Students composed original essays that addressed the following topic: "In what ways have African Americans been challenged in their attempts to create and sustain their own businesses? More specifically, what historical obstacles have African Americans overcome to become successful entrepreneurs on a local and global scale?" Also, poem entries highlighted our history as entrepreneurs and innovators.

The winners were:

•Arielle Lovelace - Essay

•Patrick Tennin- Poem (Not Pictured)

Each winner received $50.00. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Warner's most recent acting role is on the hit comedy, Sherri. In addition to acting and directing, he is an accomplished jazz musician. Warner met with JCSU drama students along with students from the Northwest School of the Arts in an informal setting. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about being both in front of and behind the camera.

Highlights include audio from events that occurred on campus in the 1940s, photographs of student life, manuscripts of the early days of Biddle University, and information on African American life in Charlotte, NC.

The cultural celebration included performances by:

Shae Movement (African Dance and Drumming)
JCSU Concert Choir
Smith Repertory Dance Company
JCSU Electro-Acoustic Music Ensemble
OC Productions
Broken Chains Hip Hop Dance Ensemble

Jermaine Nakia Lee, NC Blumenthal Performing Art Center, served as emcee. The event was sponsored by the Black History Planning Committee. Dymilah Hewitt, Tutorial Center Coordinator, served as program chair.

The planning committee wishes to express their sincerest thanks to the Office of the President, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Academic Center for Excellence, Metropolitan College, James B. Duke Memorial Library, Office of Student Activities, Center for Integrated Studies, College of Professional Studies, and Campus Police.

To view photo, please click here.

Author and playwright Vickie Evans visited Dr. Cindy Kistenberg's Production Workshop class to talk about her play, A Change Gonna Come, which the students will be presenting this semester. An ordained minister, Evans spoke to the students about the play, its significance, and how excited she was to have the students at JCSU presenting the North Carolina premiere of the play.

The play addresses a sensitive and important issue--domestic violence in the African-American church, but, as she notes, such violence is perpetrated by religious leaders of other faiths as well. Part of the university's Lyceum series, A Change Gonna Come will be presented at First Baptist Church-West on April 8th and 9th at 7:30 p.m.

JCSU ranked 34th among the top degree producers in the nation, according to a study published in a recent edition of Diverse Issues in Higher Education. "We are really excited about the ranking because it shows our commitment to graduating students who have a strong interest in the rapidly growing field of information technology," said JCSU Public Relations Director Benny L. Smith. "We're also proud that JCSU ranked second in the Carolinas for this distinction."

According to the Diverse Issues' website, institutions that are "Top Degree Producers" are ranked according to the total number of degrees awarded to minority students in all disciplines as well as in specific disciplines. Data from the United States Department of Education is used to compile the results.

To view a copy of the full report, visit http://diverseeducation.com/top100/top100listing.html

The event ran February 6-14 with eight drop off locations in the Charlotte area. The Boy Scouts of America also helped during the kickoff of the food drive by picking up non-perishable items that people had left outside their homes.

JCSU's teams worked with site coordinators at the Mulberry Presbyterian Church and Town Center Plaza locations. Click here to view photos.

Loaves & Fishes is a nonprofit organization founded in 1975 by a small group of people who recognized the growing hunger needs in our community. Visit www.loavesandfishes.org to learn more.

1. Quinton Spencer, a 6'5, 305 lbs, offensive line from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Spencer is a graduate and played his football at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, GA. He was a 1st Team All-Region 2-AAAAA, member of the 2009/2010 Dekalb County All-Star Game, member 2009/2010 Georgia High School All-Star Game, 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta Award - 2009. He averaged 10 pancakes per game throughout his senior season. Spencer is one of 29 signees from Stephenson HS; the team (coached by Ron Gartrell) had a 39-9 record during his four year career.

2. Rico Arelleno, a 6'7, 280 lbs, offensive line from Charlotte, North Carolina. Arelleno is a graduate and played his football at Butler High School. He is regarded as a massive offensive tackle, despite the fact that he has only played two years of high school football. Arelleno graded out at an 87% over his senior season. He was a member of the 2009 4-A State Champion and Southwestern Conference Champion team, coached by Mike Newsome. Butler went 28-2 during Arelleno's two years on the team as a starter on the offensive line.

3. C.C. Davis, a 6'6, 260 lbs, defensive end from Manassas, Virginia. Davis is transferring from Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas. He is a graduate and played at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, VA. Davis recorded 86 tackles, 14 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries at Stonewall.

4. Darius Robinson, a 6'2, 240 lbs, defensive end from Lancaster, South Carolina. Robinson is a graduate and played his football at Lancaster High School. Accolades: 2009 South Carolina North/South All-Star Game participant, Region 4-AAAA All-Lancaster County Team, Team Coaches Award, Old Spice Award, Lancaster County Defensive MVP. Robinson recorded 46 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and eight quarterback hurries his senior season.

