Morehouse College student Ben Jones has been reported missing, and hasn’t been seen since May 16. Family and students planned a prayer vigil on Tuesday night. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, his parents last saw him when Jones was headed to pick up his graduation tickets, they later learned that Jones wasn’t actually scheduled to graduate. A missing persons report has been filed.

The city of Atlanta partnered with Friendship Baptist Church to purchase Morris Brown College with the highest bid of $14.6 M. The city will contribute $10.6 M through its economic development agency Invest Atlanta, while Friendship Baptist Church, which is one of the historically black churches in Atlanta, will contribute $4 M. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the city will control the stadium and Friendship will own other parts of the campus, while Morris Brown will keep some historic buildings allowing educational opportunities to continue. Morris Brown must finalize bidders by May 31.

After a 29-month investigation of Howard University’s athletics department by the NCAA, findings were released last Tuesday and included some self-imposed penalties which included “reductions for football, men’s basketball, women’s swimming and men’s cross country/track and field teams; reduced recruiting opportunities for men’s and women’s cross country/track and field; vacated wins for men’s cross country/track and field during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons; probation until May 2018; and a $140,000 fine.” According to the Washington Post, Howard University has created a Compliance Officers group, hired a new track and field coach and restructured its textbook distributing process.

After letters were released revealing the tensions between the new Alabama A&M University president Gwendolyn Boyd and two Board of Trustee members, now a former trustee Donald Watkins questions Boyd’s travel expenses. In a letter obtained by the Montgomery Adviser, Watkins claims that Boyd travels every ‘Thursday and Friday’ and she could possible be receiving ‘appearance fees from the University.’ In other Alabama A&M news, Governor Bentley recently appointed two new trustee members to the board, Jeff Langham and Angela McKenzie. Langham serves as the Elmore County Schools superintendent while McKenzie serves as the Regions Bank vice-president.

 

Hampton University received $245,000 from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to help foster more diversity in the newsroom. Hampton will use the money to create a Center for Innovation in Digital Media to both introduce students to journalism and prepare and train them for the future of media. In addition to this monetary gift, the goal is to raise $5 million to fully fund the center. (Via the Knight Foundation)

 

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DSU honored for energy efficient building

Xavier University extends basketball coach’s contract for two years

Morgan State Dean get honored for personality assessment app

North Carolina A&T approval for MBA program