Latest news with #MorganStateUniversity
News18
18-05-2025
- Health
- News18
World AIDS Vaccine Day 2025: History, Significance, And Quotes
World AIDS Vaccine Day 2025: The day is inspired by President Bill Clinton's 1997 speech. It honors researchers and raises awareness about HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Vaccine Day 2025: As the world continues its battle against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the urgent need for an effective vaccine, both preventive and therapeutic, remains vital. HIV gradually weakens the immune system, leaving individuals vulnerable to infections and life-threatening complications. To spread awareness about this critical issue, World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18. This significant day serves as a global platform to highlight the continuous fight against HIV/AIDS and highlight the vital importance of HIV vaccine research. It is also a day to recognise and honour the dedicated researchers, tireless volunteers, and healthcare professionals who are working relentlessly towards developing a safe and effective vaccine. The origin of World AIDS Vaccine Day can be traced back to a powerful speech delivered by the then United States President Bill Clinton. Recognising the devastating impact of AIDS, President Clinton, on May 18, 1997, called for a global effort to develop an HIV vaccine. As noted by the HIV Info website, he stated that 'only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS," urging setting ambitious goals and creating such a vaccine within the next ten years. Following this landmark speech at Morgan State University in Maryland, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) took the initiative to formalise this call to action. The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on May 18, 1998, commemorating the anniversary of Clinton's speech. This annual tradition of observing May 18 as World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day has continued globally ever since, serving as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight. World AIDS Vaccine Day holds immense significance, as it provides a vital platform to raise public awareness about the critical and persistent need for HIV vaccine research. On this day, people worldwide come together to pay tribute to the millions of lives tragically lost to AIDS, emphasising the far-reaching impact of the disease on a global scale. Furthermore, HIV Vaccine Awareness Day offers a crucial opportunity for public education, helping to debunk prevalent myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS. The day also serves as an important occasion to express gratitude to the dedicated volunteers, the committed community members, the medical professionals, and the brilliant researchers who dedicate their careers to developing a secure and reliable HIV vaccine. World AIDS Vaccine Day 2025: Quotes First Published: May 18, 2025, 07:10 IST
Washington Post
17-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Some Md. colleges lay off workers, freeze hiring after $155M state cut
At the University of Maryland at Baltimore, administrators are laying off about 30 people and eliminating about 30 vacant positions. Towson University is implementing a hiring pause. And Morgan State University is consolidating some programs in addition to cutting jobs and vacancies. The moves come as the Trump administration threatens to further cut research and other federal funding to universities, and after the Maryland state legislature passed a budget with deep reductions to help close a $3 billion spending gap — and amid an already-difficult fiscal environment for smaller state schools.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Local Fry opens second Baltimore location, plans 7 more in Maryland
Hampden's distinctive The Local Fry restaurant is moving forward with an expansion plan. The loaded french fry shop recently opened a second location, in Northwood Commons across from Morgan State University — and the owners want to launch seven more sites in Maryland. Hana Scott, wife of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, was among those enthusiastic about the new location, commenting on their Instagram post: 'So exciting! I have to come by!' The Local Fry has been a mainstay at The Rotunda since the shopping center's major redevelopment about a decade ago. It's known for fries loaded with creative toppings, such as Canadian-style poutine. The restaurant also offers sandwiches, chicken tenders and rice bowls. The eatery also has a stand at Camden Yards and had a Federal Hill location for four years. The owners said Wednesday that 'the franchisee actually is planning on opening seven more after this location.' All will be in Maryland, and 'he is looking at Columbia for the next one.' The Local Fry is holding a soft opening all week at its new Northwood location and plans a grand opening Sunday, according to the Instagram post. Have a news tip? Contact Bryna Zumer at bzumer@ or on X as @brynazumer .
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Where does the Baltimore accent come from?
