OAAA E-Weekly Newsletter

The Office of African-American Affairs Newsletter Highlighting Events and Opportunities for OAAA Students

"Young, Gifted & Black:

40 Years of Preparing Students for the Quest"

Special Announcement

A special ‘Thank You’ to all who supported the OAAA Welcoming Reception on Saturday, August 19^th – it was a standing room only event!

Special Announcement

The Office of African-American Affairs is on FACEBOOK!

LIKE US to keep up-to-date with events and more info about OAAA!

Mark Your Calendar

Tuesday, August 22nd – Courses begin

Monday, September 4^th– Classes are in session

Tuesday, September 5th – Last day to ADD a course in the following schools: Architecture, Arts & Sciences, BIS, McIntire/Commerce, Curry/Education, Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy & Nursing – For more information:

Wednesday, September 6th – Last day to DROP a course without Penalty (course removed from transcript) in the following schools: Architecture, Arts & Sciences, BIS, McIntire/Commerce, Curry/Education, Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy & Nursing – For more information.

Monday, September 18th – Deadline when students must enroll in or waive their right to individual health insurance coverage. For more information.

Friday, September 22nd – Deadline when a student can appeal the decision if a health insurance waiver is denied. For more information.

Saturday, September 30th - Tuesday, October 3rd – Reading Days (no classes)

Thursday, October 5th - Saturday, October 7th -- Cornerstone Bicentennial Weekend – For more information visit: https://bicentennial.virginia.edu/

Quote of the Week

“The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.” Wole Soyinka ~ Nigerian writer, poet and playwright

Spotlight on Student Achievements

Wes Gobar is a fourth-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences. He is majoring in Government and enrolled in the Distinguished History Majors Program. Hailing from Fredericksburg, Virginia, he is the president of the Black Student Alliance, an active Peer Advisor, a member of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, and he has spent three years in the Cavalier Marching Band. After graduation, he plans to pursue a law degree. This past summer Wes interned for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, working in the Office of A. Donald McEachin. He also conducted research for his senior thesis on the 1887 Thibodaux Massacre.

You can nominate an exceptional student (not yourself) to be featured in the Spotlight on Student Achievements. Please send your nominations to:

Dean Patrice Grimes (mailto:pgrimes@virginia.edu) every Thursday by 12 noon.

Quote's Corner

Wole Soyinka [Akinwande Oluwole "Wole" Babatunde Soyinka] is a Nigerian writer, poet and playwright, born July 13, 1934 in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Well known for his literary accomplishments, he was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, the first African to be honored in that category. Soyinka has published more than 20 works in drama, novels and poetry. He studied at the University College, Ibadan and the University of Leeds (UK), where he received a degree in English Literature. After working as a playwright and a playreader for the Royal Court Theatre in London, he returned to Nigeria, where he taught in the Universities of Lagos, Ibadan, and Ife. In 1975, he became a Professor of Comparative Literature there. Soyinka has played an active role in Nigeria's political history. In 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War he was arrested and put in solitary confinement for his attempts at brokering a peace between the warring parties. Following international pressure, he was released and recounted his prison experiences in his book, The Man Died: Prison Notes. For more information.

Opportunites with Deadlines

Churchill Scholarship

Application Deadline: Tuesday, November 7th by 5:00 pm

This scholarship funds a year of research at Cambridge University, where a student can also earn a graduate degree. Fourth years (or those within 12 months of graduation) are eligible to apply. For details, visit http://www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org/scholarship.html

Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium (SEMSS)

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 15th

Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, September 1st at 12:00 midnight

The annual Southeastern Medical Scientist Symposium (SEMSS) sponsored by University of Alabama at Birmingham, Emory and Vanderbilt Universities will be November 18-19, 2017 at Emory University, Atlanta, GA. This meeting is a great way for your students to meet directors of MD/PhD programs from the three schools and to network with current MD and MD/PhD students. It is also a great way for students to share their research with their peers. There are also a limited number of travel awards for undergraduates. For more information visit: http://www.southeasternmdphd.org/

