Where Tomorrows Leaders are Students Today

Campus NewsBriefs
A Weekly Update of Activities at Rust College
Vol. 42, No. 16 February 14, 2013

Division of Social Science, Political Science Welcomes Community Activist

The Political Science department of the Division of Social Science hosted Mr. Leroy Johnson, Friday, February 8 to speak to students about The History of Public Education in the Region and the Question of Power and Powerlessness. Mr. Johnson is the Executive Director and co-founder of Southern Echo, Inc., based in Jackson, Mississippi. Southern Echo, Inc., founded in 1989, is a leadership development, education and training organization working to develop effective accountable grassroots leadership in the African-American communities in rural Mississippi and the surrounding region through comprehensive training and technical assistance programs. The organization works in 11 states of the southeastern region. How can we use the power we have to change what we want to change? Johnson asked students and guests. It is time out for us being the objects of policy; its time for us to be the architects of policy when we design the law, we can be the interpreters of the law.

Mr. Leroy Johnson, Southern Echo, Inc.

Johnson spoke poignantly about the history of public education and the trials that came along with developing an educational system that could benefit the lower class. The history of public education in the South is a history of black folks there was no public education in the South until after the Civil War (1861-64) the first thing freed slaves wanted to do was learn to read, write and count. Folks died for trying to read, write and count in the slave states. Johnson presented a book to Professor Drustella Neely called A Match on Dry Grass: CommuMr. Leroy Johnson presents a copy nity Organizing as a Catalyst for School Reform, for use in the library. The book takes an of A Match on High Grass to in-depth look at the movement committed to transforming public education and working for Professor Neely for the Leontyne social justice. Price Library. Johnson was joined by Melvin and Marilyn Young, and Mr. Al White of Southern Echo, Inc.

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BY THEIR FRUITS

Students Show Their Heritage Knowledge

By Hope Green

Students participated in the Know Your Heritage Game Show to display their knowledge of Black History. The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Theta Upsilon Chapter and the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Upsilon Delta Chapter hosted a "Know Your Heritage" Black History Game Show on February 7. Nine teams participated in four rounds of intense quizzing on moments in Black History. Each team was asked a series of questions, and at the end of each round, two teams were eliminated. Shakeva Ransom, Paris Lewis, and Kiavia Howard were hailed as the winners and were presented with certificates on behalf of the two organizations. Mr. Noah Moore, who earned second place at the 7th Annual Ford Black College Quiz Bowl and who was a member of the winning SCASSI Quiz Bowl Team, and president of the Upsilon Delta Chapter stated, Tonight was a major success. We are thankful for the individuals who participated as well as for those who came to show support. Being young African-Americans, it is imperative that we show more of an interest in our predecessors.
Game Show winners: Paris Lewis, Kiavia Howard, and Shakeva Ransom.

Black History Moment: Elijah J. McCoy

By Hope Green

Elijah J. McCoy was born in 1844 in Colchester, Ontario, Canada to George and Mildred McCoy. The two were fugitive runaway slaves who escaped slavery in Kentucky to Canada via the Underground Railroad. The McCoys returned to the United States in 1847 and settled in Michigan. Elijah J. McCoy traveled to Scotland at the age of 15 for an apprenticeship and to study. After a few years passed, he became certified in Scotland as a mechanical engineer. Once he returned to Michigan, he worked to develop and improve inventions. Soon after, he created his own invention which was an automatic lubricator for oiling the steam engines of locomotives and ships. Lubricators were important for trains because they permitted them to run faster and profitably, with less need to stop for lubrication and maintenance. He continued to invent until late in life, obtaining as many as 57 patents. Most of these were related to lubrication, but others also included a folding ironing board and a lawn sprinkler. In Story of the Negro by Booker T. Washington, McCoy was recognized as having produced more patents than any other black inventor up to that time. Lacking the capital with which to manufacture his lubricators in large numbers, he usually assigned his patent rights to his employers or sold them to investors. Lubricators with the McCoy name were not manufactured until 1920, near the end of his career. He formed the Elijah McCoy Manufacturing Company to produce his works Have you ever heard the expression, The Real McCoy? It refers to an object as being the real thing and has been associated with Elijah J. McCoys oil-drip cup invention.
Source: Wikipedia.com

