~ We’re now accepting applications for spring positions. ~ Attention all writers, photographers, and graphic designers…the Spartan Echo is accepting applications now for all editor positions. Student editors will serve during the spring 2021 semester and may receive a performance grant for their service. Amounts vary by position and funding availability. Please see the Spartan Echo staff page at http://www.spartanecho.org/staff for … Continue reading
Latest Entries
Regina King creates film masterpiece with “One Night in Miami”
by Alsander Womack “One Night In Miami,” aired Jan. 8, an American drama directed by Regina King. The movie is a fictional account where four icons, Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) got together in a hotel to celebrate, or at least they … Continue reading
Governor Northam unveils statewide COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system
Virginians can use vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA to pre-register for the vaccine and get clear, updated information Governor Ralph Northam invited Virginians today, Feb. 18, to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA. The Commonwealth’s new, centralized system allows individuals to easily pre-register for the free vaccine, confirm that they … Continue reading
Sen. Kaine speaks to Norfolk State students about COVID-19, the pandemic, and health disparities facing people of color
A link to the entire Zoom event is provided at the end of this article. by Siera Jones United States Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) addressed the Norfolk State University community Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 17, during a virtual informational session titled “The Black Family and Healthcare.” The event was hosted by the Center for African American … Continue reading
We’ll be back!
by Alsander Womack The Spartans football team was slated to start their four-game spring season on Feb. 20 against South Carolina State University. They would play SCSU again on March 20, while the other two games would be against North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on March 6 and April 3. Unfortunately, on Feb. … Continue reading
Governor Northam announces $524 Million in new funding for Virginia Rent Relief Program
~ Federal stimulus funds available to help landlords and tenants impacted by COVID-19 pandemic ~ ARLINGTON—Governor Ralph Northam today announced $524 million in new federal funding to help keep Virginia families in their homes amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Rent Relief Program (RRP) is funded through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program included … Continue reading
Two Virginia teen Democratic and Republican organizations achieve bipartisan success with passage of bill for students
by Siera Jones The Commonwealth of Virginia has passed an historic bill granting students excused absences to participate in protests and lobbying events. This legislation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate is a result of bipartisan lobbying efforts by both the Virginia Young Democrats Teen Caucus and the Teenage Republican Federation of … Continue reading
Norfolk State to receive $105 thousand as part of equity grant to Virginia
~ Funding will support ongoing efforts across the Commonwealth to improve postsecondary success for students of color ~ RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced today, Feb. 9, that the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) was awarded a grant of $725,000 from Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation to support efforts to advance equitable post-secondary outcomes across the … Continue reading
Hala Ayala strives for history
by Alsander Womack On Nov. 2, 2021, Hala Ayala has a chance to make history. Ayala is running for Lieutenant Governor in the state of Virginia. If Ayala wins, she will be the first woman and the first Afro-Latina to hold this position. Ayala was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1973. Ayala is the daughter … Continue reading
Norfolk State opts out of 2021 spring football season
Norfolk State University announced Monday that due to concerns about the health and well-being of its student-athletes, its football program is opting out of the spring competition schedule. The Spartans will move forward with a traditional spring practice campaign next month to prepare for the 2021 fall season. Statement from NSU Athletics Director Melody Webb … Continue reading
A CALL FOR ARTISTS – No Justice, No Peace: Unrest and Responses in 2020 America Exhibition at James Wise Gallery
The James Wise Gallery at Norfolk State University is pleased to announce a call to artists, writers, and poets for its Black History Month exhibition “No Justice, No Peace”: Unrest and Responses in 2020 America. We want to give a voice to artists exploring issues of racism and intolerance with an emphasis on the black … Continue reading
Spring 2021 applications now being accepted for Dominion Energy Opportunity Fund
The Dominion Energy Opportunity Fund is a last-dollar forgivable loan program designed to assist students facing financial hardship in completing their undergraduate degrees. The program is open to in-state and out-of-state students. Program eligibility requirements are as follows: • Students must be in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or … Continue reading
Diageo North America commits $10 Million to HBCUs, Norfolk State students to benefit
The North America business of Diageo, a global beverage leader, is committing $10 million to support 25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Norfolk State University. Diageo is also creating permanent endowed funds to provide financial aid grants anticipated to benefit thousands of talented students in need over the coming years. Funds will be … Continue reading
How did Norfolk State get $40 million?
