Southern University System November 16, 2011 SU System picks up eight nominations for HBCU Award The Southern University System has finalists in eight categories for the 2012 HBCU Awards sponsored by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy. The center recently announced the finalists in 27 categories for the second installment of the national award ceremony recognizing Historically Black College and University achievement. The HBCU Awards ceremony, crowning winners in the fields of leadership, arts, athletics, research, and community engagement, will be held April 20, 2012 on the campus of Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. According to the release announcing the nominees, the HBCU Awards is the first and only event to recognize the influence and impact of HBCUs on American culture. "We were lucky to have such widespread support and participation for our inaugural awards in March of this year," said Jarrett L. Carter Sr., founder and executive director of the Center. "Schools took this year's nomination process very seriously, and combining that with the feedback we received on our last effort, we’re proud to show off a slate of nominees and a ceremony that will represent the best of HBCU culture." The Southern University System submitted nominees for awards in nine categories. SU System finalists are: Stephen McGuire, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Physics, College of Sciences Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Male Faculty Member of the Year Karen Crosby, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Female Faculty Member of the Year Marching Band "Human Jukebox" Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Best Band School of Nursing Southern University and A&M College – Baton Rouge Best Nursing Program Mr. Dennis S. Brown President, Southern University Alumni Federation Male Alumnus of the Year School of Social Work Southern University – New Orleans Best Social Work Program Southern University Law Center HBCU of the Year Ja'el Gordon President, Association for Women Students Southern University and A&M College-Baton Rouge Female Student of the Year "Our nominations in these categories, are especially great, considering the high-caliber of the other nominees," said Evola Bates, SU System chief of staff. "We are very proud of our nominees for their dedication and commitment to Southern University. Getting this kind of recognition is very nice. This is another successful benchmark for us in our commitment to delivering quality education and service," said Bates. Jarrett said a three-month nomination process received more than 1,300 entries submitted by administrators, students, alumni, faculty and supporters of HBCUs throughout the country. A panel of HBCU chancellors and presidents names finalists and winners. Winners of the increased pool of award categories will be announced on the evening of the ceremony. SU System President Ronald Mason said, "We congratulate our HBCU Award nominees. Their dedication, accomplishments, and leadership represent us well as we aim to revitalize the SU System as a model system of higher learning for the state and the nation." The full list of nominees is available at www.hbcuawards.net<http://www.hbcuawards.net>. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy, Incorporated seeks to promote the mission, culture, and development of America's historically black colleges and universities through new media exposure, training, and education. The HBCU Awards are the Center's primary fundraising initiative, and proceeds raised by the awards are tax deductible contributions made to support the Center's mission objectives and student scholarship funding for HBCU students in and around the awards' host city. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.