On Friday October 9th, Hampton University crowned their newest ambassador.  Nikole Churchill was crowned Miss Hampton University 2009-2010 at the annual scholarship pageant.  The event began with all 10 contestants participating in an opening number, then introducing themselves one-by-one to the judges and audience.  Each of the young ladies competed in the categories of swimsuit, talent, and evening wear.  The final segment of the pageant was a question & answer competition, hosted by Shannon Cooper (Miss Hampton University 2008-2009).

Laisha served as production director, creating this year’s theme “Beauties of the Desert Sand”.  Once again, the historic Ogden Hall was selected as the pageant’s venue on Hampton’s campus.  Thanks to Dr. Maye and all others who helped make the pageant successful.  Congratulations to Nikole Churchill, Miss Hampton University 2009-2010!

In case you missed it, Ebony Magazine has published their "2009 Campus Queens" feature online.  The printed version is usually published in April.  However, they decided to take it online this year.  This gave the magazine the opportunity to showcase the Queens more equally, while also (I imagine) saving on printing costs.  Checkout Miss Hampton University 2008-2009, Shannon Cooper, and other campus queens at EbonyJet.com.  One image from her portrait session was posted along with a brief bio.

Congratulations to Shannon Cooper, Miss Hampton University 2008-2009.  She was crowned on October 11, 2008 and will serve as an ambassador for the University for the current academic year.  The day after the pageant, we held a portrait session in Hampton to capture some promotional images.  The 2009 “Black College Queens” issue of Ebony Magazine will feature a photo from this session.  Good luck to Shannon, as she will compete for the title of Miss Virginia in the Spring 2009 pageant.

The Miss Hampton University Pageant took place on October 11th at Hampton University’s Ogden Hall. Fourteen contestants competed for the chance to be crowned the next University queen.  The theme for the event was “An Evening With The Stars”.  Thanks to Dr. Maye and Jerrica for organizing and producing such a great pageant!

Former Miss Hampton University 2001-2002, Tiffany Jenkins Leatherberry, was the honored guest for the pageant.  Tiffany had the honor of asking the contestants their questions during the on-stage question segment.  Congratulations to Shannon Cooper, Miss Hampton University 2008-2009!

For the months of August & September 2008, one of my photographs will be displayed on a billboard.  In July, I photographed Dr. James M. Russell III and Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, the 2007 and 2008 recipients of the Virginia Outstanding Scientist award.  They both work at Hampton University, and the university decided to showcase their accomplishments in the form of a larger-than-life billboard.  Look for it in Hampton VA along interstate 64 West near Hampton University. Thanks to Greg for pulling over and capturing the image below.

Congratulations to Dr. James M. Russell III, recipient of the 2008 Virginia Outstanding Scientist award. On last week, I photographed Russell and the 2007 award winner, Dr. M. Patrick McCormick, on the campus of Hampton University. Images were created of them in front of Ogden Hall, the Administration Building (pictured below), and other areas of the campus. Thanks to Yuri and her staff for coordinating this session.

One or two images from the session will be part of a billboard display along interstate 64 in Hampton VA. Look for the super-sized image during August and September 2008.

Dr. James M. Russell III (left) and Dr. M. Patrick McCormick (right),
winners of the 2008 and 2007 Virginia Outstanding Scientist Award

My work has been published in the June 30, 2008 issue of JET Magazine. One section features several of this year’s commencement speeches by prominent African-Americans. Among them are Christopher Gardner, who was the speaker at Hampton University’s 2008 Commencement Exercises. You can check out his photo on page 19, along with a quote from his speech. Commencement quotes from Barack Obama, Maxine Waters, Tom Joyner and others were also featured.

The 2008 Hampton Ministers’ Conference and Choir Directors’/Orgainists’ Guild Workshop kicked off on Monday June 2nd on the campus of Hampton University. Preachers and church musicians from all over the country have gathered here to worship, network, and learn music and concepts that they can take back to their hometown churches. This year’s conference speaker is Bishop Charles E. Blake, presiding Bishop of Church of God in Christ Worldwide. Here are a few images from the choir soloist performance and Bishop Blake’s sermon. Enjoy!

Choir Director