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National Park Services grant will help renovate the Melrose Cottage for new use on campus

(CHEYNEY, PA – Sept. 7, 2022) – As part of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s efforts to transform its campus by preserving history and creating state-of-the-art facilities, the university will restore the Melrose Cottage, originally constructed in the late 1700s, and convert the structure into a Welcome Center that will attract, exhibit, and educate current and future generations about the nation’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

With the project supported through the Semiquincentennial Grant Program funded by the Historic Preservation Fund as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior, Cheyney will utilize the $500,000 grant to embark restoration process to renovate the exterior façade and interior space to convert the Melrose Cottage into a multi-functional facility. The two-and-a-half-story cottage was the home of family members who bequeathed what was once farmland into the campus to create the school. The home, which is located on the southern edge of the quadrangle, was originally used by the university as the president’s residence. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

“The funding will allow the necessary restoration efforts to proceed, and lead to the re-opening of the facility as well as the ability to demonstrate its history and contribution to the development of America,” said President Aaron A. Walton.

The restoration of the facility will convert the space to be primarily used as a Welcome Center and gateway into exploring the history and evolution of educating diverse communities in the nation. It will display a portion of the university’s special collection of historical records and it will include a gift shop in which Cheyney-specific and other regionally significant souvenirs can be purchased. The university also plans to relocate its Admissions office to the building and train staff and students to be campus and community guides.

“We will retain strategic design professionals with experience in the restoration of historic structures,” said Mae B. Stephens, Director of Title III/Grants Administration. “This is an incredible opportunity to preserve our history while supporting our efforts to grow across our campus.”

The Melrose Cottage was home to generations of Quakers, who primarily opposed slavery and slavery practices. The farmstead on which the cottage stands was carved from the substantial, landholdings of John and Thomas Cheyney, Quaker farmers. The stone cottage was built on the property before 1785 and sections were added to the structure over time. It was the home of Mary H. Cheyney, who grew up in the house and pursued a medical career. She chose to practice outside of a major city and treated both Black and White patients at a time when most White physicians would not see Black patients. She was also listed as the only woman physician on a staff of eight doctors at the opening of the West Chester Hospital in 1892.

The cottage served as the president’s house from 1903 until 1968, with its period of greatest significance during the administration of Dr. Leslie P. Hill, noted educator, poet and humanitarian. Dr. Hill became principal at the Philadelphia Institute for Colored Youth in 1913. He remained until 1951 and oversaw name changes and the status of the school.

“The cottage played a major role in its use during the primary establishment of modern day Cheyney University. We want the Welcome Center to be the first stop for every person who comes to Cheyney, equipping them with knowledge about our university before they can explore it for themselves,” said President Walton.

The cottage has been completely offline, and the last work completed was in 2004 to help preserve the exterior and structure. There are no internal systems, aesthetical finishes, or infrastructure that would allow the opening and use of the facility for the public. Additionally, the recent escalation of severe storms in the Southeast Pennsylvania area also exacerbated the threat to the deterioration of the structure.

After successful completion of the project, the university will assign resources necessary to operate and maintain the facility and site annually. The sustainability plan will include maintenance, custodial and grounds, contract services for all systems, and utilities. The university will also coordinate with local historical societies and affinity groups to establish a “Friends of Melrose Cottage” fund, a restricted fund established to enable individual and institutional donors to support the maintenance of the building.

“The CheyneyMade story will be featured to expose and educate a new generation of learners about the impact of diversity, the need for inclusivity, and the imperative to be socially responsible individuals in an ever-changing world,” said President Walton.

Cheyney is one of several recipients to receive a grant from the National Park Services inaugural round of funding for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program. The program was created by Congress in 2020 and funded through the Historic Preservation Fund. The initial round totaling $7 million in grants will support 17 cultural resource preservation projects across 12 states.

“National parks and National Park Service programs serve to tell authentic and complete history, provide opportunities for exploring the legacies that impact us today and contribute to healing and understanding,” said NPS Director Chuck Sams. “Through the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, we are supporting projects that showcase the many places and stories that contributed to the evolution of the American experience.”

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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

Understanding T cells, antitumor immunity and chimeric antigen receptors are some of the many critical areas of study to discovering effective therapies that can turn cancer into a curable disease. It is where science and medicine meet, and where Cheyney students have recently had the opportunity to be on the frontline of cutting-edge research.

Through a partnership with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania (PICI@Penn), Cheyney students have been interning in labs alongside the nation’s top immunotherapy cancer researchers and clinicians. Faculty members recommended Michael Ikpe, Natalie Brown and Ositadimma Ugwuanyi last year to be part of the internship program. The students were selected based on their enthusiasm for experimentation in the lab and academic performance. They also completed the LSAT Hub trainee program before beginning their internship in January 2022.