5. Darius Wallace, a 6'2, 215 lbs, defensive end from Crestwood, South Carolina. Wallace is a graduate and played his football at Crestwood High School. During his sophomore season, Wallace broke the record at Crestwood for QB sacks with 15. Regarded as having great speed off the end and very physical. He set a new sack record his junior season with 23. Accolades: All-Region 2007, All-State 2007, HSSR All-State 2007, All-Region 2008, All-State 2008, HSSR All-State 2008, SC Varsity All-State 2008, 2008 Region 6-AAA Defensive Player of the Year. Wallace is also a track and field athlete, though it has not been determined if he will join the Golden Bulls Track and Field team. Accolades in track: All-Region Track 2008 (Hurdles), All-Area, Region, State 2008/2009. All-Region Track 2009 - 100M, 200M, 110HH, Triple Jump, All-State Track 2009 - 100M (4th place), 110HH (2nd place), Personal Best Track Info: 100 (10.55) 200 (21.83) 110HH (14.32) Triple Jump (44'8").

6. Darian Talley, a 6'4, 185 lbs, defensive back from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Talley is a graduate and played his football at Chancellor High School. Accolades: 1st Team All-Area, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team AA Battlefield Conference, VA Preps Consensus All-State Team. Talley played offensive (receiver) and defensive at Chancellor. His senior season he finished with five interceptions and seven total touchdowns. Talley was also regarded a standout punter for the Chargers.

7. Ronnie Bishop, a 6'3, 195 lbs, defensive back from Charlotte, North Carolina. Bishop is a graduate and played his football at East Mecklenburg High School. He is a four year letter winner in football and basketball at East Meck. Honor Student and member of Athletes for Success. Bishop tallied nine interceptions and registered 68 tackles as a senior. He played on the 2008 State Champion Basketball Team at East Meck.

8. Avius Capers, a 6'0, 180 lbs, wide receiver from Charlotte, North Carolina. Capers is a graduate and played his football at Independence High School. During Capers' four years at Independence, the team (coached by Tom Knotts) went 55-6 overall. He ended his senior season with 56 receptions for 855 yards and six touchdowns. Capers averaged nearly 20 yards per catch. He was named to All 4A Southwestern League Team.

9. Terrell Hutchinson, a 6'4, 200 lbs, wide receiver from Great Falls, South Carolina. Hutchinson is a graduate and played his football at Great Falls High School. During his senior season, he produced 28 receptions for 603 yards and seven touchdowns. As a defensive player, he tallied 44 tackles, two tackles for a loss, two sacks, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Hutchinson received Honorable Mention All Region 3-A. He was a member of 2007 team that finished as the Upper State Champions and Class A Division II Runner-Up. Coached by Kenneth Schofield.

10. Cruze Long, a 6'3 ½, 185 lbs, wide receiver from Norwood, North Carolina. Long is a graduate and played his football at South Stanly High School. He finished the 2009 season with almost 600 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. He was named All Yadkin Valley 1A League. On the defensive side of the ball, Long finished with 39 tackles and six interceptions. He led the conference in receiving yards on a predominately running football team.

11. Terrell Tyrance, a 6'0, 220 lbs, running back from Charlotte, North Carolina. Tyrance is a graduate and played his football at Providence Day High School and Fork Union Military. He was prepped at Fork Union Military Academy in 2009 under John Shuman. At Providence Day, Tyrance rushed for 1,200 yards as a senior with 18 touchdowns. He is a three time All Conference selection and 1st Team All State as a senior, as well as the 2008 Shrine Bowl MVP.

12. Spencer Shine, a 6'2, 205 lbs, linebacker from Beaufort, South Carolina. Shine is a graduate and played his football at "the" Battery Creek High School. He had a standout senior season defensively with 123 tackles, seven sacks and three forced fumbles. Shine was named an All-Region and All-Area player as a senior. Strong possibility as an outside linebacker with the Golden Bulls next season.

13. Roy Parham, a 6'3, 315 lbs, offensive lineman from Covington, Georgia. Parham is a graduate and played his football at Alcovy High School. He is projected to play guard on the offensive line for the Golden Bulls. Parham participated in the Offense/Defense All-American Bowl in Myrtle Beach, SC. He placed in the Debartalo Fab 50 combine and was named MVP of the Tony Boselli Camp (Boselli, former offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars). Parham was a 1st Team Region 4-AAAA as a senior and finished with 52 pancake blocks.

14. Kevin Billups Jr., a 6'3 ½, 305lbs, offensive lineman from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Billups is a graduate and played his football at Stephenson High School. He received 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta Award in 2009 and consistently graded out at an 88% or better over high school career. Billups averaged eight pancakes per game during his senior season. He was All-Dekalb County and All-Region 2-AAAAA as a senior. Billups is one of 29 signees from Stephenson HS; the team (coached by Ron Gartrell) had a 39-9 record during his four year career.<.p>

15. Denzel Hartley, a 5'11, 195lbs, running back from Stone Mountain, Georgia. Hartley is a graduate and played his football at Stephenson High School. He compiled just over 2,000 career rushing yards as a three year starter at tailback for Coach Ron Gartrell. Hartley also finished his career with 608 receiving yards and a total of 27 touchdowns. He was an All-Region and All-County performer as well as a two-time player of the week. Hartley was one of 29 Stephenson student-athletes to sign a scholarship on national signing day, a state of Georgia record.

