New Black college presidents

SINCE LAST SEPTEMBER, seven presidents, six male and one female *, were installed at historically Black colleges and universities. All formerly held executive positions in the educational world. The new leaders face three major challenges. The first is the ongoing responsibility of raising money. The economy is a major concern for public and private colleges, whether the student body is largely Black or White, says Dr. Albert L. Walker, president of Bluefield State College. All school presidents are concerned with losing federal aid and maintaining enrollment in a troubled economy, he says.

The second challenge Black college presidents face is meeting the rising pressure from predominantly White institutions competing for the same pool of academically gifted students. Dr. Clarence G. Newsome, president of Shaw University, hopes to compete by creating a major endowment that provides funding for additional scholarships, attracts first-rate professors, increases the number of master's and doctorate degrees and creates centers for distance learning in various states and correctional facilities.

A third and related challenge is continuing and updating the central mission of Black colleges, which is to provide a unique service that helps Black students overcome continuing racial and economic barriers in education. "HBCUs have historically addressed the needs of the underprepared student" Dr. James Wingate, president of LeMoyne-Owen College, says. "Giving the underprepared student a chance to be nurtured, taught, coached, cajoled and encouraged ultimately to the point that they achieve and go on into the workforce and contribute to the gross domestic product--that's what it's really all about. It's not that other colleges can't do that. It's that HBCUs do it better. The difference is the nurturing factor. That's our legacy."

Despite these challenges, the new presidents believe their institutions are still the frontline of offense and defense of Black America.

Bluefield State College

DR. ALBERT WALKER is the 12th president of Bluefield State College in Bluefield, W. Va. Prior to accepting this position, he was the vice chancellor for academic affairs and a tenured professor at Elizabeth City State University. Dr. Walker graduated from Lincoln University and holds three master's degrees in education from Bradley University. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana University. The educator has taught in public schools and colleges since 1967.

Coppin State College

DR. STANLEY F. BATTLE is the fourth president of Coppin State College in Baltimore. He has been vice chancellor of student and multicultural affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee since 2000. Dr. Battle earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Springfield College, an M.S.W. in social work from the University of Connecticut, and an M.P.H. in public health and a Ph.D. in social welfare policy from the University of Pittsburgh.

Fayetteville State University

DR. T.J. BRYAN is the 10th chancellor of the 16-campus Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C. She was vice president for academic and student affairs for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for the 13-campus University System of Maryland. Dr. Bryan earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English from Morgan State College and a Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Maryland at College Park. She also is a graduate of the Harvard University Management Development Program.

LeMoyne-Owen College

DR. JAMES G. WINGATE is the 10th president of LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tenn. Most recently, he was executive assistant to the chancellor at Winston-Salem State University. Dr. Wingate graduated from Allen University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics. He earned a master's degree in secondary education and educational administration and a certificate of advanced studies from New York State University. He later received his Ph.D. from Syracuse University in education administration and supervision.

Prairie View A&M University

DR. GEORGE C. WRIGHT, the 10th president of Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, previously was the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Texas at Arlington. He earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in history from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in history from Duke University.

Shaw University

DR. CLARENCE G. NEWSOME is the 13th president of Shaw IL/University in Raleigh, N.C. He was previously the dean of the Howard University Divinity School for 17 years. Dr. Newsome graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a bachelor's degree in religion, a master's degree in divinity and a doctor of philosophy degree in religion.

South Carolina State University

DR. ANDREW HUGINE JR. was named the ninth president of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C. Prior to becoming president, he was the interim executive vice president and professor of mathematics at South Carolina State University. Dr. Hugine earned a bachelor's and a master's degree in mathematics from S.C. State University'. He received a Ph.D. in higher education/institutional research from Michigan State University.

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