Norfolk State University considers SPICE
Norfolk State University is a historically-Black University (HBCU) with more than 6,000 students and located in Norfolk, Virginia. Yesterday Norfolk State President Dr. Tony Atwater’s held a student forum in which he solicited input from the student body. He encouraged the students to give him candid feedback, “the good, the bad and the ugly” as it was called.
Oluwakayode Bamiduro, graduate engineering student raised the subject on the floor of the student forum. He mentioned that it would provide students with an additional social outlet and it is something he remembers from his native Nigeria. The suggestion created a buzz in the room, part bewilderment and part approval.
Dr. Arthur Bowman of the STEM program was able to reinforce the message and mentioned a possible partnership with Susan Polgar and a possible SPICE satellite at NSU. Lisa Suhay of the Norfolk Initiative for Chess Excellence (NICE) was the conduit for the partnership.
I am in the middle of discussion with other universities to have SPICE there as well. My idea is to get as many universities as possible to support chess with scholarships, outreach, research, and chess in education. Stay tuned for a lot of exciting news.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
I would offer my university, but we are not quite ready yet. We had a club years ago, but we need to gauge the interest of the students.