by Alsander Womack Norfolk State University is among several other HBCUs that have something to be excited about at their respective universities. Dating back to July of 2020, Mackenzie Scott has been in a very giving mood. How giving you may ask? Scott has donated $4.1 billion to over 300 different organizations in the last … Continue reading
EEOC announces new FOIA tool
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today that, effective Feb. 1, it will begin using a new software system (“the 2021 system”) to receive and process Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and appeals, replacing the system it has used since 2015. As part of EEOC’s ongoing commitment to transparency and … Continue reading
Virginia enacts first-in-the-nation permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health standards amid pandemic
~ Governor Northam approves standard recently adopted by Safety and Health Codes Board, rules are effective beginning today ~ RICHMOND—Virginia’s permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health rules take effect today, Wednesday, Jan. 27, after Governor Northam approved the standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Codes Board last week. … Continue reading
NSU receives grant from Sentara Healthcare and Sentara Health Plans
Sentara Healthcare and Sentara Health Plans has announced a $10 million investment, called The Sentara Healthier Communities Fund to bolster public health for underserved communities and support healthcare education. “The Norfolk State University community is grateful for Sentara’s commitment to address health disparities in Hampton Roads. We are proud and excited to collaborate with our … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Education / National / Virginia
Norfolk State receives $40 million donation from MacKenzie Scott
Norfolk State University receives the largest single-donor gift in its 85-year history! President Javaune Adams-Gaston is proud to accept this 40-million-dollar donation from MacKenzie Scott on behalf of the University and notes that this tremendous donation advances the mission of NSU in support of access, student achievement, and academic excellence. The President stated, “We are … Continue reading
Governor Northam announces new mitigation measures to slow COVID-19 spread
~ Virginians should stay at home from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., wear masks in indoor and outdoor settings, limit social gatherings to 10 ~ Thursday, Dec. 10, Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia announced new, targeted measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 as new cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in all areas of … Continue reading
Business / Education / Local / Science / Technology
Norfolk State University receives grant from Dominion Energy for student retention, STEM representation for minority students
Students will receive support for several programs designed to help with student retention Dominion Energy has committed $25 million to be shared by 11 HBCUs Students at Norfolk State University will receive support in several initiatives designed to enhance student retention and degree completion, increase the representation of minority students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) … Continue reading
NSU Falls to ODU in First Home Game of the Season
By Siera Jones The Spartans fell to Old Dominion University in the first home game of the season after trailing the Monarchs for the entirety of the game. The Monarchs got off to an 11-0 start before the Spartans answered back. A jump shot by J.J. Matthews and five consecutive points by Mustafa Lawrence brought … Continue reading
Norfolk State announces new deputy chief of police
Brian Covington has been selected as the new Deputy Chief of Police of the Norfolk State University Police Department. Covington is a public safety professional with more than 23 years of law enforcement experience and recently served as the University’s Interim Deputy Chief of Police. He began his career as a public safety patrol officer … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Celebrities / Education / Featured / National
Pharrell Williams effort to launch more minority-owned businesses
Hampton Roads native and music icon Pharrell Williams, a friend and supporter of Norfolk State University, today launched Black Ambition, a non-profit initiative that will provide a bridge to success for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs who are launching tech, design, healthcare, and consumer products/services start-ups. The main goal of the initiative is to level the … Continue reading
Spartan men win first game of away double-header
By Siera Jones NSU men’s basketball reclaimed their lead late in the second period to top James Madison University Saturday, Nov. 28. With the help of standout performances from Devante Carter and J.J. Matthews, the Spartans competed closely with JMU before closing the final period with a 10 point lead. After contributions from Mustafa Lawrence, … Continue reading
UNCW overpowers Spartan Women in season opener
By Siera Jones The NSU Women’s Basketball team fell to UNC Wilmington in the season opener Wednesday, Nov. 25, despite standout performances from Jalynn Holmes and Jaiden Morris. The Spartan women were overpowered after a slow start in the first quarter, which set the tone for the rest of the game. The Seahawks scored 23 … Continue reading
