The Best and Brightest HBCU Students Rise to the Academic Challenge

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON  ‐‐ After diligent preparation, Howard University will go head to head with fellow Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the 28th annual Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament. Teams from 48 HBCUs will compete in the final round of this unique academic tournament April 8‐12, 2017 on the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. campus in Torrance, California. Howard University has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize ‐ a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.

Howard will be represented by CAPTAIN, Sean C. Grant, Jr., a Junior majoring in Computer Engineering from Poughkeepsie, NY, PLAYER, Kenan Avery Tukes, a Sophomore majoring in Economics from Norfolk, VA, Chelsea Parker, a Sophomore majoring in Economics from Portsmouth, OH, and Kendyl Waddell, a Sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering from Madison, AL. Tobias R. Morgan, Associate Director of Student Life & Activities serves at the Coach. "Honda congratulates Howard University for qualifying for the 'Great 48,' an impressive feat in itself," said Steve Morikawa, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "We're constantly amazed by the academic prowess, teamwork and level of competition during Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge, and look forward to crowning a champion in April."

Additionally, HCASC has announced Howard University chemistry professor Dr. John Harkless as its newest inductee to the Hall of Fame.

This year's road to the championship began in the fall, with 76 HBCUs vying for a spot in the finals. Through countless hours of study, drills and practice, 48 elite teams emerged, knowledgeable and ready to take on the competition. HCASC tests students' knowledge, skills and ability to quickly and accurately answer questions on world history, science, literature, religion, the arts and popular culture.

The 2017 HCASC finals will be live‐streamed on Monday, April 10 starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on HCASC.com. For more information on HCASC, including a full list of the 48 qualifying teams, visit www.hcasc.com.
Connect with HCASC on social media using #HCASC.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HCASC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/HCASC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hcascpix/

About Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge

Celebrating HBCU excellence, Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge (HCASC) is one of Honda's largest and longest running philanthropic initiatives in the United States. Since 1989, the program has awarded more than $8 million in grants to participating HBCUs, impacting the lives of over 125,000 students across 22 states. The participating HBCUs share in grants from Honda of over $350,000 each year. HCASC's impressive roster of past participants includes engineers, lawyers, doctors and professors. A number of high profile former HCASC participants have been inducted into the HCASC Hall of Fame at https://www.hcasc.com/alumni/hof.asp.

For more information, contact: Mary Oberembt, Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge, mary@hcasc.com, (800) 388‐2272 x105 or Jaymie Robinson, Honda North America, jaymie_robinson@hna.honda.com, (310) 783‐3943

For Howard University media inquiries, contact: Brittany Bell Surratt, brittany.bell@howard.edu, (202) 865-8038