An Arkansas Tech University student remains in serious condition in a Little Rock hospital after sustaining injuries in an alleged fraternity hazing incident last week.

The fraternity has been suspended by the university pending the outcome of an investigation by Arkansas State Police and the school’s Office of Public Safety.

According to a statement released by Tech officials Monday, authorities are investigating to determine if the student, Deshawn Scoggins, was a victim of a hazing incident involving the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Scoggins was listed in serious condition by a University of Arkansas for Medical Science hospital spokesperson Friday afternoon. Scoggins is not listed in Tech’s online student directory.

The release says ATU officials learned of the injuries Saturday.

According to Arkansas law, hazing can range from “the playing of abusive or truculent tricks on or off the property of any school, college, university or other educational institution in Arkansas” to any act “by one student alone or acting with others in striking, beating, bruising, or maiming.”

Arkansas statute 6-5-203 classifies hazing as a class B misdemeanor. Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney David Gibbons said if hazing is found to be the cause of the student’s injuries, the extent of those injuries and what weapons were used to cause them could carry felony battery charges.

The misdemeanor is punishable by expulsion from the school, according to the statute.

The university’s student handbook defines hazing as “an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.” The handbook lists several sanctions for hazing, ranging from a warning or probation to monetary fines, restitution, denial of credit or degree, or suspension or expulsion.

The handbook also states each student organization is required to sign a statement which states they understand the definition and penalties of hazing.

Authorities found the body of missing Alabama student Charles Edward Jones III around 1:55 p.m. Friday, April 6. Jones disappeared Thursday night during a cruise on the Black Warrior River.

Jones was a 20-year-old sophomore from Demopolis and a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at UA. Tuscaloosa police confirm that Jones was the cousin of Tuscaloosa Police Chief Steve Anderson, who is currently out of the state.

Friday morning, crews resumed the search for Jones. Authorities were called around 10 p.m. Thursday when the student was discovered missing as the Bama Belle returned to dock. It had been out on a river cruise hosting a formal for the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Crews searched by boat, ground, and air for three hours looking for Jones. Authorities then called off the search until sunrise Friday, when divers resumed searching the water. They said the water is deep and the current is strong.

Students were very emotional Thursday night, some upset the search was suspended overnight. Authorities said after three hours of searching, there was nothing else they could do until sunrise Friday.

Actor Hill Harper is supporting a new national partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC),  Call to Service for St. Jude initiative, which launched earlier this month.

“NPHC organizations have deep roots in education and making a difference in the lives of our youth. Engaging this richly diverse membership through the Call to Service for St. Jude initiative will help raise awareness about St. Jude in the African-American community, while sharing the hospital’s mission of treating the world’s sickest children with the best care.”  Key messages: There’s still time for NPHC members, family and friends to support help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provide the best care to the world’s sickest children at no cost to their family by visiting stjude.org/nphc.

One reason this partnership is of such significance is because it is critical that we continue to educate communities about the importance of resources and treatment for pediatric cancer, sickle cell screening and treatment for the disease as well as research aimed at improving the quality of life for those living with sickle cell disease.  The NPHC is composed of historically African-American international Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities. Participating organizations include: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Winston Myers II, currently director of the South DeKalb YMCA, has been named executive director of the new 57,000 square foot Wade Walker YMCA under construction and slated to open in late summer 2012.

Myers starts his new job April 1.

In a press release announcing his new position, Myers said: “This new Y is an exciting, healthy living collaboration with DeKalb County and will provide many options for families and individuals to get more active and connect with their community. The Wade Walker Park Y will positively impact local residents in many ways.”

“The Y is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We want to be sure everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has an opportunity to join, play, volunteer, and enrich their lives. Children, teens and adults can get involved in so many ways, like school break camps, teen leadership programs, family nights, events for active older adults, and community volunteer activities,” said Myers, who lives in Conyers with his wife and three children.

According to the release, Myers began his career with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads. He went on to work at four different Ys in Norfolk, Chesapeake and Portsmouth, Virginia, where he served as a program director in child care, summer camp, youth sports, and wellness.

Myers has been with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for 15 years, since 1997, first working at the Covington Family YMCA as the senior program director. He came to the South DeKalb Y in 2000, according to the release.

He was the associate executive director there before moving up to executive director in 2008. Myers is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and a graduate of Leadership Newton County, the release said.

According to the release, an on-site, membership office will open in May; more than 200 local residents will be hired for various positions this summer; and through the partnership with DeKalb County, residents in the 30058, 30083, 30087, and 30088 zip codes will be exempt from paying joining fees.

