OCTOBER 2019

Hampton University Opens School Year with the 77th Annual Opening Convocation

Hampton University officially welcomed commitment to being THE Standard of Hampton University was excited to have the senior class of 2020, Onyx 11, at the Excellence. As your President, I shall continue alumna Dr. Desiree Williams give this year’s 77th Annual Opening Convocation in Ogden to dream no small dreams and to ensure that Convocation Address. Dr. Williams is the Hall. Attendees were regaled with inspirational Hampton’s history is preserved, and that its former Director of the William R. Harvey musical sounds of the Hampton University future is bright.” Leadership Institute and former assistant Symphonic Choir. Hampton University professor of physical therapy at Hampton President Dr. William R. Harvey provided Dr. Harvey also had the privilege of honoring University. She gave the graduating seniors encouraging words to the audience, and Keynote Dr. Karen Denise Maxwell and Dr. Otsebele three key points to be successful this year. Speaker and alumna Dr. Desiree Williams E. Nare with Hampton University’s 2018-19 “First, remember why you are here, secondly, provided encouragement for a great academic Edward L. Hamm, Sr. Distinguished Teaching life is about choices, and last but not least, if year. Awards. you are called, you are worthy,” Dr. Wiliams Dr. Maxwell is an Associate Professor of said. “Choose to get rid of the people, habits President Harvey welcomed attendees to the and positions that don’t serve you. Life is about 77th Convocation and the official beginning Management in the James T. George School of Business. Her passion for teaching has been choices and only you have the power to choose of the 152nd year of Hampton University’s your own path.” history. “Our values, our standards, our history, evidenced in the achievements of her students. our traditions make Hampton special and these According to her students, Dr. Maxwell “is A two-time Hampton University things are the foundations of our success and thoughtful and always willing to take time to alumna, Williams received her Doctor of achievement. Hampton University’s record assist.” Dr. Maxwell is a member of several Physical Therapy degree from HU and she achievement is the evidence of the quality of professional organizations: the Society also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in our leadership, our esteemed faculty, alumni, for Technology in Education, the American Health and Physical Education and a minor in programs and most importantly, our students. Public Health Association and the Golden Key Leadership Studies. Currently, Williams is a Students who continue to distinguish themselves Honor Society. practicing physical therapist in the greater Los as tomorrow’s leaders,” Dr. Harvey said. “As Dr. Nare is an Associate Professor in the Angeles area while also pursuing her dream we embark on the academic year of 2019-20, Hampton University School of Engineering. as an on-camera talent. Williams’pageantry let us diligently strive to reach new heights in Students have reported that he “takes a very wins include Miss , Miss academics, research and service, guided by our no-nonsense approach to teaching” and is one of Virginia 2013, and USA 2017. the “most supportive” professors. He is known Williams was only the fourth African-American for being passionate about the “advancement of to serve as Miss Virginia in the the field of engineering.” Dr. Nare has written Pageant system, and Williams placed in the and published dozens of articles and served top ten of the 2016 Miss USA Beauty Pageant. as lead investigator on numerous grants and Williams was also a contestant on the long contracts and has held leadership positions in running CBS reality show “Survivor: Heroes v several organizations. Healers v Hustlers.” Disney Visits Hampton University to Network Hampton University Career Center with Students and Speak about Internships Hosts Annual Career Fair

The Walt Disney Company visited Hampton Although Surabian and Nailor held their On Thursday, September 26, the Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of presentation in the Scripps Howard School of University Career Center hosted its annual Journalism and Communications, October 2-3, Journalism and Communications Auditorium, career fair for current students and recent to inform and invite students to apply for their Disney internships are offered to all student graduates at the Convocation Center. professional internship programs. majors. Corey Williams, senior, marketing Hamptonians filled the building dressed in major, landed his internship with Disney as business professional attire, ready and eager to Disney offers three-month and six-month a marketing intern. Williams assisted in the speak with various companies. term paid internships in different fields. The production of a digital campaign that empowers campus-wide presentation was given by Disney’s “Each year the staff of the Hampton women. “I wasn’t just limited to business; they University Career Center works diligently campus recruiters, Kim Surabian and Khalifa gave me a well-rounded experience. I got some Nailor, along with former and current Hampton to provide our students and recent graduates production experience, I edited, and managed with the wonderful opportunity to be exposed University students. Disney gives campus the ads on the website. I also got to participate recruiting presentations throughout the year to a diverse group of potential employers. in a casting call for The Bachelor. I was able to Fortune 500 companies from all over the after the fair, it was a success,” said Bessie and they are currently recruiting for spring 2020 do very cool things that I don’t feel I would have interns. country attend our career fair because of the Willis, Career Center Director. “The career received anywhere else,” Williams said. high quality education Hampton University fair provided an opportunity for alumni Recruiters also visited the James T. George students receive here,” said Hampton and students to network with employers for School of Business, several Scripps classrooms, University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. internship and full-time job opportunities. and were able to meet one-on-one with More than 1600 students attended the fair.” students and review their resumes. “The Each academic year, the Career Center hosts students appeared to be incredibly talented and two career fairs – one in September and one everyone seemed to have a sense of pride that is in February. Following this fair, the Career unparalleled to anything I’ve ever witnessed on a Center will start preparing for the next event, campus visit,” said Nailor. reaching out to employers to recruit all majors Students interested in internships asked the and alumni. recruiters what exactly does Disney look for in an intern, as well as what steps they should take to increase their chances of securing a position. “Be concise and apply to positions you actually have interest in because I can tell right away when someone doesn’t really know what they Recognizing the talent and academic want to do, when they apply to every open excellence that Hampton University position,” said Surabian. students offer, 117 employers attended the fair, soliciting internships and direct hire For more information on Disney internships, positions. Government agencies, corporations, visit https://jobs.disneycareers.com/. and education institutions from all over the country had the opportunity to acquaint students with their organizations. The Hampton University William R. Harvey “The 2019 Fall Career Fair was open to all Hampton University students and alumni. Leadership Institute Kicks Off 2019-2020 Based on comments received from employers Meet the Leaders Series

