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A Cheyney delegation participated in the 31st Annual Robert D. Lynch Student Leadership Institute hosted by the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education (PBCOHE) in Harrisburg, PA. This year’s theme,“Engaging Students for Dynamic Leadership” was designed to address topics essential to developing leadership skills for all college students, in particular, those often underrepresented in higher education.

Cheyney’s Ashley Allen, Jerece Loper, Kelvonn Hucks, Quayln Meade and Vincent Miles, Jr. comprised the over 300 students from across the state of Pennsylvania in attendance. Executive Director of Student Affairs, Elisabeth Burton was also present to serve as the conference advisor and chaperone for the three-day conference that took place October 27-29.

In addition to advocating for policies and issues in higher education, the PBCOHE provides support and professional development opportunities through its scholarship program, the Annual Conference and the Journal of the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, Inc.

A highlight of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Homecoming week is the annual coronation. This year’s Regal and Radiant themed ceremony, sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and the Student Government Association, crowned Nina-Simone Beaver and Trinis Robinson as the new Mister and Miss Cheyney. The two commanded the spotlight at the Wednesday evening event, held in the Marian Anderson Music Center auditorium. Last year’s Mister and Miss Cheyney, Shaneka Briggs and Shaquille Harrison were also on-hand to crown their successors.

The night commenced with a procession of “royal representatives” from student clubs, Greek organizations and members of the Royal Court including, Qualyn Meade and Erica Lyn Russell, Mister Miss Blue and White; Wesley Thorn and Keiasha Lumpkins, Mister and Miss Legend; Imir Adams and Courtney Stewart, Mister and Miss Congeniality; and James Mergile and Cara Fantini, Homecoming King and Queen. Class Kings and Queens included: seniors Brandon French and Tatyana Rollins; juniors DeJon Mackin-Irving and Marlon Herring; sophomores Jason Rodgers and Ashley Allen; and freshman Blanie Lewis-Thompson and Rebecca Evans.

Organizational Kings and Queens included Khalil Allen, Brotherhood; Monae Williams and Kelvon Hucks, the Cheyney University D.I.V.A.S.; Ricky Wilson, Jr. and Ericka Porter, L.L.C.; Nehemirah Revell and Kayla Marshall, N.A.A.C.P.; Eric Hodge and Nazirah Purnell, Emlen and Humphreys Hall; and Britney Castillo, Sisterhood.

Greek Organization Kings and Queens included Imir Adams and Joi Oliver, Alpha Phi Alpha; Roi Walker and Nate Saunders, Alpha Kappa Alpha; Ryan Taylor, KeJuan Bird, Omega Psi Phi; Phi Beta Sigma; and Ceani Beaden, Zeta Phi Beta.

Both Beaver and Robinson collectively aim to use their platforms to conduct community service and outreach initiatives and plan to collaborate with members of the royal court and campus community to host related events. Beaver has already started making strides towards this goal through her Breast Cancer Awareness month event, “Kiss Away Breast Cancer” and “Pink Tuesday” initiative that calls for the campus community to wear pink on Tuesdays during the month of October.

Additionally, the full-house was entertained by, MC Isaiah Stratton, Melissa Jean-Baptiste who delivered a powerful spoken word performance and Danielle Wilson who serenaded onlookers with a guitar solo of “Diamonds” by pop singer, Rihanna. Jihaad Nash also crooned to the crowd and brought on a wave of excitement as he exited the stage, and entered the audience during his rendition of John Legend’s, “Ordinary People.”

A highlight of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Homecoming week is the annual coronation. This year’s Regal and Radiantthemed ceremony, sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and the Student Government Association, crowned Nina-Simone Beaver and Trinis Robinson as the new Mister and Miss Cheyney. The two commanded the spotlight at the Wednesday evening event, held in the Marian Anderson Music Center auditorium. Last year’s Mister and Miss Cheyney, Shaneka Briggs and Shaquille Harrison were also on-hand to crown their successors.

The night commenced with a procession of “royal representatives” from student clubs, Greek organizations and members of the Royal Court including, Qualyn Meade and Erica Lyn Russell, Mister Miss Blue and White; Wesley Thorn and Keiasha Lumpkins, Mister and Miss Legend; Imir Adams and Courtney Stewart, Mister and Miss Congeniality; and James Mergile and Cara Fantini, Homecoming King and Queen. Class Kings and Queens included: seniors Brandon French and Tatyana Rollins; juniors DeJon Mackin-Irving and Marlon Herring; sophomores Jason Rodgers and Ashley Allen; and freshman Blanie Lewis-Thompson and Rebecca Evans.

Organizational Kings and Queens included Khalil Allen, Brotherhood; Monae Williams and Kelvon Hucks, the Cheyney University D.I.V.A.S.; Ricky Wilson, Jr. and Ericka Porter, L.L.C.; Nehemirah Revell and Kayla Marshall, N.A.A.C.P.; Eric Hodge and Nazirah Purnell, Emlen and Humphreys Hall; and Britney Castillo, Sisterhood.

