities during the 2007-2008 term
is the renovation of Logan Hall into a
cultural center that will revolve around
the social and cultural needs of students.
Within five-years, Payton said he would
like to see the areas of journalism and the
fine arts taken into consideration.
“This is one of the areas where I think
we need to add more strength. The interests of the students in journalism and fine
arts are important things which reflect
the human spirit,” Payton said during the
interview.
Alumnus Roberta Troy, who received
her bachelor’s. in 1977 and master’s in
1980, remembers Logan Hall as one of
the entertainment hubs on campus. She
had the opportunity to see 1970s musical
icon Curtis Mayfield in concert and the
Harlem Boys Choir in the Chapel. She
attended plays in the Little Theatre.
Troy said that the people were more
proactive when she attended Tuskegee.
She said there’s not enough of that atti-
tude flourishing today. But despite what
the university lacks socially, Troy believes
that student interest plays a part.
“The student has to engage in their
own development,” Troy said. “Their attitudes set the tone. If you are not satisfied,
you need to find an intellectual way to
make your school work for you.”
Though Kwanielle Bryant said she
understands the university’s focus on classroom knowledge, she believes administrators should provide students with more
perks like other major institutions.
“I feel like I’m from a dying breed,”
said the senior biology major. “People
I speak with now complain. It’s like the
pride is dying here, and I believe when the
pride dies, the school dies.”
Bryant, a native of Detroit, Mich.,
admires the diligence and self-determination of the students who built buildings
like Tompkins Hall, White Hall and the
Old Administration Building. To her this
initiative represents the foundation of
what every Tuskegee student should have.
Jameika Marks, president of the
Clinical Laboratory Science Club, strived
to have stability in this club because in
past years the organization suffered from
lack of dedication. The Milwaukee, Wis.,
native uses this example to urge students
to take ownership in their club so that
they can have what they need.
“The best we can do is use our resources.
If we do the best we can, administration
will feel compelled to react toward the
lack of improvements and resources on
campus,” the 21 year-old senior clinical
laboratory science major said.
David H. Milledge II, president of
the Student Government Association,
and his members have sought this year
to offer a clearer, respectful and diligent
voice for Tuskegee students. They showed
this initiative with the registration survey
that was distributed during the beginning
of the school year. Due to the increased
changes in the registration process, the
SGA wanted to see how they could include
student input.
“What we must do is have student
understanding. When we complain, it
shouldn’t be about what can the university change to cater to our needs, but what
must we do to let the university cater to
our needs,” he said.
spoke with students, faculty and alumni
who shared their opinions on today’s stagnant student attitude.
Madison Clark, a junior finance and
accounting major from Marysville, Wash.,
has had various conversations with Garrett and other alumni on campus. She
has heard numerous stories about how
students of the past were willing to work
together to improve issues on campus.
“They actually had initiative. If
another student had an issue, they would
jump at the opportunity to help,” said
Clark, president of the Finance Club. She
has realized that when it comes to wanting more cultural awareness on campus
or social activities, one student may stand
while others would rather complain and
refuse to join and support their fellow
classmate.
“I believe that students are expecting
the administration to put the first foot
forward, however that’s not going to happen,” said Clark, 20. “Administrators are
not the students, and they don’t know of
Ebonie Brown
Digest Campus News Reporter
‘Registration’ from PG 1
lines well after the period had expired.
“Students are not registered because
they wait until the last minute and don’t
take the necessary steps to get registered,”
Chisholm said.
The online registration process allows
students to register and pay their expenses
online. The process includes steps involving Financial Aid, the Bursar and Registrar offices. The system only accepts MasterCard, Discover Card and American
Express. Though payment using Visa cards
is not offered yet, it will be soon, administrators said. In January 2007, more than
1,000 students were expected to have registered online.
In order to register, a student’s account
must have a balance no higher than $1,000.
Students who are on payment plans need to
have their payments up-to-date and paid.
“One thing that I hope happens is that
students who are informed will pass this
information on to each other,”Chisholm
said. “Building up communications is a
vital piece to learning.”
Mark Monroe
Digest Campus News Reporter
Graduate Study in His t o r y
at Purdue University
The Department of History at Purdue University offers three Graduate Program Areas of Study:
European, Global, and United States history.
European history includes Early (Roman and medieval), Early Modern (fifteenth to eighteenth centuries),
and Modern (nineteenth and twentieth centuries). The interests of Purdue’s European historians range
from ancient Mediterranean pirates to the Space Age. Global history is grounded in the regional histories
of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. It explores comparative cross-cultural
approaches within and between these regions. United States history is particularly strong with a diverse
faculty committed to scholarship and teaching. Faculty members have published works with major
university and commercial presses and serve as editors or on the boards of major scholarly publications.
Students work with a highly diverse faculty whose collective expertise covers a broad range of geographic
regions, chronological periods, and methodological approaches. Other strengths include a relatively small
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Prospective M.A. and Ph.D. students can find more information and the application at our website, or please write or call.
Application deadline for Fall 2007: January 1, 2007 (if requesting financial support) or May 1, 2007 (without financial support)
Purdue University Department of History Telephone: 765-494-4122
University Hall, 672 Oval Drive
Fax:
765-496-1755
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2087
R. Douglas Hurt (Department Head) [email protected]
John L. Larson (Graduate Director) [email protected]
http://www.cla.purdue.edu/history
CAMPUS NEWS
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
3
Department of Architecture seeks accreditation this spring
Photo by Dara Eskridge
During the spring semester, Tuskegee’s Department of Architecture will find out whether it will be reaccredited by the National
Architecture Accreditation Board. Both faculty and students alike are keeping their figures crossed. Above, a student looks over
a display in the department.
course descriptions, and an ongoing lecture series, he said. Although it is not the
ideal working environment, the university
administration has provided temporary
additional space to help ease crowded studios and classrooms until Wilcox A is renovated.
Fourth-year architecture student
Amma Asamoah said she hopes the student performance criteria for accreditation
ELECTIONS
Despite insufficient resources and
funding, students and faculty in the Tuskegee University department of architecture
are optimistic that the department will
receive its reaccreditation this spring.
In October, the National Architecture Accreditation Board conducted a site
evaluation of the architecture department
to determine if it meets the requirements
for reaccreditation. The final results will
be announced during the spring semester,
possibly by February. NAAB is the only
agency recognized by registration boards in
the United States to accredit professional
degree programs in architecture.
The NAAB’s 2004 site visit resulted in
the department receiving a two-year probationary accreditation term due to conditions that didn’t meet the accrediting
body’s standards. According to the “Tuskegee University Department of Architecture
NAAB” report, some of the conditions
that were not met included lack of studio
space, student development resources such
as visiting lecturers and field trips. There
was also a lack of computer equipment and
weak student performances in areas such as
building systems integration and detailed
design development.
Before the NAAB site visit this year,
the architecture department conducted
a thorough self-evaluation of the department, which it submitted to NAAB. That
evaluation explained some of the improvements made by the department that the
NAAB team was going to discuss during
its October visit.