They worked 10-20 hours throughout the spring semester and have been working 40 hours a week throughout the summer. Each is assigned to a lab under the supervision of post-doctoral researchers.

According to Dr. Adedoyin Adeyiga, professor and chair of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences at Cheyney, Penn Medicine prepped the students by engaging them in onsite training throughout the spring semester. The students were paid for the semester of training and onboarded full-time as soon as classes ended in May.

All three students major in Biology with a concentration in pre-med and plan to graduate Spring 2023. Ikpe works in the Wherry labs where they specialize in T cell exhaustion which is a consequence of cancer.

“I’m learning concepts as well as techniques involving T cell exhaustion with respect to the disease,” said Ikpe. “I’ve been very excited about the work being done by PICI and my participation.”

Brown works with a researcher in evaluating ways to restore antitumor immunity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, which accounts for more than 90% of pancreatic cancer cases and is notoriously difficult to treat. While Brown has not committed to a career path quite yet, she stated, “I have a great support system with Cheyney and Penn Medicine.”

Ougwuanyi works in an immunotherapy lab where he focuses on using chimeric antigen receptor T cells, which are T cells that have been genetically engineered to produce an artificial T cell receptor for use in immunotherapy. His research focuses on finding cures for various leukemia/lymphoma, from culture and expansion to cell transformation.

“I’m also learning to work with new technology for cell imaging and avidity measurement,” said Ougwuanyi. “I am interested in the medical route and also medical research. I plan on attending medical school.”

The current program is one year with the possibility of extending to a second year, according to Vanessa Atkins, Director of Cheyney’s Life Sciences and Technology Hub. PICI funds the program that is run in the labs of Penn Medicine researchers. Dr. Adeyiga was contacted by Avery Posey, an Assistant Professor at Penn Medicine, to establish the program last summer.

The internship program expands Cheyney’s STEM opportunities through its on-campus offerings and the many partnerships it established over the last four years with organizations and institutions. It also builds the university’s commitment to providing students with more internship opportunities and real-life experience.

PICI@Penn was established in July 2015 as a consortium member of preeminent academic and medical research institutions to work collaboratively in the field of cancer immunotherapy.  Through the generosity of the Parker Foundation, PICI@Penn has established collaborative cancer immunotherapy programs in the areas of Adoptive Cell Therapy, Tumor Microenvironment, T Cell Pathways, and Vaccines.

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The Propel Center selected Cheyney to help fund its Bridge for Black Americans Pursuing Medicine program

(CHEYNEY, PA – Aug. 25, 2022) – Cheyney University of Pennsylvania today announced it was awarded a $200,000 grant from the Propel Center, the global HBCU technology and learning hub, to support the university’s Bridge for Black Americans Pursuing Medicine (BBAPM) program.

The BBAPM program will provide undergraduate Cheyney students with exposure to non-traditional, high-demand careers in medicine. Through a partnership with AtlantiCare, a health system serving southern New Jersey, 25 students majoring in Biology with pre-health concentrations will participate in the immersion program during winter or summer break. The grant will help fund portions of the program that will give students the opportunity to complete rotations with healthcare professionals such as respiratory therapists, medical lab technicians, and radiology technicians while working to enhance their readiness for additional training programs.

“We designed this program to provide a pathway for our students to enter medical careers with hands-on training and internship opportunities,” said Cheyney President Aaron A. Walton. “This program’s ultimate goal is to increase the number of Black healthcare professionals.”

President Walton continued, “The program will help reduce the disparity in health outcomes for Black Americans, as there is evidence that health disparities among Black Americans can be reduced when they are treated by Black healthcare professionals.”

The BBAPM program will also expose students to technology resources to support their academic achievement. Students will employ the use of the virtual Apple Classroom app and Apple mobile devices. The technology resources will aid students in improving their readiness for the next training level and prepare them for the standardized tests required for certification and licensure in healthcare fields. Students will use the virtual classroom throughout their undergraduate years so their skills and level of independence as learners progresses every year.

According to Vanessa Atkins, Director of Cheyney’s Life Sciences & Technology Hub, the innovative approach to building health career awareness and improving readiness for the rigors of advanced training for these careers will provide a bridge for undergraduate students to careers that meet the needs of society.

“We want to increase representation of Blacks in healthcare and promote continued engagement in the field of medicine beyond degree completion,” said Atkins. “We are creating a clear pathway to fulfilling careers otherwise unknown to recent graduates.”