The Hampton University William R. Harvey to make a difference in the world. I chose to bad things happen, real leaders keep moving, Leadership Institute (WRHLI) kicked off do that as a journalist. Today, I’m doing it in keep the faith and focus on their why. its 2019-2020 Meet the Leaders Series with a different way at Hampton University, but Marisa Porto, former publisher and editor-in- the heart of what I want to do hasn’t changed. Lastly, Porto told the WRHLI students that chief for Virginia Media/Daily Press Media Leaders should know their ‘why,’” Porto said. they need to talk to others about respect, make Group, a multi-million business in Hampton their own leadership rules to live by and that is Roads, who is spending this year at Hampton 2. Think like Disney. Once you understand how to live their truth. as an Executive-in-Residence. your ‘why,’ put a vision to it. What do you want to do with your why? Walt Disney said, “If you “Our theme this academic year is Service and “We are honored and excited to have Ms. can dream it, there’s some way to do it.” Character, and Ms. Porto established a firm Marisa Porto as an Executive-in-Residence foundation for the WRHLI by sharing her here at Hampton University this year. Her 3. Be your own hero. “In your career and in vignettes on leadership, being a role model and knowledge and experience in journalism and your life, be the best ‘you’ you can be. Take mentor. She inspired the Leadership Fellows business will surely help our students con- care of you. Support you. Respect you. Being and challenged them to critically analyze their tinue to excel above the rest,” said Hampton your own hero is its own kind of leadership, it’s why and purpose, not just while here at HU, University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. about leading you,” Porto said. but once they leave and contribute as a leader and productive member of society,” said Dr. During her lecture, 4. Act like Mom. “My mother loved to serve. Jarris Louis Taylor, Jr., Director of the William Porto spoke about Whether it was the family dinner table, as a R. Harvey Leadership Institute. five simple rules for cafeteria worker in an elementary school or the leadership and life: church we attended every week, she was always Porto is an alumnus of the University of South ready to serve others. People still remember Carolina and has held leadership positions 1. Know your that about her. Part of leadership is service. with news organizations in Florida, Delaware why. Know what Listen to others, build a community, and share and Ohio. She is the former president of the Hampton Life (Vol. 11 Issue 8) is at the heart of your commitment. That’s a big part of leader- Virginia Press Association and was a citizen is published monthly by everything you do ship,” Porto said. member of Virginia’s Freedom of Information Hampton University in the -- your why. Why Advisory Council. She has served on the Office of University Relations. do you want to do 5. Keep the Faith. You will have successes, and boards of several community organizations, what you want to you will have failures. You can learn from both, including the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Contributors: do in life? “I have but Porto believes that failures teach you more Coast. She currently lives in Hampton. Matthew White, Glenn Knight, always wanted about yourself as a person and a leader. When B. Da’Vida Plummer, Jessica Zimmerman, Alexis Brower

