Alabama Bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs

Watch Roland S. Martin discuss how Alabama lawmakers passed SB-129, which prohibits public entities like schools and universities from promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey has signed the bill into law

The law says schools cannot fund initiatives that teach concepts that "any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin."

The law will take effect on Oct. 1.

Illinois State University Board of Trustees names Aondover Tarhule as 21st president

The Illinois State University Board of Trustees today named Dr. Aondover Tarhule as the University’s 21st president. Trustees also approved a four-year contract for Tarhule that will expire March 17, 2028. The transition to the new position takes place immediately following Tarhule’s year-long interim president appointment and a national search, led by a 29-member search committee composed of trustees, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

“The national search for the University’s next president was highly recommended through our shared governance partners, and the process was represented with a strong cross-section of stakeholders,” said Dr. Kathryn Bohn, Illinois State Board of Trustees chairperson. “The Board of Trustees determined that not only is Dr. Tarhule known to our campus community, but his strategic and visionary perspective helped him stand out in a very competitive field of candidates. He is an approachable leader who brings a high level of integrity, knowledge, and thought to conversations that will continue our institution’s 167-year legacy well into the future. I’m proud to say he’s earned our trust and the title of president.”

Leaders of the University’s shared governance teams also serving on the presidential search committee echoed confidence in Illinois State’s new president. (shared below)

Tarhule was appointed interim president on February 17, 2023. He joined Illinois State University in 2020 as vice president for academic affairs and provost, also serving as a professor in the Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment. He previously served as vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at Binghamton University (State University of New York) and was executive associate dean and department chair in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. He is a prolific researcher and widely published scholar.

“I must express my deepest appreciation to the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with this vital leadership role; your confidence in me is both humbling and inspiring,” said Tarhule. “To our community stakeholders, your faith and passion for all things Illinois State makes the Bloomington-Normal, surrounding area, and Illinois State communities unique. From the moment I stepped on campus to interview for the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs, the community’s investment and dedication to the success of Illinois State was clear and heartwarming. Under my leadership, Illinois State will remain visible, engaged, and a collaborative partner committed to improving the quality of life and enhancing the sense of belonging for everyone in our community.”

Born and raised in Nigeria, Tarhule is a first-generation college student, earning a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in environmental resources planning from the University of Jos, Plateau State, in Nigeria. He later earned a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in geography from McMaster University in Hamilton (Ontario, Canada), then received a post-doctoral fellowship from the Canadian Science Advisory Council to conduct research at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. He is married to Dr. Roosmarijn Tarhule who is a CPA with a Master of Accountancy, and a Ph.D. in geography. They have two adult children, son Sesugh of Boston and daughter Doobee of Amsterdam.

[SOURCE:illinoisstate.edu]

Purple Rain becoming Broadway musical

Four decades after Purple Rain topped the box office, dazzled audiences with its epic soundtrack, and cemented Prince’s status as the High Priest of Pop, the classic film is getting a second life on the stage. A Broadway-bound adaptation of Purple Rain is in the works, based on the original screenplay by Albert Magnoli and William Blinn, and featuring the iconic music of Prince.

“It's been almost 40 years since Prince’s legendary film, Purple Rain took the world by storm and we can’t think of a more fitting tribute than to honor Prince and the Purple Rain legacy with this stage adaptation of the beloved story,” said L Londell McMillan (Chairman of The NorthStar Group) and Larry Mestel (Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music) in a joint statement. “We are thrilled with our Broadway partners and creative team, who are bringing a theatricality to the film’s original fictional story. We can’t wait for a new generation to discover Purple Rain and for lovers of the original film and album to experience its power once again, this time live.”

The stage version will feature a book by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist who made his Broadway debut this season with the blistering family drama, Appropriate, featuring Sarah Paulson, Elle Fanning, and Corey Stoll.

Lileana Blain-Cruz, the Tony Award nominee who recently oversaw Lincoln Center’s acclaimed revival of The Skin of Our Teeth, will direct the show.

