Education / Featured

Black History Series: Lanny Smoot

Lanny Smoot recently made history as the first Disney Imagineer to be inducted into theNational Inventors Hall of Fame. Smoot’s educational background in electrical engineering atColumbia University propelled him into a 45-year career as an inventor, engineer, researcher,and scientist (The Walt Disney Company, 2024). In an interview with CNET (2022), Smootshared that he was recruited … Continue reading

NSU President discusses housing, graduation rates, and other issues
Campus Life / Education / Featured

NSU President discusses housing, graduation rates, and other issues

Norfolk State University president, Dr. Javaune Adams- Gaston, recently met with reporters from the Spartan Echo to discuss some of the challenges and successes faced by the university over the past few semesters.  She also discussed the future of NSU and what to expect from the university in the midst of transition. Dr. Adams-Gaston, affectionately … Continue reading

Campus Life / Education / Local

Hampton University planning to clear balance for current students

HAMPTON, VA — In April 2022, Hampton University announced that they would be clearing all outstanding balances for students enrolled in the Spring 2022 term. Soon to be former Hampton University President Harvey released the following statement, “Recognizing that many Hampton University students and their families have continued to experience financial hardships and have suffered … Continue reading

Faculty strike uncovers financial missteps at Howard University
Education / Featured / Politics / Virginia

Faculty strike uncovers financial missteps at Howard University

WASHINGTON, DC — Howard University made headlines once again as teaching staff and adjunct faculty threatened to walk off of the job on the grounds of inadequate pay and other unfair labor practices. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500 represents over 150 non-tenure-track professors and 200 adjunct faculty. They are “among the lowest-paid … Continue reading

Hampton University opens its doors to Ukraine students
Campus Life / Education / Featured / Local / National / U.S. News

Hampton University opens its doors to Ukraine students

HAMPTON, VA — Last month, Hampton University announced that they would assist students affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In a press release, the local Historical Black College/University (HBCU) stated, “In a humanitarian effort to help those college students and families affected by the current conflict in Ukraine, Hampton President Dr. William R. Harvey … Continue reading

Norfolk State baseball captain faces pandemic challenges head-on
Campus Life / Education / Featured / Local / Spartan Men

Norfolk State baseball captain faces pandemic challenges head-on

by Alsander Womack In March of 2020, the NCAA spring sports world for many conferences, divisions, and athletes drastically changed. On Mar.12, the MEAC announced that the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments and all spring sports are canceled due to COVID-19. Here is my story about how my junior baseball season’s loss impacted my life … Continue reading

Alumnus, long-time supporter Shedrick Byrd starts endowment for NSU athletes
Education / Local / Spartan Men / Spartan Women

Alumnus, long-time supporter Shedrick Byrd starts endowment for NSU athletes

Shedrick Byrd has been there for the Norfolk State University student-athletes for more than 40 years. Thanks to his recent commitment to an endowment in his name to benefit the athletics programs, his influence for Spartan student-athletes will be there in perpetuity. A native of Brandon, Mississippi, Byrd left there at the age of 13 … Continue reading

Education / Virginia

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

Campus Life / Education / Local

Need experience and work product to show a potential employer? Get it at the Spartan Echo!

 ~ 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 forContinue reading

Arts/Entertainment / Campus Life / Education / Local

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