Maryland Terrapins basketball star Derik Queen said, "I'm from Baltimore," after the team stamped its ticket to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament in March. The phrase put Baltimore on the map and left many with a sense of pride for a blue-collar city that boasts an iconic waterfront, a fanbase passionate about their sports, and an accent that's about as distinct as it gets. "You don't say Balt-tee-more" said Sha-Shonna Rogers, a senior at Morgan State University. "It's more natural for us to just be like Baltimore, almost like there's a D in there." A Baltimore accent may even end up in the spotlight on social media, highlighted in both Instagram and TikTok videos, but we all know that accent goes far beyond the way we pronounce our city. "What's going on, how ya doin,' Hon?" said a Baltimore resident when asked about how he'd approach someone with his accent. "Two, grew, through, are just some of the words that come to mind," said Charles Ford, a freshman at Morgan State University. "They say it loud and proud here. It's just like New York sometimes." "Kitchen zink, instead of kitchen sink," said another longtime Baltimore resident, when asked about what words in the accent come to mind. What's in an accent? Where does the Baltimore accent come from? To answer this "Question Everything," we spoke with Dr. Inte'a DeShields, an assistant professor of English and Language Arts at Morgan State University. WJZ's Rick Ritter: "So you know from a little girl about the Baltimore accent? " Dr. DeShields: "Oh, I know it very well. You tend to take on the cultural and linguistic characteristics of your community. That will be your micro community, which will be your family members, church members. Then you have the broader community, as well." Ritter: "So for many people in this state who fall into this category, you're essentially saying it's a product of the environment you're in?" Dr. DeShields: 'It's a product of the environment, and it's a product of history. Baltimore had one of the largest free Black populations in the nation. "Through that kind of isolation over time, that's what kind of creates this distinct Black Baltimore sound and white Baltimore sound. You have redlining, segregation, all of those things helped influence what we love to notice about Baltimore, and that is the accent." Dr. DeShields added that every environment is different. Dr. DeShields: "One thing I have to note is that there are ethnic variations in Baltimore accent, like 'Hon,' the white Baltimore accent, and then you have the Black Baltimore accent. The white Baltimore accent has a Scottish, Irish influence or Appalachian twang that sounds like, 'How ya doin' Hon' or 'Welcome to Baltimore, Hon.'" Ritter: "What is the age range where you really start to become a product of your environment in terms of the accent?" Dr. DeShields: "Usually around age 5 is when you really start to pick up on when you start socializing, kindergarten, pre-k." Dr. DeShields said that while many grow into the Baltimore accent, some are urged to stay away from it. Dr. DeShields: "When I was coming up, I was encouraged to lose my Baltimore accent, encouraged to soften it." A longtime Baltimore resident told WJZ they worked to not speak like a "true Baltimorean." "I remember growing up and trying not to speak true Baltimore," the Baltimore resident said. "When young people are in school, they are encouraged to sound like the dictionary," Dr. DeShields said. "There's an expectation you will pronounce words like they are suggested in the dictionary. When we think about oral communication or natural speech phenomenon, it's almost impossible for someone to sound like the dictionary. It's inevitable that the accent will slip out. It's inevitable that you're going to slip into it at some point." "It's what distinguishes us" Dr. DeShields' advice is not to deviate, be proud, and be authentic. The way you talk speaks volumes about your culture. "Be who you are, embrace your accent, do what you must do to shine," Dr. DeShields said. "It's what makes us who we are," Ford said. "It's what distinguishes us. If everyone was the same, there would be no point in being who you are." "I think everyone should embrace their diversity and be who you are," said Leila Simmons, a freshman at Morgan State University, who lived in Baltimore before moving to New York. "Even if you don't like it, it's still who you are at the end of the day, and that's special." "Being from Baltimore and developing a love for my city, it kind of gives me a chip on my shoulder," Rogers said. "When you walk into a room and say you're from Baltimore, you say it with pride. It's an automatic sense of pride." "I think it's something we should all be proud of and to know we have something unique as Baltimoreans," said Dr. DeShields. "Not only do we have Ravens and Orioles, but we have our accent, too. I think that's something to be proud of."
