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
Author Archives: The Spartan Echo
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
2021 Va. Festival of the Book to take place virtually in March
November 19, 2020—Charlottesville, Va.—A program of Virginia Humanities, the Virginia Festival of the Book announced plans for the 27th annual Festival, which will take place virtually, March 13-26, 2021. In response to COVID-19, the 2021 Festival will take place over an elongated period of time—two weeks—and will continue its commitment to connecting people and ideas … Continue reading
Norfolk State Women’s Basketball fights the mental battle on their way to the 2021 season
by Siera Jones For the Norfolk State women’s basketball team, the uncertainties of the past six months have thrown them into a mental game that in some ways proves more trying than winning physical contests. The cancellation of the MEAC tournament and the rest of the 2019-20 season represented the first challenge, but it was … Continue reading
Governor Northam signs sweeping new laws to reform policing in Virginia
~ Measures ban no-knock warrants, strengthen officer decertification process, limit the use of neck restraints ~ Governor Ralph Northam announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, thahe has signed new laws that will significantly advance police and criminal justice reform in Virginia. Governor Northam has been working closely with legislators on these measures since early summer, when the … Continue reading
Spartan Men’s Basketball Team fights to uphold standard of success
By Siera Jones Over six months after their season was heartbreakingly cut short in March, the Norfolk State University’s men’s basketball team is gearing up for a new season after enduring months of uncertainty. The Spartan men have conquered the waiting game, and the start of their season on Jan. 2 is steadily approaching. Their … Continue reading
MEAC announces conference basketball schedule
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Thursday announced the conference basketball schedule for the 2020-21 season, and the Norfolk State men’s and women’s basketball teams will exclusively play teams from the northern side of the league this year. The MEAC will split into two divisions, and teams will play games against schools only in their division. … Continue reading
MEAC releases spring football schedule
The MEAC postponed fall sports seasons until the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on a six-game, regionalized format for football beginning in February. NSU will play a home-and-home series against each of three opponents that along with the Spartans comprise the conference’s Northern Division – Howard, Morgan State and Delaware … Continue reading
Norfolk Health Department hosting free COVID-19 community testing
Norfolk, Va – The Norfolk Department of Public Health, in partnership with Greater Metropolitan AME Zion Church, will offer a free drive-thru and walk-up coronavirus testing event on Thursday, October 15, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the shopping center parking lot near the BP Gas Station located at 800 E. Brambleton Avenue … Continue reading
NSU Theatre and Virginia Stage present “The Parchman Hour: Songs and Stories of the ’61 Freedom Riders” Oct. 8-11
Norfolk State University Theatre and the Virginia Stage Company are partnering for a special virtual presentation of The Parchman Hour: Songs and Stories of the ’61 Freedom Riders. First performed as part of VSC’s Season 39, this virtual production will include a mixture of zoom performances from the original cast as well as recorded musical … Continue reading
Campus Life / Education / Local / Politics / Virginia
Norfolk State University to host U.S. Senatorial Debate at L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center Oct. 3
For the first time in Norfolk State University’s 85-year history, the university will host a live U.S. Senatorial Debate on campus between Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and the Republican challenger, Daniel Gade, Ph.D., at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center. The Oct. 3 debate will focus on racial disparities and inequities in education, healthcare, … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Education / Featured / Local
Spartan Echo accepting applications
Need experience and work product to show a potential employer? Get it at the Spartan Echo! We’re now accepting applications for fall positions. Attention all writers, photographers, graphic designers, and web content producers: the Spartan Echo is accepting applications now for all editor positions. Student editors will serve during the fall 2020 semester and may … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Local
Norfolk State Police issue shopping safety tips to students
Welcome Students to the Fall 2020 Semester! With the excitement of being on campus and close to downtown Norfolk, the NSU Police Department would like to provide students with the following safety tips while on and off-campus. Shopping · Shop with others. There’s always safety in numbers. Shop with friends whenever possible. · Walk confidently. … Continue reading
Governor and First Lady Northam test positive for COVID-19
