Tommy Meade Junior, Central State University- c/o 2014, Journalism
Name : Tommy Meade Junior
HBCU : Central State University
Graduation Year : 2014
Major : Journalism
Email : tommymeade87@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I was born in Dayton, Ohio (Home to the Dayton African-American Institute) and grew up there and in Knoxville, Tennessee where I picked up some southern charm.
Students discussing their strategy and approach for their show idea. Photo Credit: Centralstate.edu/
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I chose to attend a HBCU over a PWI because the former seemed more like a challenge and plus, watching the film Stomp The Yard encouraged me to be around successful people who looked like me instead of being everyone’s “black friend”.
Felt Like Home. Like many other colleges, Central State feels like home. But the difference between a HBCU and a PWI for a black student(based on my experiences) is that a HBCU and its mass body welcomes you as family.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
Though I’m not the first person in my family to attend a HBCU [one of my uncles went to Morehouse], I am and will be the first person in my immediate family to attend and graduate from college. At the top of my head, the best lesson I’ve learn so far from my HBCU experience is not to limit myself because of my skin color.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
Good one. I had my first love at college…women..
I also used some lessons from Sex Education while in high school at college for the first time too.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
An English professor now specialist at the university by the name of Conrad Zagory continues to leave a good impression on me. Funny, warm and helpful, I think that every minority college student need someone like him around.
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
My major is Journalism and I chose it because Comm Majors run the yard. Everyone knows this to be true.
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
Currently I serve my campus as a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Mu Chapter, NAACP, National Association of Black Journalists and Student African American Brotherhood.
I’m also a Student Ambassador and a English tutor for incoming students at Central State.
Where is the “yard” located?
Wilberforce, Ohio, home of…well, there’s not much here. But, the name “Wilberforce” comes from a white man named William Wilberforce, an English politician, philanthropist, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Live YOUR life, be you, and be successful doing it. It’ll work out for the best long term.
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Central State University
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Students: 2,116
- Athletics: The university competes as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. The university fields teams in twelve sports: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, football, men's and women's college tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's volleyball. Central State is a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in most sports,[10] while the football team competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). CSU's main athletic rival is Kentucky State University.
- Notable Alumni: Elizabeth Eckford - One of Little Rock Nine** MacArthur DeShazer, Sr. - 1971 - Former White House Fellow (1984-85); Former Director, African Affairs, White House National Security Council (1993-96); Former Associate Deputy Secretary for International Labor Affairs - Department of Labor(1998 - 2001)** Hastings Kamuzu Banda - Former President of Malawi** Wayne A. Cauthen - First African American appointed as City Manager of Kansas City, MO** Clay Dixon - Former City Commissioner and Mayor of Dayton, Ohio** Arsenio Hall - 1992 - Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree** James T. Henry, Sr. - First Black mayor and City Commissioner of Xenia, Ohio** Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth - 1996 - Actress** Kedar Massenberg - Record label executive and producer** Leontyne Price - Opera singer** Teddy Seymour - First African American to sail around the world solo** Dayvon Ross - NFL Player** Jason Thomas - 9/11 Hero** Abram Wilson - California politician, former mayor of San Ramon, California** Nancy Wilson - Jazz Singer** Roland Winburn - Member of Ohio House of Representatives**
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