Latest news with #WilberforceUniversity
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Fisk To Discontinue Nation's First HBCU Gymnastics Program In 2026
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 06: Fisk University gymnasts cheer on their teammate during a meet at the ... More Orleans Arena on January 6, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) In 2023, Fisk University made history as the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to sponsor women's gymnastics. However, the university announced Friday that the historic program will be discontinued. In an email delivered to the student body, university officials shared their decision to discontinue the gymnastics program at the close of the 2025-2026 gymnastics season. The university cited scheduling issues and recruitment disadvantages as factors influencing the decision. Though Fisk and Wilberforce University presently sponsor women's gymnastics, the sport is not sanctioned within the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC). The decision to cut Fisk's program also comes after significant personnel changes. In May, star gymnast Morgan Price announced her intent to transfer from Fisk for her final season of eligibility, instead signing with the Arkansas Razorbacks of the powerhouse Southeastern Athletic Conference. Price led Fisk gymnastics since its founding, claiming back-to-back national championships and delivering the first perfect ten in HBCU gymnastics history. Price's departure was one of two to shake the historic HBCU team in 2025. One month into the team's season, Head Coach Corrinnne Tarver resigned. Tarver had been at the helm since the program's founding in 2022. Despite the notable departures, Friday's news shocked many athletes, alumni, and fans. The 2025 season was a historic one for the Bulldogs. In addition to Price's five national titles, the team set a program record and notched seven All-America honors. CORVALLIS, OREGON - MARCH 21: Morgan Price of the Fisk Bulldogs competes on the floor exercise ... More during a gymnastics meet against the Oregon State Beavers at Gill Coliseum on March 21, 2025 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by) In response to the news, recent Fisk graduate Naimah Muhammad took to Instagram to express disappointment for her teammates and program. Muhammad particularly disagreed with the university's reasoning. While the gymnast felt that she could accept financial rationale, the claim surrounding sanctioning struck a nerve—and rightly so. 'The reason gymnastics is not an HBCU-sanctioned sport…is (because) there's never been HBCU gymnastics before Fisk,' Muhammad said. 'HBCU Gymnastics started because of Fisk," she added. When Fisk jumped at the opportunity to make history in 2022, many hoped that multiple HBCU programs would follow suit. Unfortunately, the period following the historic announcement has been tumultuous. In 2024, Talladega College joined Fisk as the second HBCU to sponsor a women's gymnastics team. However, months later, the program was cut due to budget issues. Wilberforce University joined Fisk this past NCAA season as one of two active programs. Sadly, at the close of the 2026 season, Wilberforce may be the only program standing. Fans hope Wilberorce's program outlasts its predecessors, and the university encourages them to support the Fisk athletes in their final season. Despite the recent news, Muhammad attests that the fervor for HBCU gymnastics remains strong. 'Y'all don't know how many [direct messages] I get every single day – from parents, alumni, and gymnasts,' she said. They all ask – "How do I get my daughter to go to Fisk Gymnastics?'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Professors at Ohio's only public HBCU worry new higher education law will have a chilling effect
The Central State University campus. Photo from the Central State website. Professors at Ohio's only public historically Black university are worried a new controversial higher education law will have a chilling effect on their campus. Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio was originally the Normal and Industrial Department within Wilberforce University, the nation's oldest private Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and a prominent stop on the Underground Railroad. In 1941, the department began to offer four-year degrees, and in 1951 it became independent from Wilberforce as Central State College. In 1965, Central State achieved university status. Members of Central State University American Association of University Professors chapter recently talked to the Ohio Capital Journal about their concerns with Senate Bill 1, which is set to take effect at the end of June. Lawmakers quickly passed the bill and Gov. Mike DeWine signed it into law on March 28. The new law will ban diversity efforts, prohibit faculty strikes, regulate classroom discussion of 'controversial' topics, create post-tenure reviews, put diversity scholarships at risk, create a retrenchment provision that block unions from negotiating on tenure, shorten university board of trustees terms from nine years down to six years, and require students take an American history course, among other things. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Even if it's not stopping me from teaching something on a practical level, it could make me think twice about something,' said J. Brendan Shaw, president of the Central State's AAUP chapter. He said he has been in meetings before the bill passed where English faculty have proposed classes about specific ethnic groups, but 'other faculty have said, 'Are you sure you want to do that?' 'Even if the letter of the bill does not say that, it still creates that chilling effect of making people think twice about something that our students might benefit from,' Shaw said. Wilberforce University is Ohio's other HBCU, but it is a private university. S.B. 1 only applies to Ohio's public universities and community colleges. Sarah Siff, an assistant professor of history, is concerned about the chilling effect on people's speech and the potential damage to academic freedom. 'It's quite stark to think that someone's response to that might just be, well, then I won't teach that part, or I'll toss that out and keep myself safe,' she said. 'As a person who does not have tenure, I really have to think about that.' Central State students are reportedly worried about being able to access scholarships and grants that are specific to Black students. 