Hampton Life April 2021
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APRIL 2021 Hampton University Alumna Rashida Jones, President of MSNBC; First Black Executive to Lead a Major TV News Network to Deliver HU Commencement Address Rashida Jones became the first Black executive to lead one of the major tv news organizations on Feb. 1, 2021 Hampton University President we recognize our the journalism Her industry credits include news William R. Harvey announced graduates, but this industry. Jones director of WIS-TV, director of live that alumnus Rashida Jones ’02, ceremony will became the first programming and executive producer President of MSNBC, will serve also recognize Black executive for The Weather Channel, as well as as the University’s 150th and 151st Hampton to lead one producer for WTKR-TV. Prior to Commencement speaker on May 9, University taking of the major her appointment, Jones severed as the 2021. Commencement will be held another major television news senior vice president for MSNBC virtually at 10 a.m. step towards organizations and NBC News, succeeding longtime returning to when she assumed network president Phil Griffin. “Ms. Rashida Jones and her normalcy since her current As senior vice president, Jones led professional success are an example the beginning of position Feb. breaking news and major events of what Hampton University founder the pandemic. Ms. 1, 2021. Under coverage, including helping oversee Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong Rashida Jones’star Jones’ leadership, the second presidential debate, which envisioned when he founded this is among the MSNBC finished NBC News’ Kristen Welker became institution to educate recently freed brightest in her February as the only the second Black woman to slaves 153 years ago. His dream was field. She will inspire and enlighten #1 network in all of cable television. moderate a presidential debate to prepare the best and the brightest our graduates as they prepare to make The historic victory comes during solo. Jones also oversaw MSNBC’s to lead our great nation and make a their own historical marks on the a month of around-the-clock daytime and weekend programming. positive impact on the world at large,” world.” breaking news, including the second said Hampton University President, In 2019, Jones was inducted into the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, Dr. William R. Harvey. “Her Jones is a 2002 Hampton University Hampton University Scripps Howard the first full month of the Biden address will truly be well-received Mass Media Arts graduate and School Hall of Fame. administration and the ongoing on this historic day. Not only will has had a very successful career in Covid-19 pandemic. Hampton University in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts Vaccinate 500 Citizens March 20th at the HU Convocation Center Hampton University in partnership “I’m just as happy as I can be that with the Virginia Department of our “Home by the Sea” is joining the Health Hampton & Peninsula fight to end the pandemic with the Health Districts (VDH) opening of the Hampton University administered 500 doses of the Community COVID-19 Vaccination Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Clinic,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, select individuals who pre-registered President of Hampton University. with the VDH and select HU staff “It has always been Hampton’s members that fall in Phase 1b of mission and responsibility to serve the VDH COVID-19 Vaccination our community and now with these Response Plan on March 20th. The vaccines our faculty and students Hampton University Convocation will administer this much-needed Center served as a mass vaccination life-saving vaccine to the community. clinic and began immunizations at 9 Hampton University is dedicated am. to impacting our larger community Continued on page 2 Vaccinate 500 Citizens Continued from page 1 in and outside of the the institution doing its classroom. Our ultimate part to serve the region goal is to promote and help combat this character building, deadly virus. On March community service, and 1, Hampton University cultural awareness – key unveiled its new mobile qualities for students’ testing and vaccination success at Hampton station that will provide University and beyond.” COVID-19 vaccines to people in underserved The clinic was led by areas of Hampton Roads. Dr. Michelle Penn- In December of 2020, Marshall, Vice President with their first dose of the Moderna The current vaccine demand far Dr. Harvey and other local leaders for Research, and managed by the COVID-19 vaccine and operated on outweighs supply, and the Virginia received the COVID-19 vaccine Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing. two shifts: 9 AM-12 PM, and from 1 Department of Health Hampton to publicly support taking the Additionally, faculty, staff, and PM-3:45 PM. & Peninsula Health Districts is vaccine and encourage the African students from several departments, urgently trying to vaccinate citizens American community to take it including the School of Science; This clinic served individuals who in the order in which they applied. as