Explore HBCU – Morehouse College

Staff Writer

March 24, 2022

Morehouse College is a private, historically black, liberal arts college for male-identifying individuals in Atlanta, Georgia.

Background

The Augusta Institute was founded by William Jefferson White, an Atlanta Baptist minister and cabinet maker, with the support of Reverend Richard C. Coulter (a former slave from Atlanta) and the Rev. Edmund Turney (an organizer of the National Theological Institute for educating freedmen in Washington, D.C). The institute specialized in educating African American men in theology and education, and was located in Augusta, Georgia in Springfield Baptist Church, the oldest independent black church in the United States. In 1879, the school moved to Atlanta and was renamed the Atlanta Baptist Seminary.

In 1906, John Hope became the first African American president of the college and led the institution’s growth in enrollment and academic prowess, seeking to provide an academically rigorous collegiate education. The school was renamed Morehouse College in 1913 in honor of Henry L. Morehouse who was the corresponding secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. By 1929, Morehouse College, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta entered a newly affiliated university system that comprised the Atlanta University Center (AUC). In 1975, the Morehouse School of Medicine was founded, becoming a separate entity from Morehouse College in 1981. 

Today, Morehouse College is one of the top nationally ranked colleges, advancing to number four on the list of HBCUs this past year. The school is the #1 HBCU producer of Rhodes Scholars and the #1 producer of Black men who go on to earn doctorates.

Programs & Opportunities

Part of the Atlanta University Center’s alluring appeal is the ability to take classes from the three institutions of Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College. Morehouse also offers the ARCHE’s Cross Registration Program that allows students at member institutions to broaden their academic experiences by registering for classes at other member colleges and universities—some of which include Agnes Scott College, Emory University, Kennesaw State University, SCAD, and much more.

On campus, through a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, Morehouse prioritizes the mentorship and interdisciplinary learning of its student and academic body. The college boasts seven vast academic divisions that offer more than 30 majors. This year, the college launched the only online degree program centered on the experiences of Black men, continued its record breaking fundraising, and expanded its notable small business development curriculum and engagement through the launch of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship. 

To learn more about Morehouse College’s degree offerings, visit here.

Alumni Affairs

Morehouse prides itself on not only educating its students, but actively working to produce men of distinction. “From Nobel laureates to Oscar winners, Morehouse Men are in a class all their own.”

Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.—civil rights activist and Baptist minister—graduated from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
• Actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse in Drama.
• Physician and Public health administrator David Satcher graduated from Morehouse with a Bachelor of Science degree and was a four-star admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
• Health policy leader, author, educator, and physician Louis Wade Sullivan graduated from Morehouse with a Bachelor of Science in Premedical Programs and also was a founding dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Financial Information

For residential students, Morehouse College’s tuition is $27,038, while those taking part in the Online Degree Program can expect a charge of $14,400. The total cost of attendance before financial assistance or aid ranges from $35,102, $37,764, and $49,700 depending on if the student is online, living with parent(s), or living on or off campus, respectively. 

Morehouse values every student member of its population, and works hard to assist in the acquiring of financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and payment options. Over 90% of students finance their education through a combination of scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study. 

Conclusion

Morehouse College is one of four men’s colleges in the US, the only one of which is a four-year liberal arts college that has historically black roots and has an all male-identifying student body. The institution is among the top performers on social mobility, undergraduate teaching, and innovative schooling.

Learn more about Morehouse College and all that it has to offer and more here. 

Sources:

• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/morehouse-college/
• https://www.morehouse.edu/about/our-history/
• https://digitalexhibits.auctr.edu/exhibits/show/morehouse150/early-history
• https://www.morehouse.edu/
• https://www.morehouse.edu/about/services-and-administration/registrar/academic-policies/
• https://inside.morehouse.edu/news/news-inside/us-news–world-report-morehouse-college-advances-to-no-4-hbcu-in-country.html
• https://www.atlantahighered.org/collaboration/cross-registration/
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/morehouse-college-1582
• Martin: https://www.ajc.com/news/local-education/king-remaining-college-classmates-remember-the-young-leader/eWnYvAZBBMymI6Yz5hF1dK/#:~:text=King%20graduated%20from%20Morehouse%20College,The%20Rev.
• Samuel: https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/samuel-l-jackson-got-expelled-from-college-for-holding-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-s-father-hostage.html/
• David: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/community-health/news-events/satcher-improvement-awards/david-satcher.aspx
• Louis: https://perspectivesofchange.hms.harvard.edu/node/191
• https://www.morehouse.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/
• https://morehouse.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees/cost-of-attendance/

Pictures:

• Morehouse Logo: https://dchbcu.org/chapters/morehouse-college/
• Morehouse Campus: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/us/robert-smith-morehouse-college-student-loan-debt.html
• Morehouse Men w Banner: https://inside.morehouse.edu/news/11/index.html
• Morehouse Grads: https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Morehouse-College/330531

Explore HBCU – Spelman College

Staff Writer

March 22, 2022

Spelman College is a private, historically Black liberal arts college for female-identifying students in Atlanta, Georgia.

Background

Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary by educators Sophia B. Packard and Harriet E. Giles, the school opened in the basement of Friendship Baptist Church. A year after the school’s founding, the two educators were introduced to John D. Rockefeller who pledged $250 to the school. In 1884, the name was changed to Spelman Seminary in honor of Mrs. Laura Spelman Rockefeller and her parents Harvey Buel and Lucy Henry Spelman who were activists in the antislavery movement. The first Spelman class graduated in 1887 with the receival of high school diplomas, a curriculum that was then expanded to include college courses ten years later in 1897, with the first college degrees being subsequently granted in 1901 to Jane Anna Granderson and Claudia T. White. 

In September of 1924, Spelman Baptist Seminary officially became Spelman College, with Spelman entering an agreement of affiliation with nearby Morehouse College and Atlanta University (aka Clark Atlanta University) a few years later. Clark Atlanta would provide graduate education, while Morehouse and Spelman were responsible for the undergraduate classes. By 1930, the high school was altogether discontinued as Spelman began to focus more on collegiate education. 

In 1958, the college received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Today the school has been ranked among the best institutions to produce Black students accepted to medical school, one of the best environments for Black collegians, and a highly nationally ranked liberal arts college. 

Programs & Opportunities

Spelman has a wide array of undergraduate course opportunities, offering numerous Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degrees with differing major and minor focuses. Major and minor course offerings include the study of art, biological sciences, mathematics, language, social sciences, education, and so much more. 

Additional offerings include honors programs, health career and social justice programs, and international and domestic exchange opportunities. What’s more, students at Spelman are able to take classes provided by the Atlanta University Center (curriculum offerings at both Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University).

Learn more about Spelman’s diverse and multi-faceted degree programming here.