Cheyney is one of five awardees that recently received grants from the Propel Center. The awards, the second round of Industry Impact Grants, continue Propel’s mission to offer world-class research and innovation opportunities for HBCUs and their students. The selected universities will also have the opportunity to work in collaboration with Propel Impact Industry Mentors, who are available to help curricula and provide ongoing mentorship, learning support, and internship opportunities.

“One of our goals at Propel is to shine a long overdue spotlight on the young scholars at our HBCUs who are prepared, trained and poised to step up and transform the global, diverse healthcare workforce of the future,” said Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, president of the Propel Center | HBCU Consortium. “These Impact Grant awardees are our best hope and opportunity to add and enhance the Black talent pipeline, and we’re proud to support our future healthcare leaders and innovators.”

Cheyney’s BBAPM program supports the university’s growing demand for bioscience and technology majors. With 35 percent of the student body now enrolled within these majors, the university is increasing awareness of career options for these students through its on-campus partnerships with biotech companies and expanding opportunities with external like-minded partners, providing internships and careers.

“We have more than doubled the percentage of students majoring in STEM in four years,” said President Walton. “With the assets we have put into place, there is every reason to believe we will continue to grow our educational offerings and real-world experience for our students.”

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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

The two oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities Cheyney University (HBCUs) and sister institution down the road, Lincoln University served as co-hosts for the National Association of Title III Administrators, Inc. Technical Assistance Workshop June 19th – 24^th, 2022.

The annual event gathered more than 250 representatives from the 101 HBCUs to network, discuss grant compliance and share best practices during a participate technical assistance workshop. Title III Strengthening HBCUs funding started in 1965 with the Higher Education Act that among other objectives intended to level the educational playing field and provide financial support to institutions of higher education, including HBCUs more equitably.

“Prior to 1965, black and brown individuals could not attend state universities,” said Cheyney’s Mae Stephens, Director of Title III/Grants Administration. “That is why HBCUs were so critical for those seeking to advance their education.”

Along with HBCU representatives, the multi-day conference was attended by City of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, LaDeshia Maxwell, newly appointed deputy southeast regional director from Gov. Tom Wolf’s Office, and numerous vendors from around the country. Cheyney students were able to attend and fully participate in the workshop sessions. Additionally, Cheyney University alum Joyce Abbott, who is Quinta Brunson’s inspiration for the fictional television series Abbott Elementary, made an appearance at the welcome reception and took pictures with many of the attendees and students.

The final day of the event included a Spirit Day where each school wore their colors, Greek sororities and fraternities competed in step exercises and a grand presentation from the Teyhimba African Drum Ensemble.

The conference marked an important part of why the Higher Education Act of 1965 was signed into law under President Lydon Johnson’s Administration as part of the Great Society domestic agenda, identifying the principal characteristics of an HBCU. It authorized a broad array of federal student aid programs that assist students and their families with financing the cost of a postsecondary education, as well as programs that provide federal support to postsecondary institutions of higher education.

Stephens reminds us that “Today, HBCUs though they comprise approximately three percent of American colleges and universities, these schools award more than 22 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in the United States, with 24 percent in STEM fields. Among members of Congress, 40 percent are HBCU graduates.” (source: https://hbcualumni.org)

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Part of HBCU’s ongoing commitment to ensure students have necessary tools to compete in a fast-paced tech world

(CHEYNEY, PA – Aug. 10, 2022) – As part of an ongoing commitment to provide students with the latest technology to perform at the highest academic level, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is providing all 625 students with personal laptops to use throughout their learning journey.

The university will distribute the Dell Latitude laptops to all current students when they arrive on campus for the fall semester and prior to the first day of classes on Aug. 22. Incoming students in subsequent semesters will receive laptops when they are registered and enrolled in classes. Students will receive IT support through Dell and can maintain the latest programs through regular software and maintenance updates.

“We must ensure every student is equipped with the latest technology throughout their learning career at Cheyney,” said Cheyney President Aaron A. Walton. “Cheyney students are competing with the best and the brightest in higher education, and we need to provide the tools that support them every way that we can”

Since the laptops will be equipped with e-textbooks, students will not have to purchase physical textbooks for their classes. According to the College Board, college students spend an average of $1,200 per year on textbooks and other supplies.

“Whether it’s learning in the classroom, working in one of our many labs, supporting an internship program, or communicating with the digital world, we want current and prospective students to know we are here to prepare them to succeed on every level,” said President Walton.

