News Archive - Page 33 of 39 - Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Team Places Third at National Qualifying Tournament

In a stunning performance, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Honda Campus All-Star team, placed third at the National Qualifying Tournament of the29^th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), held on February 3 at the University of The District Columbia in Washington D.C.

Led by Captain Meghan Sowersby, a junior communication major and Spanish minor, the team swept every round of qualifying tournament against four other HBCUs. Sowersby was joined by returning Honda team members Jesse Lucas, a senior social relations major and Stephen Adasonla, a sophomore biology major. New to the team this year was Kei Kebreau, a sophomore computer science major.

In the first round, Cheyney scored nearly four times as many points as its competitor, York College. The second and third rounds also proved no match for our dynamic team as their scores varied between the high 300s to 400 ranges. Finally, Cheyney faced its toughest competitor, Bowie State University. However, the team was victorious against this competitor, nudging them out to take the second-place lead at the entire conference.

“This is my first year being team captain and third year competing at the regional tournament. I was extremely proud of the team and the way we functioned as a unit. We did a great job in supporting and encouraging one another and filling in any gaps when it came to areas of expertise,” shared Sowersby.

The final four teams to compete included Cheyney (at number two), Howard University (number one) and Albany State University and Bowie State University rounding out at third and fourth place. While the team did not come in first or second in the final match with Albany, Cheyney placed third following all of the competitions. The teams overall impressive scores may be enough to send them to Torrance California, to compete in the championship tournament.

“I had a great experience at this year’s HCASC regional. With last year being my first year in competition, this year allowed me to be less nervous and more focused on the task at hand. If, and when, we’re selected for nationals in California, the team and I will be more than ready for our chance to become champions” shared Adasonla.

“It was really incredible to witness the breadth of knowledge, poise, and confidence displayed by the Cheyney team. We were truly a force to be reckoned with,” said Keystone Honors Academy Director and HCASC coordinator and coach, Nicole Rayfield. “Although many school had multiple teams competing, Cheyney show true heart and answer the competition as the underdog in emerge victorious. I could not have been prouder of them.”

Moving forward, the team will prepare to continue practicing in the hopes of being chosen to compete in California in April.

“To prepare for the nationals, we will continue working together to build our strengths, our weaknesses, and our knowledge, in order to continue to encourage each other and represent for Cheyney,” shared Sowersby.

Advancing teams will learn of their status within the next week. At stake is a grand prize of $75,000.

KHA’s “Grad School 101” Workshops Teach CU Students How to Navigate the Graduate Application Process

At Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and other academic institutions worldwide, the spring term surfaces feelings of hope, renewal and opportunity. Yet, for many juniors and graduating seniors, it can also bring out the fear and anxiety associated with the graduate school application process.

In the first of a two-part series on grad school prep, entitled “Grad School 101,” Keystone Honors Academy (KHA) Director Nicole Rayfield presented an hour-long presentation on how to craft a compelling personal statement. The workshop was held on January 30. Thirty-six students attended and learned a simplified process to write an essay.

“These workshops are critical to supporting our students’ candidacy for grad school. Many of them will need to obtain an additional degree or two in order to remain competitive in their respective field. I’ve no doubt that the students will do well once admitted – rather, the goal of these sessions is to help students navigate the process so that they have a stronger chance of getting in. Our hope is that more and more students will apply to qualifying Bond-Hill programs and that these workshops will demystify the process,” said Rayfield (pictured right).

Attendees of the workshop stressed that they enjoyed the presentation’s format, the simplicity of the instruction and the opportunity to practice writing their essay. Copies of the presentation were sent to each attendee and will be made available on the KHA website.

The second installment of “Grad School 101” Prep will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, February 6, in the UPS Room of the New Residence Hall (LLC).

(Photo courtesy of Veronica Lynn Becerra)

Cheyney Celebrates Black History Month With a Series of Events in February

In honor of Black History Month, observed nationally throughout the month of February, Cheyney University, the nation’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU), has arranged a variety of activities that include film screenings, social events and guest speakers, for the enrichment and empowerment of our campus community.

The full schedule of events are as follows:

Thursday, Feb. 1 – Celebration of Black Culture: Student March & Candlelight Vigil, 6:30 PM

To kick-off Black History Month, The Office of Student Activities will host a student march and candlelight vigil. Reverend Tresa Carter-Coston of the Thornbury AME Church will join CU as a guest speaker. The march will begin at Ada S. Georges Dining Hall and end at the Marcus Foster Student Center.

Monday, Feb. 12 – Film Screening & Discussion: “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities,” 6 PM

CU will host an exclusive screening of the documentary film, “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities.” Cheyney will partner with public media provider, WHYY and Firelight Media, the film’s production company, to host the event which will be held in the Marian Anderson Music Center. Immediately following the film, there will be a panel discussion to further engage with viewers.

This can’t-miss screening event is free and open to the general public. To register, visit Eventbrite.

Thursday, Feb. 22 – Frederick Douglass Encourages students to Get Registered to Vote, noon-3 PM

Members of the Freethought Society (FS) will portray Frederick Douglass and members of the abolitionist movement, as they host a voter information table in the Marcus Foster Student Center. The 19^th Century theme is intended to educate students about the difficulties endured by Douglass and many others during their fight to obtain the right to vote, and convey the importance of registering to vote. This event also aims to honor the legacy of abolitionists and voting rights heroes.

Students will be receive free literature on voter registration information, photo opportunities and complimentary snacks.

