Florida A&M University named Pro Football Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow as the new athletic director, officially to be announced on today (Wednesday). Winslow, who formerly played for nine years on the San Diego Chargers earning multiple All-Pro awards, is to start his new role on May 15th. Winslow was previously the director planning and new business development at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. This is the first step to President Elmira Magnum’s goal of strengthening the FAMU athletic program. Magnum also announced creation of the President’s Alumni Advisory Board, which is to be made up by a group of alumni and serve as a liaison between the president and the new athletic director.

After five years, Grambling State University President Frank G. Pogue has announced his plans for retirement, effective June 30th. One of the biggest challenges Pogue, who started out as interim president, had during his tenure was GSU’s state funding cut by 56 percent. “A lot has been accomplished, and a lot of good things are still happening at Grambling State University,” said Pogue, “but it is time for someone else to lead this fine institution.”

In sports news, Jackson State University’s Lady Tigers softball team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s eastern division regular season title for the second consecutive season. The softball team beat Alcorn State University with the ending score 8-2. (Via SWAC)

Alabama A&M University choir will perform in New York City at the Lincoln Center this Saturday. Their performance will be a part of Distinguished Concerts International, making Alabama A&M the first historically Black university to participate. (Via AL)

In financial news, Johnson C. Smith University received a gift of $825,000 from the John M. Belk Endowment. The money is to be used to provide financial aid  and scholarships for students at North Carolina high schools, especially those affected by the new requirements of the U.S. Department of Education’s Parent PLUS Loan program. As of now, about 85% of the JSCU students receive some form of financial aid, with 70% coming from low-income households.

Lincoln University announced a fixed-tuition rate for incoming students which is set to begin this fall. The fixed-rate will apply to those students for the next four years of undergraduate education. “With the ongoing struggle that some parents and students face to finance a college education, a fixed-tuition rate provides some welcomed relief and offers an additional incentive for those to choose to attend Lincoln,”  said President Dr. Robert R. Jennings. “The university is doing all we can to remain competitive and at the same time make an education accessible and affordable for all qualified students.”

 

PLUS:

Students speak out about conditions at Tuskegee University

Xavier students offer free hugs

Alabama State University unveils first urban garden

Fort Valley State University inaugurates ninth president

Lincoln University opens Danjuma African Art Center