The Ambassador

From the Division of Institutional Advancement

Greetings, Central State University Alumni and Friends,

Who's ready for the holiday season? Ready or not, here it comes. We have much to be thankful for at Central State University. Welcome once again to The Ambassador — November 2023 edition — featuring faculty news, student achievements, and partnerships at Central State University. Together, we are cultivating a living and learning environment where students thrive. This month, we are showcasing vital news from around campus and upcoming events that you'll want to be sure to add to your calendar!

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Walmart's Black & Unlimited HBCU tour kicks off Central State's Homecoming

Walmart helped Central State launch its series of annual Homecoming festivities on Oct. 10 by stopping into campus for a full-day activation event that brought a live DJ, interactive festival booths, and speech presentations provided by partnered entrepreneurs and influencers.

The activation event was hosted by Fly Guy DC, an Atlanta-based influencer and talk show host who regularly interviews up-and-coming artists and is a supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Other special guests, all HBCU alumni, taking part in the day’s proceedings included actor Terrence J, entertainment attorney and label executive John T. Rose, and influencer Shakaria Boles, who all spoke during a “How to Turn Your Passion Into Profit Revolt Panel.”

Akron Law unveils first 3+3 partnership with an HBCU, Central State

A partnership between Akron Law and Central State is gaining traction with a focus on diversifying the legal field.

The new 3+3 degree program aims to create a seamless way for students to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Central State and a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Akron Law in just six years instead of the usual seven.

Central State is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to enter a 3+3 partnership with Akron Law.

Spotlight: Central State superstars

Danielle Darkenwald

Major: History (Honors College)

Achievement: Darkenwald is an Honors College emissary; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Council student representative; and Pre-Law Society treasurer. She also worked in her freshman year as a Dayton Urban Young Life mentor and is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the NAACP.

Fun fact: Darkenwald’s passion for a law career was first sparked in high school when, during her senior year, she took part in an internship through the Cleveland Municipal Court’s Language Interpretation Department.

"It’s through such opportunities that Central State has really helped me better reflect on where I’ve been, who I am now, and where I want to be in the future..” — Darkenwald

JC Jamason

Campus role: University Student Center building manager and assistant facilities manager

Achievement: JC Jamason is a former Central State University student and longtime staff member who has tirelessly worked his way from assisting in the cafeteria to where he is today

Fun fact: Jamason's mother also works at Central State as a custodial technician

“I didn’t graduate, but I’m interested in going back to school, and when I do that, I want to go back to school here. This is what makes me so driven for work. Even though I didn’t graduate from here, I still see myself as an alum. Central State is home to me." — Jamason

Discover more about why Jamason sees Central State as home

Darriel Russell

Major: Accounting and Management Information Systems (Honors College)

Achievement: Despite being relatively new on campus, Russell currently enjoys such leadership roles as the president of the International Student Organization and membership chairman and financial secretary for her sorority

Fun Fact: While exploring the fields of entomology and chemistry, Briscoe developed her research areas of interest, which include ecology and molecular biology; more specifically, she is interested in how human intervention affects species on the molecular level

“Going all the way back to high school, I’ve always loved being involved in extracurricular activities and being very active in my community. That kind of molded me into the leader I am today. Getting to go to Central State was very important to me, and beyond that, I really knew I wanted to be a student leader." — Russell

Learn more about Russell's academic journey from her native Bahamas to Ohio

News from across campus and beyond

Central State included in HBCU spotlight on Good Morning America

Homecoming at Central State University and other HBCUs was included in a Good Morning America segment on Oct. 19, 2023.

"It is homecoming season for so many HBCUs across the country — one of the biggest traditions honoring the culture and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities," host Michael Strahan said. "And this morning, we're bringing the energy to Times Square with a look at how many are celebrating this weekend."

Relive your days on the yard in Wilberforce, Ohio, and celebrate the heritage of Black excellence with 'GMA' hosts HBCU homecoming surprise.

