Tracy Edmonds Uses Her Wanda Everett Scholarship at Hampton University

Daugherty Business Solutions offered the first annual Wanda Everett Scholarship this year to two students. One of the scholars is Tracy Edwards who plans to use her scholarship as a student at Hampton University.

Tracy Edwards, is a junior physics major at Hampton University. She currently works as a research assistant at The Hampton University Cancer Research Center. Using bioinformatics, the focus of Tracy's research is the identification of breast cancer predisposition DNA repair variants among women with breast cancer and its relation to ancestry. Tracy completed a total of three internships thus far. The first being in Optical Radiology at Washington University in St. Louis, where she received her first publication in the The Journal of Biomedical Optics. During the last two academic years, Tracy interned at Vanderbilt University in the Biophotonics laboratory. As a career, Tracy's goal is to earn a doctoral degree in Medical physics advancing techniques used in cancer therapy.

We asked Tracy to share her thoughts on Daugherty Business Solutions:

Tracy Edwards * Everett Scholar (2017)

"Before the beginning of the academic school year, I was invited to visit the Daugherty Business solutions office located in St. Louis, MO. As an awardee of the Wanda Everett BDPA Scholarship, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the members of the corporation that knew her best. During my visit, I meet with Sarah Chapin who did a wonderful job explaining to me the history of the corporation as well as introducing me to the entire staff. As a whole, the team was very open and welcoming. I was even exposed to future internship and philanthropic aspects of the company that I can potentially partake in. In all my visit increased my gratitude for their financial support in my education and I look forward to working with them in the future."

BDPA is blessed to have such a young and talented student as a winner of the Wanda Everett Scholarship for BDPA Students. We look forward to supporting Tracy's career as she seeks to advance her career in the medical industry

Kyra Hayes Uses Her Zycron Scholarship at Hampton University

Kyra Hayes *Hampton University

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to announce that Zycron awarded a $2,500 college scholarship to five (5) students. One of those students is Kyra Hayes of Hampton University.  Zycron is an international information technology services and solutions firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.  Since 1991, Zycron has offered IT solutions to a broad client base, and today is the primary provider for numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Kyra Hayes is a sophomore at Hampton University with a major in Business Management and a minor in Leadership Studies. Kyra seeks to complete coursework in the Audio Engineering discipline. She was selected as a William R. Harvey Leadership Institute Fellow, which provides an intensive, interactive undergraduate minor designed to develop entry-level leaders for the workplace and community who are competent, committed and ethical.  In the coming years, she plans to own her own record label, be a music producer, and also an audio engineer.  She has volunteered with organizations such as Youth About Business, 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Nashville Rescue Mission.

Kyra recently joined our BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter.  When asked to share her thoughts on being a Zycron scholar, Kyra wrote,

"My most memorable moment with BDPA is going to the career fair at the BDPA conference in Atlanta. I enjoyed speaking with representatives from various companies and learning more about how they make the world a better place. While I’ve only been a member for a short time, participating in BDPA has impacted me heavily. My ability to network beyond my current circle is an opportunity that I cherish the most. I was able to meet people from many places and learn about their background, career interests and family. Thank you for the opportunity."

BDPA is blessed to have such a young and talented student member on board as winner of the Zycron Scholarship.  We look forward to supporting Kyra's career as she seeks to advance in the technology industry!

Long Story Short: Dalric Webb (BDPA Cincinnati)

BDPA Cincinnati chapter president Dalric Webb has a deep background of technical and leadership experience in the corporate and non-profit worlds. He served his country for 24 years in the US Army. His undergraduate work at Hampton University (computer science) and masters degree from Capella University (information technology) are preludes to the Ph.D. that he is working towards in information technology organization and management.

Dalric is a devoted father and he is proving to be a dynamic and successful BDPA chapter president. Dalric took over the chapter presidency in January 2014 ... and the membership has more than doubled in the first half of the year, making his chapter the 2nd-largest in the nation!

