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Carver's Angel Reyes reports from Johnson University on Carver's 47th annual College Tour

Johnson University

By Angel Z. Reyes, 11th grader, Norwalk High School - Norwalk Early College Academy

It was a sunny and beautiful afternoon as our driver Armando weaved his way through the narrow roads of the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Knoxville, Tennessee to Johnson University and to one of the most welcoming of entryways.

The words Faith Prayer Work on the sign greeted us. As we watched the grooming of the manicured lawn my attention quickly drifted to the movie "Forest Gump" as the lawnmower formed perfect lines. Even more breathtaking was the beautiful waterfall in the middle of a pond surrounded by architecturally appealing buildings. This private Christian university was one of the most beautiful campuses on our tour to date and many of my peers were as excited as me to see and learn more.

As an eleventh grader this is actually my third consecutive Carver college tour, and I was eager see what awaited me. Our tour guide Hannah Baker greeted us and we were led to an information session, followed by a physical tour around the university.  We all were slowly grasping the images and the history of this campus.

The founder and first president of the university was Dr. Ashley S. Johnson. When Dr. Johnson founded the university he had no money, nothing but his vision supported by his caring wife. This university started with many prayers, and from there it stemmed out into a beautiful gift from the Lord. Johnson University was founded In 1893. The initiative included a combination of a preparatory school, college, and church into a single system of education. The minimum GPA requirement today is 2.5 depending on the major a student is interested in pursuing. Academics are taken very seriously here. The university’s goal is to help young leaders grow and make a difference in the world. It has an even balance of male and female students on campus. Although it is a private college, students in-state and out-of-state have roughly around the same tuition of $13,000 yearly. 

The school's founder believed in educating the whole person, and even the first building stayed true to his vision by housing the dormitory, dining room, classrooms, chapel, and library all under one roof.  Johnson University leaders envision students achieving academically, growing spiritually and succeeding under the path of the Lord.

Since the campus is quite small with around 700 students, people know each other, and do their best to make everyone feel right at home. When you enter Johnson University you become a part of a family. People will support you in your journey to find the career that fits you personally. Johnson University is one of the finest and most respected Christian universities in the country. It helps students answer the question – Do you have a vision for a better world? Johnson University helps service-minded students to identify their part in the world, and the preparation they need to be successful.

Carver student Keon Davis reports from Fisk University, one stop on the Carver College Tour

Fisk University

By Keon Davis, 10th grader Norwalk High School

It was faith that brought Jason Harrison, admission counselor at Fisk University to our group. He greeted us and ushered us to the Fisk Memorial Chapel. He had a communication style that was witty, jovial and yet stern.

He commanded our attention and shared his journey from Detroit, Michigan to Nashville, Tennessee. Jason is a proud graduate of Fisk. He graduated in 2005 and has elected to remain with the university. It was Jason's frankness that resonated with us. He was not pushy for us to select Fisk University; he was more interested in laying out options and sharing his ideas on the college selection process.

Jason insisted that we look at four criteria during our college selection process. First, does the school offer the academic programs that you are interested in?  Secondly, Is this school a social fit? Thirdly, Does the school fit your needs and fourthly, is the school a financial fit?  

Fisk has no minimum GPA admission requirement, but this does not mean that everyone gains admission. The selection committee takes a strong look at your recommendations and test scores. The tuition is $32,191, and though it may be pricey it's a down payment on the gateway to a good life.

Fisk was founded in January 9, 1866; it is the oldest university in Nashville. It is located on 40-acre campus in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Fisk enrolls around 754 students from 25 states and 7 countries in its undergraduate and graduate programs. Their student body is 90% African American with 75% of students not being from Tennessee.

Did you know Fisk was the first among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools? Did you know Fisk was the first HBCU to receive a prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Chapter? Did you also know that Fisk was the first HBCU to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music?