Don Armstrong, the chairman of the
department, said he believes the program
will be reaccredited and is confident that
the student performance will help push the
decision in the department’s favor.
Armstrong said that the improvements
needed to fall into two separate areas:
those within the architecture department
and those that could only be handled by
the university. The department made its
own internal changes with the curriculum,
instruction methods, assignments and
overshadows the department’s deficiencies.
“The students performance criteria
have strengthened within the department,
but the university side is lacking,” said Asamoah, president of the architecture student
organizations.
By Nicole Follons
Digest Campus News Reporter
Photo by Dara Eskridge
The student ID card expands
to One-Card system
Photo by Dara Eskridge
On Nov. 7, 2006, millions of people voted in the midterm elections, and the Democrats took over the U.S.
Congress. It’s unclear how many Tuskegee University students voted, but we hope many did. It was just 80 miles
from Tuskegee - in Selma, Ala., - where Martin Luther
King Jr. and others marched from Selma to Montgomery
in a bloody protest for the rights of African Americans
to vote. Above, this sign, “The Super Rich vs. The Rest of
Us,” conveys an interesting message. If you didn’t vote in
November, make sure that’s your last time not exercising
your rights.
The “Tuskegee Experience” is going
into a new age and territory. The T-Card,
also known as the student ID card, is being
upgraded to be more useful and convenient.
Currently, students are witnessing
the effects of the One-Card system in the
Ford Motor Company Library/Learning
Resource Center’s third floor computer
lab. In order to print materials in the lab,
users are required to swipe their ID cards
through a computerized machine that
monitors the amount of paper printed per
person.
Starting next semester, the One-Card
system will make its way into the BI ELearning computer lab on the second floor
of the library and the Bioethics e-learning
computer lab on the first floor. Soon, the
system is expected in all printing labs and
required-money stations on campus.
“We also plan to make One Card
available for vending and in the laundry
rooms,” said Alfreda Marable, the project
leader for the One-Card system launched
by Campus Technology.
“This can be used as a security item
so that students would no longer have to
carry money to the laundry room.”
In the library, each registered student
using the lab receives 200 printable pages
on their cards without charge. However,
when a user’s free pages run out, the user is
required to pay $5 in order to receive more
paper. While some students may disagree
with having to buy more paper, they are
still able to see the need for this process.
“I think it’s beneficial because it keeps
people from wasting paper and ink,” said
Sharon Melton, a junior nursing major. “I
know they have been times when I would
print out stuff I really didn’t need.”
Though the change came unexpectedly, campus technology administrators
say it is worth the surprise.
“This will cut down on the waste we
had on printed items in the labs,” Marable
said. “It will also control the usage of the
lab and eliminate the need for [students] to
carry money in their pockets.”
Bridgett Tabb
Digest Campus News Reporter
4
STUDENT LIFE
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
University holds customer service workshops
Students hope it addresses their concerns
When one thinks about how customer
service is handled on Tuskegee’s campus,
the cliché “biting the bullet” may come to
mind. Students may think of aggravation,
distress, anxiety and anger.
The Department of Human Resources
Management held a customer service
workshop for all staff and faculty members
in early November as a way of improving
the university’s service toward its customers, including students.
Stacy Henderson, a University
employee who attended the workshop, said
she is aware of customer service complaints
about the bursar’s office.
“The shortage of people answering the
phone, those who don’t return phone calls,
those who send incorrect and/or incomplete information, and the lack of communication are issues we are aware of,” Henderson said.
“Training properly and/or restaffing,
looking at peak times, reorganizing sturcture and finding better ways to communicate are just a few strategies that can be used
FROM THE SGA PRESIDENT
Photo by Robert Warren
The Student Government Association of 2006-2007 has had a very productive first semester. As president, it’s my mission to ensure that you are aware of
what Vice-President Frances Jordan, Treasurer Lee Harris, Student Coordinator
Orlando Williams, Judicial Advisor Delicia Peoples and I have done to improve
Tuskegee University.
SGA Initiatives/Improvements:
n
Mail Room is no longer closed during lunch
n
Drew and Younge halls parking lots are now paved
n
Helped advertise the Third Annual LifeAids Conference held on campus
n
Increased trash receptacles in the cafeteria in Tompkins Hall
n
Conducted a dorm tour on how to avoid receiving fines
n
Continuous music on the yard from 12p.m. to 1 p.m. on Mon., Wed. and Fri.
Produced a homecoming week with diverse events such as:
n
The SGA Bonfire
n
Def Poetry/Comedy Jam
n
Community Gospel Concert
n
International Student Festival
n
SGA “We’re Bringing Classy Back” Ball
n
First R&B Homecoming concert in four years
Ongoing Campus Improvements:
n
By January, the Café and Grille will accept Credit/Debit card payments.
n
Spring semester will begin online registration.
n
n
A boiler was replaced in Chappie James Center, thus creating hot water for
showers and faucets.
Security Escort Program implemented. Call Security at 334-727-8756 or 7278757 for an escort.
As a graduating senior, I have learned to appreciate every improvement that is
made. Though I am thankful, there is still work to be done. Rest assure that I will
continue to steer this administration to achieve my slogan of “It Takes a Village.”
If you have any questions or concerns, e-mail me at [email protected]
or call 334-552-1306. Be on the lookout for future issues to be addressed and the
events to be offered by your SGA.
Godspeed!
David Milledge II is a senior sales and marketing major from Montgomery, Ala.
to improve customer service module.”
The workshop was conducted by
Edward Leaders, a nationally known expert
on customer service. Faculty and staff went
through numerous steps, methods and
improvement guides in order to grasp the
full idea for excellence in service.
They used methods such as “The Five
Things You Must Do to Be an Active Listener”: 1. focus your eyes on the person
who is talking, 2. don’t let your eyes wander, 3. be attentive, 4. respond with appropriate facial expressions, and 5. encourage
the speaker by asking supporting questions
and react to what the speaker is saying.
Student Rebekah McClain said she
recently visited the cashier’s office in Kresge
Center to post money on her account.
However, she said she did not notice an
initial change.
“Although they weren’t rude, it wasn’t
apparent that they received any new training,” said McClain, a junior social work
major. “For them to spend all of that time
in training and for me not to notice it was
like the training wasn’t relevant. Hopefully
I will see better changes next semester.”
By Ruth Berhane
Digest Student Life Reporter
TU Talk receives good reviews despite uncertain future
Joy McCampbell and Ralph Gordon, Miss and Mister Tuskegee University
respectively, kicked off the fall semester of
TU Talk, a weekly leadership lecture series
hosted by the campus queen and king.
Although the decision to continue the
forums, which feature fresh and relevant
topics, has not been made yet, McCampbell, Gordon and students found it to be
informing.
“I would love to continue TU talk next
semester because there are many more topics that can be discussed. All students can
leave with new information and thought,”
said McCampbell, a senior chemical engineering major from Demopolis, Ala. “We
are always open to new ideas and students
can contact us if they have any ideas. TU
Talk is for the students, by the students.”