Dalric Webb

This blog wanted to get a more personal look into the personality of this rising BDPA leader. We asked Dalric to give brief answers to some odd questions. We hope you enjoy this new feature that we simply call, 'Long Story Short...'

1. Craziest thing you've ever done? - I jumped out of an airplane (five times) as part of U.S. Army Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA. Given all the training provided to prepare one for the exit from the airplane, each and every time was scary as well as a severe "pucker" moment until landing on the ground and collecting my parachute.
   
   
2. Favorite food you'd take with you on a desert island? - Would be a toss up between sweet potato pie and German chocolate cake. Good thing about both of these choices is that they both contain a lot of high energy producing sugar to keep me pumped and bouncing all over the desert island!
   
   
3. Favorite Way to relax after a long week? - A challenging game of racquetball. Being able to apply speed, power, precision, control, and athletic ability all at once in my favorite fast-paced game is one of the best ways I find to r and unwind.
   
   
4. Simple things that make you happiest? Watching my children grow, learn, develop, and interact. They are little miracles that have blessed my life and they make me smile and teach me to not take life and all the burdens of responsible adulthood too seriously.
   

Dalric and his children at BDPA 'Meet & Greet'

BDPA Cincinnati is used to seeing Dalric bring one or more of his children to chapter events, so we were not surprised about that last answer! Dalric just joined the Twitterverse recently ... take a moment to follow him @DalricWebb!

President Profile: Dalric Webb (BDPA Cincinnati)

BDPA Cincinnati was founded in December 1989. It is a chapter with a powerful legacy in the BDPA family. Two former chapter presidents (Wayne Hicks and Gina Billings) were later elected to the national BDPA presidency. The current BDPA Cincinnati chapter president -- Dalric Webb -- is poised to take the chapter to even higher levels under his leadership.

Dalric Webb, President
BDPA Cincinnati Chapter

Address: PO Box 429215
Cincinnati, OH 45242
(513) 549-6991

Dalric was introduced to BDPA Cincinnati chapter by past president Wanda (Gray) Hayes. He immediately accepted a leadership position on the chapter's board of directors.

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Dalric's Favorite Quote: "Let's get motivated people!"

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Dalric had a full career serving our nation in the US Army as both an enlisted soldier and an officer. He retired from the military in 2006 and began to focus on his second career with General Electric, currently operating as a compliance officer with the company.

Dalric received his bachelors in computer science from Hampton University. Over time he has earned Masters degrees in both Information Technology and Information Management. Currently, he is working towards his PhD in Organization Management from Capella University. Dalric is a father and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

"I do believe in the value of the organization as a whole and that it has the potential to make a vital difference in the communities in which we work and live by synthesizing the power of networking within the community to execute with excellence the BDPA mission of advancing the careers of African American information technology professionals from the classroom to the boardroom."

Dalric shared some of his insights about BDPA on a recent episode of the BDPA iRadio Show. He believes strongly that BDPA growth is more likely if all of the volunteer leadership positions within the chapter are filled. He works hard to identify potential volunteers and get them connected with specific areas of the chapter where they can help. Dalric shared his top 10 tips for filling volunteer vacancies with this blog last year.

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Please use the POST COMMENT link below to share some BDPA-Love with the president our BDPA Cincinnati chapter!

Related articles

• Message from the BDPA Cincinnati Chapter President
• Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, March 2014)

Oracle Scholarship Winner: Terry Atwater III (Hampton University)

Oracle and BDPA award annual college scholarships to deserving high school, community college or undergraduate students who study STEM-related curriculum. One of the 2013 Oracle Scholarship for BDPA Students winners is Terry 'Tré' Atwater III. Tré is the son of LaVenta and Terry Atwater II and is a June 2013 graduate of Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tré’s high school activities included Diversity and Inclusion (club), Model APEC, Varsity Track, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Football, Mock Trial (Attorney), NAACP Youth Council, awarded “Mr. Beautillion” during the Beautillion Militaire program sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta, “Impact 21” by United Way, Freshman Mentor, and Jack and Jill of America.