Watch the full segment here

Centra State partners with University of Cincinnati on comics studies showcase event

Central State University students studying comic books and graphic novels will be presenting their semester-long research work at a free public event on the campus of the University of Cincinnati (UC) later this month.

“From the Page to the Public Arena: How Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Superheroes Shape the American Experience,” which includes Marauders and UC undergraduates and graduate students as contributing participants, will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, in the Tangeman University Center (2600 Clifton Ave.).

CSU to host red-carpet movie premiere of 'Brown Hands, Black Schools: HBCUs'

The Central State College of Education has partnered with Brown Hands Literacy for the red-carpet movie premiere of “Brown Hands, Black Schools: HBCUs.”

This animation/live-action film is adapted from the popular children's book of the same name and follows the adventures of Ari and Walter as they visit their cousin's HBCU for Homecoming. Along with exploring the richness of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, this film highlights the importance of literacy (Think Reading Rainbow meets HBCU culture).

The executive producer of the film, Latoya Turner, is a longtime educator who believes that connecting her love for literacy and the excitement of HBCUs will help close the literacy gap and inspire youth to attend college.

The premiere will take place from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Joshua I. Smith Center for Education and Natural Sciences Auditorium on the main campus of Central State University, 1400 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce, Ohio 45384.

Do you plan to shop at Kroger this holiday season?

Let your grocery shopping do the work of giving back to Central State at no cost to you. Take advantage of the season of giving by signing up for Kroger Community Rewards. Proceeds from every shopping visit benefits student education at Central State.

The Kroger Co. Foundation recently announced the scholarship award recipients and entrepreneurial pitch competition results from its third annual Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Innovation Challenge in collaboration with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). The Innovation Challenge is made possible by $1.35 million in grants awarded to TMCF from the foundation's Racial Equity Fund. The grants support TMCF's effort to adapt its successful innovation and entrepreneurship model to focus on food insecurity and food waste.

SROTC Battalion cadets honor second African American to graduate from West Point

The SROTC Battalion cadets from Central State University congregated around the burial site of Lt. JohnHanks Alexander, the inaugural professor of Military Science for the SROTC Battalion.

Classmates remember social work extraordinaire Mit Joyner, '71

As the Central State University Homecoming festivities buzzed around them, four alumni made their way up the stairs of Wesley Hall, a solemn atmosphere accompanying them. They had gathered to pay tribute to their dear friend and sorority sister, Mildred “Mit” Carter Joyner, DPS, MSW, and LCSW. The group honored Joyner's life and legacy in a moment of reflection, cherishing their memories.

Cynthia Jackson, ’71, and Cheryl Bradley-Alston, Connie Peters-Matlock, and Marsha “Susie” Norris, ’73, joined faculty, staff, and students to present a gift of $5,500 to support the Social Work Department at Central State. Before the weekend ended, they had raised $8,000 in pledges for Social Work student scholarships.

TheGrio features a bird's eye view of Central State

The scenic campus of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, was recently featured by TheGrio, a website featuring news, opinion, entertainment, and videos geared toward Black Americans.

An incredible drone flyover captured the essence of our beloved campus from a bird's eye view. The result? A breathtaking 32-second video showcasing the beauty and grandeur of Central State, Ohio's only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and 1890 Land-Grant Institution.

Watch the full video here

Central State's Department of Water Resources Management chairperson named fellow by ASCE Board of Direction

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Board of Direction named the Central State Department of Water Resources Management Chairperson Ramanitharan Kandiah, Ph.D., a fellow this past August. Founded in 1852, the ASCE is the nation’s oldest engineering society and acts as the representative body for civil engineers across the globe.

"Being inducted as a fellow is a recognition given for the work I’ve done for the ASCE," Kandiah, who is also a professor of Environmental Engineering at Central State, where he’s taught for the past 16 years, said. "There are very few fellows, so it gives a lot of visibility for me and for Central State."

Kandiah added that it is only after a civil engineer has worked professionally for 10 years and has focused much of that work on community service that he or she is eligible for the auspicious honor.

News in photos

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The Ambassador is a University Communications publication designed to keep students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends, and others informed about news and developments at Central State University.