Fisk's persistence rate is 84%, the national average persistence rate is 66.5%. All of Fisk's numbers are great but the environment is even better. They make you feel welcome as if it's your own home. Charles S. Johnson (1893-1956), Fisk University's first African American president, is credited for the school's great achievements in the early years.

During a tour of Great Britain and Europe in 1873, Fisk Jubilee Singers (11 members) performed “Steal Away to Jesus” and “Go Down Moses” for Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria was so impressed that she commented that with such beautiful voices, they had to be from the Music City of the USA. This is how Nashville, Tennessee earned its name – Music City USA. The tour raised $150,000, which was used to build Fisk's first permanent building named Jubilee Hall. It was fitting that Fisk bestowed an honorary doctorial degree on the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson in 1988 for his musical accomplishments.

Fisk University will suit you if you like a cozy, warm environment. Everyone knows each other and if they don't know you they will go out of their way to try to help you out. It is a great college to help you prepare for the real world.

Marti Lametta at Halstead Real Estate/Westport donates new basketballs to Carver

We're so grateful to Marti and her colleagues at the Halstead Real Estate office in Westport for their generous and thoughtful gift of new basketballs to our after school recreational programs at the Carver Community Center.

Here at the at City Hall are (L-R) Shannon Singleton-Bates, Carver's Recreation Coordinator, Novelette Peterkin, Executive Director, and Mayor Rilling, standing with Marti Lametta and Kecia Von Der Ahe of Halstead Real Estate.

Thank you everyone for supporting Carver kids!

Carver students Zyaire Sellers and Shaniya Daley report from the University of Tennessee on the College Tour

Report from the University of Tennessee, in a series of reports from Carver students on the 2017 College Tour now underway. 

By Zyaire Sellers and Shaniya Daley, both 10th graders at Norwalk High School

The University of Tennessee (UT) has an amazing campus with many tall and modern buildings. With more than 28,000 undergraduate students enrolled, UT is larger than many US towns. Though one of UT's most famous graduates is the football star Peyton Manning, there are many other sports available to students.  Former Knicks basketball players Allan Houston and Bernard King, and WNBA Tamika Catchings are also graduates of UT.

Today we met current freshman basketball player Kamera Harris (standing between us in the photo to the right!) from Atlanta, GA. Kamera shared that she did not experience the routine admission process. She was recruited to play basketball and entered with a 3.6 GPA. Her admission counselor helped to navigate the process for her. Kamera finds it most challenging to juggle all her responsibilities. She currently has a 3.2 GPA and takes full advantage of all the resources that is available to her. As a freshman she is allowed to have a car and she likes the housing accommodations.

The University of Tennessee ("Big Orange") was founded in 1794, and is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. 24% of the 28,052 students enrolled identify as non-white. 50% of students are female and 50% are male. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, with 27.8% of classes having fewer than 20 students. The university offers 141 majors and 50 minors. Although it is a Division I school, there are several sport groups that aren't represented by the UT athletic teams. The average GPA is 3.89, weighted. The average SAT Math is 583 and the Critical Reading is 576. The average ACT Composite score is 27. In-state tuition is $28,562. Out of state tuition is $46,752. 

Peyton Manning and Reggie White have left their mark at UT. Peyton is young enough to still be celebrated at UT. He led the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship his senior year. The Indianapolis Colts picked him as the first overall draft pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. Manning led the Colts to two AFC Championships, 8 division championships, and 1 Super Bowl title. Manning then transferred to the Denver Broncos from 2012-2015. He led them to win Super Bowl 50 as starting quarterback. 

UT has a rich campus life with 18 sororities and 22 fraternities and their commitment to Greek Life is evident from the beautiful houses that line the main road of the campus.

We really enjoyed our visit to UT during Carver's 47th annual College Tour!

Carver students Liberty Corbett and Paul Louis share their experiences visiting Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University

By Liberty Corbett and Paul Louis. 

The third report in a series written by the students on the 2017 Carver College Tour. 