Despite the uncertain return of the
TU talk show, it was a success in the eyes of
students. Sex, dating, sexually transmitted
diseases and safety on campus were among
the various topics that the forum covered.
Attendance may have been low, but those
who attended TU Talk didn’t hesitate to
give positive feedback.
Antoinette Evans, a freshman aerospace engineering major, agreed with
Campbell.
“I’ve attended a few sessions of TU
Talk, and left each one having learned
something.”
Joy Melton, a senior architect major
who attended the session on dating, said:
“The most important point discussed was
about students that are searching for future
mates. They talked about how they should
take time out to enjoy themselves and the
significant other, but still be active on campus and not become anti-social.”
The series, started by Curtis Lewis,
assistant director of Student Union Programs, enlisted the help of McCampbell
and Gordon. The campus leaders created
ideas and led the TU Talk series every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the PepsiCo Auditorium.
“I’m glad I decided to attend the sessions because they taught me about the
dangers of being sexually active,” said
Deanna Gosa, a freshman elementary
education major who attended the session on Human Papillomavirus or HPV. “I
think more students should have attended
because many students really needed to
hear and see this.”
Kim Love
Digest Campus News Reporter
Charlie Tee’s
Charles Thompson, Owner
“The best screen printing & embriodery on earth”
119 Westside St.
Tuskegee, AL 36083
[email protected]
334.724.9770
800.231.8744
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- Family Vision & Eye Care - Dentistry for Adults & Children 302 N. Elm St. | Tuskegee, AL 36083 | 334.727.6247 | 334.725.1600 (fax)
M - F: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 1st and 3rd Saturdays: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
STUDENT LIFE
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
5
New student organization spreads the word on HIV/AIDS
Photo by Dara Eskridge
“According to the United States Statistics on Race and
Ethnicity, 50 percent of AIDS and HIV diagnoses were
found in African Americans.”
able about HIV/AIDS, then I believe we
will accomplish a lot,” Bates said.
Bates’ passion stems from the death
of a family member who died of AIDS in
Students argue way to
ethics bowl nationals
The Tuskegee University Ethics Bowl
team won preliminary matches during the
Southeast Ethics Bowl Regional Competition in November to earn a spot among
the final four to compete at the National
Ethics Bowl Competition in Cincinnati on
Feb. 22.
The team won the first match by one
point against the University of North Carolina-Charlotte; the second match by four
points against the University of Central
Florida, Orlando; and the third match by
three points against Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Fla.
“The Ethics Bowl provides a unique
opportunity for students to develop the
intellectual tools and poise necessary to
publicly address contemporary ethical
issues and justice concerns,” says Dr. Leonard Ortmann, one of the team’s coaches.
Tuskegee’s fellow finalists include Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clemson
University, Clemson, S.C.; and the U.S.
Military Academy had previously been
national competition finalists. Tuskegee
finished third, losing the Southeast regional
championship to Eckerd College.
The Southeast Ethics Bowl’s Nov. 18th
regional competition held on the University of South Florida’s campus in St. Petersburg, included Tuskegee and 19 other
teams. Other teams included Barry University, Miami Shores, Fla.; Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn.; Clemson; Eckerd;
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University,
Daytona Beach, Fla.; Florida Atlantic;
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.;
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw,
Ga.; Nova Southeastern University, Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla.; St. Petersburg College,
St. Petersburg, Fla.; U.S. Military Academy; Central Florida; University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.; University of Miami,
Miami; University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill; UNC-Charlotte; University
of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla.; University of Richmond, Richmond, Va.; and
were opened to the heavy reality of this
disease.
“People who are not affected by HIV/
AIDS do not pay attention until it hits
home,” said Bates, a political science and
psychology major.
The students involved in this organization hope their participation will draw
people to SAAT and increase interest in
health awareness.
Antonio Hayes, vice president of
SAAT, is aware of the current attitudes
and stigmas surrounding the disease, but
he doesn’t plan to give up.
“We want to increase interest and
awareness by using traditional and nontraditional methods,” said the chemistry
major from Birmingham, Ala.
As a way to implement those nontraditional methods, Bates and the SAAT
plan to hold a benefit concert on campus
in February.
University of South Florida-Tampa.
The only historically Black college or
university to compete in the national Ethics Bowls, Tuskegee University began competing in 2000.
Five students competed on this year’s
Tuskegee University team - Makeba
Clarke, a senior biology major and bioethics minor from Boston. Frances Jordan, a
junior political science major from Lexington, Ky.; Cherline Lee, sophomore biology
major from Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Kara
Pickett, a sophomore animal science major
from Wilberforce, Ohio; and Mark Shannon, senior political science major from
Queens, N.Y.
“The Ethics Bowl is a wonderful way
for students to learn, understand and display their knowledge of ethics, and Tuskegee is able to compete with the best schools
in this area,” says Frances Jordan, a member
of the Ethics Bowl team who also serves as
the University’s SGA vice president. “I personally have an exciting time competing at
the Ethics Bowl, and I know Tuskegee will
excel at nationals.”
Dr. Ortmann, senior associate for programs and Dr. Isaac Mwase, professor of
philosophy both work for the University’s
National Center for Bioethics in Research
and Health Care and serve as coaches for
the Ethics Bowl team with the assistance of
Dr. Caroline Gebhard of the University’s
English department.
Dr. Mwase, a 10-year veteran of Ethics
Bowl competitions, says he is excited about
the growing numbers of African-American
students at the bowl competitions. “Our
success positions us well to provide leadership to HBCUs and other schools in
using the Ethics Bowl as an effective tool
in training students how to address important ethical issues facing society today,” he
says.
Tuskegee University News Bureau
2003. When the LifeAids Institute hosted
its third annual conference on Tuskegee’s campus in October, Bates said she
remembers seeing how the eyes of many
By Renee’ Sealey
Digest Student Life Reporter
5.5"
Graduation doesn’t have to be
your proudest moment.
6.75"
What presents one of the greatest
threats to the African American community? Does HIV/AIDS ring a bell?
According to the United States Statistics of Race and Ethnicity, 50 percentof
AIDS and HIV diagnoses were found in
African Americans.
This epidemic passes over the heads
of college students everyday, but the Students Against Aids at Tuskegee have made
it their purpose to educate as many people
on this campus as they can.
Monica Bates, a sophomore from
Ft. Washington, Md., chose to establish
the African American Coalition against
AIDS: Student against AIDS at Tuskegee
University chapter. She has been involved
with the ACC, which was founded in
2001 in Largo, Md., to provide preventive methods to African Americans in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. With the intent
to inspire awareness like the mother organization, Bates took on the responsibility
this year and decided to make an impact
by founding this organization as the first
outside of the Maryland area.
“If we are able to touch at least one
person and make them more knowledge-
As an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, every day you’ll be putting your training,
education, talents and leadership to the test. Saving lives, protecting the
environment, enforcing the law, patrolling our ports, keeping America safe
and making yourself and your country proud. Explore officer opportunities,
eligibility, benefits and application process at GOCOASTGUARD.COM or call
1-877-NOW-USCG. Visit with the Coast Guard Recruiter at the career fair on Sept. 28.
