LeMoyne-Owen presidential finalists to meet public

College narrows search for new leader down to 3

Officials with LeMoyne-Owen College have narrowed their search for a new president to three people. The finalists are Dr. Charles Beady, Dr. Lester Newman and Dr. Patricia Ramsey. If one of them is chosen, he or she will succeed James Wingate, who stepped down in July 2006. Former Memphis City Schools superintendent Johnnie Watson has led the school since shortly after Wingate resigned.

Each of the candidates will meet with the community, beginning today through Wednesday, said Robert Lipscomb, chairman of the college's board directors. "They're coming in for community and constituent meetings. Let them feel the college out and vice versa," Lipscomb said Sunday.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

SIAC fires commissioner, cites financial mismanagement

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has fired William E. Lide, its commissioner for the past five years, citing mismanagement of the league's finances.

A statement released by the SIAC's Council of Presidents said Lide had been suspended since April 15 and was terminated on May 31.

Tuskegee University President Benjamin F. Payton, chairman of the council of presidents for the NCAA Division II conference, said in the release, "the council of presidents regrets very much the necessity to take this action. ... (Lide) brought new energy and imagination to the conference and we certainly wish that we could continue this statement on that note.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Bentley transferring from St. Augustine's College to Middle Tennessee State University for track

After redshirting a year at an NCAA Division II national track and field power, former Brainerd High School speedster Adrian “Buck” Bentley is heading to a Division I career closer to home.

Bentley signed scholarship papers Monday to run for Middle Tennessee State University. He’s leaving Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, N.C., with 24 credit hours and a grade point average above 2.6. He was majoring in engineering and mathematics, so he was taking some heavyweight courses.

“He always had the academic ability. He struggled about what is necessary to move on,” said Brainerd coach Mary Sparn, noting that Bentley got behind early in high school. “He is a very bright kid. Actually, he’s not a kid anymore — he’s an adult, and he’s proved that.”

Bentley holds Brainerd records for the 100- and 200-meter dashes and is part of the school’s record 4x100 relay. He won the 100 and 400, helped win the 4x100 and finished second in the 200 in the 2007 TSSAA Class A/AA state meet, leading the Panthers to the team championship.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

What color is music, anyway?

I was educated once more about the color of music at Fort Valley State University's 67th commencement ceremony this month.

After degrees had been awarded to graduate and undergraduate students - and the celebratory noise accompanying that had subsided - it was time for the Army commissions. The officers-to-be marched down the center of the crowded gym, turned and faced students, teachers, family and friends.

Marcie Kindle, Jeremy Lewis, Jonathan Williams, Quintrina Edwards and Sophia Mudd stood at attention as the bars signifying their newly earned rank of second lieutenant were applied to their shoulders by understandably proud family members.

Then, on a musical cue, everyone in the gym spontaneously stood up and these words filled the air:

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.