Program Success 3 September 2019
Giving Back : HBCU Hampton University Offers Free Tuition to Students Impacted by Hurricane Dorian
HBCU Hampton University Free Tuition Hurricane Dorian Kara F . Daniels Virginia September 2019
A Bahama ’ s Army officer speaks with people evacuated prior boarding a ferry to Nassau at the Port in Marsh Harbor , Abaco Island , Bahamas , Saturday , Sept . 7 , 2019 . Photo : AP Photo ( Fernando Llano )
By Karu F . Daniels Guest Columnist
Thankfully , there has been a global outpouring of support for the islands of the Bahamas , which were severely impacted by Hurricane Dorian earlier this week . One historically black college — Hampton University - stepped up to the plate to help survivors of the storm , offering students the opportunity to continue their higher education on its campus this fall - free of charge .
The Virginia-based school , which ranks among the top three historically black colleges and universities for largest endowment ( behind Washington D . C .’ s Howard University and Atlanta ’ s Spelman College ), has formed a pact with the University of the Bahamas-North to allow students affected by Hurricane Dorian to attend classes at Hampton for the Fall 2019 semester and receive room and board for one semester for free .
The students will have the option to stay at Hampton once the semester is over at regular rates for tuition and fees . “ I think this agreement is something that can be helpful to a great number of students and families and is part of something I ’ ve tried to do my entire career — helping people to achieve and meet their goals Hampton University President Dr . William R . Harvey said in announcing this groundbreaking and heartfelt humanitarian effort .
Harvey and University of the Bahamas president Dr . Rodney Smith came to this agreement after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas with high winds and rain for more than two days , causing extensive damage and a rising death count . The agreement has special meaning for Smith , who served as the Administrative Vice President and Chief Planning Officer at Hampton University .
Founded in 1868 , Hampton University boasts a countless list of notable alumni , including Educator and Presidential Advisor Booker T . Washington , Former Governor Charles Turnbull , U . S . Ambassador Robin R . Sanders , Emmy Award Winner Comedian Wanda Sykes , Academy Award Costume Designer Ruth E . Carter , Hip-Hop Personality DJ Envy , AfroPunk Chief Jocelyn Cooper-Gilstrap , former Music Executive turned Beauty Influencer Angelique Miles and Black Media Luminary and Gay Rights Activist Emil Wilbekin .
Two-thirds of the Chesapeake Bay-area school ’ s student population are women and 90 percent of its body identifies as Black . Lawrence Rigby , who graduated from Hampton in 2015 , said that “ young Bahamians from Abaco and Grand Bahama who are looking for the tools to rebuild their lives and our home will find them at Hampton ,” according to a press release from the school .