Joyner, Jr. visits C.O.B.

The College of Business welcomed Thomas E. Joyner, Jr., president of the Tom Joyner Online Education Company Thursday to speak at the Executive-in-Residence Program.

The Howard alumnus spoke on the importance of accreditation, an issue many Prairie View students are concerned about. He explained that no accreditation brings about lots of hardships including financial aid reduction, damage to the school's academic reputation, and a decrease in funding and donations causing a shortage in programs implemented for students.

He mentioned Morris Brown College losing its accreditation in 2002 and Paul Quinn College in 2009. Joyner says it is because of these schools that he works in the interest of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to continue in good standing and keep their accreditation.

Presiding over the company that produces HBCUonline.com, the Dallas native also assists "non-traditional" students in earning undergraduate, graduate degrees, and certificates of training from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The relatively new company also spreads awareness and gives opportunities particularly to students who are over the age of 25.

Joyner stated, "I highly encourage all students to support their alma mater. I cannot stress the importance of that enough. The only way to improve the quality of education and amenities at your school is to support and give back as much as you can. It doesn't even have to be a monetary gift although that is very helpful. After all, that's how schools like Harvard and Yale succeed but you can fulfill any need you see around your campus."

The Dallas Cowboys fan shared his experiences regarding growing up as the infamous Tom Joyner's son, raising almost $60 million in scholarships as President and CEO of the Tom Joyner Foundation and co-founding REACH Media, Inc., the parent company for the Tom Joyner Morning Show and BlackAmericaWeb.com.