NBC News
28-04-2025
- NBC News
Mother still searching for answers in 1976 murder of Maryland college student Deborah Scott
Deborah Scott came into the world on October 5, 1957. She left it 18 years later. 'It was a very violent crime scene,' Deborah's mother, Jean Hayes, recalled. 'I'm sure she fought back.' On April 26, 1976, Jean came home to a horrific scene—one she says she'll never forget. Deborah had been murdered in their apartment. 'I did not think there was anyone who would want to hurt her,' she said. Jean still doesn't know who would want to hurt her daughter—the bright, beautiful girl she gave birth to all those years ago. And nearly 50 years later, she's still hoping she'll find out… Jean raised her two girls in Woodlawn, a suburb in Baltimore County. Deborah was the oldest. 'She was a quiet young lady,' Jean told Dateline. 'She was an average teenager. She used to sing.' Jean says her daughter had a lovely singing voice and led the choir at their church. 'She used to sing 'Precious Lord.' That was one of her favorite songs,' she recalled. 'She loved music.' Deborah also excelled as a student and was valedictorian of her class at Northwest High School. 'She was in a couple of clubs with her friends,' Jean said. 'She had her first boyfriend.' Deborah graduated in 1976 and was a freshman at Morgan State University, which was close to the family home. According to Jean, Deborah intentionally chose a nearby school because she wanted to live at home during college. 'She liked being close to family,' Jean explained. 'She was studying general education, and I believe she was considering a career as a psychiatrist or psychologist.' On the morning of April 26, 1976, Jean headed to work while her youngest daughter, Cheryl, set off for high school. Deborah was still at home when everyone else left, but was expected to attend classes that day. Around 3:30 p.m., Jean got a call at work. It was Cheryl. 'She was crying,' Jean recalled. Cheryl had come home from school and found Deborah dead. She ran to the nearest phone booth to call her mother. 'I just dropped everything and came right home,' Jean said. The family lived on the ground floor of an apartment complex. Jean was no stranger to loss—she had lost her husband years earlier. The couple was separated at the time, but his sudden death in his sleep was painful. This was different, though. Nothing had prepared her for this. Deborah was on the living room floor. 'She still had on night clothes,' Jean said. 'And I could tell she was deceased.' Jean says nothing appeared to be missing, and there were no signs of robbery or sexual assault. 'I called the police,' she said. Baltimore County Police arrived at the scene. Dateline spoke with Detective Linsey Buckingham, who was assigned to Deborah's case earlier this year. She confirmed Deborah was last seen alive on the morning of April 26, 1976, at 9:15, and was found murdered later that afternoon. 'She suffered trauma, which included stab wounds and blunt force injuries to her upper body,' Buckingham said. Various items were collected at the crime scene. 'Whenever we go out to a scene, we don't know what's going to be important at the time, so we cast a very wide net,' Buckingham explained. 'The residence was searched for anything the detective [at the time] thought could be important, and evidence was collected.' Deborah's funeral was held in the same church where she once sang so beautifully. 'The church community was very important,' Jean said. Dateline also spoke with Tonya Pease, who grew up with Deborah. 'My mom and Jean were best friends,' Tonya said. 'I remember the funeral. I remember there was, like, a veil over her.' Jean says she leaned on Tonya's mother and her fellow church members in the days and months after Deborah's murder. She continued to wonder why anyone would want to hurt her daughter. 'I've thought about it several times over the years, and I haven't come up with anybody,' she said. According to Det. Buckingham, several people were interviewed at the time of Deborah's murder. 'I know a lot of polygraphs were done,' she said. 'An actual person that was one hundred percent verified to be a person of interest was never identified.' Months turned into years, and there were still no answers. Then tragedy struck again. 'My other daughter died in '93 as a result of a car accident,' Jean said. Her youngest, Cheryl, left behind three children. 'They've carried me through,' Jean said. She says she's also been carried by the hope that she will one day see Deborah's case solved. 'These cases are always very hard. Unfortunately, when it's this many years later, a lot of the people we'd like to speak to are now deceased,' Det. Buckingham told Dateline. 'We have some evidence to send out, and we're trying to have everything retested to see if forensic capabilities are now stronger than they were.' Jean hopes those technological advances will finally bring her closer to answers. She's 84 years old now, has lost both of her children, but continues to seek answers for the daughter whose truth has still not been uncovered. 'I've got pictures of her around and, you know, I'll never forget her,' she said.
