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August 2018
Editor's Note
Steven Richardson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Greetings Huston-Tillotson University's fRAMily!

This month's issue of the RamZine is a diverse one, not only the students but also the multimedia shared to capture a well-rounded HT experience. We continue to celebrate and promote our students, faculty, and staff. Without much more to say than enjoy the great news below, have a wonderful holiday! Thank you for your continued support!
 -Steven
HT WELCOMES ITS LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASS
SINCE 2010
AUSTIN -- Huston-Tillotson University's enrollment continues to rise. This year's freshman class count is 244. This count is the largest since 269 freshmen entered Huston-Tillotson in Fall 2010. There was only one other larger number in 2009 of 250. Overall, the 2018 freshman class is the third largest in the school's history. When this year's freshman count adds to the number of all other classes, this year's overall student enrollment as of this publication is 1160, a five-percent increase over last year.

Jeffrey Pierce (pictured), Director of Admissions, shared what his department did to increase the incoming freshmen number.

"We were innovative with meeting the students where they are the most, on their mobile devices. This was done through a detailed, intense, and robust communication plan via social media and text messaging."

Pierce was very pleased with his department's efforts.

“After a very long recruitment season, I am very pleased with the turnout of the incoming freshman class. This could not have been done without an effective admissions staff, coupled with a detailed, intense, and robust communication plan via social media and text messaging. It feels good to be a part of a historical moment for HT!” HT
Sample messaging to prospective students
HT HOLDS ITS ANNUAL MATRICULATION CEREMONY FOR FRESHMEN
AUSTIN -- Huston-Tillotson University sets aside a special occasion for its freshmen on the Sunday before the first day of class to formally transition freshman students into their college years. This year's ceremony was on Sunday, August 19 and included a unique feature. A student, sophomore-English-major Kelaiah Tillman, delivered the Words of Wisdom, traditionally delivered by a local pastor. Tillman accepted her call to preach at the age of 12. Tillman's Matriculation message came from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 22, highlighting a RAM in the bush. Watch Tillman's message above in the featured video. HT
SNAPSHOT: IMPROVEMENTS AROUND CAMPUS
Here are just a few of the many improvements around campus, thanks to donors and additional funding.
King-Seabrook Chapel now has a platform for additional seating and media.
Mary E. Branch Gymnasium gets a roof upgrade. The interior also is receiving some improvements.
Courtesy of A Glimmer of Hope Foundation
Iron fence now extends to
Chicon Street, replacing the longtime wire fence.
LEWIS RECEIVES CITY OF AUSTIN PROCLAMATION FOR HIS STUDENT NAACP WORK/HONOR
Lewis
AUSTIN -- On Thursday, August 9, May 2018 graduate, Derrick Lewis, added to his honors for his tireless work with the NAACP. As reported last month, Lewis earned the national NAACP “Organizer of the Year” in Region 6 (Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana) award.  Lewis helped bring back the NAACP unit at HT. View the City's proclamation announcement here and Lewis' acceptance speech here . HT
(CLICK THE GRAPHIC TO LEARN MORE)
ST. DAVID'S SCHOLARS BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY
Pictured are first-time freshmen and repeat recipients of the scholarship.
AUSTIN -- Today, Huston-Tillotson University's St. David's Scholars committed to several criteria to maintain their scholarship from the St. David's Foundation.

The St. David's Scholars program provides four years of scholarship support to high-achieving first-time freshmen who intend to pursue health care careers and work in a medical setting. Eligible career tracks include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, optometry, nursing, physician assistance, radiology, medical technology, biomedical engineering, and other allied health professions. The Foundation selects scholars based on academic performance, leadership, service, and dedication to pursuing a health care career. It also considers financial need.

