ΦΒΣ Bro. Vilien Cordell Gomez Named McNair Scholar

MCNAIR SCHOLARS NAMED: Nayyir Akilah Ransome and Vilien Cordell Gomez were recently inducted into the LSU University College’s McNair Research Scholars program.

McNair Research Scholars is a U.S. Department of Education program that promotes doctoral studies for first-generation college students, students who are from a background of financial need and students from ethnic groups underrepresented in graduate education. LSU University College’s McNair Research Scholars program, which serves about 30 students per year, has some of the highest achieving students nationwide.

Ransome, a sophomore English major, is the daughter of Tracey Ransome, of Baton Rouge. Ransome’s undergraduate research is under the guidance of Susan Weinstein, associate professor of LSU’s Department of English, and explores the effects of youth spoken word in the lives of young adults after their involvement in the Youth Spoken Word Poetry Movement. Ransome assists Weinstein in a book she is writing on the subject.

Gomez, son of Alice Green, of White Castle, participates in the LA-STEM Research Scholars Program, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professors and S-STEM Scholars Program. He conducts research with Xin Li in the LSU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he works on developing 3-D shape registration and animation.

Gomez is director of education for Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Pre-Collegiate Initiative chair for the National Society of Black Engineers and member of the Black Male Leadership Initiative and Honors College.

http://theadvocate.com/features/people/5221071-123/neighbors-notes-for-feb-26