'Those are just lost opportunities for our students to have the same opportunity that their peers would at a different institution, especially their white peers,' Shaw said. A little more than 5,400 students attended Central State in Fall 2022 — 33% were Black, 26% were white and 12% were Hispanic, according to the university's Fact Book. Central State faculty said they have heard Black students say the bill is not for them. 'This bill is enlisting white students to let the authorities know when they become uncomfortable in class talking about racial history, talking about racial equity and justice,' Siff said. Anthony Arment, a biology professor, said the law will impact the humanities the hardest. 'It's basically putting faculty in the position where they're being bullied into self-censoring,' he said. University of Toledo suspending nine undergrad programs in compliance with Ohio higher ed law He is also worried the law is taking effect over the summer when faculty are supposed to be off. 'All of these changes and policy changes are going to be done largely without faculty representation,' Arment said. Jeremy Holtgrave, an associate professor of physics, said the principle of academic freedom seems to be under assault. 'I think that's foundational to our university system or at least I believe it should be,' he said. Siff said the soon-to-be law does affect how she thinks about teaching her history classes. 'It does change the way that I, at least, think about events of the civil rights movement, and I no longer assume that it's self-evident why activists would make sure that the schools got integrated,' she said. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Incredibly proud;' Local university gymnast earns program's first-ever All-American honor
A local gymnast made history at the 2025 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Wilberforce University's Diamond Cook scored a season-high 9.75 on the floor exercise in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 11-13. Advertisement She earned a spot in the Event Individual Finals and secured the title of a First Team Floor All-American, according to a university spokesperson. TRENDING STORIES: 'Her dedication, focus, and passion for the sport shone through every movement of her routine. We are incredibly proud of what she has accomplished—not just for herself, but for the entire Wilberforce athletic community,' said Coach Morgan Byrd, Wilberforce Gymnastics. The university congratulated Cook on social media. 'Proud is an understatement!' Wilberforce Gymnastics wrote on its Instagram account. 'She came, she conquered, and she left her mark. From making history to dominating the floor, Diamond is just getting started. Can't wait to see what she brings next season. Keep an eye on her… she's the one SHINING.' Advertisement Wilberforce launched its gymnastics program in 2024. The university said Cook's win is a defining moment for their athletic history. 'Her achievements are already inspiring a new generation of young Black gymnasts, showing them what's possible with hard work, resilience, and the right support,' the university said on its website. Photo contributed by Wilberforce University (via Facebook) [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wilberforce gymnast earns university's first All-American Honors
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — One local college athlete has made it to the national stage. Gymnast Diamond Cook was first introduced last fall in a Tell Me Good News segment when Wilberforce University made history as one of the first ever historically Black university gymnastic teams. Now, Cook has made history again, as the first ever All-American gymnast at Wilberforce. Wilberforce University gives new life to cut HBCU gymnastics program 'One of my favorite highlights was making it to nationals and becoming the first team All-American,' said Cook. Now in her third year of university as a business management major, Cook is a life long gymnast who dreamed of competing in college. Cook initially began at Talladega College, another HBCU, but due to funding, their gymnastics program was cut. However, Wilberforce stepped in to give those gymnasts a second chance, creating a brand new team last fall. The new team attended their first meet on Jan. 3, and has since competed in meets all across the country, even hosting the first ever HBCU gymnastics meet, the Isla Classic, on Wilberforce's campus. Cook shined throughout the season, and made it all the way to nationals for the first time last week. From April 11-13, she defied all odds stacked against her, becoming an All-American. 'I proved all the things that people were saying about me negatively, I proved it all wrong,' said Cook. Pickleball facility replacing vacant Big Lots site And after making history yet again, Cook is proudly using this time in the spotlight to inspire other young gymnasts. 'It feels great, especially being able to be like an inspiration to other young Black gymnasts out there,' said Cook. 'I know it can be hard for us because it was hard this year, but I was still able to push through and make history.' Going forward, Cook says she hopes even more gymnasts from the team will be able to compete with her next year at nationals. To learn more about the Wilberforce gymnastics program, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Registration now open for Wilberforce summer drone camp
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Wilberforce University invites students to register for its highly anticipated summer drone camp. The Summer Drone Camp will be held from June 2 to June 6 at Wilberforce University. Participants in the program will get hands-on training and real-world experience with cutting-edge drone technology. How drone technology is improving farming in Ohio Students will learn about all things drones, from the coding and programming behind the scenes to real-world applications like search and rescue missions, art and photography and mapping and surveying. The university says this camp serves as a stepping stone to Wilberforce's upcoming aviation program, set to launch in 2026. The program is free and open to rising high school seniors, first-year college students, sophomores and transfer students. No prior experience is necessary. to learn more and register for the camp. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