The criteria to keep the scholarship include maintaining a 3.0 GPA at the end of each academic year, full course load each semester, attend 80 percent of St. David's course and co-curricular activities, community service, join a health career-specific student organization, meet with faculty St. David's Scholars co-directors, and communicate any changes to their chosen health care career path. HT
(CLICK HERE or THE NOTICE ABOVE TO ORDER TRANSCRIPT)
ALUMS RETURN TO OFFER ADVICE ON HT'S CORE VALUE, "EXCELLENCE"
Pictured from left to right are: Ashton Washington, graduating senior and lead publisher of Recruiting 247 Sports/CBS Sports, Derrick Lewis, II, NAACP Trainer and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Angelica Erazo, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for Oracle Corporation and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Leon O'Neal, also known as DJ Hella Yella, and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Joya Hayes, Director of Human Resources for the City of Austin and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and President and CEO Burnette and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Students with panelists and Dr. Burnette
AUSTIN -- Throughout this week, Huston-Tillotson University's Senior Class presented the University's core values (Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership - I.D.E.A.L.) through panels. On Wednesday, several alums and a graduating senior gave advice to HT's student body. President Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette moderated the discussion.

Some of the most profound statements included Ashton Washington saying, "My mind is stronger than any muscle in my body. It’s great to surround yourself with someone who wants to see you succeed. You never want to always call someone when you need something.”

Derrick Lewis, II, shared, “I didn’t know how excellent I was until I came to Huston-Tillotson. It’s not about your now, but it’s about your future.”

Angelica Erazo added, “I care about underrepresented communities tapping into what they are passionate about. There are a lot of tears in politics and diversity. I’m here for my community, not myself. When I see somebody doing better, that feels me up. If you really want to stand out, help people get up the ladder.”

DJ Hella Yella continued with, “I’m fighting for the hip hop culture in Austin. I’m fighting for diversity in the hip-hop culture here. I always wanted to make sure that no one else goes through what I went through.”

Hayes said, “I set out on a mission to unapologetically redefine what a Black woman’s brand looks like. Everybody who came with you can’t go with you.”

President warned, “If your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough.”  HT
PRESIDENT'S OPENING CONVOCATION 2018
Thursday, August 30
President Burnette opens the Convocation.
Pastor Parker drives home his motivational message to students. Parker is the Senior Pastor of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Austin. Watch a short clip of his message here .
In addition to Pastor Dr. Joseph C. Parker, Jr., Esq. encouraging students to "RAM" their way through to success, other program participants shared powerful words. Miss Huston-Tillotson University Kiera Percy advised students to "stay ready so you won't have to get ready." Director of Admissions Jeffrey Pierce shared that "there is an enormous amount of space on this campus to fall into the Ram Fam and be game changers." SGA President Aeja Burleson said directly to the senior class, "Go big because we can't afford to go home now." Dr. Burnette added, "College is not a dress rehearsal; this is the real thing."
FACULTY FOCUS
HT PROFESSOR KRUEGER LEADS POETRY TEAM TO NATIONAL COMPETITION
This month, in Chicago, Illinois, Professor Jennine Krueger served as a coach for the 2018 Austin Poetry Slam national team. The team finished second in the nation in group competition.
DEAN MICHAEL HIRSCH, ALUM MENTOR JUNIOR FACULTY IN PAKISTAN
Special to the RamZine

PAKISTAN -- During Dr. Michael Hirsch's most recent trip to Pakistan with one of his former students and HT alums, Mueni Rudd, Dr. Hirsch helped provide workshops and mentoring to Pakistani junior faculty from colleges and universities. He worked two weeks in Lahore (Mueni – one, the second week) and one week in Khanas Pur and Islamabad (with Mueni) before flying to Karachi (while Mueni headed back to the U.S.) where he conferred with administration, faculty, and students at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). Dr. Hirsch led a team of five, two others (Tricia Jokerst, AISD teacher, and HT adjunct instructor) and Amelia Macsizewski (ethnomusicologist and musician) for three weeks and Amy Allen (JFHQ-Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Coordinator) for one week. The group worked with faculty from all provinces in Pakistan. 

The trip also included a visit to Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi (FJWU). Both FJWU and NAPA wish to establish an MOU with HT. 