Alumni Affairs

Spelman College is a global leader in the education of its students, dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Spelman students are known to become leaders in their numerous fields. Some well-known alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Stacey Abrams—lawyer, voting rights activist, author, and politician—graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (political science, economics, and sociology).
• Cassi Davis, well-established actress and singer, graduated Spelman College with a Bachelor’s in Music.
• Marian Wright Edelman, lawyer and civil rights activist who founded the Children’s Defense Fund, graduated from Spelman as valedictorian.
• Daphne L. Smith, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics, graduated from Spelman with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. 

Financial Information

Spelman is committed to empowering the whole person in order to engage the many cultures of the world, and as such, the university makes it a priority to create the best possible combination of federal, private, state, family, and other resources to help produce a more financially accessible education. 

The reported tuition at Spelman college is $29,972 with a total cost of attendance of more than $50,000. For the average student receiving need-based aid, the average cost of attendance lowers by $10,000 before the application of other forms of aid. 

A vast majority of students are reported to receive some form of financial aid, with a typical year resulting in approximately 90% of students receiving benefit from financial assistance.  

Conclusion

Spelman College is a renowned institution committed to the intellectual, creative, ethical, and leadership development of its student body. Spelman seeks to help empower those who identify as women and inspire commitment to positive social change.

Learn more about Spelman College here.

Sources:

• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/spelman-college/
• https://www.spelman.edu/about-us/history-in-brief
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/spelman-college-1594
• https://www.spelman.edu/academics/majors-minors-and-programs
• Stacey: https://www.spelman.edu/about-us/news-and-events/our-stories/stories/2017/03/06/stacey-abrams
• Cassi: https://www.newswise.com/articles/comedic-actress-of-tv-stage-and-screen-cassi-davis-graduates-from-spelman-college-21-years-later
• Marian: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marian-Wright-Edelman
• Daphne: https://naasc-southeast.org/2016%20Final%20Conference%20Program.pdf
• https://www.spelman.edu/docs/financial-aid/financial-aid-brochure.pdf?sfvrsn=1ead9950_4
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/spelman-college-1594/paying

Pictures:

• Spelman Logo: https://www.beyonce.com/article/black-history-spelman-college/
• Spelman Entryway: https://uncf.org/member-colleges/spelman-college
• Spelman Grads: https://www.ajc.com/news/local/spelmanfoundersday-students-and-alum-show-off-school-spirit-social-media/e1TKRd2fx3kc7H9VuJoezO/
• Spelman Students on Bench: https://www.spelman.edu/about-us/administration/business-and-financial-affairs/administrative-services/switchboard-operation

Explore HBCU – Savannah State University

Staff Writer

March 7, 2022

Savannah State University is a public historically black university in Savannah, Georgia.

Background

Originally called the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, the school was founded in 1890 as a result of the Second Morrill Land Grant Act that mandated southern and border states develop land-grant colleges for black citizens. 

A preliminary session of the college was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens, Georgia before moving to Savannah, Georgia, at which point Richard R. Wright Sr. was appointed the first president of the institution. The first baccalaureate degree was awarded in 1898 to Richard R. Wright Jr., and 30 years later the college became an official four-year, degree-granting institution, choosing to end its high school programming.

When the University System of Georgia (USG) was established in 1932, the college became one of the first members of the system and its name was changed to Georgia State College. The name then changed to Savannah State College in 1950, receiving accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1955 before the USG elevated the status of the school from college to university. In 1996, the school was officially renamed Savannah State University.

Today, Savannah State is the oldest historically black university in the state of Georgia, offering numerous programs ranging from undergraduate to graduate degree study. 

Programs & Opportunities

In 1968, Savannah State University established the city’s first master’s degree program in elementary education, also becoming the first institution in Savannah to receive accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The university also launched an innovative program in marine sciences for both undergraduate and graduate course study in 1979.

Now, SSU offers over 30 programs ranging in focus from business, education, communications, social sciences and health professions, and much more. The university currently plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), while hosting all nine of the national pan-hellenic council organizations.  

Learn about Savannah State University’s programs and opportunities here.

Alumni Affairs

Savannah State University seeks to help develop productive members of a global society, and as such SSU’s alumni range in industry across the global scale. Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Alissa J. Johnson, PhD., earned a Bachelor of Science in Math from Savannah State and served as the former Deputy Chief Information Officer of the Executive Office of the Obama Administration.
• Jerome Miller earned a Bachelor’s in Economics from Savannah State and is the retired Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at Toyota Motor Inc.
• Kareem McMichael earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Mass Communication; TV & Radio from Savannah State, and now acts as a News Content Specialist, Actor, and Film Producer. Kareem is also the Online Content Manager for Savannah State University’s Journalism and Mass Communications department.
• Annie B. Andrews earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University. She is a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and the director of the Total Force Requirements Division—currently she serves as the Assistant Administrator for Human Resource Management for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.

Financial Information

Savannah State University reports tuition rates per credit hour as $169.33 and $616.07 for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students, respectively. For graduate students, tuition rates per credit hour are $196.00 and $726.00 for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively. 

In total, the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, and annual cost) averages to $17,414 for in-state residents and $28,136 for out-of-state residents before the application of financial aid.

Conclusion

For 130 years, Savannah State University has strived to meet the educational needs of the community. The school works to foster an engaged learning environment, all while highlighting its African American legacy and nurturing the growth of its increasingly diverse student population. 

Learn more about Savannah State University’s offerings here.

Sources:

• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/savannah-state-university/
• https://www.savannahstate.edu/about-ssu/history.shtml
• Alissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralissajay
• Jerome: https://web.archive.org/web/20070928013320/http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=5442&cha=2
• Kareem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kareem-mcmichael-20886539
• Annie: https://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/andrews
• https://www.savannahstate.edu/bursar/tuition/index.shtml
• https://simba.savannahstate.edu/students/netpricecalculator/

Pictures:

• Logo: https://ssuathletics.com/
• SSU Hill Hall: https://www.savannahstate.edu/
• SSU Students: https://hbcuconnect.com/colleges/76/savannah-state-university
• SSU Sutent Welcome: https://www.savannahstate.edu/english-language-institute/

Explore HBCU – Paine College

Staff Writer

February 24, 2022

Paine College is a private, historically black Methodist college in Augusta, Georgia.

Background

In 1869, Bishop Lucius Henry proposed the idea of a school specialized in training Black teachers and preachers so they could adequately address the educational and spiritual needs of those who were previously enslaved. With the help of the Methodist Episcopal Church South (the United Methodist Church) and the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church) the Paine Institute was founded, named after the late Bishop Robert Paine of the United Methodist Church.