Cheyney previously provided students with tablets, but the university recognized laptops are more suited for students’ needs, including the advanced shift in virtual learning, communication and connecting digitally with professional development opportunities. The university is paying for the laptops with federal COVID-19 relief funding that was made available in response to meeting technology demands during the pandemic.

“The learning environment is constantly changing, and the pandemic accelerated the speed at which we must adapt to new technology,” said President Walton. “Higher education must maintain the same pace as professional industries in order for students to be prepared and succeed.”

With the increasing enrollment in STEM education courses at Cheyney and the opportunity for students to work directly in on-campus private industry labs and bio-med research, the laptops will greatly assist with these areas of learning.

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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.

 

(left to right: Pete Spurio, Tammy A. Bagby, Dr. Bruce Coren, Coach William “Billie” Joe, and Mark Corbin. Photo credit: Fred Goode)

PRESS RELEASE

Former Cheyney Coach & Hall of Famer Donates Advanced Laser Technology for Student Athletes

Coach William “Billy” Joe secures donation with Technological Medical Advancement, helping athletes to return to health and the courts in a shorter amount of time

(CHEYNEY, PA – July 11, 2022) – Coach William “Billy” Joe’s reputation with Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) goes well beyond winning college football championships and being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The 81-year-old has made a commitment to providing HBCUs, such as Cheyney University where he launched his 35-year coaching career, with the latest technology to help student-athletes compete at the highest level.

Joe, who led the Wolves football team from 1972 to 1978, recently joined with Dr. Bruce Coren, CEO of Technological Medical Advancement, and members of Cheyney’s Athletics Department to donate the Diowave 60-watt high power stealth therapeutic laser to the university. The equipment is made by Technological Medical Advancement and is the most powerful and clinically advanced therapeutic laser device in the world, helping athletes return to health and the courts in a shorter amount of time.

Dr. Bruce Coren has partnered with Coach Joe to make the donation. He is donating the laser on behalf of his father, Dr. Ben Coren, who coached at Cheyney for many years with Coach Joe.

“I greatly appreciate Dr. Bruce Coren for allowing me the opportunity to make this donation. Cheyney University made the bold decision to hire me as their head coach when I was 31-years old and I am forever indebted to this wonderful institution,” said Joe. “I will continue to do everything I can to give back to Cheyney because it has given so much to me.”

“Coach Billy Joe has a deep understanding of athletics and knows the importance of providing HBCUs with the same opportunities that top performing collegiate and professional athletes can access,” said Tammy A. Bagby, Cheyney’s Director of Athletics. “We appreciate the coach and Dr. Coren for making this donation that will give us a technological advantage to help athletes get back on the courts quicker.”

The Diowave therapeutic laser is used to manage neuro-musculoskeletal pain from athletic injuries to post-surgical pain as well as accelerate post-surgical injury recover. The advanced technology equipment is valued at $38,000.

“This is a class 4 laser device that stimulates tissue healing and tissue regeneration,” Dr. Bruce Coren said. “It will heal any tissue in the pathway of the laser beam. It will accelerate athletic recovery anywhere from 25 to 75 percent faster than normal healing. Several professional and top collegiate programs have similar technology but not as advanced as what Cheyney now has.”

Mark Corbin, Cheyney’s Director of Public Safety and Director of University Environmental Health and Wellness, joined the donation ceremony. Corbin, a hall of fame running back, played under Joe at Central State University, an HBCU in Ohio, where the team made several appearances in the Division II tournament, including the 1983 national title game.

“It’s a great honor to join with my former coach who made such an impact on me as an athlete and the professional I am today,” said Corbin. “This donation is one of the building blocks to the foundation to Cheyney athletics. It will go a long way to provide the technology we need and give our athletes an advantage.”

After coaching at Cheyney for seven years, Joe was the Philadelphia Eagles’ running back coach for two years, which included the team’s 1980 Super Bowl appearance. He returned to collegiate athletics as the head coach for Central State from 1981 to 1993, where he won five consecutive Black college football national championships and two NAIA National Football Championships. He was also the head coach at Florida A&M (1994-2004) and Miles College (2008 – 2010). He finished his coaching career with 243 wins and currently second only to Eddie Robinson in most wins at HBCUs. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2017. After his last season with Cheyney, he was recognized by his peers as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

After being drafted in the ninth round from Villanova, Joe played seven seasons in professional football, earning Rookie of the Year honors in what was then called the American Football League in 1963 with the Denver Broncos. He would go on to play with the National Football League New York Jets team that in 1969 won Super Bowl III. During the Jets Super Bowl season, Joe tied a league record by scoring three touchdowns in one quarter.

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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.