If you are an African American scholar looking for an environment rich in history and culture, then Tennessee State University (TSU) is the college for you.

Tennessee State University was founded in 1912, as a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) school and today 75% of the school population is African American. TSU also attracts another 10% Caucasian students and 15% from other ethnicities with its inspiring faculty and academic excellence. There are approximately 9,000 students enrolled and there is a 17-to-1 student to professor ratio. TSU opens its doors to 77 different majors including engineering, which is ranked 2nd in Nashville, computer science, business, agricultural science, and nursing and much more. In addition, the school offers all branches of ROTC. More than 100 student organizations offer many opportunities for engagement. TSU has a great band to headline the many Division 1 Ohio Valley conference sports such as volleyball, basketball, track, and swimming, plus a great performing arts program.

Oprah Winfrey is a 1986 graduate of TSU and is arguably one of its most famous alumni. She is a multi-media mogul, who has garnered international appeal for her talk show, film performances and as owner of the OWN network. Oprah is the first Black woman billionaire in world history and has surpassed Meg Whitman as the richest self-made millionaire woman in America, and she has given back to the university by supporting the school's Performing Arts Center. Track and field athlete Wilma Rudolph and the late Knicks player Anthony Mason are also famous TSU graduates.

Like many HBCU schools, “The Divine Nine” has a prominent presence on campus. There are nine historically Black Greek letter organizations for Sororities and fraternities and eight of the nine are found on TSU’s campus.  Here are the “Divine nine”

•   Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founded 1906, Cornell University

•   Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Founded 1908, Howard University

•   Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Indiana University

•   Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Howard University

•   Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founded 1913, Howard University

•   Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Founded 1914, Howard University

•   Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Founded 1920, Howard University

•   Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Founded 1922, Butler University

•   Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Founded 1963, Morgan State University

Each of these fraternities and sororities is rich in history. Ties to one or more of these organizations may be found in many college-educated Black families in the United States.

To gain admission to TSU, you need a GPA of at least 2.5, SAT score of 900, and or an ACT score of at least an 18. Students with a GPA of a 3.5 or higher are able to enroll in the honors program in the school which allows access to separate dorms and many other great opportunities. The tuition of TSU for out-of-state students is $28,000 including your meal plan, parking, and dorm fees. Financial aid programs and scholarship are available for all students to apply for during the months of February through March. Free tutoring and health care are offered to all students attending TSU to help you through college. It is required that students gain 120 credits and take all their core classes including math, science, English, and history before graduating. The school is located in a good area, and is deemed safe.

TSU faculty is working to increase the schools graduation rate beyond its current rate of 42%. What is promising is that 75% percent of TSU graduates found a job or internships after graduating. This school has a great environment and is a great place to study and begin your career. This is a family away from home. We recommend this school!

Carver 11th grader, Shaniya Mesilien, shares her experience of visiting the University of Memphis

By Shaniya Mesilien, 11th grade, Brien McMahon High School. The second in a series of reports by the students on the 2017 Carver College Tour. 

As an 11th grader you might assume that I have seen a few colleges in preparation to naming the college of my choice.  Yet, this is my first opportunity to make an informed decision, thanks to my participation in Carver’s 47th annual college tour. We are in this wonderful city of Memphis, TN and after lunch at Central Barbecue we arrived at the University of Memphis. Immediately, I noticed the contrasts between the last school we visited, Memphis College of Arts, and the University of Memphis. The size of the school is obviously considerably different. The University of Memphis’ many tall buildings remind me of my trips to Stamford, CT.

Our two guides shared their passion for the university and they lit up with pride when they talked about the new nursing facility. My peers who are considering a career in nursing were very impressed. As a future psychologist, I was more interested in the building that hosts the psychology program.

