THE JARVIS
NEWSLETTER


Educating the Head, Heart, and Hand
since 1912.
December 2022
President's Message
Dear Jarvis Faculty, Staff and Community:

The Jarvis Newsletter is intended to share some of the great things happening at Jarvis Christian University as we embrace our transformation from a liberal arts college to a full university and pivot from a history of excellence to pursuing preeminence as we grow.

Jarvis seeks to be the "communiversity" for our community, students, and the broader public wherever we serve.
Jarvis Christian College became Jarvis Christian University with the unveiling of its new signage on Friday, May 6. Jarvis has been approved to offer its first master’s degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) in Spring 2023, which enabled the school’s change from college to university.
“The approval to offer master level degree programs is another milestone in the history of Jarvis Christian University,” said President Dr. Lester C. Newman. “I am proud to announce this expansion into graduate degree opportunities to our students. The fact that this announcement comes in the same year that we celebrate our 110th anniversary makes it all the more significant and memorable. Jarvis Christian University is moving forward, debt free and building momentum for the future.”
New Graduate Programs Begin in January
Two new graduate programs begin in January 2023. Jarvis has been approved to offer its first graduate degrees: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ). Both programs are enrolling now!
Transforming Jarvis with $1 Million Grant from UNCF
Jarvis Christian University unveiled a $1 million donation from the United Negro College Fund September 8 in a celebration that attracted members of the community and media. The grant is for transformation initiatives over the next three years, to be led by Transformation Officer Cleopatra Allen, at far left. Jarvis seeks to be the area "communiversity." See story: Jarvis Christian University meets with Hawkins community in plan to form ‘communiversity’ (kltv.com)
Grambling Band Leader Comes to Jarvis for 2022-2023
Jarvis Christian University is excited to announce that former Grambling State University music department chair and director of bands Dr. Larry J. Pannell is JCU’s new interim band director for 2022-2023 academic year.
“Dr. Larry Pannell is a legendary, iconic band director, who brings a wealth of experience and energy,” said Dr. Lester C. Newman. “We are excited that he has joined the JCU family and we look forward to the positive impact that he will have on our students.”
Pannell wore many hats as music department chair in his 26-years of leading the World Famed Grambling Marching Tiger Band. He hired and oversaw eight assistants who worked with the university’s concert band, symphonic band, jazz band, pep band and showband. 

Jarvis Recognized as a Top Fulbright Scholar Institution
Jarvis was selected one of 19 Fulbright HBCU Institutions for 2022 for having a strong program promoting international relationships through supporting the Fulbright Scholars Program.
2022-2023 Fulbright Scholars
Jarvis is hosting two Fulbright Scholars teaching languages this year. From left are Taofik Amir from Morocco, who is teaching Introduction to Arabic, and Obadiah Orangi from Kenya, who is teaching introduction to Swahili, during this 2022-2023 academic year.

Amir and Orangi are learning about American life, food and customs as they share their own cultures and experiences with new friends at Jarvis.
New Esports Lab Opens with $40,000 in new, donated gaming equipment
Jarvis cut a ribbon on Friday, October 14, to open its new esports video gaming laboratory that includes an estimated $40,000 in donations of new equipment from Sony, Playstation, RIG Gaming and Gamestop.
 
Jarvis was one of 16 HBCUs to receive such equipment and products as it launches its esports academic program in the university’s new Mass Communications Department.
Jarvis Honors Late Alumnus Naming Soccer Field
Place article copy here. Be sure to make the articles short and concise as people tend not to read much more than a couple of paragraphs. Place article copy here.
Jarvis Ranked a 'Hidden Gem' in Online Schools Guide for 2022
Jarvis Christian University was ranked #20 among the top 25 Hidden Gems in the Online Schools Guide recent ranking of schools in Texas. Jarvis Ranked #20 ranked ahead of Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.

“Jarvis Christian University was the only Historically Black College or University to be included in this ranking,” said Jarvis President Dr. Lester C. Newman. “As the only HBCU among the list, I am pleased to be recognized. Our online programs are providing an affordable option for students to fulfill their career aspirations and dreams for the future.”
Jarvis Christian University recently received a $75,000 planning grant from Ascend at the Aspen Institute’s Black and Native Family Futures Fund to provide financial and technical assistance to Jarvis to improve the academic success of student-parents.

This capacity-building grant over the next 18 months will benefit those student-parents who are pursuing higher education while balancing the needs of their children. More than half of an estimated four million student-parents nationwide are students of color.

Ascend lauded Jarvis’s proposal for the type and degree of support proposed for student-parents, the intentionality of engaging the entire campus community in the process, and the systemic nature of the proposal.