44 MSI Alumni That Continue to Impact the World of Tennis

by Louis Bolling

With a seventh U.S. Open title on the line at this year’s tournament (which starts today), Serena Jameka Williams can break Steffi Graf’s Grand Slam record of 186 consecutive weeks at #1 in the world rankings. Owning 22 of tennis’ most coveted prizes, “Meeka” can surpass Chris Evert for most U.S. Open singles titles won in the Open Era, inching closer to Australian Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam championships.

Williams, her sister, Venus, and several touring professional tennis players of color are standing on the shoulders of giants. Many of those giants call HBCUs and MSIs their home. In honor of their accomplishments, this week’s Monday Morning MSI Line Up features a list of some of those that have impacted and continue to impact the world of tennis.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you know of other MSI alum that deserve to be on this list, please feel free to respectfully mention them in the comments!

Tuskegee University tennis was a force to reckon with.

1. Althea Gibson, Florida A&M University

2. Ann Koger, Morgan State University

3. Arthur Carrington, Hampton University

4. Benny Sims, Texas Southern University

5. Bessie Stockard, Tuskegee University

6. Beverly Coleman, Tennessee A&I University

7. Bonnie Logan, Morgan State University

8. Carl Benjamin, Central State College

9. Casaja Allen Qualls, Haskell Indian Junior College

10. Cleveland Abbott, Tuskegee Institute

11. Cliff Johnson, Prairie View A&M University

12. David Dinkins, Howard University

13. David Webster, Prairie View A&M University

14. Dawn Kelly Allen, Haskell Indian Junior College

15. Delise O’Meally, Morgan State University

Howard University Women’s tennis in the 1930s.

16. Herman Neilsen, Hampton University

17. Holly Mullan Haskell Indian Junior College

18. Hubert A. Eaton, Sr. Johnson C. Smith University

19. R. Walter Johnson, Lincoln University (PA) and Meharry Medical College

20. Richard “Dick” Cohen, Xavier University of Louisiana

21. Robert M. Screen, Hampton University

22. Ernest McCampbell, Tuskegee University

23. Gerald Norman, Howard University

24. Harmon Fitch, Johnson Smith University

25. Harry Edmonds, Winston-Salem State University

26. Hazel Smith, Tuskegee Institute

27. Herbert J. Provost, Texas Southern University

28. Jimmie McDaniel, Xavier University of Louisiana

29. John Wilkerson, Texas Southern University

30. Johnny Sample, Maryland State College

The Original “Williams Sisters”: Margaret and Matilda Roumania Peters of Tuskegee University were known as “Pete and Re-Pete”

31. Linwood Skinner, Winston-Salem State University

32. Lucy Diggs Slowe, Howard University

33. Luis Glass, Hampton University

34. Marcus Freeman, Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University

35. Margaret Peters, Tuskegee University

36. Matilda Roumania Peters, Tuskegee University

37. Nathaniel Jackson Tuskegee University

38. Nathaniel Vivians, Tuskegee Institute

39. Noah Allen, Haskell Indian Junior College

40. Rick Davis, Texas Southern University

41. Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln University (MO)

42.Wilbert “Billy” Davis, Tennessee A&I State College

43. William Earl “Bill“ Shelton, Saint Paul’s College

44. Yvonne Hoard, Lincoln University (MO)

Bonnie Logan of Morgan State University

Quick Facts

• The Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1912–50), is the oldest African American athletic conference in the United States, later became the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
• The CIAA’s first championship winning tennis team was Howard University’s Men’s Tennis in 1923-24.
• 2001-02 marked the first CIAA Women’s Tennis Championship with Fayetteville State University claiming victory.
• Prairie View A&M Men’s Tennis claimed the first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship in 1938.
• Southern University claimed the SWAC’s first Women’s Championships in 1988.
• In 1972 North Carolina Central won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first Men’s championship; South Carolina State Women’s Tennis program did so in 1986.
• The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is home to several MSIs. The winner of the NAIA’s first Men’s championship was Pepperdine in 1952; Grand Canyon (Ariz.) won the women’s title in 1982.

8 Artists who Attended HBCUs

by Chloe S. Epstein

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are places of creativity and have birthed many artists. Today’s Monday Morning MSI Line Up features 8 of the most prominent artists, poets, singers, and writers who attended HBCUs.

