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Huston-Tillotson University Student Named Among the Four Finalists With the Nation’s Highest Law School Admission Test Score

(AUSTIN, Texas) — The United States Department of Education has named Huston-Tillotson University student Delisha L. Thomas one of four finalists with the nation’s highest Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score. Thomas received the written notification from Executive Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education Arnie Duncan.

Thomas, a world traveler from a military family, calls San Antonio, Texas, home. She is a double major in criminal justice and political science with her sights on law school and a career as a judge. Her campus involvement includes leadership positions within the Student Government Association and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society. She is also a cheerleader.

Her preparation for the examination included securing a mentor who guided her through the process, completing Kaplan courses, and months of studying. Her notification of the honor included a telephone interview of her test knowledge. “The examination tested all of my abilities,” Thomas said. “The double major paid off, because I was familiar with the court cases and other relevant information.”

She will be honored at the U.S. Department of Education Conference scheduled March 9-11, 2012, in Lawrence, Kansas, where the recipient with the highest score will be announced.

RUST COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT

‘Great Debaters’ rematch set against USC

by Hannah DeClerk

MARSHALL — A rematch of the debate 77 years ago that provided the story for the movie “The Great Debaters” will clear up one fact.

In the 2007 film, Wiley College debaters take on a team from Harvard University — and win. That match never happened outside Hollywood.

The actual history is that the University of Southern California was the top debating team in the nation in 1935 and Wiley went to California to debate USC for the national championship.

And won.

Early next year, a new generation of Wiley College debaters will debate USC, this time in Marshall.

2010 - 2011 Melton Fellows from Dillard University


Jerome Bailey Houston Mass Communications More Information	Candace Banks New Orleans Psychology More Information	Cedric Blair Modesto, Calif. Economics and Finance More Information

Jasmi Brown Houston Accounting More Information	Arielle Calloway Antioch, Calif. Mathematics More Information	Shaunessy Carr St. Louis Political Science More Information

TaNieshia Hamilton St. Louis Psychology More Information	Jasmine Hardman Lake Charles, La. Biology More Information	Lauren Lemonious Detroit Urban Studies & Public Policy More Information

Jasmine Preston New Orleans International Business More Information	Juan Serrano Atlanta Political Science More Information	Bridget Sisney Jackson, Miss. Biology More Information

	Andree Tarvin-Pyles Los Angeles International Business More Information

“We Win the Game, When We Play the Game”

In an exclusive interview with ReelUrbanNews.com, economist and author, Dr. Julianne Malveaux expressed that the current national unemployment number of 9.1 percent is not representative of the true unemployment numbers nationwide. “The current numbers given out are really fictitious numbers, 9.1 percent is the official unemployment rate, however it doesn’t include people who have dropped out of the labor market, or people working part-time when they want to work full time. It’s really at about 16 percent and that’s for everyone. The official unemployment rate for African Americans is something like 16.2 percent. And if you look at some of our major urban centers, half of all African American men are not working.” Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Ph.D. President, Bennett College & Economist.

In addition to being a critically acclaimed economist, Dr. Malveaux is the 15th president of Bennett College For Women and the author of the recently published book, Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts In Black Economic History.”It’s a compilation of facts about Black economic history and it’s also an essay in which I talk about framing African American people in terms of our contributions to the American economy. I talk about the many ways we (African Americans) have been major contributors and very important to our economy.”

--Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Ph.D. President, Bennett.

Student Publication at Bennett College Wins National Award

Out of the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the
United States, only six institutions were nominated for the Best HBCU Student Publication Award. During the First National Awards Ceremony recognizing HBCU Achievements, The Belle Magazine of Bennett College not only sat amongst the six nominees, they stood to receive the coveted honor.

The HBCU Awards are the first of their kind to recognize the impact
HBCUs have on American culture. Recently held, the inaugural award ceremony recognized 15 category winners in the fields of leadership, arts, athletics, research, and community engagement.

Bennett College was nominated for four of the 15 presented
awards. Nominated amongst schools with seven times the student population
size than Bennett College, the Belle Magazine could easily have seemed like the underdog. Editor of the magazine and event attendee, Briana Barner ‘12, admits that she didn’t even have a speech prepared. “I was completely shocked,” she said. “I knew that our magazine was good enough, but I just didn’t know how good the other schools’ journalism programs were.” The relatively new publication has been in production for about two years and has four issues to its credit.

Founder of HBCU Digest, The Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, and of the awards ceremony, Jarrett L. Carter Sr., acknowledged that there were many impressive nominations for best student publication; however, the election committee was looking for a publication that utilized new media outlets and possessed the ability to impact readers outside of the campus and community.