This Week in Black History

August 21, 1968 - The Congressional Medal of Honor, the USA’s highest military decoration, was presented to the family of Private First Class James Anderson, Jr.-- PFC Anderson was the first African American United States Marine recipient of the medal. Anderson was born January 22, 1947 in Los Angeles, California and enlisted in the marines in 1966. He was promoted to private first class after graduating from recruit training and sent to Vietnam as a rifleman, 2nd Platoon, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. On February 28, 1967, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, PFC Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death by using his body to shield a grenade blast – his body absorbed the major force of the explosion. The United States preposition ship, PFC. James Anderson, Jr., and the James Anderson, Jr. Memorial Park in Carson, California are named in his honor.

August 25, 2001 – Singer, actress and model Aaliyah Dana Haughton was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas. Aaliyah has been credited for helping redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop." Born in Brooklyn, New York, (January 16, 1979) and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Aaliyah appeared on the television program “Star Search” at age 10, and performed in concert alongside her aunt, Gladys Knight. Her debut album, “Age Ain't Nothing but a Number” sold three million copies in the USA and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her second album, “One in a Million,” sold 3 million copies in the USA and over eight million copies worldwide. In 2000, Aaliyah appeared in her first film, “Romeo Must Die.” Her contribution to the soundtrack, spawned the single "Try Again." The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, making Aaliyah the first artist in Billboard history to achieve this goal. She is listed by Billboard as the tenth most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years and 27th most successful R&B artist in history.

OAAA Announcements & Services

“Raising-the-Bar 4.0” Study & Tutoring Sessions- Fall Semester

Sundays through Thursdays (Starting Tuesday, September 5th – Ice Cream Social!)

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

LPJ Black Cultural Center (study with Peer Advisors)

Monday through Thursdays

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

WEB DuBois Conference Room (small group tutoring):

Monday – TBA
Tuesday – Calculus (OAAA grad tutor)
Wednesday – TBA
Thursday – Quiet Study Time

For details, see Raising-the-Bar Coordinator:

Destini Walker (mailto:dw2uy@virginia.edu)

RTB 4.0 – It’s Not Just for First Years’ Anymore!

OAAA Calculus Tutoring

Tuesdays @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

WEB DuBois Conference Room

(and by appointment: email: ste3an@virginia.edu)

Statistics 2120 Support @ McIntire – Stay tuned for more information!

Upcoming Events

Student Council Fall Activities Fair

Monday, August 21st

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Lower/South Lawn and in the Amphitheatre

Get information about dozens of student-run organizations and activities. Meet new friends and learn new ways to get involved at UVA and in the community.

Fulbright for the Daring (or Last-Minute): A Group Q & A

Tuesday, August 22nd

4:00 pm

Byrd/Morris Seminar Room - Special Collections 318

Learn about spending a year abroad to research, study or teach English. This session is for fourth years, graduates, or alums who want to learn more about the Fulbright US Student Award and are interested in submitting an application in fall 2017. Session leaders will review UVa’s internal process and then have a Q&A.

Attendees are expected to have watched a recorded webinar in advance of the session: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/resources/recorded-webinars
For more information, visit the website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org

OAAA / McIntire School of Commerce Information Session

Wednesday, August 23rd

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

WEB DuBois Conference Center - #2 Dawson's Row (behind the OAAA main building)

A McIntire Admissions representative will answer questions and give helpful tips on what it takes to be accepted into the "Comm School." If you cannot attend, contact Ms. Carter at ddc6r@virginia.edu to schedule an advising appointment with Dean Grimes. Refreshments!

Meet the OAAA Deans & Staff

Wednesday, August 23th @ 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Thursday, August 24th @ 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Friday, August 25th @ 12:00 - 1:00 pm

OAAA Main Office Conference Room -- #4 Dawson’s Row

Find out what services are available this year. Refreshments!

