In a time when many students are receiving lackluster financial aid packages and wondering how they will afford college in the fall, Hampton University is receiving major support from a number of surprising sources, including the state of Virginia.
Governor Timothy Kaine announced that the school will receive $150 million in state bonds to help finance the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, according to the DailyPress.com. The institute, which will cost roughly $225 million to build, will be the first of its kind in the area and the largest establishment for proton therapy research in the country. This research could be the technology needed to potentially help millions of cancer patients worldwide with virtually little pain and minimal side effects. The school is expected to pay back the bonds and also pay the state for facilitating them.
In other Hampton news, Black Eye Peas frontman, Will.i.am, surprised Christiana High School student Barien White and three of his classmates with a full ride to Hampton and other universities in the fall. The presentation was made on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” where the pop singer/songwriter presented each student with first-ever “I.am scholarships.” Each of the boys comes from single parent households and thought they were on the show to talk about being unable to afford college. The boys will receive scholarships for all four years including money for books.—WLW