GOT NEWS?
Contact the Campus Digest at
334.724.4245 or e-mail
[email protected]
6
HOMECOMING
2006
Homecoming:
unforgettable
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
Filled with alumni, students, faculty,
family, and friends, Tuskegee’s campus
was bursting with anticipation about the
upcoming events in celebration of Tuskegee University’s 125th anniversary. The week
was filled with old and new events, including
the Gospel Fest ’06, Def Poetry and Comedy Jam,
BET Black College Tour, Homecoming Ball, Greek
Homecoming Step Show, and many more.
On Monday, Nov. 6, a crowd of excited comedy lovers laughed
and cried tears of joy at the Def Poetry and Comedy Jam featuring Sista Queen, Shang, and Pat Brown—all of whom expanded
minds with their poetry and caused sides to ache with hilarity.
In addition, BET’s Black College Tour had the “Ave” packed on
Wednesday with students who were anxious to learn what BET
had up its sleeve this go-round. To everyone’s surprise, BET
brought a special guest with them – Sammie—who performed
his hit song “You Should Be My Girl,” as well as the song he first
exploded onto the music scene with, “I Like It.”
In celebration of 125 years of excellence and service, Tuske-
gee University hosted its first Homecoming Ball with the catchy
theme, “We’re Bringing Classy Back.” As students approached
the entrance, they had the opportunity to walk the red carpet and
purchase professional photographs of themselves.
“The Homecoming Ball was really nice; it felt like I was experiencing my prom all over again,” sophomore Jazmine Morgan
said.
However, the event that seemed to attract the most people
was the Greek Homecoming Step Show. The Chappie James
Arena was crammed from the ceiling down in anticipation to see
what each sorority and fraternity would bring to the table. After
this perfect ending to an even more entertaining week, it was evident that overall, the Student Government did an excellent job
with creating homecoming events that helped to make Tuskegee
University’s 2006 Homecoming an unforgettable experience.
By Rachel Grigsby
Digest Campus News Reporter
Rave Revue struts for homecoming fashion show
Every year, students look forward to
the Rave Revue Homecoming Fashion
Show, and every year the innovative organization lives up to expectations.
Through the chaos of finding props,
outfits, sponsors, and brainstorming for
scene concepts, Rave Revue consistently
ensures that its audience is thoroughly
entertained.
The modeling troupe showcased several outfit themes for the spectators, beginning with a winter scene (pretty much selfexplanatory); a gothic scene; a “ghetto”
scene, in which models sported baggy
pants and hair weaves; and a 50s scene,
which was modeled after OutKast’s hit
movie “Idlewild.”
In between the scenes, the audience
was treated to live performances by several
Atlanta rappers and singers who kept the
crowd participation high. The show then
winded down with a “grown man” scene,
in which the male models stepped out
in their most suave attire; a Tokyo scene,
which spotlighted Japan’s “hairujuku girl”
fashion craze; a TU scene, in which models
brought out their best Tuskegee paraphernalia; and ended with Rave’s signature allblack finale, which was greeted by thunderous applause.
However, despite its usual outstanding
shows, Rave Revue seldom gets the attention it deserves on campus, so the Digest
decided to find out more through several
Rave members.
Mitzi Lang, Rave Revue’s current vice
president, expressed that few realize that
the organization’s purpose is to “help fellow students with their self-confidence and
self-esteem,” not just to “strut” or innovate
fashion trends.
When asked about advice to those
interested in joining the troupe, Antierda
Martin (a new recruit herself ) said: “Only
consider it if you are determined, dedicated
and prepared for long nights. I would not
advise someone that is weak to join rave…
But we still have fun!”
Nick Arrington contributed to this
report.
By J.J. McCorvey
Digest Managing Editor
Photo by Robert Warren
Homecoming step show
Rumors that the “Divine Nine” would
be participating in the Homecoming Step
Show added to the expectations for this
year’s show to be the best in Tuskegee
University’s 125 years of existence. But,
even though all of the “Divine Nine” were
present, not all of the Greek organizations
participated.
Before the step show began, the Digest
got a chance to interview the famous
comedian Steve Brown, who was this year’s
host. A Stillman College graduate, Brown
himself is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In addition to being a member of this Greek organization, he is a hard
working, self-employed father of three
who defines himself as being “more than
just a ‘Q.’” When asked about his Tuskegee experience, Brown said, “I’ve been here
before. It’s a close-knit school, and I really
like it”.
The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.,
Epsilon Chapter, (who wore army fatigue
jumpsuits as they ran out to the Super
Mario Brothers’ theme song) was the only
Tuskegee University Greek organization
that stepped in the step show. Giving a
high-energy show filled with high kicks
and intense arm movements, they ended
their performance with the classic Omega
stroll in which all the members present
participated.
Of all the fraternities that participated
in this year’s Homecoming Greek Step
Show, the performance of the first chapter
of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. received
the most crowd support. As Silk’s hit R&B
song “There’s a Meeting in My Bedroom”
played, they invaded the stage, broke the
Kappas’ signature cane and cast down the
Omega’s bone.
The Sigma Gamma Rho’s (both chapters) were the only group that represented
for the women at the step show, and displayed an incredible amount of precision
and poise. The most energetic group of
Photo by Robert Warren
this organization included a creative and
humorous skit that incorporated the hit
reality VH1 show “Flavor of Love.” The
second chapter to perform enacted a skit
involving safari hunters in search of predators (who were the other sororities). Both
the Sigma Gamma Rho’s and the Alpha
Phi Alpha’s took home awards for best step
show, giving those Tuskegee organizations
(who didn’t step) something to aspire to
next year.
HOMECOMING
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
7
DECEMBER 2006
Alumni ‘reenergized’ after homecoming convocation speech
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Tuskegee’s 2006 Homecoming ended
resiliently with the annual Charter Day
Convocation. The chapel pews were full
of alumni donning their crimson and gold
Sunday’s bests and singing along to the
sounds of the Tuskegee University Golden
Voices Choir.
The morning began with an invocation by the Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Gray Sr.
and a cordial greeting from SGA President David Milledge. It continued with
guest speaker Dr. Michael L. Lomax,
president and CEO of the United Negro
College Fund. He spoke about his past in
the City of Tuskegee and the ties he has to
the University through one of his relatives
who attended Tuskegee in the years of the
Booker T. Washington presidency. He also
touched on the subjects of hip-hop culture
and the unsatisfactory number of African
Americans graduating from college. Lomax
stressed that students must complete their
education, stating: “A college degree is
what a high school diploma used to be.”
Dr. Cynthia D. Sellers, class of 1974,
was one of the alumni in attendance who
thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Lomax’s speech.
“The fact that Dr. Lomax came back
for the homecoming convocation is very
special because, as he indicated, former
Tuskegee president Dr. Patterson started
the United Negro College Fund,” Seller
said.
