Bro. Charles “Chuck” Wongus is many things, but first of all, he is a Lancer. A senior music major who hails from Chester, Va., he has made big impacts on campus through his involvement with a countless number of organizations.
But just who is this man? And what are his goals for life after Longwood?
Wongus has served as president of Phi Beta Sigma, treasurer of freshman class, as a member of History Club and the Political Science Club, has participated in Alternative Spring Break and has worked as a Resident Assistant as well.
The list of accomplishments Wongus has received while at Longwood University include receiving the title of RA of the Month for his programming skills and for building a community, not only on his floor, but throughout the entire apartment complex.
During this year’s national presidential campaign, Wongus also registered voters at Longwood and oversaw canvassing efforts as Canvassing Captain for Prince Edward County at the Obama for America Office on Main Street.
With all of his involvement on campus, Wongus holds a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.31 GPA in his music major.
As a music major, Wongus stated that his favorite music genre is jazz. Wongus’ favorite jazz artists include Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.
Wongus stated that out of all of the organizations that he has been a part of and that he is currently a part of, Phi Beta Sigma and WMLU have been his favorites.
“With Phi Beta Sigma, I really enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the community,” said Wongus. “One of my favorite things we did was the [first annual] Young Men’s Conference. We brought in young men from the surrounding counties and pretty much educated them on things that they could do after high school, whether it be college [or something else].”
During his time as president of Phi Beta Sigma, Wongus also helped the organization receive the title of National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapter of the Year.
Speaking on WMLU, Wongus said, “WMLU is pretty fun because it’s nice to, you know, have that time to have your own radio show – really give the campus and the community a bit of your personality.”
Not only incredibly involved on campus, Wongus also commented on his connection to the town of Farmville as well.
“I like to go around Farmville and visit the eateries that we have. My personal favorite would be The Bakery, and as of late, I really love the Sweet Shop as well,” said Wongus.
As a member of the Lancer nation, Wongus also supports the men’s basketball team.
“This season, it’s been rough to support them,” he said. “But toward the end, I really enjoy watching them ...especially during the tournament.”
Out on the national spectrum of sports, Wongus supports the St. Louis Rams for the National Football League and the Florida State Seminoles for college football.
Wongus is looking at going to George Mason University after his time at Longwood is up. He plans on spending his time there to gain a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
“I’d like to work for a non-profit organization that aids teenagers and [works toward aiding] suicide prevention,” said Wongus.

http://www.therotundaonline.com/features/article_310a0aca-9701-11e2-8bc0-0019bb30f31a.html

Political commentator Armstrong Williams completed negotiations to acquire the stations in Michigan and South Carolina.
Armstrong Williams, the nationally known political commentator and columnist has completed negotiations to acquire television stations in Flint, MI, and Myrtle Beach, SC. The acquisition by his firm, Howard Stirk Holdings, LLC, is part of the larger purchase of the Barrington Broadcast Group, LLC holdings by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
For more than 20 years, Williams has been producing and hosting high-quality public affairs and entertainment programming for the broadcast industry, including for Sinclair. Williams has also served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Renaissance TV Cable Network (2001-2003), where he managed staff, programming, advertising and the development of prime-time specials. He has been a frequent guest on national programs and networks that include “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Charlie Rose,” CNN, MSNBC, Sky News, DC TV and the “Joy Behar Show.”

Williams has also produced many prime-time specials with national and international leaders, such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Poet Maya Angelou, former Vice-President Dick Cheney, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Today’s announcement fulfills a life-long dream to own and operate broadcast facilities and give back to an industry that I love,” said Williams. “I have been privileged to work with the Sinclair Broadcast Group for years and I am truly thankful for the opportunity it has provided. Many in the industry talk about diversity and expanding opportunity, but here the Sinclair Broadcast Group is putting words into action,” Williams added.

The name “Howard Stirk” is taken from my mother’s maiden name, Howard, and my father’s middle name, Stirk, Williams explained.

“Knowing the humble, hard-scrabble beginnings of my family in rural South Carolina, I felt honoring my parents in this small way was the right thing to do,” he concluded.

A native of Marion, South Carolina, Williams attended South Carolina State University. He is a lifetime member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and served on the President’s Commission on White House Fellows appointed by President Bush from 2001-2005. He presently serves on the Independence Federal S&L Bank, the Carson Scholarship Fund, and the NEWSMAX Advisory boards.

