Gala honors scholarship winners
Andrew Chestnut
Managing Editor
Photo courtesy of Facebook
Attendees of the 33rd annual Antonio Johnson Scholarship Gala pose with Fr. Michael Graham, S.J. Junior Aaron Marble (sixth from left) received a full tuition scholarship and the runner-up, junior Katriece Carter (fourth from right), was awarded $10,000.
The Black Student Association (BSA) and Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted the 33rd annual Antonio Johnson Scholarship Gala on Friday night, awarding junior Aaron Marble with the Antonio Johnson Scholarship.
The award, which includes one year of full tuition, on-campus housing and textbook expenses, is given each year to a junior who exhibits academic excellence, leadership, involvement and service.
The gala and scholarship, which is awarded by the university, were set up to honor Antonio Johnson, a Xavier student from 1971-76.
Johnson was president of BSA and organized activities for Black History Month. He died suddenly on Feb. 8, 1976, at the age of 22.
“This event is a culmination of the efforts of the Black Student Association to continue the trail blazed by Antonio Johnson. The legacy of Antonio Johnson causes us to do a self-assessment as members of the Xavier community to measure our commitment to diversity awareness and cultural enrichment,” said Robert Clay, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“We are living in an age where we are to live in a melting pot. I believe it is necessary to have events like the Antonio Johnson Scholarship Gala, African Gala, Queer Week, Midwest Masala and others to appreciate the diverse population represented at Xavier. It’s our uniqueness that defines us and adds richness to this community,” Clay said.
Marble, a human resources major and theology minor, is executive secretary
of BSA, Student Rights Representative for the Student Government Association,
Vice President of the Sigma Gamma Gamma chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
and is involved in the gospel choir.
Junior Katriece Carter was awarded the $10,000 runner-up award given by Macy’s
Credit and Customer Services.
“I was very excited and quite overwhelmed,” said Marble.
“I am very appreciative, and it’s very rewarding to know that the
work I’ve done has been recognized. To be honored is a blessing.
“It’s great that the university has continued to honor Antonio Johnson’s
legacy with this scholarship. All student leaders embody his legacy of making
an impact on campus to benefit the student body as a whole,” he added.
Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Nadine Allen gave the keynote speech at the gala. Allen became the first black woman elected to county-wide office in Hamilton County in 1987.
Crime stats to remain stable
No major changes expected for campus or neighborhood crime
Meghan Berneking
News Editor
Though the 2008 campus crime report has not yet been released, no major fluctuations from 2007 are predicted, said Officer Ken Grossman of Campus Police. “The crime statistics for this year are along the lines of what is traditionally expected,” he said.
In 2007, there were two robberies, six burglaries, four sex offenses, two motor vehicle thefts and four arsons on campus. There were no homicides, aggravated assaults, non-forcible sex offenses or hate crimes reported.
Off-campus crimes included two burglaries, two forcible sex offenses, one motor vehicle theft and no homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies, non-forcible sex offenses, arsons or hate crimes.
Off-campus crimes include those that occurred within a mile and a half radius
of campus but involved students and were reported to Campus Police.
Norwood Police Department was unable to release crime statistics for 2008 due
to problems with the record-keeping system. The department does, however, report
part one and part two crimes (the two most serious crimes classifications) to
the state government, which in turn reports them to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
as part of the Uniform Crime Reporting program.
Though more accurate record-keeping began in January 2009, there have been
few fluctuations in crime rates in the past couple of years.
“Based on my experience, there’s no reason to think there would
be any major changes, but with the economy the way it is, who’s to say
we’re not feeling the effects of that too,” said Lt. Tom Williams
of the NPD.
Evanston and North Avondale, as reported on CrimeReports.com, show much larger statistics than those reported by Campus Police because they include all residents, not just students.
In 2008, there were 85 thefts, 77 breaking and entering offenses, two sexual assaults (both forcible rapes), 11 other sex offenses, 22 motor vehicle thefts, 45 robberies and 98 assaults in Evanston and North Avondale combined.
Police Notes
April 15, 4:15 p.m. – A student reported the theft of his or her wallet from an unlocked locker in O’Connor Sports Center.
April 17, 5:20 p.m. – A student who left his or her U.S. Bank debit card in the machine next to Kuhlman Hall reported that when he or she came back to retrieve the card, $120 was missing from his or her account.
April 18, 2:05 a.m. – An RA reported damage to the first floor west wing of Brockman Hall.
April 18, 8:18 a.m. – A student reported finding inappropriate drawings and writings on a white board in a classroom in Edgecliff Hall.
April 19, 12:08 a.m. – Campus Police assisted Norwood Police with a loud house party on the 2100 block of Cleneay Ave. One student was arrested for urinating in the front yard and the party was broken up.
April 19, 2:05 a.m.– Norwood Police advised Campus Police that a student was arrested on Houston Ave. for underage consumption and obstruction of official business after kicking a parked vehicle and running from officers.
April 19, 2:44 a.m. – Campus Police, Res Life and Cincinnati Fire and Rescue responded to the C-1 lot for an intoxicated underage student unresponsive in a parked motor vehicle. The student was checked by medics and was allowed to stay on campus for the night. Res Life will follow up.
April 20, 2:00 p.m. – A student reported money missing from the cash drawer in Flix. Investigation is pending.
April 20, 11:02 p.m. – An RA reported finding a small bag of marijuana on the fifth floor hallway of Kuhlman Hall.
Police Note of the Week
April 14, 7:33 p.m. – A student reported witnessing an unknown subject wearing a paper mask and masturbating in the ground floor hallway of Hailstones Hall during class. Campus Police conducted a thorough search of the area but were unable to locate any suspects.