Greek Organization Kings and Queens included Imir Adams and Joi Oliver, Alpha Phi Alpha; Roi Walker and Nate Saunders, Alpha Kappa Alpha; Ryan Taylor, KeJuan Bird, Omega Psi Phi; Phi Beta Sigma; and Ceani Beaden, Zeta Phi Beta.

Both Beaver and Robinson collectively aim to use their platforms to conduct community service and outreach initiatives and plan to collaborate with members of the royal court and campus community to host related events. Beaver has already started making strides towards this goal through her Breast Cancer Awareness month event, “Kiss Away Breast Cancer” and “Pink Tuesday” initiative that calls for the campus community to wear pink on Tuesdays during the month of October.

Additionally, the full-house was entertained by, MC Isaiah Stratton, Melissa Jean-Baptiste who delivered a powerful spoken word performance and Danielle Wilson who serenaded onlookers with a guitar solo of “Diamonds” by pop singer, Rihanna. Jihaad Nash also crooned to the crowd and brought on a wave of excitement as he exited the stage, and entered the audience during his rendition of John Legend’s, “Ordinary People.”

On Friday, October 20, 2017, the Cheyney University National Alumni Association (CUNAA) will celebrate Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s historic 180th milestone by hosting an Anniversary Gala during the University’s homecoming weekend.

Cheyney alumni, community supporters and honored guests will convene at the Springfield Country Club, to honor the institution’s outstanding legacy of producing confident, competent, reflective and visionary leaders. Notable guests include Philadelphia native and WDAS-FM radio personality Patty Jackson and FOX 29 News anchor and reporter, Joyce Evans.   

“Homecoming weekend is always an exciting time for Cheyney,” said Alphonso Coleman, Jr. (’72), President of CUNAA. “Reaching 180 years of serving and educating the community is an outstanding achievement. We’re very thankful for the alumni and community supporters who are helping us reach our $2 million fundraising goal.”

Cheyney’s 180th year also marks the end of CUNAA’s $2 Million Alumni Scholarship Campaign, a legacy of Cheyney alumna and community facilitator Barbara Daniel Cox (’66), who passed away in April 2016.

All proceeds from CUNAA’s Homecoming weekend events will benefit the $2 Million Alumni Scholarship Fund, which awards Cheyney students with Last Dollar Scholarships to help bridge the gap between college costs and financial aid.

“One of CUNAA’s top priorities has always been to give Cheyney alumni an outstanding homecoming, and we’re very excited about this year because the alumni are showing their passion and commitment to Cheyney in the best way possible,” said Homecoming Committee Chair Gregory Benjamin, (’81).

Tickets for the 180th Anniversary Gala are still available and can be purchased at cheyneyalum.org. For additional information on the anniversary celebration, please call (610) 455-3900 or visit www.cheyneyalum.org.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania will host several events to heighten awareness and bring the campus community together to support the fight against breast cancer, while celebrating survivors and those currently battling the disease. In addition, the Health and Wellnesscenter will spearhead a visual awareness campaign that plans to engage the Cheyney community and further spread information on breast health and breast cancer.

Here are few related activities happening at CU during the month of October. Please continue to follow Cheyney’s official social media pages for more information:

On Tuesday, October 10, Miss Cheyney University 2017-18, Nina-Simone Beaver hosted “Kiss Away Breast Cancer.” Students, faculty and staff rocked their favorite shade of pink lipstick and kissed breast cancer goodbye on the kiss board. Along with their kiss, visitors signed their names or shared a note of encouragement. Throughout the event, the new Miss Cheyney, who will receive her crown at next Wednesday’s Coronation ceremony, shared materials on breast cancer with participants and all who strolled by.

Beaver has also declared that on Tuesday’s we wear pink – at least during the month of October. She is challenging CU to swap their traditional Cheyney blue for the softer hue of pink in support of breast cancer awareness. Those looking to take part in this Tuesday challenge on social media are asked to use the hashtags, #CUPink and #Pinktober.

For more photos from the “Kiss Away Breast Cancer” event, visit our Facebook page.

If you love shooting hoops, come rack up points for charity. Join The Cheyney University D.I.V.A.S for “Score 4 the Cure” on Thursday, October 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cope Hall Gymnasium. The cost is $1 for students and  $3 for faculty and staff.

 

 

 

 

 

The D.I.V.A.S will also team up with The Sisterhood on Friday, October 13, to shake for a cure. The student organizations will host aDance-a-Thon from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. in the Marcus Foster Auditorium. The cost is  $2 for students and $5 for staff and faculty.

Proceeds from both event will go to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition. For more information, contact or visit the Office of Student Activities at 610-399-2250.

 

 

 

 

To close out the month, on Friday, October 27, the Health and Wellness Center wants the campus community to  ‘Rep Ur Pink’ and wear pink as a way to display continued support. All who participate are asked to take a selfie in your pink and share it via social media using the hashtag: #CheyneyURepPNK4TheCure

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about breast cancer, early detection, how you can help – and more, visit nationalbreastcancer.org. Students, faculty and staff can also visit Tia Brown, Associate Director of Student Health & Wellness Programs in the Health and Wellness Center or contact 610-399-2260 for more information.