While the audience was predominately
alumni, many students were also present. Freshman Brandiece Berry was also
impressed by the words of Dr. Lomax.
“He spoke well to the alumni but
didn’t forget to include the students.”
Following the guest speaker, Tuskegee’s
reunion classes presented their homecoming gifts to Tuskegee University President
Benjamin F. Payton. Seven alumni classes
gave generous monetary gifts. The event
came to an end with the Tuskegee Song
and recessional, leaving many alumni
heavy with nostalgia.
“It always feels great to be back,” Sellers concluded. “A visit to Tuskegee leaves
me reenergized.”
By Blair Phipps
Digest Campus News Reporter
Homecoming Football
The energy of the homecoming crowd
was unfathomable even though the weather
was not as warm as many had hoped.
Over 28,000 fans came out to this
rainy and windy event. For the entire first
quarter, the majority of the fans remained
standing. The game started with an onside
kick from Lane College.
After recovering it, their offense had
to punt. The offenses were even for the
first half. Although Lane’s extra point was
blocked, they made up for it with a twopoint conversion at the end of the second
when the clock was running down. At this
time the score was 21-21.
In the first half, SaJason Finley
accounted for a 3-yard TD run; Jason
English received a 65-yard TD pass from
Kevin Huff. Huff also accounted for a 57yard TD run.
In the second half, the Golden Tigers
pulled away to make the score 42-28 at the
end. Huff was 6-13 for 165 yards, and two
TDs in the passing game and 14 rushes
for 170 yards. Finley had a second half
TD making it two for the day, and Jacary
Atkinson had a receiving TD.
Tuskegee’s offense gained a total of 410
yards against the Lane Dragons. The TU
defense held the Lane Dragons to 38 yards
rushing, but gave up 263 yards passing.
The defense allowed a total of 301 yards.
Jarod Simpson, Terrence Stringer and
Jeremy Obie all intercepted one pass this
game. Stringer received an honorable mention with his six tackles, one forced fumble
and one interception. Darwen Putney led
the team with seven tackles, all of them
solo. Willie Acrond, Brandon Anderson
and Atron Jackson added sacks.
Stephen Ward
Digest Sports Reporter
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Photo by Robert Warren
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Photo by Dara Eskridge
8
HEALTH & WELLNESS
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
Annual Harvey Symposium warned
against animal-to-human diseases
On Friday, Nov. 10, the Annual Lillian Holland Harvey Symposium was held
by the College of Veterinary Medicine,
Nursing and Allied Health. This symposium is presented annually in honor of Dr.
Lillian H. Harvey, dean emeritus of Tuskegee University’s School of Nursing. Harvey
was instrumental in establishing the first
baccalaureate degree program in nursing in
the State of Alabama. She spent her life in
pursuit of education for men and women
in health care.
The purpose of the Lillian Holland
Harvey Symposium is to establish an interdisciplinary forum on current and new
occurring issues related to the field of health
care. This year, the symposium took place
in the auditorium of the National Center
of Bioethics. Faculty, staff, and students in
the School of Nursing and Allied Health,
as well as members of the community,
gathered to discuss the One Medicine-One
Health Concept: “The Impact of Emerging Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases on
the Delivery of Health Care.” The guest
speakers included Dr. Nathaniel Powell,
chief of the animal resources branch, divi-
sion of scientific resources, at the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention; and
Ms. Yvonne M. Reed, deputy branch chief
health scientist at the CDC; as well as others.
“The Lillian Holland Harvey Symposium brings a global perspective to the
campus and a visual connection between
human and animal medicine,” said Doris
Holeman, associate dean of the School of
Nursing and Allied Health.
It is very important for the student
body to be aware of the current health
issues and zoonotic, which are diseases
transmitted between humans and animals,
so that the incidence of cases of these diseases are at a minimum.
Senior clinical laboratory science
major Kimberly C. Howard said: “This
forum was very enlightening and also provided tactics to stay safe in high-risk areas
such as the college campus.”
By Jameika Marks
Digest Health/Wellness Reporter
Photo by Robert Warren
Civil rights leaders’ silence on hate crime against whites reeks of a double standard
eight young blacks in Long Beach, California for allegedly beating three white women
on Halloween night has put them back on
the spot again. And it has also renewed the
debate over whether black attacks against
whites are really hate crimes, and what
should be said and done about them.
Whites still commit the overwhelming
majority of hate attacks, and blacks are still
their prime targets. But blacks do commit
hate crimes and, as it turns out, are committing lots more of them than generally
known. According to the 2004 FBI Hate
Crimes report, blacks committed slightly
more than 20 percent of the hate crimes
in America. In most cases, the majority of
their victims are whites.
And there’s where the confusion comes
in. Did the blacks assault whites solely for
their money and valuables, or out of anger
for a real or imagined racial insult? That
blurred the line between common street
crimes and hate crimes, and made it easier
to ignore or downplay the race aspect of
the attacks, and thus not classify them as
a hate crime.
In the Virginia and now Long Beach
race attacks, city officials and local black
leaders were cautious and guarded in what
they said about the cases. They cited frustration, boredom and anger as possible
extenuating motives. Black violence against
whites can’t match the scale and history of
white beatings, killings, verbal physical
intimidation and harassment of blacks.
Their victims in almost all cases are
innocents that happened to be in the wrong
place at the wrong time and were beat or
killed solely because they were white. From
all reports, that was the case in Long Beach,
where there was no evidence that the three
women provoked the blacks.
When blacks say or do nothing about
these kinds of attacks, it is taken by some
as a tacit signal that blacks put less value on
white lives than black lives. That’s ironic.
For decades blacks have shouted often with
much justification that black lives have
been shamelessly devalued when they are
the victims of hate crimes. And that’s even
more reason that there is no double standard in condemning hate attacks no matter the color of the assailant.
By Earl Ofari Hutchinson
Special to Campus Digest
GOT NEWS?
The arrest of 10 black high school
students in Charlottesville, Virginia four
years ago sent shock waves through the
nation. The shock wasn’t that they were
young, black or were jailed. The shock was
that their victims were white students who
attended the University of Virginia. The
assaults set off a deep and agonizing debate
and soul search over whether blacks can be
just as guilty and culpable of committing
racially motivated hate attacks on whites,
as whites have committed on blacks.
The attacks by the black high school
students also put civil rights leaders on the
spot. The knock against them is that they
rush to the barricades to condemn attacks
against blacks, but are virtually mute when
blacks are accused of racial attacks.
The filing of hate crime charges against
First HIV gene therapy test found encouraging
WASHINGTON (AP) - The first test
of a potential new gene therapy for HIV - the virus that causes AIDS -- was encouraging enough for researchers to launch a
more extensive trial.
“The goal of this phase I trial was safety
and feasibility, and the results established
that,” said lead researcher Dr. Carl June.
“But the results also hint at something
much more.”