2 • HAMPTONLIFE • OCTOBER 2019 Hampton University Welcomes Congressman Bobby Scott

for Student Roundtable Hampton University welcomed all students complete their degree or the money is there, that they have to Congressman Bobby Scott, along credential on time. take it. One of the things we see is Discussion on Higher with representatives from Old students that take out loans who really Dominion University, Christopher “A lot of students don’t have a clue don’t need it,” said Vera Riddick, Education Act Newport University, Norfolk how much debt they’ve taken out and Director of Student Financial Aid for State University, Thomas Nelson find out the end of their senior year Old Dominion University. Community College, Paul D. Camp that they have all this debt. We need Community College, and Virginia to make sure that people are making “I feel like students do want to be State University, to sit down for a rational decisions, but we also have to financially literate or have this sense roundtable discussion about the cost make sure that everyone can afford that it’s important to understand of college. to go to college. That’s the promise finances. I think the lack of financial that President Johnson made when he literacy has a lot to do with the Hampton University’s President, Dr. signed the Higher Education Act of lack of resources starting at middle William R. Harvey officially wel- 1965, he said that all students would school through high school. I think comed the guests for the discussion. be able to go to any college or uni- it depends on where your schooling versity in any state and ‘not be turned is, who your parents are, and where “To Congressman Scott, the student away because the family is poor.’ We you’re living, because that will define panel and guests, I do welcome you need to get back to that because when what kind of resources you’re given at officially to Hampton University. he signed that bill, the Pell Grant a young age. I think that education The topic that you have today is so covered 75% of the cost of going to about finances for college should important to all of us. The student college. Now, it’s only covering less start at that young age and continue debt right now is about $1.6 trillion, than 30% and people have to incur through college,” said Aman Tume, and it keeps escalating. We have to try huge debt in order to go to college,” Hampton University senior. to find some ways to try to deescalate said Congressman Scott. it. I’m so happy that we have come The reauthorized bill that together today to talk specifically Panel members voiced their concerns Congressman Scott plans to introduce about ways which we might be able to about the lack of student and parent to Congress this month would reduce that debt,” said Dr. Harvey. financial literacy. “I do feel we need simplify the Free Application for more education on how loans really Federal Student Aid and payment Congressman Scott addressed affect the students in the long run. plans for student debt. It will also pro- concerns about paying for college and We try to educate students with pose a significant rise in Pell Grants. offered possible solutions. One solu- workshops but there is low atten- Congressman Scott is optimistic that tion is introducing a comprehensive dance, so the challenge is how do the bill will pass in the House. If it higher education bill this month that we get the word out, how do we get does pass in the House, it would then will lower the cost of college, lift the them to understand that just because go to the Senate. burden of student loan debt and help

Hampton University Severe Weather Research Center Holds Meeting and Center Tour with Hampton City Officials

numerical data and imagery is what meteorolo- “It was a very productive day. Everyone did a really had no idea about the functionality of the gists utilize to improve predictions of severe great job of presenting the work that we’re doing, antenna. “I’ve heard Dr. Harvey on different weather. The weather antenna, located on the explaining how our work is going to advance the occasions speak about the number of satellites 14th floor of the Harbour Centre, captures state of the art knowledge about severe weather, that Hampton University receives data from real-time images and data from polar orbiting how to predict, where it’s going to happen and how the Governor ordered an evacuation weather satellites, which can be transformed into more precisely and how that fits into the grand because of Hurricane Florence, but because of imagery and atmospheric measurements, as they scheme of weather prediction that NOAA does, the ability of the antenna to track the weather, The Hampton University Severe Weather pass overhead. which is really the operational model. We are Hampton University was very confident that we cooperating with them so that they will be better were going to be okay here. I think as a Council, Research Center hosted a meeting with “Forecasters can look at these images and get Hampton City officials to showcase the Center, in the future,” said Dr. John McNabb, research it was very beneficial for us to come up here and an idea of what is going on, but what goes assistant professor in the Hampton University get an idea of what is going on, and what kind what it is doing in regards to research, and to into numerical prediction models, which explain how the work that is being done will Department of Atmospheric and Planetary of research is being done in this facility,” Mayor are computer driven, has to be quantitative Sciences. Tuck said. help forecast severe weather in Hampton Roads numerical data, not imagery. Those come from and beyond. the sounding instruments. That’s where you have Then each attendee was taken to the rooftop Graduate student Elliott Shiben showcased “This is a great opportunity to show Mayor measurements of temperature and water vapor to see the actual receiving antenna and cluster a poster about the research he is doing in the Donnie Tuck and Hampton City officials and other things that affect the weather, like condensing units on the 14th floor. Department of Atmospheric and Planetary cloud height, and that’s what we focus on here in Sciences. “We’re applying artificial intelligence to how the Hampton University Severe Weather Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck had visited the Research Center is using big data analytics to this Severe Weather Research Center,” said Dr. try to forecast severe weather. We want to train Bill Smith, Director of the HU Severe Weather facility about three years ago to see the weather computers to pick up on weather trends that we provide the residents of Hampton Roads with antenna, but he believes people at the time information in real time about approaching Research Center. as human beings might not recognize and to hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather forecast severe weather better,” said Shiben, third events,” said Hampton University President, Dr. year PhD, Atmospheric Sciences. Shiben uses William R. Harvey. the Center’s supercomputer to help increase the size and computation power for his research. The meeting and tour of HU’s Severe Weather Research Center was organized to show the What’s next for the Hampton University Severe results of the funding received from the City of Weather Research Center? Hampton’s Economic Development Authority “The next step for the Center is to bring in (EDA) of $75,000 to install an air conditioning a Postdoctoral Fellow, at least one, hopefully system and electrical wiring for a supercomputer, two, to work with Bill Smith, and to expand and also a $135,000 grant from the EDA to the Center’s capabilities. He especially needs expand its operational capabilities. researchers that have worked in this specific Different presentations were given, and city area before,” said Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, officials were shown the supercomputer, which Co-Director for the Center for Atmospheric is a high-performance computer cluster for Sciences. Numerical Modeling and Simulation. Both HAMPTONLIFE • OCTOBER 2019• 3 NONPROFIT ORG. Hampton University’s School of Nursing and Hampton University U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 6446 PAID HAMPTON, VA Cancer Research Center Start Barbershop Hampton, Virginia 23668 PERMIT NO. 73 Outreach Project

