HU TO HOLD 61ST ANNUAL CONVOCATION

WHAT: Hampton University’s 61st Annual Convocation Ceremony featuring Wilbert Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs

WHEN: Sunday, October 5, 10:45 a.m.

WHERE: Ogden Hall, Hampton University Campus

The 2003 Convocation ceremony, marking the official opening of the school year, is the first event in which Dr. JoAnn Haysbert will officiate, serving as acting president of Hampton University while President William R. Harvey is on sabbatical. Wilbert Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education, in the Office of Postsecondary Education, is the keynote speaker.

Bryant has served in his current position since 2001. In addition, Bryant was appointed Counselor to the Secretary for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In this role, Bryant serves as the designated official advising the Secretary of Education on strengthening the nation’s HBCU and on advancing the opportunities for HBCUs to fully participate in federally funded programs.

Bryant has served as Deputy Secretary of Education for the state of Virginia, assisting with numerous education initiatives including Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL), which established rigorous academic standards for K-12 students in english, mathematics, science and history.

Bryant later served as Virginia Secretary of Education, overseeing 37 educational and cultural related executive branch agencies of the Commonwealth, including the Virginia Department of Education, the State Council of Higher Education, the Virginia Community College System, 15 colleges and universities, vocational and technical training centers, five public museums, the Library of Virginia and two teaching hospitals. In addition he had oversight of a biennial budget of more than 17 billion dollars.

A native of Goulds, FL,Bryant earned a bachelor of science in mathematics from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Bryant received a master of education from Howard University. He is also a retired Colonel from the United States Army.