16. George Taliaferro, a 6'5, 235 lbs, defensive end from Tampa, Florida. Taliaferro is a graduate and played his football at Blake High School. He was the defensive MVP of his team, producing 98 tackles, three sacks, and five forced fumbles. He was named 2nd Team All Hillsborough County (All of Tampa), as well as a 3A District 8 All Conference performer. Taliaferro has the ability and size to come in and contribute early as a Golden Bull. Coached by Harry Hubbard.

17. Jermaine Anderson, a 6'4, 260 lbs, defensive tackle from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Anderson is a graduate and played his football at South View High School. He registered over 100 total tackles and 12 sacks over the course of the previous two seasons. Anderson forced six fumbles and had 24 tackles for losses over the past two seasons.

To view photos, please visit: http://www.goldenbullsports.com/news/2010/2/9/FB_0209101113.aspx

Michelle completed her research at the University of Virginia last summer, and competed with 360 undergraduate student presenters from approximately 75 HBCU-UP programs across the country. Michelle's presentation "Investigating Factor Deficiency and Platelet Function Using Sonorheometry: Study of Patients with Coagulation Disorders" earned her first place in the Technology and Engineering division for her research in Biomedical Engineering.

Please join the College of STEM in congratulating Michelle on her accomplishment.

JCSU made the announcement Thursday, February 4, 2010, during a special meet and greet session which was well-attended by faculty, staff, students, and the Charlotte community. "The opportunity to serve as the new Chief of Police at Johnson C. Smith University is one that I am honored to accept," Harris said. "It is my goal to continue to build the department through strategic planning, training and equipping the staff with professional development and current technology that will assist in the safety and security for the Johnson C. Smith University community."

Chief Harris brings nearly 21 years of domestic, international, public, private and government management expertise to JCSU. He has served as Chief of Police for the second largest Division I university police department in the state of South Carolina and Special Agent Senior /Narcotic Agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. He was the director of state and private law enforcement agencies of various sizes in cities such as Atlanta, GA, Marietta, GA, Columbus, GA, Orangeburg, SC and Clemson, SC. Chief Harris also directed security efforts for a parking venue during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and managed security operations at the 2007 Democratic Presidential Debate held at South Carolina State University.

"Chief Harris brings a phenomenal amount of expertise in regards to public safety," said President Ronald L. Carter, Johnson C. Smith University. "Our institution looks forward to working with Chief Harris as he helps to implement the various enhanced safety measures for our students, faculty and staff."

His JCSU responsibilities will include security and safety of the University's campus and its immediate surrounding area, building long lasting relationships with local law enforcement officials, and assisting with the enhancement of the University's image in the Greater Charlotte community. Chief Harris will be instrumental in providing leadership and guidance on all emergency related matters that involves the entire campus community.

Chief Harris will oversee a force of sworn officers, security officers and auxiliary student patrol officers. He will also oversee the establishment of a Dispatch Center on the University's main campus for the first time in its history.

Chief Harris is a 1994 graduate of Saint Leo University, where he received a BA degree in Criminology (Magna Cum Laude). He received his Masters degree in Public Administration from Kennesaw State University in 1998.

For more information, contact JCSU Public Relations Director Benny L. Smith at 704-378-1032.

Voting Methods:

Text Message: Unlimited
Text: MISSCIAA JCSU to 84444

Online: One vote per day from the same computer
Visit: http://www.ciaatournament.org/section/miss-ciaa

The voting poll is located at the bottom of the Miss CIAA page.

Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Individual game tickets are not available,  Cash, credit card, or debit cards with a credit card logo (Visa or MasterCard) are the only acceptable forms of payment. No money orders, checks, or bank drafts. Individuals can buy as many ticket books as they like; however, given that it is an open block of tickets, seat assignment cannot be guaranteed.

This year's ticket prices are $225, $175, $100, and $50 (students). Student tickets will be sold along with general public tickets. Students must have ID to purchase tickets.

Any further questions can be addressed to the Business Office (704) 378-1090.

Voting Methods:

Text Message: Unlimited
Text: MISSCIAA JCSU to 84444

Online: One vote per day from the same computer
Visit: http://www.ciaatournament.org/section/miss-ciaa

The voting poll is located at the bottom of the Miss CIAA page.

The announcement comes as a follow-up to the University mentioning last week that it would be hiring a new Chief of Police to enhance student safety on campus along with other security improvements.

Members of the Greater Charlotte community are invited to join our faculty, staff and students that day to ask questions they may have about JCSU's enhanced security measures. There will also be a chance for all media outlets to get one-on-one interviews with the new Chief of Police following the announcement.

If you would like to cover the event, please e-mail JCSU Public Relations Director Benny L. Smith at blsmith@jcsu.edu or call 704-378-1032/704-608-6737.

Voting Methods:

Text Message: Unlimited
Text: MISSCIAA JCSU to 84444

Online: One vote per day from the same computer
Visit: http://www.ciaatournament.org/section/miss-ciaa

The voting poll is located at the bottom of the Miss CIAA page.

Voting ends Friday, February 26, 2010.