Hampton University at the top of National Rankings

Money Magazine names HU a 'college that adds the most value'

Hampton, Va. - Hampton University is ranked at the top of several prestigious college listings distancing many institutions of its size across many noteworthy categories.

Money Magazine, U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly gave Hampton University high rankings for its research programs, university services and for being one of the best universities overall.

The Money Magazine recognition names Hampton University as an institution that “best helps students exceed expectations,” placing HU as one of only 50 Colleges in the country that Add the Most Value. The ranking was based on value-added grades for graduation rates, earnings, and student loan repayment.

U.S. News & World Report continues to rank Hampton University as one of the top 3 Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In addition, Hampton University is ranked #18 on the list of noteworthy South Regional Universities giving HU the distinction of being within the top 10% of that category.

Washington Monthly 2015 College Rankings highlighted Hampton University in the upper third of the Top 100 Master's Universities at #29. HU is ranked #6 in the Research/Bachelor's to Ph.D. category and #9 in the Service/ROTC. Washington Monthly’s college rankings measure institutions based on three criteria: civic engagement, research and social mobility. "My congratulations to the faculty and staff for helping Hampton University to achieve these notable distinctions," said HU President Dr. William R. Harvey. "Clearly, any objective analysis will show that our institution is one of the best modest-sized universities in the country."

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James Blake, former tennis star, slammed to ground and handcuffed by NYPD cops

Former tennis great James Blake was slammed to the ground, handcuffed and detained by five plainclothes city cops Wednesday outside his midtown hotel before heading out to the U.S. Open, Blake told the Daily News.

UPDATE: James Blake speaks to local TV station:

The officers, who were all white, mistook Blake for a suspect in an identity theft ring operating around the midtown hotel.

The incident occurred around noon in front of the Grand Hyatt on East 42 St., as Blake, a 35-year-old African-American who attended Harvard before going on tour, was waiting for a car to take him to Flushing Meadows, where he was making corporate appearances for Time-Warner Cable.

"It was definitely scary and definitely crazy," said Blake, who was once ranked No. 4 in the world and was among the most popular U.S. players of his generation. He suffered a cut to his left elbow and bruises to his left leg.

Blake said several other officers rushed up to join the first officer, eventually five cops in all surrounding him. He said he was told he had been identified by two people as someone who had been involved in an identity-theft ring operating in the area for the last week.

After being handcuffed for about 15 minutes, Blake said the last of the five officers realized they had the wrong person and apologized. The first officer who tackled and cuffed him never said anything.

Read more: James Blake, former tennis star, slammed to ground and handcuffed NYPD cops

Colin Powell shows support for #BlackLivesMatter

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Sunday morning that he doesn’t mind the #BlackLivesMatter movement or its slogan, adding that the U.S. has made substantial progress on race issues but still has a long way to go. While showing support for #BlackLivesMatter he also mentioned black on black crime. Watch more of that interview below:

Baltimore reaches $6.4 million settlement with Freddie Gray family

Baltimore officials have reached a $6.4 million wrongful death settlement with the family of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man who died in April from a neck injury he suffered in police custody, according to two people with knowledge of the agreement.

Baltimore officials could announce details of the proposed settlement as early as Tuesday. Such a deal however, would have to be approved by the city’s Board of Estimates, the governing body that oversees the city’s spending. That group, which includes Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D), is expected to meet Wednesday.

Read more: Baltimore reaches $6.4 million settlement with Freddie Gray family

Tuskegee airman, WWII hero from N.J., dies at 90

Calvin Spann, a New Jersey native and one of the original Tuskegee airmen, died Sunday at his home in Texas. He was 90.

Spann, who was born Nov. 28, 1924, and grew up in Rutherford, volunteered for the Army Air Corps and was sent to Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1943 to start aviation cadet training. He was sent to Italy as a replacement combat pilot after completing his training.

Lt. Spann flew 26 combat missions over Nazi Germany.

As a fighter pilot, he participated in the longest bomber escort mission in 15th Air Force history: a 1,600-mile, round-trip mission, from Ramitelli, Italy, to Berlin.

Read more: Tuskegee Airman, NJ Native, Dies