Tré has received numerous academic and athletic awards during his high school career. In soccer alone, he has received over 20 first or second place trophies from multiple competitive tournaments. He is also a decorated orator receiving numerous honors. Tré placed nationally at the NAACP’s ACT-SO competition for his speaking ability and also, he was named Mr. Congeniality for his oratory skills, as well as winning Jack and Jill’s regional oratorical completion multiple times. Recently, Delta Sigma Theta named him “Mr. Beautillion” during his participation in the 2013 Beautillion Militaire program. His academic awards include being inducted into the National Society of High School Scholars, as well as being awarded scholarships from Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, and Kappa Alpha Psi. Tré also received the Hampton Scholars Scholarship from Hampton University.

Tré Atwater is currently a freshman at Hampton University and he plans to major in chemical engineering. BDPA is proud to recognize Tré Atwater with the 2013 Oracle Scholarship for BDPA Students!

HSCC Testimonial: Quenice Simms (BDPA Washington DC, 2008)

My name is Quenice Simms and I am extremely proud to have participated as a member of the 2008 High School Computer Competition (HSCC) national team trained by BDPA Washington DC chapter. I remember my first interview with my BDPA instructors Mr. Lou Shack, Mr. Ed Yeldell and Mr. Edwards. They were committed and dedicated to the program, students, and parents. Their expectations for the students were well above what we expected for ourselves coming into the program.

Our BDPA instructors were knowledgeable, thorough, and most of all, patient. Mr. Shack, Mr. Yeldell, and Mr. Edwards were the greatest instructors a student could ask for. They made the learning process much easier. We were able to focus on the content of what was being taught. Computer programming can be difficult, but with the right instructors it can be accomplished. My instructors knew that I had potential to be one of the brightest students in the class. I was selected to compete in the national competition during my first year. Our team came in 2nd place during the 2008 national BDPA HSCC championship. That was a very rewarding and memorable experience that I’ll never forget. I will always have a love for technology thanks to the BDPA Washington DC Chapter.

BDPA was a life-changing experience for me. I learned the true meaning of teamwork. We all set out to tackle and accomplish the same goal. We worked in sync, and spent endless hours preparing for competitions. The notes and quizzes helped me to become more structured in my daily life, and the wealth of knowledge learned will carry on in aspects of my educational and career goals. This generation is highly dependent on technology, and without BDPA I would not be where I am today.

My educational and career goals are to attend Hampton University in order to obtain my Bachelors in kinesiology.  Masters in Bio-kinesiology and my Ph.D in physical therapy sports medicine. I am mesmerized at how exercise, therapy, and an open mind can repair the human body. My plan is to open a not-for-profit Physical Therapy Center that service high school students with sports-related injuries. The center would be open seven days a week, assisting those with financial need. For some student athletes, dreams are all that they have. I would like to help them mentally and physically, so their dreams can become their reality.

HBCU Anniversary: Hampton University

Hampton University was founded on this date in 1868. It is one of 100 Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in America.

Hampton University is a privately endowed, co-educational, school, located in southeastern Virginia. General Samuel Chapman Armstrong founded the University as Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. It was designed to educate the newly emancipated Blacks, and has grown into a comprehensive University offering a broad range of technical, liberal arts, pre-professional, professional and graduate degree programs. In it’s beginning, Hampton was neither a government nor a state school.

It was chartered by a special act of the General Assembly of Virginia and was controlled by a board representing both different regions of the country and various religious groups. The school's most famous graduate was Booker T. Washington. Hampton was unique in that it opened its doors to Native Americans too. Beginning in 1878, Native American students were brought to the school from Northern Plains tribes to be “re-educated.” Armstrong, who had been raised by missionary parents in Hawaii, promoted a curriculum, which was highly colonialist in its tenor and promoted the most rapid assimilation possible.

For over 130 years, Hampton University has held true to its mission: educating African Americans to be scholars and leaders, nationally and internationally. Hampton University is consistently placed among the elite in national polls and rankings, including those for U.S. News and World Report, Black Enterprise, Black Issues in Higher Education and other publications.

Any Hampton University alumni among our readers?