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The News Argus
www.thenewsargus.com
Winston-Salem State University’s Student Newspaper
April 21,2008
Jackson: HBCU students changed the world
Stephanie Douthit
News Editor
As part of the installation
of Chancellor Donald J.
Reaves, Rev. Jesse Jackson,
one of America's foremost
political and civil rights
leaders, highlighted the stu
dent forum on April 10 in
K.R. Williams Auditorium.
The Winston-Salem State
University Student
Government Association
sponsored the event.
The topic, "The Role and
Relevance of Historically
Black Colleges Yesterday
and Today," made a signifi
cant impact on the WSSU
crowd.
Rev. Jackson and other
distinguished panelists
emphasized the impact
HBCUs and its students
have had on American soci
ety, as well as the influence
it may have in the future.
"HBCU students are
changing the world and
these institutions have
helped make the America of
our dreams," Jackson said.
"Be true to your calling,"
he said. "HBCUs produce
bridges of hope and possi
bility. HBCUs are cultural
assets to higher education in
America, and those who
attend these institutions
must fight back and not
become 'statistics.'"
Jackson expressed that
predominantly white insti
tutions boast the admission
statistics of black students,
versus the graduation statis
tics of HBCUs.
"March Madness turns
into May Sadness," Jackson
said. According to Jackson,
black students typically
attend predominately white
institutions because of
sports or because of the
"name." After all of the
hype of the sports and other
Jackson emphasized the importance of HBCUs in American society.
Photo by Grant Fulton
accolades, typically these
students fail to graduate or
they are not able to do qual
ity work after graduation.
"Strong minds break
strong chains," Jackson
repeatedly told students.
He told the audience HBCU
institutions also provide
individuals with a sense of
work ethic, trustworthiness,
honesty, scientific objectiv
ity, and purpose that "wakes
you up in the morning." He
emphasized oontinuously building
the black universities and the 03m-
munity.
The advice Jackson gives
to the black community,
especially at HBCUs, is to
register to vote, stop the
killings, stop the self-
destruction of drinking,
smoking, degrading each
other, and to have a passion
for education.
Jackson's words seemed to
resonate with the 1,100 peo
ple in attendance. Senior
Jeanette Wallace said
Jackson has always been
someone she wanted to hear
speak, and felt the speech
was great.
"I loved the fact that he
emphasized the black com
munity," she said. "Uplifting
one another instead of
bringing ourselves down."
Reaves: There have been challenges, suprises
Larry Williams
STAFF REPORTER
On Friday April 11, Winston-Salem State University held
the formal installation ceremony of Chancellor Donald
Julian Reaves. The ceremony took place at the M.C. Benton
Jr. Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.
A well-traveled man. Dr. Reaves has spent the majority of
his adult life working at colleges and universities. He brings
a vast amount of experience to the job as chancellor of
WSSU.
Reaves was elected chancellor at WSSU in February 2007
by the Board of Governors of the University of North
Carolina System and started his duties as Chancellor on
August 16, 2007. On Tuesday April 7, The News Argus dis
cussed variety of topics with him. Here is a transcript of a
portion of the interview:
Argus: You were elected over a year ago and assumed
your duties on August 16, 2007. How has the transition
progressed?
Reaves: The transition has been going pretty well so far.
Things started slowly, but I've been trying to get the right
people in place and filling jobs. There have been challenges
just like any place.
Argus: What has impressed and/or surprised you about
WSSU since you have been on the job?
Reaves: The quality of the campus facilities, especially
the residence halls, really surprised me.
Argus: What are some of the aspects you've been focus
ing on since taking over as chancellor?
Reaves: Getting to know the students and faculty, but it s
hard with the students because of the graduation turnover.
Argus: You've had careers as a C.F.O., vice president and
executive vice president. How did those experiences help
Photo by Grant Fulton
Reaves is the 12th chancellor of Winston-Salem State.
prepare for your current position?
Reaves: Those jobs provided me with an experience base.
I like to call it "old wine in a new bottle." 1 tried to take
something from all my past experiences even as a faculty
member at Northeastern University.
REAVES, Continuing on page 3
Summer
gas prices
The government says U.S.
drivers will pay about $3.54 for
a gallon of regular this summer.
Projections by region
Ea_sj_Cpa_st_
Gulf Coa_st v41
Midwest
Rocky Mountains $3.53
West Coast
Compared
to past summers y
Average price per
gallon during sumnner
driving season,
April 1-Sept. 30
$1.06
’98
© 2008 MOT
’08
(Projected)
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