In addition to showing that the treatment was possible and didn’t endanger the
patients, the amount of virus in the subjects remained steady or decreased during
the study, which involved just five people
with chronic HIV infection. One patient
had a sustained decrease in the amount of
virus, and immune cells and strength of the
immune system increased in four patients
during the nine-month study.
However, “just because this has produced encouraging results in one or two
patients doesn’t mean it will work for
everyone. We have much more work to
do,” said co-author Dr. Bruce Levine. June
and Levine are researchers at the University
of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute. Their findings are
reported in the online edition of Proceed-
ings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study team also included researchers from the VIRxSYS Corp. of Gaithersburg, Md., which is involved in developing the new treatment and helped fund
the study. Other funding came from the
National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease and the Abramson institute.
The researchers removed immune cells
from the patients and introduced a virus
called a lentivirus into the cells. This change
prevents HIV from reproducing and, in
the laboratory, has the ability to fight HIV
in cells that have not been treated, June
explained in a telephone interview.
The idea, he said, was that unlike most
HIV medications that have to be taken
daily or several times a day, this treatment
can be done once and will keep fighting
the infection.
This was the first human test to see if
it could be done safely, he said. It was done
on patients whose HIV infections have
resisted treatment.
Now, the team has launched a phase
II test that will involve more patients,
including some whose HIV is controlled
by drugs. In this test the patients will get
more than one transfusion of the treated
cells. Those on standard drug treatment,
following the new therapy, will be asked to
interrupt their drugs to see if the infection
returns.
“This paper should make quite some
noise,” commented Dr. Martin Haas, a
professor at the University of California
San Diego School of Medicine.
“I think this is very important work
and they have doggedly continued it,” said
Haas, who was not part of the research
team. “I think they have really significant prospects to develop this into serious
anti-HIV approaches for those patients in
whom HIV cannot be kept under control
by chemical means.”
Contact the Campus Digest at
334.724.4245 or e-mail
[email protected]
EXPRESSIONS
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
S
ince being here at Tuskegee, I
have heard and seen more and
more cases of my fellow classmates and scholars cutting or
perming their natural hair – be
it dreadlocks, braids, short and long afros,
etc. – in order to secure better job opportunities. Moreover, not too long ago, Digest
Editor Sha’Day Jackson and I attended a
journalism workshop and this same question of whether to conform to corporate
standards by riddance of the “natural look”
was brought up.
The discussion spawned many reasons
in my own mind why students should not
have to cut or straighten their hair for these
opportunities. For full disclosure, both
Sha’Day Jackson and I wear natural hair
styles.
Admittedly, it pains me to know that
many blacks, not just at Tuskegee, feel
forced to alter their natural hair. First, as
a wearer of dreadlocks, I know the journey
that goes along with naturally growing hair.
I remember the simple “twists” phase, the
“rough” phase (as some so delicately put it),
and now I am proud to have my locks falling over my shoulders. It is an accomplishment, and even though hair does not define
one’s identity, it becomes part of you. So for
these students and applicants to be placed
in the unfortunate—and unnecessary—circumstance of severing part of themselves in
order to achieve their career potential is a
robbing of culture…and something that
should definitely be changed.
Unfortunately, those who do still
obtain jobs wearing natural hair run the
risk of being pigeonholed as being militant,
“conscious” or “down for the cause.” One
common observation made by journalists
who wore natural hairstyles at the aforementioned workshop was that they frequently got assigned the “black” stories or
were instructed to cover the “ethnic” events,
while the mainstream feature stories went
to those reporters with more “comfortable”
images. Many people fail to understand
that for many, natural hair is about the look
9
DECEMBER 2006
WORD ON THE YARD
Do you think it’s necessary for
a student seeking an internship
or employment to disregard
ethnic hairstyles?
Amanda Buchanan, junior, sales
and marketing, Grand Rapids, Mich.
“ No, because it is
apart of who you are
and you shouldn’t
have to conform
to someone else’s
standards of who
you should be. I
would want to take
a job where I can come to work as me
– which is natural.”
Corey Varner, sophomore, mechanical engineering, Montgomery, Ala.
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Taking the big snip:
should we sacrifice natural hair for jobs?
and journey—not an attempt to make a
statement.
It is certainly an unfair situation that
blacks already have one obstacle to counter
(skin color), but also unfair that natural hair
styles add a second offense. What can be
done to change hiring and workplace standards? Students, we have to remain true
to who we are, and let our credentials and
capabilities secure the job for us—not our
hair. For those who are comfortable changing their natural look, go for it. But for
those who feel like they will lose something
dear to them in the process, I challenge you
not to conform and make an effort to disprove these misjudgments and stereotypes
about natural black hairstyles. After all,
who are we making ourselves more appealing to? Whose world is this? Think about
it.
By J.J. McCorvey
Managing Editor
“It depends on how
bad you want the
job. Look at it from
a realistic standpoint: if this is the
policy the company
has in mind or the
image they want
to maintain, you have to think about
these things if you want the job.”
Ricky Greer,
junior, elementary
education, Champagne, Ill.
“It’s sad that we
have to disregard
our heritage, but
I do believe that
you have to do what you have to do in
order to get the things you need.”
Digest ends the year but not its commitment
DIGEST EDITORIAL STAFF
Hey Tuskegee! The fall semester truly
flew over our heads. I hope that you will
take five minutes of your study break to
read the Digest. Though 2006 is about to
wrap up, we are just warming up.
The Digest wanted you to have a keepsake in reflection of the 125-year anniversary celebration, so we provided the fullcolor Homecoming spread on Pages 6 and
7. It is a symbol of the Digest’s responsibility to not only present needed facts, but
also needed memories. If you forgot your
camera during Homecoming week, we
made sure to include snapshots of you in
your Skegee shirt and the up-close pictures
of featured celebrities that your disposable
camera was unable to capture.
It’s with urgency that your attention
is directed to Page 1 regarding the online
registration process for the spring. Tuskegee, make sure you take advantage of the
Digest’s ability to keep you well informed.
No one wants to look clueless when January
rolls around. For those who are curious to
know more about what SGA has done Fall
semester, check out the report from David
H. Milledge II, our president, on Page 4. In
fact, expect to see this report in each issue.
December 1 was World AIDS Day. I
encourage everyone to get tested. No one
Editor-in-chief | Sha’Day Jackson
Managing Editor | J.J. McCorvey
Business Manager | Brittany Wright
REPORTERS
Bridgett Tabb, Campus News
Nicole Follons, Campus News
Kimberly Love, Campus News
Mark Monroe, Campus News
Ruth Berhane, Student Life
Deirdre Oliver, Student Life
Joseph B. Covington II, Student Life
Renee’ Sealey, Student Life
Ernest Harrison, Arts/Entertainment
Terry Odis, Arts/Entertainment
Porsche Holland, Health/Wellness
Jameika Marks, Health/Wellness
Vena Ward, Community News
Charlotte Pulliam, Sports
Ebonie Brown, Sports
Stephen Ward, Sports
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Julian Weathersby
Arielle Hairston
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dara Eskridge
Robert Warren
CONTRIBUTORS
Nick Arrington
David Milledge II
Blair Phipps
Porscha Echols
David Hefner | Adviser
is exempt from contracting this deadly disease. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so
here, then remind yourself to take this step
when you arrive home. But before you step
forward in this move, at least educate yourself about HIV/AIDS. Know why you are
doing this. Get on the web, go to the library
or talk with people who are knowledgeable
about the disease. When you have a clear
understanding and more insight, pass it on
to the next person so they can be as smart
as you.