1) Toni Morrison—Howard University

Toni Morrison went to Howard University in 1949. She went on to be an award winning writer, editor, and professor who was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1988.

2) Nikki Giovanni—Fisk University

Nikki Giovanni is an American poet who went to Fisk University in 1960.
She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as one of the authors of the Black Arts Movement.

3) Erykah Badu—Grambling State University

Erykah Badu is a singer, songwriter, and record producer known as the “Queen of Neo Soul.” She went to Grambling State University.

4) Langston Hughes—Lincoln University

Langston Hughes was a famous poet from the Harlem Renaissance who attended Lincoln University in 1928.

5) Alice Walker—Spelman College

Alice Walker is a writer and poet who wrote The Color Purple (1982) and attended Spelman College in 1961.

6) Cab Callaway—Lincoln University

Cab Callaway was a jazz singer and bandleader who attended Lincoln University and was known for his “scat” singing.

7) Claude McKay—Tuskegee University

Claude McKay was a writer and poet during the Harlem Renaissance who attended Tuskegee Institute (as it was then called) in 1912.

8) Melvin B. Tolson—Fisk and Lincoln Universities

Melvin B. Tolson was a Modernist poet and writer during the Harlem Renaissance who went to Fisk University in 1919 but later transferred to Lincoln University.

State Spotlight: Florida’s 10 Hispanic Serving Institutions

While most are aware of the vast number of Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in California and Texas, Florida’s HSIs get less attention. This week’s Monday Morning MSI Line Up corrects that trend and features a #statespotlight on Florida’s HSIs. At these and all HSIs, undergraduate students who identify as Hispanic make up at least 25 percent of total enrollment.

1. Barry University

2. Florida Atlantic University

3. Florida International University

4. Hillsborough Community College

5. Hodges University

6. Miami Dade College

7. Nova Southeastern University

8. Palm Beach State College

9. St. Thomas University

10. Valencia College

9 Fraternities and Sororities Founded at a Minority Serving Institutions

by DeShaun Bennett

Greek Letter Organizations (GLOs), whether being social/general or professional, are an important part of the student experience at Minority Serving Institutions. GLOs develop students’ character and leadership abilities as well as provide service, scholarship ,and leadership to college campuses. Today’s Monday Morning MSI Line Up features 9 fraternities and sororities that were founded at MSIs.

1. Zeta Chi Phi – University of Texas – San Antonio 

Zeta Chi Phi Multicultural Sorority Inc. was founded January 30, 2003 on the campus of the University of Texas- San Antonio by eight women: Sneha Bandreddi, Marcia Yvonne Davis, Amirah Pauline Saldivar-Smith, Claudia Sanchez, 2nd Lt. Janet Christine Sapatu, Tran Que Tang, Maya Susan Thomas, and Kayla Susanna Weed. The purpose of Zeta Chi Phi is to increase the popularity of their common interests to maintain a steadfast commitment to multiculturalism, education, democracy, integrity, community service, and loveliness. The sorority’s mission is to promote cultural awareness and diversity to the community and to make a difference by educating the public.

2. Omega Psi Phi – Howard University

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college, Howard University, located in Washington, D.C., was founded November 23, 1911. The founders were Edgar Amos Love, Oscar James Cooper, Frank Coleman, and Ernest Everett Just. According to the fraternities website, the name Omega Psi Phi was derived from the phrase “friendship is essential to the soul,” which was then selected as the motto. Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift were adopted as Cardinal Principles.

3. Delta Phi Omega – University of Houston

Delta Phi Omega Sorority Inc. was established on December 6, 1998 on the campus of University of Houston by sixteen South Asian women. Delta Phi Omega’s motto is “We Dreamt, We Saw, We Conquered,” and its mission is “to foster unity among South Asian women, build community awareness, and gain a greater understanding of oneself and others . . . The sorority aspires to instill leadership traits, excel in all academic endeavors, to encourage an active relationship between the sorority and its respective university, and shall do so with the utmost compassion, dignity, and fortitude.”