The Paine Institute began with a high school component and eventually added a college one as well. By 1903, the college-level work was enough to justify the school’s name change to Paine College, all the while continuing to offer high school courses until 1945 because there were no public secondary schools open to African Americans until then. By 1961, the college was admitted to full membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Today, Paine College continues to be a liberal arts, church-related school, open to all and holding steadfast to its founding denominations.

Programs & Opportunities

Paine’s mission is “to provide a liberal arts education of the highest quality that emphasizes academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development.”

The school offers major programs in a variety of fields that ultimately lead to a bachelor’s degree in the arts and sciences. Students can choose from a total of seven majors—sociology, mathematics, business administration, biology, psychology, mass communications, history—offered across five departments and with varying concentrations within each degree track.

Learn more about Paine College’s academic course offerings and degree programs here. 

Alumni Affairs

Paine alumni go on to shape the future of their local communities, as well as national and international environments. Some of Paine’s change-making alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Dr. Shirley McBay earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Paine College. She went on to become the first African American Dean of Students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as the president of the Quality Education for Minorities Network.
• Dr. Louis Lomas completed his Bachelor of Arts at Paine College and is well-known today for his books and works in journalism. Some of his most-recognized works include The Reluctant African, The Negro Revolt, When the Word Is Given: A Report on Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and the Black Muslim World, Thailand: The War that Is, The War that Will Be, and his final work To Kill a Black Man.
• Dr. Mack Gipson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in natural sciences at Paine College. He also earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and became the first African American to receive a doctorate in the field of geology.

Financial Information

The reported total cost of attendance for students is $16,095 for students living off-campus, and $23,606 for students who reside on campus. For the past 2019-2020 school year, the average financial aid package was $13,974, with full-time undergraduate students receiving aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and fellowships.

Conclusion

Paine College aims to provide a high-quality liberal arts education while remaining an institution largely steeped in the tenets of Methodism. At the forefront of the college’s mission are the production of academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development for its students. 

Learn more about Paine College here.

Source:

• https://www.paine.edu/web/about/history
• https://www.paine.edu/web/academics/academics
• https://www.paine.edu/web/alumni/alumni-spotlight
• https://www.encyclopedia.com/african-american-focus/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/lomax-louis-e
• https://paine.edu/web/admission/66
• https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/georgia/paine-college/price/
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/paine-college/

Pictures:

• Paine College logo: https://e-scms.org/paine-college/
• Paine campus: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/paine-college-1882/
• Paine students: https://uncf.org/member-colleges/paine-college

Explore HBCU – Interdenominational Theological Center

Staff Writer

February 18, 2022

The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is a Christian Africentric ecumenical consortium of historically black seminaries and fellowships in Atlanta, Georgia.

Background

In 1958, the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) was founded as a joint venture between four seminaries: the United Methodist-affiliated Gammon Theological Seminary, Turner Theological Seminary (African Methodist Episcopal), Phillips School of Theology (Christian Methodist Episcopal), and the Baptist-affiliated Morehouse School of Religion. Working closely with each other, Theologian Harry V. Richardson and Baptist Minister Benjamin Mays helped to spearhead the consolidation of the institutions, as well as to secure academic and financial support—namely that of the Sealantic Fund which was founded to support theological education by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 

The ITC’s collaborative structure was designed with the mission to come together and form one school of theology, in cooperation, as an ecumenical cluster. Today, the ITC Seminaries comprises the Gammon Theological Seminary: United Methodist, the Morehouse School of Religion: Baptist, the Turner Theological Seminary: African Methodist Episcopal, the Phillips School of Theology: Christian Methodist Episcopal, the Charles H. Mason Theological Seminary: Church of God in Christ, and the Richardson: Ecumenical Fellowship.

Programs & Opportunities

The Interdenominational Theological Center offers a specialized school of focus, offering graduate areas of study, in addition to a certificate in theology. Degree specialities include: a Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion and Education, Master of Arts in Liturgical Arts and Culture, and a Doctor of Ministry—offered both online and in-person.

Learn more about the degrees offered by the ITC here. 

Alumni Affairs

The ITC strives to educate students committed to justice and peace through a “liberating and transforming spirituality.” As such, students become leaders in global and local communities. Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Lydia Meredith is an author, community organizer, LGBTQ and human rights activist, and entrepreneur who obtained a Master’s in Christian Education from the Morehouse School of Religion.
• Alfred Lloyd Norris is a retired Bishop of the United Methodist Church, also distinguished as a Methodist/United Methodist Pastor and President of a United Methodist Seminary, who received a Master’s of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary.
• Sharma Lewis was the first African American woman to be elected as bishop in the UMC’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. She graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Gammon Theological Seminary with honors.

Financial Information

According to the most recent financial aid data available for the 2021-2022 school year, courses at ITC cost $847 per credit hour. ITC provides a baseline tuition scholarship for all students taking nine or more hours at a $14,000 flat rate tuition.

The Office of Financial Aid at the Interdenominational Theological Center ensures that all qualified students who seek to complete their education at the ITC can obtain the proper financial aid resources to do so.

Conclusion

The Interdenominational Theological Center’s mission is heavily steeped in preparing scholars from across the U.S. and the world for Christian ministry and public service. Students go on to help advance God’s mission of love, justice, and restoration in the world.

Sources:

• https://www.itc.edu/about/
• https://digitalexhibits.auctr.edu/exhibits/show/ourstory/itc
• https://digitalexhibits.auctr.edu/exhibits/show/itc_history/key/mays
• https://digitalexhibits.auctr.edu/exhibits/show/itc_history/presidents/richardson
• https://uncf.org/member-colleges/interdenominational-theological-center
• https://michiganchronicle.com/2017/05/01/the-gay-preachers-wife/
• https://prabook.com/web/alfred_lloyd.norris/244649
• https://vaumc.org/bishop/
• https://www.itc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/
• https://www.itc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/financial-aid-mission/

Pictures:

• ITC Logo: https://www.itc.edu/
• ITC Students Past: https://www.itc.edu/about/history/
• ITC Students Present: https://hbcucampaignfund.org/tag/interdenominational-theological-center/
• ITC Plaque: https://www.itc.edu/news/video-replay-redeveloping-toward-the-beloved-community/

Explore HBCU – Fort Valley State University

Staff Writer

February 11, 2022

Fort Valley State University is a public-land grant historically black university in Fort Valley, Georgia.

Background

Fort Valley High and Industrial School was established in 1895 and would continue on as a high school, until the late 1920s when a post-high school year was added followed by a teacher program. In 1902, the State Teachers and Agricultural College was founded, and just a few decades later in 1939, the institutions merged to form Fort Valley State College. The school became known as Fort Valley State University in 1996.

