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Centralian Lovie-Afi Greene to Teach in Thailand

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Wilberforce, OH | Centralian   Lovie Afi Greene  (2023) earned a Bachelor of Science as an Education-Intervention Specialist and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Gold Cord Honors and the Honors in the Major and International Honors designations.     She transferred to CSU during the pandemic after a brief mental health break from another university.  She has had to overcome many obstacles to complete her degree including financial hardships and mental wellness challenges.     She is a second-generation educator, following her mother Emily Bailey's footsteps, and comes from a long lineage of HBCU graduates. Lovie-Afi is also the daughter of Phillip Greene, a Guyanese immigrant who started his career as a welder. Education is very important in her family and her hope is to instill the same love and passion for learning in the students she serves.     While attending CSU, Ms. Greene was a member of the Honors College, Golden Key International Honour Society, and the Alpha Kappa Mu (AKM
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Keante' Lewis | Trustee and Strada Presidential Leadership Scholar Athlete

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  Keante' Lewis   |  Trustee and Strada Presidential Leadership Scholar Athlete by  Ajina Dupree  | Spring 2023 WILBERFORCE, OH - Keante’ Lewis is a sophomore at Central State University from Baltimore, Maryland. Lewis is an honors student majoring in Communications with a concentration in Broadcast Media. She is a Central State University Trustee Scholar as well as a Strada Presidential Leadership Scholar. She is also a member of the  Saint Frances Academy National Honors Society.   After graduating from high school with a 4.1 GPA, Lewis was accepted to many different universities, including Ivy League institutions. She decided to attend an HBCU to avoid racism, discrimination, and inequality experienced by her race. While visiting Central State, Lewis says that everyone was very welcoming, and it felt like home. After her visit, she had no hesitation or reservations about committing to CSU.   Lewis is Vice President and Co-Founder of the Honor
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James Myles Lacking | Honors Scholar Athlete

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  James Myles Lacking   |  Honors Scholar Athlete by Ajina Dupree | Spring 2023 WILBERFORCE, OH - James  Myles Lacking is a sophomore at Central State University. Born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, Lacking is an honors student majoring in Business Management Information Systems. He maintains an honors scholarship, a track and field scholarship, and is a recipient of the Leroy Luckie Scholarship (2022). He has been a member of the Honors College since 2021 and was on the Dean’s List for Spring 2022. In the Fall of 2022, he was nominated for the National Society of Leadership & Success.   Mr. Lacking chose CSU “because of how relatively close an HBCU was to home.” CSU was even more attractive to him because he was offered an opportunity to join the track and field team and because he was introduced to the myriad benefits the Honors College offers.   Lacking is exceptionally active in campus life activities. He was crowned as
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PABLO OQUENDO II | Presidential Scholar

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PABLO OQUENDO II   |  Presidential Scholar by  Ajina Dupree  | Fall 2022 WILBERFORCE, OH - Pablo Oquendo II, from Lorain, OH, is a sophomore at Central State University. He is an honors student majoring in Music Education. Oquendo is a member of the Alpha Delta Lambda Honors Society, Alpha Kappa Mu, the Golden Key International Honour Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success, and is also a Presidential Scholar. In 2021, he had the privilege of meeting and playing the violin for Governor Mike DeWine at the groundbreaking ceremony for CSU's new honors residence hall and administrative complex .   Oquendo is a member of the Invincible Marching Marauders, the section leader of the drumline, and the only q uint player in the band. He is also a member of Central State University’s Concert Band.   He was recently named the 2021-2022 Best Thumper (award for the best percussionist). Further, he plays in the J azz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the President's Own Big B
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ELAINA BROOKS | Presidential Scholar & Strada Presidential Leadership Scholar

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  ELAINA BROOKS | Presidential Scholar & Strada Presidential Leadership Scholar WILBERFORCE, OH - Central State University sophomore honors student Elaina Brooks is a Psychology major with a minor in Biology and is from Montgomery, Alabama. She is a CSU Presidential Scholar, former President of a Jack and Jill America - Montgomery chapter, a former member of CSU’s Volleyball team, a previous member of the National Honors Society, a previous Miller Fellow intern, and a STRADA Presidential Leadership Scholarship recipient.    Funded by the Strada Education Network, the Strada Presidential Leadership Scholarship focuses on investment in the next generation of leaders. Through this scholarship program, recipients are provided leadership development, academic support, internship funding, and critical social engagement resulting in positive postsecondary learning opportunities that lead to meaningful career pathways for Strada Scholars. Strada recognizes the importance of HBCUs in provi
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