SPARK: Faces of Technology Innovation

Saturday, August 26th

1:00 – 3:00 pm

Newcomb Hall - Theater

A UVA Technology Entrepreneurship team will host five UVA-related technology teams who will speak about their journey to and through entrepreneurship. Come and meet the inaugural Pike Engineering Entrepreneurship Fellows cohort, that will work over the academic year. Reception with light food & drink.

RSVP using this link: http://sparkevent.splashthat.com.

Harambee I

Sunday, August 27th

2:00 - 4:00 pm

Ern Commons – (Alderman Road area)

Join first year students and the OAAA Peer Advisors for an orientation program sponsored by OAAA. Dean Maurice Apprey is the keynote speaker. Meet OAAA Deans and make new friends. Refreshments.

First Year Advising

Monday, August 28th

4:30 – 5:30 pm

Newcomb Kaleidoscope Room

OAAA Dean Grimes will join other organizations around Grounds to provide information for first

Year students. For more details, contact Kayla Vincent, BSA Special Events Committee

Chair (kiv4rm@virginia.edu).

National Scholarships & Fellowships Series

Monday, August 28^th

4:00 pm

Rotunda Multipurpose Room

This is the first of a series of information sessions, workshops, and panel discussions about . scholarship & fellowship opportunities. Many fall sessions are geared toward fourth year awards, but all classes of students are welcome and encouraged to attend – it is never too early to start the process! Future dates: September 25th is the first session for info on third year awards, including the Truman Scholarship; October 2nd is an introductory workshop to the application process. For details, visit http://www.virginia.edu/cue/scholarships-fellowships-series.html

Raising-the-Bar: Fall Kickoff -- 3-Night Series

Tuesday, August 29th, Wednesday, August 30th, & Thursday, August 31th

7:00 - 8:00 pm

Cabell 323

Join Dean Grimes and the Peer Advisors for 3 different sessions:

· It’s About Time (Management)

· It’s About Your Career with UVa Career Services

· It’s About Your Money & Resources. with Wells Fargo Bank & UVA Library guests

Tuesday night drawing for SWAG (stuff we all get) – other goodies!

RTB: It’s not just for first-years anymore!

Info Session: Commerce 2018 January Term

Tuesday, September 5th & Wednesday, September 6th

5:00 pm

Rouss-Robertson Hall 225

Attend an info session to learn more about the 2018 January Term programs offered by the School of Commerce.

Fall Study Abroad Fair

Wednesday, September 6th

11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Newcomb Ballroom

Learn about the many study abroad opportunities available to UVA students. Meet UVA program faculty directors, representatives from approved outside programs and students who have had study abroad experiences. Be a part of the Tradition!

2017 CGH Scholar Welcome Back Party

Thursday, September 7th

6:00 8:00 pm

Pavilion VII

Welcome Back! Please join faculty, staff and all 2016 Center for Global Health (CGH) Scholars to celebrate the new research season and academic year!

For more information, go to https://globalhealth.virginia.edu/2017-cgh-scholars-welcome-back-event

Charlottesville – Albemarle NAACP Monthly Membership Meeting

Second Monday of each month

7:00 pm

Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, VA 22901

Meet in the Mary Williams Center on the first floor adjacent to the Vinegar Hill Café. Free parking is available on site.

2017 Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce Business Diversity Luncheon

Tuesday, September 19th

11:00 am - 1:30 pm

Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 2nd floor

233 4th Street NW, Charlottesville, VA

Keynote Speaker: Michel Zajur, President/CEO & Founder, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

For information, cotnact Andrea D. Copeland-Whitsett, education@cvillechamber.com.

To register for the luncheon, visit: https://cvillechamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/5403

NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Banquet

Friday, September 29th

Charlottesville Doubletree Hotel, 990 Hilton Heights Road, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901