Today, FVSU occupies a 1,365-acre campus, making it Georgia’s second largest public university in acreage, as well as the only 1890 land-grant school in Georgia. Fort Valley State University is a historically black college with nearly 4,000 students who represent not only 159 counties of Georgia but more than 30 states and nearly 10 countries.

Programs & Opportunities

Fort Valley State University offers undergraduate degrees in over 50 majors. Some of the most popular include education, criminal justice, agriculture, business administration, and biology. The university also offers graduate specialties, online courses, and off-campus site learning opportunities. 

In addition to its course offerings, Fort Valley boasts a Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP). Fort Valley State’s CDEP is the only one of its kind in the nation that prepares students for energy-industry careers in science and geology. 

Learn more about Fort Valley State University’s unique and extensive degree programs here.

Alumni Affairs

FVSU alumni are leaders across various fields and endeavors. Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Edith Ingram Grant, who studied education at Fort Valley State and went on to become  Georgia’s first black female judge.
• Thomas Wesley Dortch, Jr. studied sociology at FVSU and is the founder of the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, chairman of 100 Black Men National Board of Directors, and chairman and CEO of the TWD, Inc. consulting firm. 
• Dr. Genevieve M. Knight graduated from Fort Valley State in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Math. She went on to co-found the Benjamin Banneker Association, dedicated to mathematics education and advocacy for African Americans.
• Ralph McDaniel Paige graduated from FVSU in 1967 with a degree in physical education. He became a leading figure in business and helped secure more than $2 billion in the largest successful discrimination lawsuit against the federal government in American history. 

Financial Information

At Fort Valley State University, a reported 94% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of need-based financial aid—the average need-based scholarship or grant is approximately $5,261 of the $6,848 in-state tuition and $20,250 out-of-state tuition.

Part of FVSU’s mission is to make the college experience memorable and its high-quality education more accessible, and as such, the institution’s Office of Financial Aid is available to help provide service in the form of financial aid counseling, guidance with the application processes, and more. This can be particularly helpful as one navigates the numerous financial aid programs offered by the university.

Conclusion

Fort Valley State University aims to combine the personal attention of small, private colleges with the resources often found at larger public universities. Not only does FVSU hope to advance the cause of education within its students but within the larger Georgia community as well.

Learn more about this amazing HBCU located within the heart of Georgia here.

Sources:

• https://www.fvsu.edu/graduate-catalog/history-of-the-university/
• https://www.fvsu.edu/a-brief-history-of-fort-valley-state-university/
• https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/education/fort-valley-state-university/
• https://www.fvsu.edu/aboutfvsu
• https://www.fvsu.edu/news/alumni-spotlight-edith-ingram-grant-63/
• https://www.fvsu.edu/news/alumni-highlight-thomas-w-dortch-72/
• https://www.fvsu.edu/news/alumni-highlight-dr-genevieve-m-knight-61/
• https://www.fvsu.edu/news/fvsu-alumnus-ralph-paige-67-left-irreplaceable-legacy-in-civil-rights-agriculture-and-entrepreneurship/
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/fort-valley-state-university-1566
• https://www.fvsu.edu/financialaid/
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/fort-valley-state-university/

Pictures: 

• FVSU Logo: https://www.fvsu.edu/aboutfvsu/
• FVSU Students: https://www.fvsu.edu/about-fort-valley-state-university/academics/university-college/about-takeoff-the-fvsu-new-student-orientation/
• FVSU Students on the bench: https://www.fvsu.edu/open_housespring2019/

Explore HBCU – Clark Atlanta University

Staff Writer

January 21, 2022

Clark Atlanta University is a private Methodist historically black research university in Atlanta, Georgia.

Background

Founded soon after the end of the Civil War in 1865, the institution now known as Clark Atlanta University was originally named Atlanta University. 

Atlanta University, the first historically black college and university in the southern United States, was established by James Tate and Grandison B. Daniels, two formerly enslaved individuals who were literate. Tate and Daniels founded the first school in Atlanta for African American children, and over the years the school evolved to become the first institution to award graduate degrees to Black people in the nation.

In turn, Clark University (changed to Clark College in 1940) was a school founded in 1869 by the Methodist Episcopal Church as the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily Black student population. Eventually, for purposes of economy and efficiency, it was decided that both Clark College and Atlanta University would join and form Clark Atlanta University, one of the top institutions in the Atlanta University Center Consortium.

Programs & Opportunities

In the Atlanta University Center, Clark Atlanta University is the most comprehensive institution with an offering of more than 40 areas of study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its well-known programs include the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work, which is the first school of social work in the state of Georgia or the School of Business Administration, which is one of the top ten producers of African American business professionals in the nation. 

Internationally recognized as a leading research institution of higher education and learning, the university works to remain a diverse, research-intensive, liberal arts institution that prepares and transforms the lives of its students.

Learn more about Clark Atlanta University’s education opportunities here.

Alumni Affairs

Clark Atlanta University boasts a wide array of extraordinary alumni across numerous industries. Some notable figures include, but are not limited to:

• Ralph Abernathy, a notable Civil Rights activist who graduated with a Master’s in Sociology from the university when it was known as Atlanta University in 1951.
• Teneille Gibson, an Emmy award winning journalist and editor who graduated with a degree in Mass Media Arts in 2007.
• Reatha Clark King, chemist and corporate executive, graduated from Clark College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Mathematics.
• Kenya Barris, the creator and executive producer of ABC’s well-known sitcom Black-ish also graduated with a degree in Media Arts.
• Valeisha Butterfield Jones graduated in 2000 with a degree in Political Science and is now the co-founder/CEO of the Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network, as well as the Head of Black Community Engagement at Google.

Financial Information

According to US News & World Report, a 90% of full-time undergraduate students at Clark Atlanta University receive some form of need-based financial aid, the average need-based scholarship or grant award being $2,992.

Most recently, Clark Atlanta made headlines by vowing to cancel all student account balances for the Spring 2020-Summer 2021 in recognition of difficulties faced by students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

Located at what is known as the cradle of the Civil Rights movement, CAU’s Atlanta location also serves as an epicenter of modern emerging technology and innovation. Clark Atlanta University remains committed to delivering education that is relevant, transformative, and accessible. 

Learn more about this leading institution of collegiate study with a strong HBCU heritage here.

Sources:

• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/clark-atlanta-university/
• https://www.cau.edu/history.html
• https://www.cau.edu/learn-academics/index.html
• https://www.essence.com/celebrity/clark-atlanta-university-celebrities/#25387
• https://www.cau.edu/news/womens-history-month.html
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/clark-atlanta-university-1551
• https://www.cau.edu/news/2021/07/Clark-Atlanta-University-Clears-and-Cancels-Student-Account-Balances-for-Spring-2020-Summer-2021.html
• https://www.cau.edu/history.html#:~:text=Clark%20Atlanta%20University%20is%20a,a%20predominantly%20African%2DAmerican%20heritage.
• https://prsay.prsa.org/2015/10/15/atlanta-cradle-of-the-civil-rights-movement/#:~:text=Atlanta%20is%20known%20as%20the,educational%20opportunities%20for%20African%20Americans.