[SOURCE: EW]

Marcheta P. Evans to be 12th president of St. Catherine University

The St. Catherine University Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Marcheta P. Evans, PhD, will serve as the 12th president of the University. Evans, currently chancellor of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University in New Jersey, will begin on July 15, 2024.

“Dr. Evans’s astute understanding of higher education trends, particularly as they relate to smaller, private institutions, and her track record of developing and activating growth and transformation strategies, impressed the entire committee,” said Ken Charles and Anne Gotte, presidential search committee co-chairs at St. Catherine University. “She clearly demonstrated her ethical decision-making process, rooted in values and principles consistent with our University’s mission, vision and values, which made her selection a logical choice.”

Evans will be the first African-American and the 12th woman to serve as president of St. Catherine University. Becky Roloff, the University’s 11th president, announced her plans to retire on August 15, 2024 after an eight-year tenure. A search committee composed of Trustees and University representatives immediately launched a national search for the next leader.

“We were impressed with Dr. Evans’s demonstrated commitment to and experience with advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for students, faculty, and staff,” said Jean Wincek, CSJ ‘62, EdD, chair of the St. Catherine University Board of Trustees. “Her embrace of the Catholic intellectual tradition, emphasizing scholarly inquiry and social justice teaching, was a noted strength and led to the Trustees’ unanimous vote on her selection.”

Prior to its historic merger with Montclair State University, Evans served as Bloomfield’s 17th President, and held the distinction of being both the first African-American and first female to lead the College. She has served in transformational leadership roles in higher education for nearly 30 years at both public and private institutions, including Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU), Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean at OLLU and Associate Dean and Department Chair at University of Texas at San Antonio.

“The mission of this University, to educate women to lead and influence, and its emphasis on the importance of welcoming a rich diversity of students across the three colleges and four schools resonates deeply with my core values,” says Evans. “St. Catherine University’s commitment to empowering women and promoting social justice aligns with my own dedication to fostering inclusive and purpose-driven academic environments. These principles as well as St. Kate’s core values of academic excellence, community, integrity, social justice and reflection seamlessly align with my identity as a servant leader in higher education.”

Evans is also a past President and Fellow of the American Counseling Association, past President of the Association for Creativity in Counseling, and is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. A small sampling of these recognitions includes the Outstanding Multicultural Leadership Award, Yellow Rose of Texas Lifetime Educator Award, and Counselors for Social Justice Ohana Award.

Evans has authored numerous articles and book chapters, focusing on issues of diversity, multiculturalism, women’s issues, and leadership. In her international work, Evans has traveled extensively, including a length of time in the African country of Malawi where she worked with educators and counselors on literacy initiatives sponsored by USAID.

Evans graduated from the University of Alabama with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, specializing in Student Affairs, Administration in Higher Education, and Human Resource Management. Additionally, she has a Master of Arts degree in Education in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, a Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Alabama.

Plans for the inauguration celebration of Evans are in progress, and will be announced at a later date.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund and NIKE announce HBCU Scholarship

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and NIKE are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Ninety-five (95) scholars will be selected to receive a scholarship of up to $10,000 for the 2024-2025 academic school year (which can only be applied to verifiable costs associated with average tuition and usual fees).

 

Eligibility Requirements: 

• Be enrolled full-time as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at a select HBCU during the 2024-2025 academic school year.
• Must attend one of the following schools:
  • Atlanta University Center Consortium (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, or Spelman College)
  • Hampton University
  • LeMoyne-Owen College
  • Morgan State University
  • North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
  • Tennessee State University
  • Texas Southern University
  • Tuskegee University
• Current cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Must have the 2024-2025 FAFSA on file at your selected university/college by the time of selection.
• Able to demonstrate a financial need.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551.

 

How to Apply

All Applicants Must: 

• Answer the following statement (Video – maximum of 2 minutes)
  • Tell us about a time when you succeeded or failed. What were your learnings from the experience?

 

Application Dates

This application opens January 16, 2024, and closes March 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET – Eastern Time.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY