I was recently invited by Mr. Dwight E. Lewis to work as a computer consultant for the Purdue University HBI Visitation Program. My job was to get about 15 laptops ready for students enrolled in the program. The technology lab, used by the program, houses some of the latest software and equipment for computer graphics presentations, digital video mastering, and DVD authoring. Laptops (PC and Mac) used in the area are all connected via the lab's wireless network, which connects users to the Local Area Network and the Internet.
--Steve (Fall 2002)
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HISTORY
The Historically Black Institution (HBI) Visitation Program was Initiated in 1988 by Dwight E. Lewis, director of minority programs for the Graduate School, and Dr. Robert L. Ringel, then Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School. Since then it has provided the opportunity for outstanding undergraduate junior and senior students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to visit the Purdue University campus. Since the first year when 25 students from four campuses (Hampton University, Prairie View A & M, Southern University, Tuskegee University) visited the campus, the program has grown to include 40 to 50 annual visitors from 11 HBCU institutions, and the campuses of the University of Puerto Rico.
The goals of the HBI program are: to encourage undergraduate students from HBCUs to pursue graduate education; showcase the educational opportunities available at Purdue; establish ties between faculty and students on the Purdue University campus and HBCUs; and increase minority enrollment at Purdue. In the process, Purdue faculty and staff continue to increase their awareness of problems facing African Americans and other minorities, and by recognizing these students' accomplishments, help build their self-esteem so they will be encouraged to fulfill their potential through graduate study.
During the three-day visit in November, students meet with faculty, administrators and graduate students, and tour campus facilities as they consider applying to Purdue for graduate studies. The result has been that minority students who would not have attended otherwise, are successfully matriculating at Purdue for graduate programs. Thus, the HBI Program is recognized as the most successful minority graduate recruitment program at Purdue, and has served as a model for other institutions around the country.
To date, the program has hosted 700 plus undergraduate honors students, of which over 200 have subsequently enrolled at Purdue. As of May 2002, 156 of these students have earned graduate degrees. Twenty-seven students have completed Ph.D. degrees; ten have accepted faculty positions at colleges and universities around the country, three are in postdoctoral positions, while others are engaged in research and other careers in industry. Of the 129 students who have completed master’s degrees, three have received Ph.D. degrees from other institutions, nine are currently working on Ph.D. degrees at Purdue, and six are working on doctoral degrees at other institutions. Spellman College leads with 5 Ph.D. degrees, and Prairie View A & M University has added 24 MS degrees to Purdue’s graduates
Another important aspect of the Program is the selection of speakers who are invited to the campus to give a keynote address on diversity, political and scholarly issues that are of special importance to the African American community. Notables such as Purdue alumni Drs. William A. Sadler, former chief, Reproductive Sciences Branch, CPR, NICHD, NIH, former dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and currently professor of biology at Howard University; and Luther S. Williams, former assistant director, Directorate for Education & Human Resources, NSF, and current scholar at the Payson Center for Intellectual Development and Technology Transfer have spoken. Dr. Johnnie L. Early, II, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Toledo, and Dr. Greta Bryson, first HBI graduate and first African American woman to graduate from Purdue with a Ph.D. degree in chemistry, have also shared their experience, wisdom and insights with the visitors and current students.
One event is planned during the visit that is open to the entire Purdue community. We have had presentations by speakers such as George Curry, editor & chief of Emerge Magazine; Farai Chideya, ABC news correspondent; George Fraser, editor, publisher, and author of The Success Guide, the Networking Guide to Black Resources; and Freeman H. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
The HBI Program has become an integral part of Purdue University's continuing commitment to provide educational opportunities for underrepresented minorities. In part, the program is responsible for increases in Purdue's minority student enrollment and graduation patterns. An important key to the success of the program is the active participation of individual departments in providing the students with a comprehensive view of their programs.
In addition to providing a successful recruiting tool for the Graduate School, The HBI Visitation Program has provided both the impetus and vision for encouraging the mentoring and retention of students once they have enrolled at Purdue. The following programs are under the direction of Mr. Lewis:
· A variety of funding alternatives including Purdue Graduate Fellowships for M.S. and Ph.D. students, and the George Washington Carver and Ross Fellowships.
· Networking opportunities such as: an orientation meeting; welcome dinner; informal activities throughout the year; and a graduation dinner.
· Formal mentoring programs for students in chemistry and biological sciences with plans for programs in other departments.
The Minority Programs Office maintains an “open door” policy, and the director is available to mentor students, and serve as an advocate with departments or administrative offices.
This program, like many at Purdue, is a cooperative effort and through the commitment and support of many offices helps to advance diversity at the University.