Pictures:

• CAU Logo: https://pulitzercenter.org/campus-consortium/clark-atlanta-university
• CAU Programs & Opportunities: ​​https://hbcuconnect.com/colleges/19/clark-atlanta-university
• CAU Students: https://saportareport.com/mackenzie-scott-gives-15-million-to-clark-atlanta-5-million-to-ace/sections/reports/maria_saporta/

Explore HBCU – Florida Memorial University

Staff Writer

January 21, 2022

Florida Memorial University is a private historically black university in Opa-locka North, Miami Gardens Florida. 

Background

Founded in 1879, Florida Memorial University is one of the oldest academic centers in Florida, and the only HBCU in Southern Florida. Though it was originally named the Florida Baptist Institute and located in Live Oak, Florida, in 1892, members of the institution established a separate branch in Jacksonville. Four years after the founding, the heads of the two differing locations combined the two institutions to found the Florida Normal and Technical Institute. 

In 1918, the school moved to St. Augustine, and in 1941 the Live Oak and St. Augustine campuses merged, combining their offers and ultimately becoming a four-year liberal arts institution. In 1963, the school changed its name to Florida Memorial College, just five years before the college relocated to its present site in northwest Miami. In 2006, the institution changed its name to Florida Memorial University in order to reflect its expansion into graduate studies. 

Programs & Opportunities

Today, Florida Memorial University offers more than 30 degree programs, with a wealth of offerings in 28 undergraduate specialties and programs, as well as three master’s programs in business administration, reading/esol specialization, and student education.

With its comprehensive selection of majors and extracurricular activities, Florida Memorial University is committed to a comprehensive education and advancement of its students’ skills within public service, academics, and leadership.  

Notable Alumni

A few of Florida Memorial University’s more well-known alumni include, but are not limited to:

• Nelis J. Saunders—former member of the Michigan House of Representatives—earned her associate’s degree from Florida Memorial College 
• Barrington Irving—a Jamaican-American aircraft pilot who previously held the record for the youngest person to pilot a plane around the world alone in 2007—earned his undergraduate degree and studied aerospace science at Florida Memorial. 
• Freddie Lee Peterkin—multi-hyphenate actor, ordained Minister, singer-songwriter, and published author—earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management & Airway Science with Minors in Education.
• Christopher Benjamin—attorney and member of the Florida House of Representatives—graduated from Florida Memorial University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Political Science

Financial Information

At Florida Memorial University, tuition comes out to a total of $16,236, with an average of 86% of students on the receiving end of financial assistance, most of which is scholarships and grants. In fact, it’s estimated that over 90% of the complete student population get grants, the approximate amount per student being over $10,000.

Conclusion

At Florida Memorial University, students grow to become fully equipped to pursue their dreams and disrupt the world for good. With access to leading professionals and a hands-on learning environment, FMU students are especially primed to be positive change makers within their communities and the global environment.

Sources:

• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/florida-memorial-university-1879/
• https://www.fmuniv.edu/academics/
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/florida-memorial-university/
• Nelis: https://mdoe.state.mi.us/legislators/legislator/LegislatorDetail/3029
• Barrington: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/irving-barrington-1983/
• Freddie: https://www.facebook.com/ministerfreddieleepeterkin/
• Christopher: https://www.ilp.law/christopher-e-benjamin
• https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/florida-memorial-university/paying-for-college/financial-aid/
• https://www.univstats.com/colleges/florida-memorial-university/financial-aid/

Pictures:

• FMU Logo: https://www.fmuniv.edu/administration/public-affairs-and-marketing/press-room/
• FMU Campus: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/florida-memorial-university-1879/
• FMU Students Walking: https://www.fmuniv.edu/admissions/

Explore HBCU – Albany State University

Staff Writer

January 21, 2022

Albany State University is a public historically black university in Albany, Georgia.

Background

Albany State University was founded as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute by educator and author Joseph Winthrop Holley in 1903. Over the next 40 years, the institute would evolve to become a state-supported, two-year agricultural and teacher training college named The Georgia Normal and Agricultural College, part of the University System of Georgia, and granted four-year status before being renamed Albany State College. 

In addition to its expanded four-year course curriculum, the first graduate program of the school was established in 1981. Twelve years later, a flood caused such extensive damage to the college grounds, the campus needed to be expanded. Not long after the expansion, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia granted Albany State College’s status change from college to university, and Albany State University became the school we know today.

Most recently, Darton State College and Albany State University consolidated to become one university under the University System of Georgia.

Programs & Opportunities

Spanning associate, undergraduate, certificate, graduate, and online programs, Albany State University’s curriculum offerings are extensive. The university boasts a total of over 40 distinct undergraduate degrees and over 100 degree-specific concentrations. 

Learn more about the numerous degree and course offerings at Albany State University here.

Alumni Affairs

Albany State University is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning in order for students to become effective contributors to a globally diverse society. Notable alumni who have been a part of this mission include, but are not limited to: 

• Shirley Sherrod, former Georgia State Director of Rural Development for the US Department of Agriculture, graduated with a bachelor of arts in sociology. 
• Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., attorney and academic administrator, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in English. 
• Bernice Johnson Reagon, social activist, composer, and scholar studied music at Albany State University
• Jo Marie Payton, popular singer, actress, and philanthropist graduated from Albany State University. Through the “Frankie Payton Scholarship Fund” named after her mother, Jo Marie Payton has helped to send hundreds of students to college on scholarships. 

Financial Information

Albany State University is an institution committed to increasing opportunities for student access and success, and as such the university reportedly has an 81% first-year student population that receives federal grant aid for an average of $5,538 per person. This is most of the university’s in-state tuition sticker price, which totals to a reported $5,934; out-of-state tuition totals to $16,656. 

Conclusion

Albany State University is an HBCU that places its innovative and creative delivery of educational programs, public service, creative scholarship, broad-based community engagement, and applied research at the helm of its educational vision.