Sinclair currently owns and operates programs or provides sales services to 87 television stations in 47 markets. Sinclair’s television group reaches approximately 27.1% of U.S. television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC and Azteca affiliates. The transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission and antitrust authorities. Following those approvals, Howard Stirk Holdings, LLC anticipates a closing by the summer.

http://www.districtchronicles.com/personal-finance/commentator-armstrong-williams-acquires-tv-station-1.3014754#.UVGyzMu9KSM

Hard work pays off for alum on State Police Protective Detail


Redbird alumnus Ardis D. Cross, left, poses with President Al Bowman at an event. (Courtesy photo)

If you want something in life, you have to go get it.

Ardis D. Cross ’00 learned that simple lesson as a kid growing up near Kankakee in Hopkins Park, one of the poorest rural communities in Illinois. That’s where he watched his parents work their butts off without a high school diploma, where Cross himself worked part-time jobs in extreme weather so he could buy his first car. It’s the kind of place, he says, where you have to work harder than everyone else to make it.

And that’s what Cross did. The Redbird alum is now in his 11th year with the Illinois State Police (ISP), the last six with an Executive Protection Unit that provides security for a statewide elected official.

“Being with the ISP has afforded me the opportunities to travel all over the state, to see and meet various people, as well as to see various places, some I’m sure I would not have seen had it not been for the ISP,” Cross told STATEside. “It’s been amazing, getting that kind of exposure to so many different things. It’s a blessing.”


Alumnus Ardis D. Cross, left, poses with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner speaker Van Jones in February. (Courtesy photo)

Cross’ journey into law enforcement started at Illinois State. He was a College of Business major in human resource management, staying busy with leadership roles in the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., the National Pan Hellenic Council, and the National Association of Black Accountants, among others.

Like any new college student, he was struck by his newfound independence. But he got some help staying disciplined as a mentee (and later mentor) with a program now known as Diversity Advocacy, and through the TRiO/Student Support Services program for first-generation students.

“I had good role models,” Cross said.

One of his fraternity brothers recruited him to the State Police at an ISU career fair. Cross was hesitant at first—he was an HR major, with no particular interest in law enforcement—but the recruiter told him the State Police offered a career, not just a job. So he gave it a shot anyway, took a physical fitness test, and by summer 2002 was working tollway patrol in the Chicago area. That lasted five years.

Cross’ current assignment requires him to spend countless hours protecting his dignitary. That means Cross’ schedule is their schedule, “meaning there’s no week that’s the same,” Cross says.

“Our main responsibility is to ensure their safety,” Cross said. “There’s no such thing as routine.”

On the job, Cross, 35, puts the communication skills he learned at Illinois State to good use as he gathers information about, say, the room or building his protectee will be operating in on a particular day.

“That’s what HR is. Dealing with people at all different types of levels,” Cross said.

Despite his schedule, the Illinois State graduate finds time to reach back to the next generation of student and community leaders. Last November, he was the keynote speaker at a “You Can Do ISU” event, where he shared his journey to Illinois State and work ethic with about 700 prospective students.

“That was a humbling experience for me,” said Cross, a member of Illinois State’s Black Colleagues Association. “But when you become successful, you must give back.”

The former substitute teacher also mentors elementary and high school students in Hopkins Park, stressing that they need to take their education as seriously as he did. Cross credits his Illinois State education with preparing him for his career, and he sports his Redbird pride by attending annual events like Homecoming, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner, and the Legacy of Leadership celebration.

“You can’t just go through the motions,” Cross said. “You have to make it happen.”

http://stories.illinoisstate.edu/2013/03/magazine/illinois-state/state-side/hard-work-pays-off-for-alum-on-state-police-protective-detail/

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

This morning, President Sidney A. Ribeau announced that President Bill Clinton will be the speaker for the 145th Commencement ceremonies.

William Jefferson Clinton served as the 42nd president for two terms, in 1992 and 1996. During his tenure in office, Clinton’s administration successfully focused on economic expansion as well as job creation. Since The White House, he founded the William J. Clinton Foundation, a nongovernmental organization that focuses on addressing global issues such as Haiti relief, HIV/AIDS care and prevention.

The Arkansas native attended Georgetown University in 1968, where he received the Rhodes Scholarship and joined Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Beta Kappa. Clinton then went on to Yale Law School, where he met his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former U.S. Secretary of State. In 2009, he was inducted as an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

“We are thrilled that President Clinton has agreed to deliver this year’s Commencement address,” Ribeau said in the release. “As a preeminent leader, humanitarian and advocate, his extraordinary global work and commitment to public service will inspire the class of 2013 as they prepare to make their mark on the world.”

Commencement orators are chosen through the Office of the Secretary. Last year’s speaker was the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.

The commencement ceremonies will be held on May 11, 2013 at 10 a.m. on the Upper Quadrangle.


http://www.thehilltoponline.com/news/president-bill-clinton-to-speak-at-commencement-1.2819419#.UVHDp8u9KSM