There are approximately 18,000 students enrolled. Students have access to study abroad in more than 40 countries. The University of Memphis is nationally recognized for its academic and research programs. Students come here from all 50 states and all over the world to receive bachelor's, master's, professional and doctoral degrees and they have more than 254 areas of study to explore. The admission criteria include a GPA of 3.0. The average ACT score is 19. The University of Memphis has an acceptance rate of 92%. 

I am a track and field athlete and I was so excited to learn that the University of Memphis is a Division 1 school. It would be a dream come true to compete at a Division 1 school and equally exciting to continue my knowledge acquisition in such a diverse community as this one. School safety is very important in my selection process and the University of Memphis is very safe. Emergency stations are scattered around campus and you can alert campus police by merely pushing a button. These officers will escort you to any place on campus at anytime during the night. The University of Memphis’s mascot is Tom the Tiger. Many students proudly wear the blue and gray to show school pride.

This university offers a strong support system that provides a lot of opportunities to have success and also offers access to 250 student clubs. Their internship program is ranked 7th in the nation. With much debate about healthcare, it was wonderful to learn that healthcare was free to students and they had access to x-rays, medical evaluation and treatment. The only cost is for their medication. Since the school operates on a first come first serve basis, a freshman has the same access to quality health care as seniors. This is a huge motivation for admission. Freshman students can gain access to premier housing, which is not the case at other institutions.  I recommend this school and have placed it at the top of my college choice list.

Carver student Sidney Waterhouse writes about Memphis College of Art

By Sidney Waterhouse. The first of a series of reports by the students on the 2017 Carver College Tour. 

Memphis College of Art

If you are a student looking for a diverse school and an intimate setting, then Memphis College of Arts is the school for you! With a small campus, a student body of about 420 kids and a 10:1 student teacher ratio, this school is it's own little community.

Memphis College of the Arts has a lot to offer such as a “family life” school climate. There is a sense of pride at the school seen in the artwork displayed by current and former students. Former students Fidencio Fifield-Perez and Sziksz Eszter offered the most compelling artworks. Their exhibits reminded me of the times when my parents proudly displayed my artworks on the refrigerator.

Our tour guide, Anna Roach, is a Tennessee native who is a recent Memphis College of the Arts graduate. Anna’s enthusiasm was well received by my peers on the tour, even though many had no interest in pursuing art careers. With an acceptance rate of 85% and a graduation rate of about 80%, the school has maintained a good reputation and is deemed safe although it's located near an area that has seen incidents of violence. The beautiful campus is located near the Memphis Zoo and frequently plays host to national and international artists.

Most students need to have a GPA of at least 2.2 and an ACT score of 18, if they hope to gain admission. Students with higher GPA’s and ACT scores can expect an automatic scholarship. Since this is an art school, you must also provide a portfolio showing 10-20 pieces of art that you completed. Art majors include painting, design, graphic design, metals, photography and sculpting. All of those majors have internship opportunities that are available to both underclassmen and upperclassmen and may even result in a permanent position.

Memphis College of Arts’ annual tuition is $33,000 (including parking fees, dorm fees and meal plans) and offers merit based financial aid. So there's no way for you to go wrong! This arts college requires one science, one math and one art history course for graduation. Underclassmen have access to lockers to hold their art supplies and upperclassmen have studio access. The working areas are always open and there is a late night shuttle that will return you to your dorm safely. The school is located in the middle of midtown Memphis, which is where late night social opportunities thrive!

All in all, the school provides a “home away from home,” not only through its family like school climate but through its connection to the community. I would recommend this school to anyone looking to pursue a career in fine arts.

 

 

 

The 2017 College Tour Begins!

Carver students and their chaperones boarded their bus on Saturday at the Carver Community Center, and now the 2017 Spring College Tour begins! Follow their progress here as the students send us there reports from the college campuses they visit.

Academic careers will be born in the next few days as students discover whole new worlds of opportunity that inspire them. This 47th annual tradition never fails fulfill the Carver mission of BUILDING LIFETIME ACHIEVERS!