well. The African American Departments of Communicative pre-registered with the Virginia community has had a long-standing Sciences and Disorders, Biology, Department of Health Hampton The Hampton University fear and hesitancy as it relates to and Physical Therapy were on site to & Peninsula Health Districts and Community COVID-19 Vaccination taking vaccines since the Tuskegee help. The clinic provided individuals received an email to schedule a time. Clinic is the latest example of Experiment in 1932. Hampton University Partners with Hampton University to Provide Up to a Hampton VA Medical Center to Open Five Percent Raise to Annually Contracted Mass Vaccination Clinic for Veterans Employees for 2021-2022 Academic Year Hampton University has entered into As the world continues to navigate members of the Hampton family who a partnership with the Hampton VA through the difficulties of the COVID- have responded to these challenges in a Medical Center (HVAMC) to utilize 19 pandemic, Dr. William R. Harvey, terrific fashion. It is our hope that this the Hampton University Convocation Hampton University’s President, is increase will be of assistance to you in Center as a mass vaccination clinic again expressing his heartfelt apprecia- the future.” for veterans and their caregivers, tion by providing up to a 5% raise to all This is the third example of Hampton beginning March 8th. employees with an annual contract for University assisting its workforce in “At Hampton University, it is a academic year 2021-2022. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. part of our DNA to be of service “Over the last 12 months, Hampton At the onset of the pandemic, it was to others,” said Dr. William R. 65 years old with at-risk health University, the nation, and the world announced that annual faculty and Harvey, Hampton University conditions. have been challenged like never staff raises would not occur. However, President. “It is my firm belief that before due to due to the charitable it is our responsibility to deliver this “As a Historically Black College the COVID-19 gifts that Hampton much-needed life-saving service to and University, we are trusted in pandemic,’” said has received from our underserved communities and the communities of color, so that Dr. Harvey. others during these veterans. I’m proud to have served assists in minimizing hesitancy,” “Despite all that trying times, Dr. in our country’s armed forces and said Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall, has been going on, Hampton has done Harvey reversed that decision and gave pleased that Hampton University can Hampton University Vice President well with our fundraising, fueled by the all faculty and staff a 2% pay increase, make an impact in the lives of those for Research. “We are going to work $30 million gift from Ms. MacKenzie effective January 1, 2021, as well as who have bravely served our country.” with the VA to ensure that as many Scott. Because of her gift and others, and a $200 Christmas bonus and a veterans as possible have the ability $25 gift for the much anticipated and The HU Convocation Center we have been able to enhance student to get vaccinated and can do so at the celebrated annual turkey give-a-way. provides the HVAMC a larger space housing, academic buildings, athletic Convocation Center.” Dr. Harvey announced in February the than what is available at the medical facilities, establish additional student distribution of bonus checks to select center and makes vaccinations more Vaccinations for veterans are currently scholarships, implement emergency members of the Hampton University easily accessible to veterans. The by appointment only. For additional funds for faculty, students and staff, workforce. Based on current employ larger space also allows the HVAMC information visit https://www. as well as upgrade our technological - to schedule more appointments for hampton.va.gov/services/covid-19- infrastructure. We also recognize that ees’ annual salaries ($50,000 or less), eligible veterans, who are at least vaccines.asp. everyone has experienced some level of specific individuals received either a stress, anxiety, and uncertainty during $125 or $250 bonus. this time. Again, I would like to thank 2 • HAMPTONLIFE • APRIL 2021 Hampton University Receives $50,000 Gift from GEICO to Support Students and Faculty Hampton University has received $50,000 such as Engineering, Business, Marketing, term engagement with in contributions from GEICO to create and Communications; Hampton. scholarships and other activities which serve • Career program engagement and About GEICO to support Hampton students, from a wide establishment of a dedicated GEICO/ GEICO (Government variety of backgrounds, in their academic Hampton University Career Center Employees Insurance progression. internship pipeline; and Company), the second- “Hampton University continues to evolve, largest auto insurer in • Focused engagement with Hampton’s making new strides in research, developing the U.S., was founded in Office of Athletics to create through a future leaders, and staying at the forefront 1936 and insures more unique initiative titled: GEICO MVP of innovation.