With this issue of the Digest, we seek
to provoke thought among students, faculty, staff and administration about the
The Campus Digest is a student-run
newspaper of Tuskegee University. It
is the policy of the Campus Digest to
provide thought-provoking, informative, as well as entertaining prose for
its readers. Articles, editorials and
other submissions are accepted from
students, faculty and members of
the community. All submissions are
published based on the discretion of
the editorial staff.
Sha’Day Jackson
Digest Editor
Corrections and clarifications from
the October issue of Campus Digest
n
n
The Campus Digest
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, AL 36088
(334) 724-4245
university, the nation and the world. Think
about how what happens inside and outside of Tuskegee will affect your lives.
I hope you all have a safe and blessed
winter break. Eat up, but don’t forget to
spend some time exercising. If you have
any questions, comments, concerns or
a story idea, please contact the Digest
editor at (334) 724-4716 or e-mail at
[email protected]
n
n
Joy Melton’s name was misspelled in her Page 2 essay titled, “The key
to internships and life: faith, work and excellence.”
In the Page 4 article titled “Katrina aftermath lingers within four Tuskegee students,” the academic majors attributed to Enjolie Bush, Jeremy
Hill and Tiffany LeBlanc were incorrect. Bush and Hill are animal science majors, and LeBlanc is a biology major.
Headshots of Digest staff members Ebonie Brown and Rachel Grigsby
were not included in the October issue.
Beloved student Melissa Salandy, killed last year in a car accident, was
wearing her seatbelt at the time of the accident, according to a family
member. A Page 6 article on seat-belt safety incorrectly stated that Ms.
Salandy was not wearing her seatbelt.
The Campus Digest regrets these errors.
10
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
From “The Bachelor” to husband, father: one on one with Ginuwine
With “Back II Da Basics” putting Ginuwine five
albums deep in the R&B music game, many question
whether he still has the “it” factor responsible for his
meteoric rise to fame in the 90s. The previously selfproclaimed “bachelor” is now a father and husband,
and has something to show those who doubt his relevance among today’s younger male performers.
The Digest caught up with Ginuwine before his
and Avant’s stellar performances at this year’s homecoming concert to confirm that this once-rising star is
still shining—brilliantly.
Discovered by Jodeci in 1996, Ginuwine came
up with such artists as Aaliyah, Missy “Misdemeanor”
Elliott, and Timbaland. In fact, it was Timbaland who
helmed Ginuwine’s breakout single, “Pony,” which skyrocketed to No. 1 on the R&B charts. However, that
partnership has faded, and, as a result of Ginuwine’s
maturing, he can better deal with that separation. On
Tim’s recent migration from those he started with to
now more not-so-ethnic artists (Nelly Furtado, Justin
Timberlake), Ginuwine says, “I feel that his loyalty has
diminished, and he’s blind to what’s happening now.
It’s sad because we should still be working together …
It’s a let-down.”
However with that maturation also comes new
responsibilities. Most know of Ginuwine’s famous
wife, Solé, (“4,5,6..”), and together they have two
daughters. Ginuwine wastes no time in assuring the
Digest of his happiness and contentment in settling
into the family life.
“I’m very much in love with my wife and my
daughters. However, it gets hard to balance my personal life with my business life. A lot of times I just
want to go home and be with them, but can’t. But at
the same time, I can’t fully dedicate myself to music
like I used to either, because I’m still a father.”
For those who are skeptical of how a 36-year old
husband and father fits in with today’s R&B youngsters like Chris Brown and Ne-Yo, first consider the
fact that Ginuwine was the first of many. He’s staked
his claim as a remarkable dancer and singer, and still
keeps up with the best of them.
“When I stepped on the scene, no one was really
dancing. Everybody wanted to be hard,” he says matter-of-factly. “I feel I’ve left a legacy to follow.”
Indeed, he has—and continues to build on that
legacy. At the Homecoming concert, Ginuwine
stepped on stage and performed a string of his smash
hits – “Pony,” “In Those Jeans,” “So Anxious,” and others – amid screams of fans who clearly acknowledged
his seat among R&B royalty. He doesn’t miss a beat:
every note, every riff, and every dance move is concise
and full of the drive we witnessed 10 years ago.
After his performance, he has nothing left to
prove. In the interview he tells us of the concert, “I
just want people to have fun, and walk away knowing
that Ginuwine is still the ‘Same Ol’ G.’”
Mission accomplished.
By J.J. McCorvey
Digest Managing Editor
Photo by Dara Eskridge
Ginuwine speaks one-on-one with the Campus Digest.
Return of the King: “Hov” exposes all on new album
“I need a new hustle…/ I say that
reluctantly ‘cuz I do struggle/ As you see I
can’t leave so I do love you.” – Jay-Z, “The
Prelude”
All hail, ladies and gentlemen—the
king is back.
Staking claim as monarch of the
hip-hop dynasty, Jay-Z has arisen from
the ashes of his alleged “retirement” with
new LP “Kingdom Come,” only three
years after the critically acclaimed “Black
Album.” However, with the new album
comes a new look—“Hov” actually exposes
himself, finally revealing the cracks in the
armor that he’s worn since 1998’s “Reasonable Doubt.”
Perhaps the most surprising revelation on “Kingdom Come” is Jay’s delving
into a situation that he once only dared
to scratch the surface of: his relationship
with Beyonce. On “Lost Ones,” which
features ethereal vocals by new artist Chrissette Michelle, he expresses the dilemma of
being in love with the “hottest chick in
the game” (as he’s so eloquently termed
her before). “I don’t think it’s meant to
be, Bee/ For she loves her work more than
she loves me,” he candidly spits over a simplistic piano phrase. However, he seems to
empathize with the star, as he says, “Honestly, at 23/ I would probably love my work
more than I did she.” Does this mean the
two are over? The sweet lament “Hollywood” seems to answer “no,” as Jay-Z and
Beyonce’ juggle thoughts about the fame
and accolades they’ve accumulated—both
separately and together.
The king doesn’t stop there with the
emotional honesty, reflecting on how
much he’s matured and confronting perceptions about his age on the Dr. Dreproduced “30 Something.” “Thirty’s the
new twenty/…I’m so real, still,” he brags,
attempting to put to rest the rumors of him
losing his Midas touch at 37 years old. On
“I Made It,” “Hov” salutes his mother for
“laying the foundation” for his success and
“repairing the relationship with [his] father
before he passed, while on the aforementioned “Lost Ones” he mourns the death of
his nephew. “My nephew died in the car
I bought/ so under the belief it’s partly my
fault,” he regrets. The proud rapper who
usually walks around with his chest poked
out is shown here finally exhaling, giving
listeners the opportunity to finally make a
genuine connection with him.