...YE SHALL KNOW THEM

Scholarship Opportunities
Academic Achievement Award Scholarship
The Monarch Awards Foundation, Inc., a non-profit foundation of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Xi Nu Omega Chapter, is pleased to offer a scholarship of up to $3,000 to a graduate of a Chicago Metropolitan Area high school, currently attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Eligibility requirements: Must have obtained at least second semester freshmen status at an accredited four-year HBCU, and be working on a first Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree Must show proof of graduation from a Chicago Metropolitan Area high school Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Must submit the following by MARCH 30, 2013: - Completed application form - Two copies of typed essay on a given topic - Two letters of recommendation - Official sealed college transcript with raised seal Awardees must submit proof of 2013 summer or fall enrollment before disbursement of funds. Both male and female students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. All applications and supporting materials must be postmarked no later than Saturday, March 30, 2013 and mailed to the following address: The Monarch Awards Foundation, Inc. Attn: 2013 Scholarship Chairman P.O. Box 19166 Chicago, Illinois 60619-0166 For more information. visit www.MonarchAwardsFoundation.org or email scholarships@monarchawardsfoundation.org

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Buick Achievers Scholarship Program

The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program recognizes and supports the journey of extraordinary people who have taken steps to give back their community.

100 scholarships each up to $25,000/year 1,000 scholarships each at $2,000

The following are encouraged to apply: High school seniors and current undergraduates Those who plan to enroll full-time at a four-year college or university in 2013-2014 Those who plan to major in a field of study that focus on engineering, technology, design or business, with an interest in the automotive industry. Application deadline: FEBRUARY 28, 2013 For more information, visit www.buickachievers.com

DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship

The DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship recognizes undergraduate students who draw upon their cultural heritage to shape their vocational aspirations, add creative value to their future employers, and serve their communities. For the 2013-2014 academic year, five students will be recognized with an award of $500 each. Whether you are in nursing, education, business, or engineering, the DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship recognizes that the potential for creative value often lies within that which has been passed along to you from previous generations.

AES Engineers Scholarship

The consulting firm of AES Engineers is committed to continuing its support of higher education by providing scholarships to deserving students. To be eligible, the student must answer one of the essay questions found at www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm The amount of the award is $500; application deadline is October 4, 2013.

For more information, visit DutchCrafters.com. Application deadline is May 1, 2013 for the 20132014 academic year.

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Announcements

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Emergency notifications for students, faculty and staff will be handled by mass email, Channel 19, WURC 88.1 FM, RC-TV 2, and campus loud speakers. If you would like to receive emergency notifications by text message, please submit your cell phone number to Mrs. Carolyn Hymon, Dean of Students. The numbers will be used for emergencies ONLY and will not be distributed.

Emergency Numbers: Security office: 662-252-8090 Security guard on patrol: 662-216-3429

Bearcats Senior Night-Tiger/Bearcat Alumni Night

Congratulations to Tevin Burks and Anna Johnson who were presented tokens of appreciation by Dr. David L. Beckley and Coach Rodney Stennis during the mens last home game on Wednesday, February 6. Tevin is a senior forward from Memphis, Tennessee and Anna, of Madison, Mississippi, is the manager for the Bearcats basketball team. Several alumni of Rust College and Mississippi Industrial College returned to campus to cheer on the Bearcats who defeated Philander Smith College, 95-92. Alumni were able to enjoy the game and the hospitality room set up in the McMillan Multi-Purpose Center. The final home game for the Lady Bearcats will be Saturday, February 16 at 1:00 p.m. in the gym. Senior Lady Bearcats are Ciara Johnson, Telicia Gayden, and Marian Nikki Lee.

L-R: Anna Johnson, manager for Bearcats basketball team; Dr. David L. Beckley, Tevin Burks, senior Bearcat; and Coach Rodney Stennis.

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION Rust College Loan Disbursement & Refund Policy
Loan disbursement and refunds will be issued after authorized charges have been deducted (tuition, room & board, etc). All student must be enrolled with at least six (6) hours each module in order to process the loan. Loan Disbursements Spring Semester All Students with 30 hours or less will have their loans disbursed to the college in (2) equal payments each semester: 2013 Spring Semester (Students enrolled in the Fall 2012) 1st Payment January 16, 2013 2nd Payment February 28, 2013 (Students enrolled in the Spring 2013) 1st Payment February 7, 2013 2nd Payment March 7, 2013
If the student account shows a credit balance after payments have been applied to the students college expenses (tuition, room & board, etc.) a refund check will then be issued to the student no later than 14 days after the credit balance has been noted.
Dr. David L. Beckley, 67, President Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, 71, Vice President for College Relations

Ms. Adrienne F. Phillips, Public Relations Specialist