Know Your History The Dynamics Of HBCUs — Carlton Darling
There are 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Many people might say attending any of these schools allows students to view the world differently because of their predominantly African-American student and faculty population. All HBCUs offer the opportunity to assist young black students to excel and have the opportunity to do something great in life. They also give qualifying low-income students scholarships and opportunities that they wouldn’t have at an Ivy League university such as Dartmouth.
these great minds had not place to learn?
The history of HBCUs dates back to the 1800s, where higher education for blacks was nonexistent. Back then, only a hand full of blacks received the opportunity to get an education. During that time, a college education was only available to a limited number of students at schools like Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio and Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. As time has progressed, HBCUs have changed for the better and are filled with a history of success stories. Three of our greatest leaders—Frederick Douglas, W. E. B Dubois and Martin Luther King Jr. —all attended institutions, which later became HBCUs. Can you imagine if
Renard Darling, a Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University alumnus, stated that an HBCU taught him about his culture and “the cultural experience that an HBCU has to offer.” This epitomizes the concept and essence of HBCUs and the relevance to humankind’s education and existence both past and present.
Edward Waters College is open for all students who desire to attend. “Like EWC, HBCUs have been cultural and economic beacons of hope for African Americans who desire a unique educational and cultural experience, founded on the principle of educating and elevating Blacks,” said Mass Communications instructor, Jason A. Mitchell. “Education provide the opportunity for progression when oone is granted unobstructed acced to advanced educational opportunites.”
School Of The Month — Carlton Darling
Monthly, the Tom Joyner honors an outstanding Historically Black College and University. In March 2012, Edward Waters College was chosen as the Tom Joyner School of the Month. As a result, each week a student is awarded financial support through a merit-based scholarship. “Candidates must be a male attending a foundation ‘School of the Month,’ have a grade point average of 3.0 and be a campus leader involved in the community with a career goal towards making a difference in the quality of life for his race,” Joyner stated. Five Edward Waters College students were chosen to receive the Hercules Scholarship, which was named after Joyner’s father, the late Hercules Joyner who was a strong supporter of higher education. There were four freshmen and one sophomore: Dante Roberts - 3.6 GPA; Alfred Mickle - 3.75 GPA; Avery McClendon - 3.7 GPA; Tevin Abbney - 3.8 GPA; and Alonzo Cunningham - 3.6 GPA. Each student received $1,500 in a scholarship grant paid directly to their school to assist in offsetting their college tuition.
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