But this is not at all to say that Jay-Z
has forgotten how to have a good time—
he’s in full party mode on the uptempo
“Show Me What You Got” and “Anything”
featuring Usher and Pharrell.” Even on the
slower “Do U Wanna Ride” featuring John
Legend, in which he invites listeners to ride
away with him from such misfortune as the
projects, jail, and crime, Jay invokes a sense
of happiness and triumph. However, it is
his self-proclamation as “hip-hop’s savior”
on the title track that sums up the accomplishment of this album. No matter how
much he reveals to us, Jay-Z will always—
intentionally or not—be what other rappers aspire to be.
By J.J. McCorvey
Digest Managing Editor
Singers Avant and Ginuwine deliver at homecoming concert
On November 10, Tuskegee University
was treated to stellar performances by R&B
staples Avant, famous for his soft, babylike pleas, and Ginuwine, known for his
high-pitched wails and high-energy antics.
Both artists played on their strengths to
incite screams and cheers from their audience, who seemed to know each and every
word to their hit songs.
Ginuwine hit the stage first, blazing
through his catalogue of hit songs like
“Pony,” “Differences,” and his current hit,
“When We Make Love.” True to his showman nature, at one point he even pulled
a fan up on stage during his performance
of the smash “In Those Jones,” instructed
her to step into a pair of over-sized jeans,
and climbed into the jeans alongside her—
much to the crowd’s amusement. However,
don’t let Ginuwine’s bravado fool you; he
proved to be very humble and grateful for
his fans and success. He told the Digest,
“I’m blessed to still be talking to you. This
business is fickle, and I’m grateful to still
be able to be true to myself and make good
music.”
Avant’s show was equally entertaining,
attacking each song with a trio of powerful
background singers. And perhaps borrowing a leaf from fellow singer Ginuwine’s
book, he pulled up a lucky young lady
during “Makin’ Good Love.” Top R&B
hits “Read Your Mind,” “Separated,” and
“Don’t Say Yes” were all delivered with
the ease of a legend—and at four albums
deep with “The Director,” Avant is well on
his way to that status. “I’ve been writing
more, and I have more to talk about,” he
expressed.
Owning the stage like true R&B veterans, both Ginuwine and Avant made sure
that every cent paid for the concert was
well worth the price. And judging from
the cheers from the audience at the concert’s end, both are more than welcome to
return for an encore.
Photo by Dara Eskridge
SPORTS
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY DIGEST
DECEMBER 2006
11
Men’s and Women’s Basketball start off season with wins
Tuskegee University has never been
known as a basketball powerhouse, but
despite the famed recognition, the
Golden Tigers men’s and women’s
basketball teams started the season
right. Both teams brought in a
victory against Clark Atlanta
University on Thursday,
November 30 in the Daniel
“Chappie” James Center
Arena. The Tigerettes took
home a 68-59 win, while
the Tigers managed a 6556 win. Led by new head
coach Leon Douglass, a
former first-round NBA
draft pick, the men led a
knockout
performance.
Led by head coach Belinda
Roby, the women kept
their drive throughout
the entire game. (As of
mid-January, the men’s
record was 1-11 and
the women’s was 67.)
From tip off
until the sound of
the last buzzer, the
men made Tuskegee
proud. While CAU
committed the amateur
mistakes of traveling and shot clock violations, the Tigers took advantage of their
errors and gained a considerable lead in the
second quarter. With only one returning
starter this year, the men
have adapted to the new
roster well.
The Tigerrettes stayed
close in the first half,
while pulling away with
the leading score in only
five remaining minutes.
Staying out of foul trouble gave the Tigerettes the
chance to play defensively.
With only a few blocked
shots and steals, the team still
strove to pull ahead with a score
of 25- 21 at halftime. Leading the
tigerettes in the second half, Aisha
Johnson did not let her team or the
audience down. During the game
the crowd remained motivated and
gave the ladies the much needed
encouragement to take a win.
After an overall finish of
14-13 last season for the Tigerettes and a 4-25 record for the
Tigers, both teams plan to use
their communication skills and
active movement on the court
to make this year way better.
By Blair Phipps and
Porsha Echols
Special to the Digest
Fall sports wrap up the season; spring sports start training
The chant “Go Tigers” is still ringing in
many ears from the football team’s crushing victory over the Lane College Dragons
during Tuskegee University’s 2006 homecoming. The score of that game was 42-28.
After that game, the Golden Tigers went
on to defeat Alabama State in the Turkey
Day Classic and Johnson C. Smith College
in the Pioneer Bowl.
Among the many highlights from
the football season were the victories over
Albany State and Langston University. The
victory over Albany State was an especially
exhilarating win because of the history of
defeats at the hands of the Rams. The win
against Langston University was the result
of a miraculous comeback by the mighty
Tigers in overtime, ending in a 27-24 victory.
“Although a few roadblocks were
encountered, and not all of our original
goals were achieved, we made up for it
with a strong ending to a great season,” said
Cleary Clark, a sophomore business major
Golden Tigers loss against
Clark Atlanta season-changing
What do you get when you have a
struggling offense and a stifling defense?
You get a crucial loss to Clark-Atlanta on
October 28. The Golden Tigers defense
held Clark to 60 yards passing while allowing 217 yards rushing. The Tigers offense
had 100 total yards: 60 passing and 40
rushing. The final score of the game was
Clark 10, Tuskegee 6.
This loss left Tuskegee’s conference
championship hopes hanging on by a thin
thread. Tuskegee was sitting on top of the
conference before this game. They had
beated Fort Valley State University 34-20,
Morehouse College 55-29, and Albany
State 17-10. The loss against Clark Atlanta
led to Albany State being named No. 1 in
the SIAC conference and Tuskegee No. 2.
By Stephen Ward
Digest Sports Reporter
and second-year Golden Tigers players.
The Tuskegee University volleyball
team finished its season with a final record
of (blank). The team suffered two end-ofseason conference losses against Kentucky
State and Clark Atlanta University.
Among the spring sports are baseball,
softball, tennis, and track and field. The
baseball and softball teams look forward
to the new season with the anticipation
of possibly winning the conference, while
the track and field teams are leaping with
excitement over the new talent and coaching staffs being added to the teams. Also
the tennis team is filled with excitement
over the new additions to the team, as well
as the new coaching staff: Ricky Reed, head
coach, and two assistant coaches, Ashley
Jones and Mychal DeFreitas-Pollonais.
By Charoltte Pulliam
Digest Sports Reporter
If you don’t attend home
games, then there’s no home
court advantage.
Support Tuskegee University spring athletics.
Congratulations to
1st prize winner of the Tuskegee University
2006 Homecoming Community Decoration Contest
Visit one of Calhoun Foods’ six locations:
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528 East Patton Ave.
Tuskegee, AL 36083
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860 W. Fairview Ave.
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