Since 1996, the Alpharetta-Smyrna Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi has conducted its mentoring and tutorial program with the goal of making a positive impact among male middle school students. Since then, over 350 youth have been guided to more positive social interactions and higher scholastic pursuits.

Today, the Kappa collaboration with the Georgia Tech Research Institute is conducting a special seminar for 43 middle and high school students enrolled in its Guide Right Program on Robotics Technology at the Food Processing Technology Division (FPTD) at Tech.

Most students come from Cobb schools.

FPTD develops next-generation technologies for processing efficiency and operational enhancement in the food processing and general manufacturing industries and works collaboratively with university and industry partners on projects involving advanced robotics and automation, imaging and sensing, environmental, energy, and worker and food safety technologies.

The demand for science and technology literacy of students coming out of high schools has never been higher, but school systems struggle to produce the science literacy required. Georgia students’ preparedness in science and math education achievement is not much better than many states across the nation.

Educators and industrial leaders warn that our way of life and national security is at risk because we are in danger of falling further behind in science, technology, engineering, and math, the disciplines that have powered American prosperity for decades.

This collaboration between Georgia’s leading engineering research university and the Alpharetta-Smyrna Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi will expose a group of middle and high school students historically underrepresented in science and engineering careers to leading edge research being conducted in fields such as advanced imaging and sensor technology, robotics and automation systems, and food and product safety research.

The students will have opportunities to interact with scientists in small groups, and to ask questions which will enable them to understand how mechanics, physics, chemistry, mathematics and other sciences they will learn can be put to work in exciting and rewarding applications.

Lawrence King, Kappa coordinator for the event, says, “Our hosts have designed a set of project learning team exercises that will challenge these youngsters to work in teams and apply their math and reasoning abilities.”

The Guide Right Program conducted by the fraternity’s men have incorporated STEM learning into its mentoring and intervention activities conducted during each school year to improve the life potential and outcomes for these challenged African American male students. The Alpharetta-Smyrna Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi is a member of Partners in Education in Cobb County along with Marietta City Schools, Cobb County School District, and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.

For more information about this community organization, visit www.asakappas.org.

Police issued warrants for eight people Thursday in connection with the beatings of two Youngstown State University students in what is believed to be part of a fraternity initiation.

All eight people charged face two counts each of felonious assault for the beatings of Resean Yancey, 20, and Breylon Stubbs, 22, over a period stretching from January into February.

There were at least six and maybe as many as nine beatings, police said Wednesday. The beatings took place at a North Side home on Woodford Avenue.

Only one of the suspects, Trey McCune, 21, is a current YSU student. The other seven were former students, and all were members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, which has since been suspended by the university.

In a statement, YSU President Dr. Cynthia Anderson said the university is conducting an internal investigation of the fraternity that could lead to a revocation of its charter on campus.

City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said the case was hard to crack at first, but once they interviewed the victims, the pieces began to fall into place.

”Once we obtained the cooperation of the victims, the case came together quickly,” he said. ”I was surprised by the severity of what was going on.”

The investigation is ongoing, police said. Youngstown State University police are assisting.

None of the suspects has a record, Macejko said.

The investigation started when Yancey was hospitalized for injuries he received in a Feb. 2 beating.

According to Youngstown State University’s website, the Beta Pi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi was established at YSU May 5, 1946, as the first black Greek-letter organization, and it is the oldest chapter of any fraternity on campus.

Kappa Alpha Psi was suspended under the YSU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct, which prohibits hazing. As a result, the fraternity is denied access to the campus and is prohibited from participating in any university activities.

Last week, university officials met with representatives of all fraternities and sororities to go over the policy on hazing, Anderson said.

”Any campus student organization or individual participating in any activity that threatens the safety of the campus community will be dealt with promptly and severely,” Anderson said in her statement.

William Jefferson Sr., age 75, of Liberty, died Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at Reid Hospital.

Born June 21, 1936, in Trenton, Ky., to Malcolm and Rosa Martin Jefferson, he moved to this area in 1974. Bill graduated from high school in 1954 and was an alumnus of Kentucky State University. He served in the U.S. Army for seven years. Bill worked for the Ford Motor Company in Louisville, Ky., where he was the first man of color hired as a salaried employee. He continued working with Ford Motor Company, which became Visteon, in Connersville, retiring after 46 years of service. Bill attended Baptist Temple in Connersville and was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Harley Group of Richmond.

Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved motorcycles and rode in 49 of the 50 states and in each province of Canada, but his biggest thrill was riding with his son, William Jr. His daughter, Lori, was his princess. Bill loved his children, but his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He had special things he enjoyed doing with each grandchild.

Survivors include his wife, Lloyce Burton Jefferson, to whom he was married July 3, 1960, in Paducah, Ky.; son, William Jefferson Jr. of Wake Forest, N.C.; daughter, Lori Allen of Connersville; grandchildren, Antonio, Ashley, and Kenny Wilson, Lloyce and Aimee Jefferson, and Tiffanni Reidy; brothers, Booker, James, Eugene, and Smith Jefferson; sister, Daisy Weatherby; an aunt and uncle; cousins; nieces; nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

A memorial service for William Jefferson Sr. will be at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012, at the Baptist Temple, 1380 E. State Road 44, Connersville. Doan & Mills Funeral Home, Richmond, is handling the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book atwww.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

There wasn’t an empty seat at the Steven R. Agee II scholarship fund kickoff Monday.

The event was hosted by Steven’s mother, Kimberly Agee, in the Holmes Student Center Capitol Room.

“I think it was a wonderful night,” Kimberly said. “So many students came out. I didn’t expect this. His fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, did all the groundwork. All I had to do was show up.”

Steven was fatally shot in the early hours of Nov. 23 at 809 Edgebrook Drive. He was a senior sociology major and involved in several organizations on campus, including Kappa Alpha Psi.

“The major decision [to create the scholarship] was when I saw my son lying on a slab for the very first time,” Kimberly said. “I promised myself that his death would not be in vain, and this has been part of what I’ve worked on since Nov. 23.”

At the kickoff, Kimberly talked about her son and why she decided to create the scholarship. She then allowed friends of Steven to come up to the front of the room and share stories and memories they had of Steven.

“He was so for diversity,” said Odarian Jordan, senior communication major and Kappa Alpha Psi member. “And that’s one thing that rubbed off on me, is how he just wanted to bring everyone together at the end of the day.”

The scholarship will be run by Steven’s parents and fraternity. Kimberly said applicants must showcase qualities her son had, like an interest in leadership and academics.

“One thing that makes Steven so well-known to the NIU community is how well he was involved in different organizations,” Jordan said.

Kimberly said anyone can donate to the scholarship by going to the website. She said there has already been donations from businesses, groups and individuals. Jordan said students can also ask members of Kappa Alpha Psi to get information on either donating to or applying for the scholarship.

“I think a scholarship would be the perfect thing because he, himself, was very pro-academics and having good grades,” Jordan said. “It’s only right that we give back to our NIU family, our NIU community, with a scholarship in honor of a person who really was prestigious.”

Kimberly said the scholarship will be offered every year. The scholarship has no set amount, Kimberly said, but there will always be some money given.

“If we can’t do anything but help someone purchase books-give them a scholarship for their books, then that’s what we’ll give them,” Kimberly said.

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Ken Ward, TV reporter, was set to drive Wednesday from Charlotte, N. C. to Tampa Bay, Fla. to start his new job at an ABC affiliate.

Instead, the 44-year-old was found dead early Wednesday morning at his home before the journey even started, leaving colleagues and viewers wondering what happened to the promising reporter.

His former news station, WSOC-TV, issued a brief statement Wednesday at 11:10 a.m. local time.

“We have lost a former member of our family here at Channel 9,” the message read in part.

The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which Ward was a member, said in a statement that the TV reporter died around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, but didn’t give other details.

An autopsy at the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office will be performed to determine the cause of death, according to reports.

However, published reports suggested the Ward died of natural causes.

“This should have been a great day for him, and it’s sad that this has happened,” co-worker Ken Lemon, told Qcitymetro, a newspaper that covers the African American community in Charlotte.

“Ken was a very nice co-worker,” Lemon added. “He was very active in doing community events… He had a very pleasant demeanor. He was the kind of guy that anytime you saw him at work, he had a smile and a handshake – from the first day he came here until the last time I talked to him. And to know that we’re not going to see his smile or get to shake his hand again is very heart-breaking.”

Ward not only had the new job to look forward, but on Saturday, he and wife Letitia Ward celebrated their one-year anniversary.

Friends and family took to social media to express their condolences.

“R.I.P. Cousin nothing but good childhood thoughts of U!! Prayers of love and support Auntie, Sterlin, Donald and Leltia,” wrote Cheryl Ward, who currently lives in Harlem, N.Y.