Central State University's Honors College Spotlight

  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

  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

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

  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

  Kamille Austin's Composition, "Take the Field" WILBERFORCE, OH - Central State University junior honors student Kamille Austin is a Music Education major from Cincinnati, Ohio.  She chose CSU because of its location and because the school was interested in her as whole student. She said the school gave her a full ride between volleyball, band, and academics. She is a member of the Honors College, a member of the Invincible Marching Marauders, a member of the Robeson Chamber Winds, a drum major, a recipient of the About Love Beyonce Scholarship, and a previous volleyball team member. She has been on the Dean's List, participated in honors recitals for music majors , was elected as a CSU drum major, and received one of the Music Department’s highest awards for her composition of the work, “Take the Field.”   Austin composed the musical piece as part of an in-course honors project under the supervision of Professor Hal Melia. Below is