Campus News - Page 5

FAMU graduation speaker drops huge donation

Florida A&M University’s spring commencement delivered more than degrees this weekend. It also delivered a major investment in the future. Omar Goff, a FAMU alumnus and keynote speaker, donated $100,000 of his personal funds Saturday to support students at his alma mater. His gift immediately turned into something bigger. Two additional leaders matched his contribution, creating a powerful moment of giving at graduation that could impact generations of future Rattlers. A full-circle moment for a FAMU graduate Goff returned to campus not just as a speaker, but as a success story. A 2004 summa cum laude graduate, he now serves as an executive

Kentucky State University receives legislative funding with new requirements

Kentucky’s only public historically Black university is getting a legislative lifeline. Senate Bill 185 would create a partnership between Kentucky State University, the Kentucky General Assembly and the Council on Postsecondary Education to support the school financially and educationally. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Christian McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, said Kentucky State University is more than $20 million in debt. “Now was not the time to explore the closure of Kentucky State but rather to be a partner in the redefinition of this institution and what it can mean for the commonwealth,” McDaniel said. Changes ahead for KSU KSU President Dr. Koffi

Chris Paul to serve as Morehouse College commencement speaker

Former NBA All-Star Chris Paul is set to serve as the commencement speaker for Morehouse College’s Spring Class of 2026. The institution announced the selection of Paul in a statement on Thursday. Paul will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Chris Paul delivering the commencement address at Morehouse College represents a full-circle moment, given his long-standing support for historically Black colleges and universities. After earning his degree in mass communications from Winston-Salem State University in December 2022, Paul has continued to champion HBCUs at every level. His advocacy predates his graduation. During the NBA’s 2020 bubble, Paul used his platform to spotlight

South Carolina Lt. Governor addresses ‘woke mob’ protests at HBCU

South Carolina State University, the state’s only public HBCU, is facing backlash over Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s expected commencement appearance and her response to what she called “woke mobs.” Students at SC State protested Tuesday after reports surfaced that Evette was selected to speak at the university’s spring commencement ceremony. Multiple outlets reported that the ceremony is scheduled for May 8. WIS reported that multiple sources confirmed Evette had been selected, while Evette’s office said she was honored to accept the invitation. The protest took place on the Orangeburg campus near the Donna Administration Building. Students held signs and organized

GOP lawmakers seek to defund HBCU after it canceled Republican’s commencement speech

Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette tells Fox News Digital that South Carolina State University was trying to cancel her because she supports President Trump. South Carolina Republicans are pushing to strip funding from the state’s only public HBCU after the university rescinded Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette’s commencement invitation following student protests and security concerns. What began as a student protest over a conservative commencement speaker, resulted in “credible safety threats,” according to Evette, who spoke to Fox News Digital after her commencement address at South Carolina State University was canceled. Following an uproar from students, who decried Evette’s views on

Barber-Scotia College boosts accreditation bid with Hezekiah Walker

Courtesy of Barber-Scotia College Barber-Scotia College is one step closer to seeking accreditation after losing its status in 2004. The school’s president, Chris Rey, said it raised more than $100,000 during its alumni weekend on Saturday and aims to raise an additional $60,000 at a gospel concert on Friday featuring Grammy-winning singer and pastor Hezekiah Walker. Barber-Scotia had a major financial crisis at the start of the year. Rey posted a video in January on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, pleading for alum support. “As of today, we have completely run out of money,” Rey said in the video. “… This is a call

Entergy Arkansas opens scholarship program for HBCU technology students

by: Alex Kienlen Officials with Entergy Arkansas said the utility’s new scholarship program will serve Historically Black College or University (HBCU) technology majors. Officials said the Power Your Future Scholarships are now open for applications until May 7. The program will provide 30 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, funded by Entergy shareholders, they added. The program is part of Entergy’s The Power of Prosperity program to promote generational wealth, officials said. They continued that Entergy has pledged $20 million over 10 years to empower HBCU students in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Eligible HBCU  institutions in Arkansas are Philander Smith University, University of Arkansas

Autodesk Joins Howard University to Celebrate and Tour New Makerspace and Announce Company’s $1.95 Million Donation

By Tiffani R. Alexander Howard University and Autodesk celebrated the expansion of their longstanding partnership with the announcement of a $1.95 million unrestricted donation to support the development of a construction engineering and management program in the university’s College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA). The donation made it possible to create a makerspace powered by artificial intelligence (AI) design and digital fabrication — where Howard students can access the same tools and technology used by industry professionals — and programming that prepares them for careers in the quickly evolving fields of architecture, engineering, design, and construction. “Our purpose at Autodesk is to design and make a better world for

Saint Augustine’s University Declares Bankruptcy, Announces Interim President’s Resignation

Saint Augustine’s University filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday and announced on Tuesday that its interim president, Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson, has resigned after about four months on the job. The 159-year-old Raleigh HBCU has been struggling for years with mounting debt and declining enrollment. Leadership turnover and financial mismanagement exacerbated the university’s problems. SAU lost accreditation in 2025 and tried to sue its accreditor to regain it—a last-ditch effort the school now says it has dropped. Last summer, then-interim president Marcus Burgess said the university’s debts exceeded $47 million. According to the bankruptcy filing, SAU now owes somewhere between $50 million and $100 million to 345 different creditors, including

Oprah Winfrey makes surprise pop-up at Morehouse College

A night meant to celebrate achievement turned into a moment of pure surprise at Morehouse College, as media mogul Oprah Winfrey made an unexpected appearance during the institution’s pre-graduation scholarship dinner. What was already an evening honoring academic excellence and student success quickly shifted into an unforgettable experience as students realized Winfrey herself had stepped into the room. The surprise visit underscored the long-standing connection between Winfrey and Morehouse, an institution widely recognized for shaping generations of Black male leaders. As graduating seniors gathered to be recognized for their achievements and scholarship support, the moment added an emotional layer of inspiration and affirmation ahead

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