On Saturday, October 19th, the Hampton 15 trained African-American male healthcare University School of Nursing, in conjunction providers and Registered Nursing students will with the Hampton University Cancer Research perform the outreach and data collection. In this Center, held the very first Hampton University setting, they will provide culturally-appropriate Barbershop Outreach Project at BK’s Barbershop assessments and tailored education to African- in Hampton, VA. American men. The free haircut vouchers can be redeemed at the participating barbershops. The aim of the project is to educate, assess and screen African-American males by performing “The Hampton University School of Nursing health-related services in a comfortable and wanted to find a way to reach out and spur the familiar setting. Across several Saturdays, the conversation with Black men and their health. Hampton University Barbershop Outreach Black men don’t seek out health care; there’s a Project researchers will screen and educate health disparity there. We need to be more active patrons while providing vouchers for free haircuts and more involved in bringing them to the con- as incentives. During the screening, researchers versation,” said Hampton University Instructor, will collect qualitative and quantitative data to Jonathan Romero, MSN, RN, RSA. assess for effectiveness of the outreach efforts. Those who attend the outreach program receive “It is wonderful that our School of Nursing and pamphlets on treating prostate problems, screen- Cancer Research Center have come together to ing for colon cancer, cancer facts for men, and provide health care services to this population,” more. For more information, contact Jonathan said Hampton University President, Dr. William Romero at [email protected]. R. Harvey.

Hampton Pirates The Hampton Pirates came away Hampton University’s William R. & Norma B. with some honors at the annual Big South Conference Basketball Harvey Library Host Annual ‘Think Pink’ Media Day. Breast Cancer Awareness Event The Hampton men’s basketball team was picked fourth in The William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library University Cancer Research Center; Dona the preseason basketball poll hosted their annual ‘Think Pink’ Breast Cancer Sternberg, Nursing Operations Manager of the announced at the Big South Media Awareness Event on Friday, Oct. 11. The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute; Day and Jermaine Marrow was annual event is held to educate the public about and Gloria Cox, a breast cancer survivor. named to the preseason first team the risk of breast cancer as well as ways to All-Conference squad. prevent, screen and treat this disease; as well as The topics of discussion ranged from early an opportunity to recognize survivors. detection, types of treatment, as well as the importance of knowing one’s family health “Each year the library seeks to inform our history and why it needs to be shared with university community about breast cancer loved ones. Marrow also finished with through this presentation. This information the fourth highest single is timely and important in helping to spread “We all have a family history in something, and season points total in Big South awareness of this disease, as well as share some families are open and share this informa- Conference history along with advances in research and treatment and spread tion, and some families are not so open,” said the seventh highest single hope through the narratives of survivors,” said Ricks-Santi. “This information is so crucial season scoring average in Big Tina Rollins, Library Director of The William because it can tell you about your personal South Conference history R. and Norma B. Harvey Library. health, and that information can help you (24.4). He ended his junior make the appropriate decision. With respect season with 1,987 points and The panelists for the event included Dr. to cancer, this information can be a guide for is within striking range of Rick Luisel Ricks-Santi, Director of the Hampton screening, prevention and treatment.” Mahorn’s 2,418 career points.

Senior Ashley Bates, the 2018-19 Big South Conference Player and Defensive Player of the Year, was picked as the Preseason Player of the Year and a first-team All-Conference selection. Sophomore Laren VanArsdale, the 2018-19 Big South Rookie of the Year, was selected to the preseason second team.

4 • HAMPTONLIFE • OCTOBER 2019