Sources: 

• https://www.asurams.edu/history.php
• https://nesawg.org/node/233498
• https://uncf.org/gallery-entry/dr-a-zachary-faison-jr
• https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/bernice-johnson-reagon-b-1942/
• https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/local/the-people-sentinel/2020/02/19/dtc-announces-world-renowned-actress-jomarie-payton-as-commencement-speaker/1676434007/
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/albany-state-university-1544/paying
• https://www.collegefactual.com/colleges/albany-state-university/paying-for-college/financial-aid/

Pictures: 

• ASU Logo: https://www.asurams.edu/institutional-advancement/office-of-marketing-and-communications/the-golden-rams-logo.php
• ASU Students: https://www.asurams.edu/enrollment-management/transitional-studies/aarc/newly-accepted-students.php
• ASU Student Graduates: https://www.asurams.edu/news/2017/asu-recognized-1-public-hbcu-georgia.php
• ASU Campus: https://www.asurams.edu/news/2019/albany-state-250-million-economic-impact-area.php

Black Officials in Government

Staff Writer

January 21, 2022

In the realm of United States political leadership, Black Americans have worked to make gains and legislative progress, continuously inhabiting governmental spaces to increase representation and work toward equality. 

To highlight the work of these officials, below we are highlighting current Black political leaders within the legislative and executive branches of government who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

House of Representatives:

• Alma Adams represents North Carolina’s 12th congressional district. She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Art Education from North Carolina A&T State University.
• Joyce Beatty serves as the US Representative for Ohio’s third congressional district. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in speech from Central State University.
• Sanford Bishop is the US representative for Georgia’s 2nd congressional district. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College where he studied Political Science and English.
• G.K. Butterfield serves as the US Representative for North Carolina’s 1st congressional district. He is a two-time North Carolina Central University grad where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts and JD.
• Troy Carter serves as the US Representative for Louisiana’s 2nd congressional district. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Xavier University of Louisiana.
• Emanuel Cleaver is now serving a ninth term representing Missour’s Fifth Congressional District. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Sociology.
• Jim Clyburn is a representative for South Carolina’s Sixth District. He graduated from South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
• Danny K. Davis is the Illinois US Representative, elected in 1996. He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a Bachelor of Arts in history before obtaining his Masters in guidance from Chicago State University.
• Byron Donalds currently represents Florida’s 19th congressional district. He attended Florida A&M University.
• Al Green has served in Congress as the Representative for Texas’s 9th congressional district since 2005. He has attended Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University, and Texas Southern University where he obtained his JD. 
• Hank Johnson is the US Representative for Georgia’s fourth congressional district. He attended Clark Atlanta University for his undergraduate Bachelor of Art degree before going to Texas Southern University where he obtained his JD.
• Alfred James Lawson Jr. is a US Representative for Florida’s 5th congressional district. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from Florida A&M University.
• Lucy McBath is the US Representative for Georgia’s 6th congressional district. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Virginia State University (BA).
• Gregory Meeks has served as a US Representative from New York since 1998. He obtained his JD from Howard University.
• Kweisi Mfume currently serves as the US Representative for Maryland’s 7th congressional district. He attended Morgan State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science before graduating magna cum laude.
• David Scott represents Georgia’s Thirteenth Congressional District. He graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance.
• Marilyn Strickland is the US Representative for Washingotn’s 10th congressional district. She obtained her Master’s in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University.
• Bennie Thompson has served as the US Representative for Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district since 1993. He graduated from Tougaloo College with a bachelor’s of art in political science, then a Master of Science in educational administration from Jackson State University.
• Nikema Williams serves as the representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district. She obtained her Bachelors of Arts in biology from Talladega College.
• Frederica Wilson represents Florida’s 24th congressional district. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Fisk University.

The Senate: 

• Raphael Warnock serves as the junior US senator from Georgia. He attended Morehouse College where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in psychology. 

The Executive Branch

• Kamala Harris attended Howard University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in political science and economics. Today she serves as President of the Senate and Vice President of the United States.

The Cabinet: 

• Michael Stanley Regan currently serves under the Executive Branch of Government in the Cabinet as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He is the first black man to serve in the role, and he graduated from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science in Earth and Environmental Science.

Source:

• https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/branches-of-government
• https://www.oas.org/en/ser/dia/outreach/Programs/XLVIII-Roundtable%20Black%20History%20Month/Panelists%20Bios%20(Eng).pdf
• https://meeks.house.gov/about/biography
• https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/danny-k-davis-4023/
• https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/thompson-bennie-g-1948
• https://sc.edu/about/our_history/university_history/presidential_commission/commission_reports/final_report/appendices/appendix-3/clyburn-james-e/index.php
• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/bishop-sanford-dixon-jr-1947/
• https://mfume.house.gov/about/bio
• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/green-alexander-al-1947/
• https://www.smu.edu/Perkins/News/News_Archives/Archives_2015/Cleaver-at-Perkins-Chapel
• https://www.carolana.com/NC/Courts/gkbutterfield.html
• https://m.facebook.com/1906apanetwork/photos/a.10150199133610835/10157702248785835/?type=3
• https://www.gainformer.com/files/Hank%20Johnson%20Bio.htm
• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/joyce-beatty-1950/
• https://connect.fisk.edu/frederica-wilson-bio
• http://www.hbculivinglegends.com/Alma-Adams.html
• https://troycarter.house.gov/
• https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/nikema-williams/
• https://app.capitoltrades.com/politician/11708
• https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4636&LegislativeTermId=87
• https://vachamber.com/2019/05/13/congresswoman-lucy-mcbath-and-senator-jennifer-mcclellan-will-be-virginia-state-universitys-spring-commencement-speakers/
• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/al-lawson-1948/
• https://morehouse.edu/about/founders-day/a-candle-in-the-dark-gala/raphael-warnock/
• https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2020/10/06/920350374/where-kamala-harris-studied-economics
• https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/michael-stanley-regan-sr-1976/

Pictures:

• Stacey Abrams, Spelman College: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/06/black-women-continue-to-be-the-democratic-partys-most-powerful-weapon.html
• Well-known political figures: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-narrow-path-for-black-politicians-who-want-to-be-president-and-how-its-changing/

Explore HBCU – Edward Waters University

Staff Writer

January 21, 2022

Edward Waters College is a private, Christian, Historically Black College and University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Background

Edward Waters University was founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and was originally named the Brown Theological Institute. Due to financial difficulties, the school shut down for most of the 1870s, but reopened in 1883 as East Florida Conference High School—all the while, the curriculum and the name continued to change and evolve, eventually being named for Bishop Edward Waters of the AME Church. 

Unfortunately, the original Edward Waters campus was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1901, but just three years later the college was able to obtain new land and begin work on a new campus. Edward Waters became accredited as a junior college in 1955 before putting into place a four-year curriculum five years later.

Starting in 1979, the school was fully-accredited as a four-year institution by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) and began awarding bachelor’s degrees.

Programs & Opportunities

Until recently, Edward Waters University was widely known as Edward Waters College—the name change occurred at the same time the regional accreditation agency approved the institution’s level change from a baccalaureate to master’s level degree granting entity. This change allowed EWU the opportunity to offer graduate programs for the first time in the school’s history. 

