Latest news with #Bethune-CookmanUniversity
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former HBCU Coach Loses Decade-Long Battle With Cancer
The Bethune-Cookman University athletics community is mourning the loss of former bowling head coach Chelsea Gilliam, who died Thursday, Aug. 7, after a nearly decade-long battle with cancer. She was 35. Known for her bright, bubbly spirit and unwavering determination, Gilliam joined the HBCU in October 2018 to lead the Wildcats' bowling program. She arrived from Youngstown State University and made history as the school's first bowling head coach. Gilliam took over Bethune-Cookman's HBCU bowling program during the 2018-19 season, navigating a year marked by roster challenges due to injuries. Her leadership and resilience left a lasting impression on the Maroon and Gold family. Before her collegiate coaching career, Gilliam was a standout student-athlete at the University of Pikeville. As a 2012 Pikeville women's bowling team member, she helped capture the program's first NAIA national championship. The team's accomplishment earned them induction into the Bears Hall of Fame in November 2018. That season, Pikeville entered the year ranked No. 1 in the NAIA Coaches Poll and secured the No. 3 seed in the national tournament. Gilliam and her teammates twice defeated Webber International, a team they had previously lost to, to clinch the historic title. Gilliam graduated from Pikeville in 2012 with bachelor's degrees in mathematics and psychology. Gilliam's coaching journey began at Union College in Kentucky. From 2012 to 2015, she led both the men's and women's bowling teams. She guided the men's squad to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Mid-South Conference Tournament and was named the league's Women's Co-Head Coach of the Year in 2014. Gilliam spent her first year building the program from scratch at Youngstown State. She recruited the inaugural roster and set the team schedule. The Penguins debuted in 2016-17 and quickly rose to prominence, earning Top 25 rankings in her two seasons at the helm. Gilliam was first diagnosed with breast cancer at just 23 years old in 2013. She fought through treatment, only to be re-diagnosed in May 2016. Her resilience inspired many, both inside and outside the bowling community. She appeared in a commercial alongside WWE superstar Roman Reigns, sharing her cancer journey and encouraging others facing similar battles. Gilliam also documented portions of her chemotherapy on social media, aiming to inspire courage and perseverance. Earlier this month, a fundraiser was held in her honor near her home in Ormond Beach, Fla., as she continued her treatments. Bethune-Cookman University officials, former players, and colleagues across the HBCU bowling community remember Chelsea Gilliam for her coaching achievements and the grace and determination with which she faced life's greatest challenges. The post Former HBCU Coach Loses Decade-Long Battle With Cancer appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
CNBC
13-06-2025
- General
- CNBC
Charles C. Daniels
Charles C. Daniels Jr., PhD, is the co-founder and CEO of Fathers' UpLift, a nonprofit that provides mental health counseling to assist fathers with overcoming barriers that prevent them from remaining engaged in their children's lives. He is a visiting scholar at Yale University and the author of "Present: The Crisis of American Fatherhood and the Power of Showing Up." Charles graduated from Bethune-Cookman University, and he holds a PhD in clinical social work from the Simmons University School of Social Work and a master's in divinity from the Boston University School of Theology.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sex offense report at Bethune-Cookman University leads to gun arrest
Daytona Beach police investigating a sex offense at a Bethune-Cookman University dorm arrested a student they found with a firearm, according to an arrest report. Daytona Beach police said the report on the sex offense was unavailable Friday but said the victim told authorities that a gun was being kept in the room at the dorm in the 300 block of N. Martin Luther King Boulevard. Keith Holmes, 18, of Miami, was charged with possession of a firearm on school property. He was out of the Volusia County Branch Jail Friday on $2,500 bail. Police were called to the university at 8:36 p.m. on Wednesday. The university's security guard first made contact with Holmes because of the alleged sex offense and found the Smith & Wesson firearm during an administrative search. A magazine loaded with .40 caliber ammunition, and additional 9mm rounds were also in the room, the arrest report said. Holmes admitted the firearm belonged to him and said that he had it for protection because he had "opps," meaning opponents or rivals. He claimed that on multiple previous occasions, he had a rifle and a Draco, a Romanian pistol with a 30-round magazine, pointed at his chest and that he was tired of it, police said. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Bethune-Cookman University student found with gun on campus
