N.C. A&T Advances to Final Four in 32nd Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 19, 2021) – An exceptional team representing North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is advancing to the final four round of the virtual 32^nd annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) following its win against Oakwood University.

North Carolina A&T joins Alabama A&M, Florida A&M and Morehouse College as this year’s semi-finalists and the tournament will stream today at 6 p.m.

“I commend the A&T team and their coach, Professor Bryon Turman, for their performance so far in this year’s Honda Campus All-Star Challenge,” said Frances Ward-Johnson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “Representing North Carolina A&T in this fast-paced, high-achieving national competition demonstrates the university’s mission of academic excellence and student success.”

This prestigious challenge is an academic bowl for historically black colleges and universities and is one of Honda’s “largest and longest running philanthropic initiatives in the United States.” A&T has participated since 1990, winning more than $130,000 in grants. Although recruitment is an ongoing process, Turman primarily makes appearances every year to engage potential competitors at campus events, including freshman orientation and organization fairs.

This year’s theme is “HBCU Proud, Excellence Defined.”

“HCASC gives undergraduate students the opportunity to compete in an academic setting while strengthening their communication, teamwork and leadership skills in a welcoming environment that fosters integrity, competitiveness, knowledge and HBCU pride,” said Turman.

“I have enjoyed building relationships with my team members and interacting with students from many HBCUs,” said team captain Malkam Hawkins, a junior studying electrical engineering. “Participating in HCASC is an opportunity to have fun and demonstrate academic competitiveness while representing a university that cultivates academic excellence.”

Hawkins competes with three team members across campus:

• Samara Daniels, junior, criminal justice
• Frances Kendrick, sophomore, nursing (co-captain)
• Mitchell Wilson, sophomore, mechanical engineering

To prepare for this year’s tournament, the team practiced at least six hours every week in addition to study sessions led by the co-captains.

Supporters can watch the semi-finals at 6 p.m. on the HCASC’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.

Pictured from left to right: CAHSS professor Bryon D. Turman, Mitchell Wilson,
Malkam Hawkins (team captain) Samara Daniels and Frances Kendrick (co-captain)