Now, in addition to the previously offered undergraduate curriculum offerings in communications, music, psychology, criminal justice, biology, education, math, or business administration—Edward Waters continues to grow its educational programs. 

Notable Alumni

Some of their notable alumni include, but are not limited to, the likes of Nathaniel Glover Jr., who graduated with a bachelor’s of science degree in 1966 and went on to serve as the President of Edward Waters College from 2010 until 2018; Willye Dennis, the multi-hyphenate civil rights activist, Florida state legislator, and most famously librarian; and Alvin Brown, Jacksonville’s first African American mayor.

Financial Information

For both in-state and out-of-state students, the cost of tuition and expenses at Edward Waters is the same—ringing in at a total of $14,878 for total tuition. Approximately 99% of those attending Edward Waters receive financial aid—the average amount of federal, state, or local aid reportedly being $20,104, while the average amount of student loans is $6,925.

Conclusion

Edward Waters University is a historically black institution dedicated to serving and assisting students who are admitted and who will benefit from the college’s academic and social experiences.

With a distinguished higher education lineage spanning over 150 years, EWC is primed to continue its legacy as a premier urban, Christian, liberal arts, historically black institution–primed to advance its close-knit, holistically prepared student population. 

Learn more about the Emerging Eminence of Edward Waters University here.

Sources: 

• https://www.ewc.edu/our-history/
• https://www.ewc.edu/edward-waters-college-officially-transitions-to-edward-waters-university/
• https://www.ewc.edu/edward-waters-college-officially-transitions-to-edward-waters-university/
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/edward-waters-university/
• https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-edward-waters-college-alumni-and-students/reference
• https://www.unf.edu/library/specialcollections/manuscripts/collections/Nathaniel_Glover,_Jr_.aspx
• https://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-may-edward-waters-college
• https://www.listscholarship.com/edward-waters-college-alvin-brown
• https://www.campusexplorer.com/colleges/1B7BF906/Florida/Jacksonville/Edward-Waters-College/tuition-financial-aid/
• https://www.ewc.edu/admissions/
• https://www.ewc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Edward-Waters-Catalog-2018-2020.pdf
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/edward-waters-university/

Pictures:

• EWU Logo: https://mobile.twitter.com/ewctigers
• EWU old campus: https://www.ewc.edu/our-history/
• EWU new campus: https://www.honorsociety.org/university/edward-waters-college
• EWU ribbon cutting: https://www.ewc.edu/edward-waters-college-unveils-state-of-the-art-biology-laboratory-as-campus-transformation-continues/
• EWU students on staircase: https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/nonprofits/2020/11/30/jacksonville-philanthropy-supports-ewc-honors-college/6420623002/

Explore HBCU – Bethune-Cookman University

Staff Writer

January 21, 2022

Bethune-Cookman University is a public 4-year or above Historically Black University located in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Background

Bethune-Cookman University began as the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904, founded by philanthropist, educator, and civil rights activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Over the years the school went through many stages of change and development, ultimately merging with the Cookman Institute for Boys—founded in 1872 by Rev. D.S. Darnell—and officially becoming the Daytona Cookman Collegiate Institute in 1923. By 1931, the school was a junior college, and just 10 years after that the institution officially became a four-year college when the Florida Department of Education approved a four-year degree in liberal arts and teacher training.

The name of the school was subsequently changed to Bethune-Cookman College, until 2007 when the Board of Trustees approved a name change to Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU).

​​Programs & Opportunities

Since its inception, Bethune-Cookman University has continued to grow and expand its curricula offerings, at first focusing on education and today spanning 59 degree program offerings, in both undergraduate and graduate study. 

B-CU’s extensive academic offerings rival only that of its tight-nit student community, with the university hosting more than 80 student organizations on campus—including community service groups, international and religious organizations, academic and honor societies, fraternities and sororities, leadership groups, and performance groups.

Speaking of which, the largest student organization on campus is the school’s marching band, The Marching Wildcats. So renowned is the school’s marching band, they starred in the Netflix series “Marching Orders.”

Financial Information

B-CU values its students’ overall educational experience, both academic and social. In hopes of making the experience more accessible without the pressure of financial constraint, the institution offers 99% of its students financial aid, leading to a drastic reduction for many in expenses and tuition—identical for all in-and-out-of-state residents at a reported $14,814 yearly tuition rate.

Conclusion

At Bethune-Cookman University, its smaller student population offers a relatively low student to faculty ratio, often resulting in specialized educational care.

B-CU works to produce responsible solution seekers and productive citizens of society—all through the promotion of faith and scholarship, creative opportunities, leadership, and service.

Learn more about Bethune-Cookman University here.

Sources:

• https://www.cookman.edu/history/
• https://www.cookman.edu/academics/schools/UndergradDegreePrograms.html
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/bethune-cookman-university/
• https://www.cookman.edu/admissionsaid/index.html
• https://www.cookman.edu/studentexperience/student-organizations.html
• https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2018/08/04/floridas-bethune-cookman-marching-band-gets-a-series-on-netflix
• https://www.campusexplorer.com/colleges/31633784/Florida/Daytona-Beach/Bethune-Cookman-University/
• https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Bethune-Cookman-University-tuition-financial-aid
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/bethune-cookman-university/

Pictures: 

• BCU insignia: https://hbcubuzz.com/2011/12/b-cu-school-of-education-earns-continued-accreditation-by-ncate-through-2018/
• BCU plaque: https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/education/campus/2021/09/23/b-cu-starting-its-own-alumni-support-organization-after-rift-naa-bethune-cookman/8042504002/
• BCU students: https://thewildcatden.net/new-blog/2020/5/14/bethune-cookman-university-concludes-advancing-the-legacy-university-fundraiser-with-national-24-hour-virtual-day-of-giving
• BCU campus: https://hbcubuzz.com/2021/09/b-cu-womens-golf-looks-to-start-back-up-despite-pandemic/

Explore HBCU – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Staff Writer

November 6, 2021

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public historically black land-grant university in Tallahassee, Florida.

Background

Founded in 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is now the second largest historically black university in the United States by enrollment. 

Originally known as the State Normal College for Colored Students, it was first established by Black Abolitionist Jonathan C. Gibbs one year after he was elected to the Florida Legislature. The State Normal College for Colored Students became a land-grant college soon after, receiving $7,500 from the state and changing its name to the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students. 

Officially, it did not become an institution of higher learning until 1905 when the Buckman Act was passed to transfer control from the Department of Education to the Board of Control, helping to create what has become the foundation for the university today—The name changed two more times before finally in 1953 becoming the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University we all know and love today. 

Now FAMU is the only publicly funded HBCU in the state of Florida, standing among the nation’s top national public universities. According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, public or private, FAMU now ranks as the highest public HBCU at number seven. 

