Students at Delaware State University took time off from their fall-semester studies Sept. 9 to party in the school gym with the BET television network’s Black College Tour.
Shuttling between classes with books and backpacks in hand, hundreds of students stopped to play a little Xbox, shoot some hoops and listen to music sung by their classmates and a few professional recording artists.
Sophomore finance major Braunsy Brooks said he remembers when the BET tour hit campus last year, and he was glad it came around again.
“I like it, it brings together a lot of people and a lot of talent,” he said. “It’s a good social thing.”
Brooks, a Polytech alumnus, said the event is a great way to bring the campus together while the school year is still fresh.
“I’m meeting a lot of new people — commuter students, people I’ve never seen around campus,” he said.
This year the BET tour will stop at 12 more historically black colleges through November.
In addition to a hip-hop showcase and talent show presented by DefJam Recordings, the tour features a slew of other activities, entertainment and promotions sponsored by Verizon, Microsoft, Sierra Mist and the U.S. Air Force.
But there was more to the DSU event than just games and music.
BET also brought along representatives from its HIV/AIDS awareness Rap-It-Up campaign, who were on hand to provide knowledge and information on the disease, how to get tested and how to prevent it.
Aaron Graves, a DJ with Washington, D.C., radio station 95.5 WPGC spent his time at DSU quizzing students on the myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS and handing out prizes to those who could answer correctly.
Graves, whose radio nickname is Herkules, said it’s important to spread the truth about the disease at historically black colleges, since HIV/AIDS is disproportionately common among black women.
“There are a lot of myths and there’s people who are misinformed,” he said. “You’d be surprised at how many adults don’t know what’s true … It’s not just the lack of information, it’s the misinformation.”
Students also had the opportunity to talk with some of the sponsors’ representatives about job opportunities and internships with their companies.
Junior Devin Watkins, who is vice-president of the DSU Student Government Association, said that component of the tour is an important one.
“It’s a great opportunity for internships in the summer or during the school year,” he said “And it’s a way to get students into jobs when they graduate.”
Overall, Watkins said he was happy the event could help his colleagues unwind in the middle of a busy week.
“It’s a chance for students at the beginning of the years with rigorous studies to have some time to relax,” he said. “And, take pride in historically black colleges and the school as a whole. It’s pride and spirit.”
Email Doug Denison at doug.denison@doverpost.com