Dr. Hirsch serves as Huston-Tillotson's Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  HT
Hirsch participates in a panel discussion at Fatimah Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi on August 5th. The panel was entitled, "Social Science Research in the Contemporary World: Trends and Challenges." Hirsch is shown with Rabia Gul (far left) from International Islamic University, Islamabad and Mazhar Hussain Bhutta from Arid Agricultural University, Rawalpindi. Amelia Macsizewski from Hirsch's team (not pictured) was also a part of this panel.  
From left to right Tricia Jokerst (Education Ph.D.), Mueni Rudd, Muhammad Sabir, Awan Admin and Security with AIPS, Hirsch and one of the group's drivers. The photo was taken from the site of the group's lodging in Khanas Pur.
Hirsch attends a workshop of HEC students at the University of Education in Lahore. This was during his second week in Lahore (Mueni is at right).
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
CIVICUS: THE STORY OF A LIBERIAN POLITICAL STRATEGIST AND SOCCER STAR
Civicus
AUSTIN -- Siokin Civicus Barsi-Giah touched down in his native land of Liberia within the last 24 hours of writing this story. Despite Liberia not being described as a “Land of Promise” like America, Civicus takes the promise gained from an African-American university, Huston-Tillotson, back to Africa over and over again to inspire young people to pursue higher education as an alternative to soccer. He elevates little-known intellects, wealthy individuals, and soccer stars as himself to positions of local and national leadership. Civicus is the Liberian Dream inspired by American education.  

We are excited for the return of our wildly popular social media student and employee recognition program, Man Crush Monday, Woman Crush Wednesday, and Faculty-Staff Friday, for the 2018-2019 school year!
HOMETOWN: Ekiti, Nigeria

ORGANIZATIONS: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., National Society of Black Engineers

ACCOMPLISHMENTS/HONORS: Software Engineering Summer 2018 Intern - PayPal, W.E.B. DuBois Honors Scholar

CAREER ASPIRATION: CEO of a Fortune 500 Technology Company and return to Nigeria to start a technology nonprofit for young people interested in technology 

FAVORITE HOBBIES: Playing the saxophone and networking (“Your network is your net worth.”)

FAVORITE FOOD: Jollof rice and goat meat 

ABOUT ME: I’d rather stand out completely than join the crowd, which is why, as a natural red head, I’d never dye my hair black. 

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BEING AN HT STUDENT: HT gives you the opportunity to grow by placing you around a family that continuously looks out for you and peers who challenge your thinking. Going to HT has given me the mindset that I can always adapt regardless of what problem/challenge is presented before me. 

WHO INSPIRES ME: My parents inspire me because they made little of their humble beginnings to raise funds to send me here so that I can have a better future. All I want to do is make them proud; they have sacrificed a lot! 

HOMETOWN: Canton, Mississippi

MORE ORGANIZATIONS: HT Concert Choir

CAREER ASPIRATION: Music Therapist

FAVORITE HOBBY: Singing and acting 

FAVORITE FOOD: Everything

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT BEING AN HT STUDENT: I like the family environment! 

UNIQUE ABOUT ME: I love to act. Acting is something that makes me feel alive, despite the fact that I’m always singing.

WHO INSPIRES ME AND WHY: My Late Aunt Mary Douglas inspires me because she was the most loving, down-to-earth, fairest person that I ever met. 



JOINED HT fRAMily: August 2018

LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT HT: I enjoy the small, intimate campus experience where there is a strong sense of community in which I immediately felt welcomed. 

FONDEST MEMORY OF COLLEGE DAYS: My fondest memory was being surrounded by people from all around the world with diverse backgrounds but who shared the same goal of growing as musicians/artists.

FAVORITE FOOD: Puerto Rican roasted chicken with white rice, black beans, and plantains made by my mother

FAVORITE HOBBY: Cycling

UNIQUE ABOUT ME: I didn’t learn to swim until I was 30, and then, I competed in a half-Ironman the same year.

Mission

HT nurtures a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values.
Vision

A connected world where diversity of thought matters.