Programs & Opportunities

Today, FAMU hosts a wide array of degree offerings, offering more than 120 total programs of study—including but not limited to approximately 60 bachelor’s degrees (architecture, journalism and psychology are among the most popular) and 40 graduate degrees (including engineering, education, and law). The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is fully accredited and ranks among the top 50 of the best schools of pharmacy in the US. Learn more about the wide range of programming offered here.

Notable Alumni

Below is just a small list of notable alumni from Florida A&M, the full record being more than could be quickly summed in this article.

• Keisha Lance Bottoms: : mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
• Anika Noni Rose: Tony Award-Winning actress, well-known for her leading roles in film, television, and theatre
• John Wendell Thompson: technology executive who was the chairman emeritus of Microsoft before becoming chairman of Illumina
• Dr. Jami Valentine Miller: physicist and founder of African American Women in Physics, Inc

Financial Information

For the current academic year, undergraduate tuition & fees at FAMU is listed as $5,785 for Florida residents and $17,725 for out-state students. Additionally, a reported 86 percent of students received need-based financial aid within their first-year of enrollment, and 59 percent of all students’ financial aid needs were met.

Conclusion

FAMU is an institution whose mission is seated in diversity in its thought and population. Its environment is student-centered, spreading a culture consistent with its core values. 

FAMU boasts a culture of inclusion, integrating its historic purpose of educating African Americans with embracing those from all backgrounds. 

Learn more about what top HBCU FAMU, the college on the highest of seven hills, has to offer.

Sources:

• https://affordableschools.net/25-largest-hbcu-bachelors-colleges-enrollment/
• http://www.famu.edu/about-famu/history/index.php
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/florida-am-university-1480/overall-rankings
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/school/florida-agricultural-and-mechanical-university/
• http://www.thefamuanonline.com/2020/03/31/andrew-gillums-political-career-appears-to-be-over/
• https://www.essence.com/celebrity/celebrities-attended-famu-hbcu/
• http://www.famuonline.com/2-uncategorised/93-john-w-thompson.html
• https://www.drjami.com/
• https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/florida-am-university-1480/paying

Pictures:

• FAMU Logo: https://logodix.com/famu
• FAMU Campus: http://www.famunews.com/2020/08/famu-early-voting-site-open/
• Students at Graduation: https://news.wfsu.org/wfsu-local-news/2020-04-20/famu-reveals-more-details-on-virtual-graduation-plans-begins-issuing-refunds

Five Reasons an HBCU is the Right Choice for Your Child

Staff Writer

October 26, 2021

The transition to college can be a stressful time for everyone involved. For parents in particular, the anxiety of sending a child off to school can be more than just saying goodbye—it’s the hope that your child does well in school, makes good friends, and at the heart of it, that the college decision was the best one possible for them. 

For those parents considering sending their child to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), here are five reason why your answer should be yes:

1) An unmatched, supportive college environment

As these institutions were originally created to meet the educational needs of Black Americans who were either underserved, or not served at all, HBCUs are especially equipped to provide a safe and supportive environment for students of color. 

From faculty and staff who share a common understanding, to a campus population composed of people with similar backgrounds and cultural experiences, the environment of an HBCU campus is unmatched.

2) Diversity of the campus

It is a common misconception that a focus on Black students means HBCUs lack diversity, but that is far from the case. HBCUs continue to diversify its student populace, exposing students to others from different backgrounds while continuing to maintain the commitment to meeting its students’ needs. 

In a recent interview with the Michigan Chronicle, Sean Rouse, president of Detroit’s HBCU Network shared “We [HBCUs] are very globally diverse,” says Sean Rouse, president of Detroit’s HBCU Network. “There’s always this misconception that because it’s a predominantly Black school it’s not diverse enough,” says Sean Rouse, president of Detroit’s HBCU Network. “That is just the opposite. Our HBCUs are probably more diverse than most colleges and universities. Because you have smaller classroom sizes, you get to see that diversity.”

3) Access to specialized programs

In addition to the support system that characterizes the HBCU founding principles, traditionally black colleges and universities often act as great preparatory experience and exposure to work in various industries. Interestingly, there are a variety of opportunities and connections that are specific to these schools.

Just a few examples that don’t even begin to scratch the surface of opportunity include:

• Professional programs like Disney on The Yard or WarnerMedia’s National HBCU Week
• Connections to an extensive network of HBCU Alumni  
• Scholarships specifically tailored to and for students attending HBCUs

For tips on how to successfully take advantage of these programs, here is a list of hacks on effectively building a professional network before graduation.

4) After College Preparedness

As places designed to foster excellence, studies show that HBCU graduates are generally better prepared for life beyond college and more engaged at work than non-HBCU graduates.

HBCU grads are statistically more likely to report higher levels of purpose, as well as higher levels of social, financial, and physical well-being. HBCUs also outperform non-HBCUs in the production of Black professionals in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

5) Affordability

Not only are HBCUs institutions of higher learning that provide first-class education, but the cost of attendance is generally lower compared to that of a typical public or private university—talk about bang for your buck. 

At a Historically Black College and University, the goal is to pursue world-class educational instruction without sacrificing quality for price.  

These benefits, along with so many others, lend to the fact that while HBCUs account for only 3 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities, they continue to account for about 20 percent of the degrees awarded to African Americans. 

A Historically Black College and University is a place uniquely specialized in cultivating success.

To explore the over 100 traditional black colleges that we’ve researched, check out our database here.

Sources:

• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/mission/
• https://uncf.org/pages/why-choose-an-hbcu
• https://uncf.org/pages/why-choose-an-hbcu
• https://michiganchronicle.com/2021/02/26/hbcu-pride-why-more-students-should-consider-historically-black-colleges/
• https://pages.beamery.com/waltdisney/page/doty
• https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210910005450/en/WarnerMedia-Celebrates-National-HBCU-Week-by-Saluting-Graduates-Making-an-Impact-Across-the-Company-and-Throughout-the-News-and-Entertainment-Industry
• https://www.findmyhbcu.org/3-hacks-to-build-your-professional-network-before-graduation/
• https://hbcufirst.com/resources/why-choose-an-hbcu
• https://hbcufirst.com/Portals/20/Research/news-gallup-com-poll-186362-grads-historically-black-colleges-edge-aspx.pdf
• https://hbcufirst.com/resources/why-choose-an-hbcu
• https://aka1908.com/hbcus/hbcu-spotlight
• Why Choose an HBCU?

Pictures:

• Mom and Child: https://www.today.com/parents/how-deal-when-child-heads-college-parents-survival-guide-t46681
• Students Walking: https://urbangeekz.com/2020/12/pioneering-tech-startup-accelerator-for-hbcu-students-and-alumni-launches-nationwide