Friday, Feb. 23 – Black Panther Movie Viewing Party, AMC Theaters (Bus will depart from the Marcus Foster Student Center, Entry fee required)

CU students are in for a treat with this fun, trip to the movies to check out the highly-anticipated Marvel film, “Black Panther.”

“Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 – Black History Month Trivia Competition, 6 PM

Test your knowledge of the achievements of African-Americans and iconic moments in Black History by joining the Keystone Honors Academy (KHA) for a Black History Month Trivia Competition. This event will be held in the Marcus Foster Student Center (Room 211).

For more information, visit or contact The Office of Student Activities at 610-399-2250/2251.

Cheyney University Advances to National Qualifying Tournament of 29th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

Four students from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania will travel to Washington, D.C. this Saturday, February 3, to compete in the National Qualifying Tournament of the 29^thannual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge(HCASC), America’s premier quiz bowl for top HBCU students. The fast-paced buzzer competition highlights students’ academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture.

The students that comprise Cheyney’s HCASC team are Meghan Sowersby (team captain), Stephen Adasonla, Kei Kebreau and Jesse Lucas. Sowersby, Adasonla and Lucas are students in the Keystone Honors Academy and returning members of the CU HCASC team. Kebreau is both a new member of the team, and the Cheyney University community, and holds a GPA of 4.0.

Cheyney will be among 65 teams competing for institutional grants and a spot in the HCASC National Championship Tournament (NCT) taking place in Los Angeles, April 7 – 11, 2018. In 2017, the Cheyney Team was one of the “Great 48” that advanced to the Nationals in California, and despite not taking home the grand prize, the CU team fought hard until the end.

The campus community can also help our students make it to nationals by vote. The ‘Get My HBCU to the NCT’ voting process allows teams to make it to nationals based on votes via social media. Voting is open to the public, and each voter is allowed three votes per day through February 5 at 5 pm EST. Register to vote, here.

The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program that includes campus engagement, intramural play, qualifying tournaments and culminates with the National Championship. In 1989, Honda established HCASC as a way to highlight and recognize the academic talents of HBCU students. More than $8.5 million in grants from Honda have provided support for scholarships, facility upgrades and other investments to improve the student experience. This year’s challenge features more than 10,000 HBCU student competitors.

For highlights from last year’s Honda All-Star Challenge, check out the video below that features our HCASC team captain Meghan Sowersby.

Keystone Scholar Anitra Jackson Named Cheyney’s Nominee for Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania proudly nominates Anitra Jackson for the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence. Established by Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a founding member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s (PASSHE) Board of Governors, the prestigious award is presented annually to a graduating senior at one of the 14 PASSHE universities. The honor recognizes exceptional achievements in academics and participation in extra and co-curricular activities.

Jackson, a Computer Science and Mathematics double major and Keystone Honors Academy Scholar, has immersed herself in understanding the complex studies of physics, math, computer science and software engineering, and demonstrates a strong commanding of the subjects via her impressive academic, research and internship record.

At Cheyney, the scholar has built an excellent rapport with faculty due to her exceptionally high standards, self-expectations and academic strengths. Her performance has earned her consistent Dean’s List recognition, and several academic honors and awards. Along with receiving a full scholarship to attend the University, she has also been awarded a national scholarship from the United States Department of Defense, Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program.

“Anitra is very deserving of this honor,” said Nicole G. Rayfield, Director of the Keystone Honors Academy. “Her academic credentials are equally matched by her commitment to her community. Throughout her tenure at Cheyney, she has emerged as a natural leader – always ready to answer the call to serve others. It has been a pleasure to see her successfully balance the demands of her studies with her campus leadership roles and professional commitments. I believe she is a true ambassador for the University.”

Leveraging knowledge gained through her math and computer science coursework, Jackson has engaged in a number of internships, has been selected as fellow at two prestigious research labs, the United States Department of Energy Fossil Laboratory (via the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship) and the US Department of Navy Research Laboratory, and has presented her research at several national conferences.

Additionally, Jackson has served at IBM as a software engineer, where she worked with a select group of peers to develop and test cutting-edge software for use by specific target markets. During summer 2017, she continued her work with the technology giant, and was later selected to attend and present at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference and OFC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. After returning to Cheyney in the fall, she presented on her work with IBM at our 2017 Natural & Applied Science (NAS) Annual Poster Symposium.

This exemplary young woman, was also selected as the only state representative for the HBCU All-Star White House Initiative. Due to this prestigious honor, Jackson was presented with the House Resolution No. 1044; providing recognition for her exceptional academic achievement, civic engagement and her work performed as a member of the US Department of Education White House Initiative for HBCUs. And, due to her many accomplishments, she was a featured guest on a 2017 episode of “Infinite Opportunities,” a PCN TV program that spotlights PASSHE’s 14 State System universities.

Beyond Jackson’s scholarly pursuits, she demonstrates a strong personal dedication to the diverse range of social justice issues impacting women and minorities within the computer science and math fields. A dedication that has led her to actively serve on the executive board of Association for Computing Machinery for Women, a campus-based organization supporting the emergence of women in the STEM fields.

The soon-to-be alumna is also equally devoted to exploring the factors that give rise to poverty, hunger, environmental devastation and injustice, so that she may cultivate the leadership skills to participate in positive change, and has been involved in a number of service projects locally, on campus, and in our extended community.

While balancing the demands of a challenging major, membership in the honors program, leadership positions in several campus organizations, including serving as CU’s current President of the National Society for Leadership and Success, and participation as a two-sport student athlete; Jackson maintains a commitment to high academic standards.