Miami Herald
07-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Investing in HBCUs: A moral and economic imperative
Recent developments regarding federal spending priorities have again put Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the center of national debate. The Trump administration's brief pause — and subsequent reversal — of federal grants and loans sowed unnecessary confusion and concern for institutions that serve as pillars of academic excellence. While the immediate crisis was averted, this episode underscores a more significant issue: the urgent need for unwavering investment in HBCUs from federal, state and local governments. UNCF data affirm that HBCUs play an indispensable role in American higher education. They enroll nearly 300,000 students annually, many first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds. Despite representing only 3% of all U.S. colleges and universities, HBCUs produce nearly 20% of all Black graduates and 25% of Black STEM degree holders. Additionally, over 80% of Black judges and 50% of Black doctors and lawyers earned their degrees from these institutions. These statistics are not mere numbers; they reflect HBCUs' enduring legacy of equipping professionals with the skills to uplift their communities and contribute to the broader economy. UNCF research further reveals that in Florida alone, the state's four HBCUs — Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University, and Florida Memorial University — generate an astounding $833 million in total economic impact, support 7,817 jobs, and contribute to lifetime earnings of $8.6 billion for their graduates. Though they comprise only 4% of Florida's four-year colleges, they enroll 9% of all Black undergraduates and award 18% of all bachelor's degrees earned by Black students. These institutions are essential to workforce development and economic sustainability like their national counterparts. However, despite their significant contributions, HBCUs remain underfunded compared to their better-funded counterparts. An Austin, Texas-based think tank found that public HBCUs receive nearly $2,500 less per-student funding than non-HBCUs. The disparity is even more pronounced at private HBCUs, which struggle to compete with the endowments of wealthier institutions. This funding gap results from decades of systemic inequities, including disproportionate funding formulas and historically underwhelming philanthropic support. The economic argument for sustained investment in HBCUs is compelling. HBCUs generate over $14.8 billion in economic impact annually and support more than 134,000 jobs nationwide. Graduates of these institutions contribute significantly to the workforce, earning nearly $130 billion over their lifetimes, which translates into increased tax revenue and economic growth. Furthermore, HBCUs are at the forefront of addressing national workforce shortages in critical fields such as healthcare, education, and technology. With immigration policies in flux and a potential labor shortage on the horizon, America must maximize its existing talent pool. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to help fill workforce gaps in critical industries, ensuring economic stability and growth. Yet, instead of recognizing the immense return on investment that HBCUs provide, recent developments subject these institutions to uncertainty. Even if short-lived, the recent pause on federal funding reminds us how fragile financial support for HBCUs can be. Uncertainty hampers institutional planning, disrupts student financial aid, and erodes trust in government commitments to higher education equity. For HBCUs to continue fulfilling their mission, funding must be robust, consistent, and protected from political shifts. To that end, it is imperative we continue lobbying federal, state, and local leaders to support HBCUs further fiscally. First, Congress can strengthen Title III funding, which provides direct financial support to HBCUs. Second, states could rectify funding disparities, ensuring that public HBCUs receive equitable resources. Third, local governments and the private sector can invest in infrastructure and innovation at HBCUs, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and renewable energy. America cannot afford to treat HBCUs as an afterthought. These institutions have stood the test of time despite chronic underfunding, producing generations of leaders. The commitment to HBCUs must be clear, unwavering, and, above all, backed by tangible financial support from individuals, governments, and philanthropic organizations. Investing in HBCUs is not just an investment in Black America but an investment in America's future. Jaffus Hardrick is a transformational academic executive, former university president, visionary, and author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M•I•A MEDIA GROUP LLC. Any content provided by our contributors is their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or entity.
