Office of the President, Message from Dr. Hakim J. Lucas
September 30, 2022
Dear Panther Community,
It is my favorite time of year! Campus is still booming with activity as we kick off Homecoming week! Keep reading for a recap of some good news you should know about.
VUU Propels Upward in U.S. News and World Report Ranking
VUU is now ranked as the 43rd-best HBCU in the country according to the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings. Last year, we broke into the top 50 at #48, after not being ranked at all just four years ago. This upward trajectory is a testament to the hard work of our students, alumni, faculty and staff and it is only the beginning of our Best-in-Class journey. Let’s keep going!
VUU Highlighted During HBCU Week
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This month, the Hampton Roads Show highlighted VUU during HBCU Week. Our very own Provost, Dr. Mignon Jacobs, talked about the rich legacy of the university and our commitment to serving the local community. The segment was broadcast on WAVY-TV, the NBC affiliate in the Hampton Roads area of eastern Virginia. It is the region’s most-watched TV station. Check out VUU’s segment, here.
Henrico Day: Preparing Students for the Workforce
This week, the Office of Workforce Development and Training hosted Henrico Day, a job and information fair, in partnership with various Henrico County agencies. Jeremiah Smith, a junior and workforce scholarship recipient who currently interns with Facilities Management, was offered a permanent position with the Henrico County Department of Public Works. Congratulations on your job offer, Jeremiah!
Homecoming 2022
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Panthers! Today kicks off Homecoming 2022, Love, Union! For the next week, VUU will host several events for students, faculty and staff, alumni and the community. Tonight, the celebration begins with the Pre-Homecoming concert hosted by the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at VUU. Tonight’s concert will feature award-winning artists Hezekiah Walker, John P. Kee and more! Admission is free for students with a valid VUU ID. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hezwalkeratvuu.com.
On Saturday, October 8, our football team will take on Elizabeth City State University. Tailgating will begin Saturday morning and the game will start at 12 PM. For more information on Homecoming events, visit VUU’s Homecoming website or Instagram.
As always, I appreciate your continued support of VUU and the valuable contributions you make day in and day out. I look forward to celebrating with you this week!
I’ll see you at Homecoming!
Sincerely,
Hakim J. Lucas, Ph.D.
President & CEO
Virginia Union University