4. Iota Phi Theta – Morgan State University

On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated. Iota Phi Theta’s purpose is, “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.” Additionally, the Fraternity’s motto is: “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

5. Delta Xi Phi – University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign 

Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Inc. was founded April 20th, 1994 on the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign by fifteen women. Delta Xi Phi has 5 main pillars: Advancement of women through higher education, increasing multicultural awareness, community service, sisterhood, and friendship. The sorority’s motto is “What’s possible has been done. What’s impossible must be done”.

6. Alpha Nu Omega – Morgan State University 

Alpha Nu Omega, a national Christian fraternity and sorority, was founded on the campus of Morgan State University in 1988. The purpose of Alpha Nu Omega is “to present a Christian alternative to the students and/or faculty on college/university campuses, to minister to the needs of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body), and to promote an attitude of academic excellence among its members.” Alpha Nu Omega focuses on four core values: Leadership, Integrity, Family, and Education. 

7. Alpha Kappa Alpha – Howard University

Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, the first Negro Greek-letter sorority, was founded on January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. AKA was founded with a mission to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of “Service to All Mankind”.

8. Sigma Delta Alpha – San Jose State University 

On May 5, 1992 on the campus of San Jose State University, Sigma Delta Alpha Fraternity Inc. was founded. Sigma Delta Alpha strives “To support each other academically, socially, and personally, to encourage the promotion and retention of all underrepresented groups at institutions of higher learning, to work with other organizations and our community, to promote all underrepresented cultures and traditions to the community, and to conduct ourselves so as to cast a positive light upon the Fraternity, ourselves, and our community.” Sigma Delta Alpha has a national philanthropy of men’s health.

9. Delta Sigma Theta – Howard University

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University in Washington D.C. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is an organization of college-educated women committed to the development of its members and to public service, a primary focus being the Black community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provides an array of public service initiatives through its Five-Point Program: Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement.

Note: Information on each GLO was gathered from its respective national website, which can be located by following the link in their name. 

44 Olympians that Attended HBCUs

by Louis Bolling (guest author)

The 2016 Olympics start this week on August 5 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More than 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in over ‎300 events in 28 sports. Notably, HBCU alum have represented the United States of America and many other countries, often excelling in Track & Field (such as Wilma Rudolph, pictured above). In recognition of the event, this week’s Monday Morning MSI Line Up features a list of Olympians who attended HBCUs.

1. Edwin Moses, Morehouse College

2. Lenora Guion-Firmin, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

3. David Oliver, Howard University

4. Lee Calhoun, North Carolina Central University

5. Jim Hines, Texas Southern University

6. Amara Jones, Savannah State University

7. Bon Hayes, Florida A&M University

8. Lavonne Idlette, Florida A&M University

9. Kellie Wells, Hampton University

10. Francena McCorory, Hampton University

11. Leford Green, Johnson C. Smith College

12. Shermaine Williams, Johnson C. Smith University

13. Michael Tinsley, Jackson State University

14. Anaso Jododwana, Jackson State University

15. Clive Terrelonge, Lincoln University

16. Semoy Hackett, Lincoln University

17. Chandra Sturrup, Norfolk State University

18. Chris Brown, Norfolk State University

19. Coach George Williams, St. Augustine’s University

20. Ramon Gittens, St. Augustine’s University

21. Dane Hyatt, St. Augustine’s University

22. Josh Culbreath, Morgan State University

23. Rochelle Stevens, Morgan State University

24. Jack Pierce, Morgan State University

25. Tubotein Taylor, Morgan State University

26. Allison Randall, Morgan State University

27. Mabel Walker Thorton, Tuskegee University

28. Dr. Nell Jackson, Tuskegee University

29. Theresa Manuel, Tuskegee University

30. Alice Coachman, Tuskegee University

31. Barbara Jean Jacket, Tuskegee University

32. Wilma Rudolph, Tennessee State University

33. Willye White, Tennessee State University

34. Coach Ed Temple, Tennessee State University

35. Ralph Boston, Tennessee State University

36. Chandra Danette Cheeseborough, Tennessee State University

37. Martha Hudson, Tennessee State University

38. Edith Marie McGuire, Tennessee State University

39. Wyomia Tyus, Tennessee State University

40. Isabelle Daniels, Tennessee State University

41. Barbara Pearl Jones, Tennessee State University

42. Lucinda Williams Adams, Tennessee State University

43. Madeline Manning Mims, Tennessee State University

44. Mae Faggs, Tennessee State University