Claflin University to Compete for Championship Title at 30th Annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC)
Feb 25, 2019
National Competition Celebrates HBCU Academic Excellence
After winning a series of regional competitions, Claflin University is one of 48 schools that will vie for the championship title at the 30th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), America’s premier academic competition for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The HCASC National Championship Tournament will be held April 13-17, 2019 on the American Honda campus in Torrance, California. Claflin University has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.
Matias Alexander Salvo, a senior mathematics and English major from Miami, Fla.; Shafarah E. Dixon, a sophomore biology and chemistry major from Englewood, NJ; Mackenzie Rebecca Denise Brown, a sophomore management information systems major from Charleston, S.C., and Tariq Elijah Edwards, a sophomore mass communications major from Dumfries, Va., will represent Claflin University. Dr. Belinda Wheeler, associate professor of English is coaching the team.
“For two decades, Claflin University has been participating in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge,” said Dr. Henry N. Tisdale, president of Claflin University. “We are pleased with the success our students have demonstrated while participating in the challenge. The University is also grateful for Honda’s commitment to promote academic excellence and to support the nation’s historically black colleges and universities,” Tisdale said.
Honda Campus All-Star Challenge connects the nation's best and brightest HBCU students who expand their scope of knowledge; learn teamwork and sportsmanship; and develop a bond with their fellow competitors. The fast-paced buzzer competition highlights students’ academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture. Outside of game play, the year-round program provides community service activities, leadership, networking opportunities and mentorship.
“For 30 years, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has provided a platform for the nation’s top HBCU students to advance their dreams,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president of Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility at American Honda. “Honda congratulates the ‘Great 48’ for their incredible work ethic, teamwork and competitive spirit. We look forward to an exciting National Championship Tournament and crowning the 2019 HCASC National Champion in April.”
In 1989, Honda established HCASC as a way to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of HBCU students. More than $9 million in grants from Honda to participating HBCUs have been used to fund tuition and book scholarships, student development initiatives, endowment and development campaigns, as well as facilities and equipment. Over its 30-year history, HCASC has built a network of more than 125,000 program alumni.
The 2019 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge finals will be live-streamed on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, starting at 12 p.m. ET. To view the live stream and for more information about HCASC, including a full list of the 48 qualifying teams, visit HCASC.com.