RICHMOND, Sept. 25, 2020—On Wednesday evening, Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam were notified that a member of the Governor’s official residence staff, who works closely within the couple’s living quarters, had developed symptoms and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Both the Governor and First Lady received PCR nasal swab tests yesterday afternoon, … Continue reading
Saving Democracy
An Editorial by Mel Gurtov Friends call it “impotent rage.” I share it. How is it possible that the president of a democratic country can get away with announcing, well in advance of an election, that he will not accept defeat at the polls, will not promise a “peaceful transfer of power,” and will throw … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Local / Virginia
Governor Northam signs Hampton Roads Transportation Funding Law, welcomes new electric transit buses
~ Virginia’s first zero-emission electric buses to transform regional transit ~ NORFOLK—Governor Ralph Northam celebrated the launch of Virginia’s first zero-emission electric buses today, as he ceremonially signed a new law that provides dedicated funding for the first time in Hampton Roads Transit’s history. The Governor was joined by Senator Louise Lucas, who sponsored Senate … Continue reading
Governor Northam announces expansion of payment relief for student loan borrowers
~ Borrowers are encouraged to contact their loan servicer immediately ~ Governor Ralph Northam announced April 29 that Virginia has secured relief options for more than 200,000 Virginians with privately held student loans. The payment relief is the result of a new initiative by Virginia and several other states to work with the major private student … Continue reading
Virginia dramatically decreases jail population following guidance from Governor
~ Virginia sees 67 percent decline in new commitments for misdemeanors, 17 percent decrease in jail population ~ RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced April 17 that Virginia’s collaborative efforts to release low-level offenders from local and regional jails in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are working, and the administration’s guidelines have been effective in decreasing the … Continue reading
Virginia extends business closures to May 8
~ Includes ban on public gatherings of more than 10 people ~ RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced April 15 that he will extend Executive Order Fifty-Three for two weeks, through Friday, May 8, 2020. Executive Order Fifty-Three originally signed on March 24, bans crowds of more than 10 people; closes recreation, entertainment, and personal care businesses; … Continue reading
NSU mandate orders all campus residence halls closed on May 1, empty by May 2
by Keona Frasier NSU’s Housing and Residence Life has ordered students to vacate all campus residential communities by the end of the semester, despite current residents having documented emergency circumstances. Students received a notice that the residence halls will be closing on May 1 and that they should have their belongs removed and be checked … Continue reading
Coronavirus pushes students to online classes and the challenge to pay bills: an inside look at a Norfolk State graduating senior
by Skyler Sales The coronavirus has spread its plague in many ways, affecting everyone in its path. No matter what age or background, it has in some way affected us all. But, for people like me, it has been a hard struggle. Being not only a college student, but being a graduating senior during this … Continue reading
Going online, self isolating, delaying graduation challenge Norfolk State seniors
by Sarah Campos As COVID-19 continues to make national history, Norfolk State University has encountered unprecedented times. Campus is closed off, and all classes have been switched to online. With students and teachers struggling to switch to virtual classes and attempting to keep normal educational standards, seniors have been hit the hardest. After years of … Continue reading
A view from the front lines in Virginia’s pandemic battle
by Ian Williams COVID-19 still haunts the world in an unforgiving fashion. It has taken the lives of many and is projected to do even more damage. As time progresses during this pandemic, treatment in hospitals around the globe have been at an all-time high. Many questions are asked in search of solutions to the … Continue reading
First sloth born at Virginia Zoo
NORFOLK, VA – The Virginia Zoo has something to celebrate. The Zoo had its first sloth birth on Sunday, March 8, 2020. This two-toed sloth is the first offspring for mom, Honey, and dad, Mervin. Even though baby sloths are approximately 12-16 ounces when born, they are covered in fur, have nails and teeth and … Continue reading
Norfolk State graduate students excluded from temporary “Pass or Fail” grading policy
by Keona Frasier As the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened world-wide health precautions, Norfolk State is among the many educational institutions that suspended classes in effort to limit the spread of the virus. In response to student upheaval, NSU has implemented a temporary pass or fail option to alleviate academic stress for some … Continue reading