Because of the Belle Magazine’s attention to not just campus news but health, cultural, and social ssues as well, Carter believes that Bennett was able to shine. Another contributing factor in obtaining the award was dedicated effort, and the students couldn’t be more excited for the payoff. “I’m so happy that the fruits of our labor are being seen,” Carmen Smith ‘11, said. According to Carter, devotion to the school is an attribute that rises to the surface of Bennett College and her Belles. “At [Bennett], it starts at the top, down,” Carter said. “Dr. Malveaux’s pride and energy really resonates, and you see that same excitement in her students. I am Bennett’s biggest fan. They never let me down.” To stay up to date and view online stories from the Belle Magazine visit www.bellemagazineonline.com.

Bennett Student Receives Top Acceptance for a Minority Internship

As one of the top three applicants chosen, Khadija Ibrahim ‘15, was recently offered an internship with the U.S. Department of Energy, Minority Education Partnership Program (MEISPP). Despite stipulations, the successful Bennett College freshwoman was not only accepted before the application deadline, but she was also presented the opportunity even though the internship typically is only offered to sophomores and juniors. Although she assumed the odds were against her, Ibrahim applied anyway and refused to believe that there wasn’t a chance.

“I don’t think negatively; I think positively. It’s going to happen,” she said. Originally from Somalia, the computer science/mathematics major moved to Greensboro from Seattle, Washington about two years ago. When starting the application process for the internship back in November 2010, Ibrahim had the option to sign up for the Department of Energy (DOE) branch of her choice. Ibrahim, no stranger to travel, decided upon Watertown, South Dakota, simply because she had never been there before. “It will be a good experience for me to go to another state,” she said. “Just like Greensboro, I think I’ll be able to move there and meet even more people who will be my friends.”

From May 31, 2011 until August 5, 2011, Ibrahim will work alongside the IT Department in the Office of the Western Area Power Administration, Upper Great Plains Region. While broadening her computer skills and networking opportunities, the Belle believes that this is the perfect prospect to enable her lifelong objective. “I’ve always wanted to work for the CIA and with computers,” Ibrahim said. “Help my family, help myself, and help others: that’s my goal.” According to Ibrahim, she always wants to be sure to show her appreciation while also giving back. By encouraging her fellow Belles to chase opportunities, Ibrahim gives the gift of inspiration and confidence. “Take advantage of all of these opportunities, no matter your classification or GPA; I didn’t think I’d get accepted into the internship, but I did! Just take advantage of life,” Ibrahim said to motivate her peers.
Annually, the MEISPP offers intensive summer internships that help develop future opportunities within the federal government. Offered in the areas of public policy, business, scientific research, and government relations, the program is designed to promote leadership amongst minorities. Ibrahim and other accepted interns are offered housing accommodations, round-trip transportation, and a stipend.

Black College Fund: Dillard University – Alumni

Before Katrina, Ms. Natalie Cooley had chosen lofty goals; after the storm she worked to exceed these personal aspirations and has done so. When I spoke with her, she explained that the aftermath of Katrina and the suffering she saw as a result of New Orleans’ failed infrastructure, she was inspired. Ms. Cooley’s Dillard University experience is highlighted below:

It Is Not Accountability, It is Responsibility

When I first came to Dillard, I wanted to go into nursing, but the storm changed that. After classes resumed at the Hilton, I realized I wanted to do something broader, something larger in the community. Public health was the answer. Growing up I always thought that the government would be there to help. Seeing the images on television and knowing how people suffered, I realized that their safety net is gone. I want to be a part of the generation that puts the safety net back together.

When I heard the news about the campus and that the modular dorms had burned, I knew we weren’t going to get back on campus. Seeing the news? It was really depressing, especially seeing the children just being out there by themselves. There’s a difference here at Dillard than attending the larger universities. Here you are not just a number.

Most HBCUs are a smaller community, so you feel more involved. The professors know you. I even know Dr. Hughes, and she’s the President. She knows me. You cannot get that at a large universities.

At Dillard, it is not accountability, but it is responsibility. We learn to be responsible and why responsibility matters.

Katrina taught me to follow my instincts. You, too, might just wake up one morning and make a change that will change your life. I also learned in my work at Tulane that we must be able to increase access to health care. So our practice is to build more community health care. I learned that in public health one must be flexible, wear a lot of hats in order to help others.

I have come to understand that the challenges ahead might be tough to swallow at first, but there’s some reason for it. I know I want to work with people in lower economic levels, I know I can reach out and help. I honestly doubt if I would have learned this without coming to Dillard and without the storm that nearly took away the campus.

--Natalie Cooley, Jackson, Mississippi, Katrina Grad, Class of 2009

Dillard University is one of the 11 Black Colleges and Universities supported by the Black College Fund. Please encourage your leaders to give their support the Black College Fund.