Webster’s Dictionary defines an all-star as a performer who is famous or very skillful; outstanding performers or participants. According to the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU), North Carolina A&T State University has two all-stars.

Leon White and Shakera Fudge are two of 75 students to be named as HBCU All-Stars and will serve as student ambassadors for the White House.  By Executive Order 13532, President Barack Obama continued promoting excellence, innovation, and sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This year makes the first class of HBCU All-Stars to demonstrate the White House initiative.   

White will graduate with a doctorate in mechanical engineering this summer, and Fudge is a senior double majoring in animal science and laboratory animal science with a minor in chemistry.

The winners will spend the next year advocating for HBCUs and their continued role in educating on a national scale as well as showcasing the knowledge students gain from attending HBCUs.

“Engaging with the next generation of leaders who will graduate from HBCUs and go on to make meaningful contributions to society is crucial to the success of our community, our country and our global competitiveness,” said George Cooper, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs.  

“It is a privilege to announce these 75 students who have demonstrated a commitment to both their own academic achievement and making a difference in their communities, and we look forward to working with them as partners in advancing President Obama’s college completion goal.” The students were selected from a pool of 445 applicants.

Fudge beamed with excitement when she received the news. “This is by far my biggest accomplishment.”

White was equally excited in receiving the news. “I am honored to be able to represent North Carolina A&T through this initiative.”

As HBCU All-Stars, Fudge and White will work together to create programs that promote academic excellence and stress the importance of HBCUs until the next HBCU All-Star(s) can be named for the university.

Fudge is from Syracuse, and White is from Upper Marlboro, Md. They both said their HBCU experience has been worthwhile.

Fudge is a first-generation

‘ at A&T. She transferred from community college in Virginia and said her path to college pushed her to be the best.

“I felt left behind coming from community college due to my lack of exposure in my field of interest, and I took off running into my department [once at A&T].”

Her drive allowed her to pursue dreams becoming a veterinarian. She has been accepted into N.C. State and Purdue University, but she will not know if she has gotten into her dream school, Tuskegee University, until after her interview this week.    

White plans to leap into industry engineering positions after graduation. However, his dream is to help advance science and engineering initiatives internationally.  

Two other students from the triad were also selected as HBCU All-Stars: Georges Guillame of Winston-Salem State University and Jasmine Everett of Bennett College.

• ZIRIS SAVAGE Register Reporter