b'1 2I A STATE UN I N I A STATE UN I VN V E E RI R G I SG S IR R TIT IV VI YYHB D HC R B DU A C R S U AWU S AS UDIES A WT TDIE BLEM EMBLEMEM2024 Inaugural HBCU Studies 3 4Emblem Award Recipients U S T U D U S T U DC T T I C TAT IB A E U E B E U ES N S S N SH A H AI II V I VN E N EI R I RE M G S E M G SFramed of the campus of Virginia State University in 2020 by the creator of the nations first HBCU R D R DI IT TI IY R Y RV A V AB BHistory course (HIST 349 at VSU), HBCU Studies is the worlds first interdisciplinary academic W WL LEM A EM Adiscipline dedicated to the systematic, classroom study of Black Colleges via an array of innovative, HBCU-focusedcourses,theories,andmethodsgearedtotransformthecomprehensionofand landscape for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.5 6DIES EMB N A STATE UNIV EU LE M G I R ST I R I T2024 Inaugural HBCU Studies Emblem Award Recipients SA V YU WA Actionable successes symbolic of major HBCU Studies tenets through a remarkable C HBCU STUDIESEMBLEM AWARDB RH Dability to implement comprehensive, effectual change at Black Colleges.SINCE 1882national and international recognition. Her ability to craft and tell the VSU story has led to extraordinary media coverage for the work of the stellar VSU faculty and staff. Gwen began her career at Virginia State University in 2008 in the capacity of Special Assistant to the President. She was promoted to Director of Communications, and then in 2020 to her current position of Assistant Vice President of Communications. Prior to coming to VSU in August of 2008, Gwen enjoyed a 23-year career in television and radio news, serving in the capacity of weekend weather anchor, morning weather anchor, talk show host, producer, news reporter, weekend anchor and co-anchor of WRIC-TV8s weekday Good Morning Richmond. Gwen Williams Dandridge is Assistant ViceIn 2005, Gwen hit the pinnacle of her journalism President of Communications and a Professorcareer when she received a Broadcasters Emmy of Mass Communications at Virginia StateAward for the excellence of her work. She is a University.In her current position, she is creditedhighly sought-after public speaker, trainer, and with rebranding Virginia State University andpresenter.increasing its visibility to an unprecedented level. Under her leadership, the university has received 4 Virginia State University'