HAMPTON, VA - Friday night (July 10) was an magically night for Historically Black Colleges and Universities as HBCU Digest presented its annual AARP HBCU Awards hosted at Hampton University in Virginia.

Among the winners were one of the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund's HBCU of the Month Supported Institution Philander Smith College who received the award for Best Student Government Association. Philander's SGA was nominated among Alcorn State and our other 2015 HBCU Supported Institution Virginia Union University. Philander Smith's SGA just recently re-elected their President Tanisha Manning (Pictured on the right with HBCU Digest Founding Editor Jarrett L. Carter Sr.) and Vice President Zafarya Sapay back into office, so we are excited to see what the cabinet has in store for the upcoming academic year.

Another one of our 2015 Supported Institutions North Carolina A&T State University took home an award for Best Stem Program.

Other winnings included South Carolina HBCU Claflin University who was named HBCU of the Year as well as National Alumni Association of the Year. According to source, the award was received by Dr. Boyce Williams, a representative of AARP who presented the award on behalf of the corporation, and who lauded Claflin and other HBCUs in the state for standing with their communities in the hours following the historic removal of the Confederacy flag.

Also among winners were Florida A&M University president Elmira Mangum and Howard University President Wayne Frederick who were named female and male presidents of the year.

"I accept this away on behalf of the entire FAMU community," said Mangum. "The award represents the hard work and dedication of our staff, faculty, Board of Trustees, alumni, and supports. Without them, I would not be here tonight receiving this award."

The HBCU Awards is sponsored by AARP and was hosted by Hampton University this year. It was created by HBCU Digest founding editor Jarrett L. Carter Sr., in 2011 and is the first national awards event to recognize the influence and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities on American Culture. This awards crowns its winners in the field of leadership, arts, athletics, research and community engagement. Finalist are annually selected based upon the impact of nominees' achievement on institutional development, and for media coverage earned for the institution by way of the nominee.

A full list of winners:

Best Marching Band
Alabama State University

Best Choir
Morgan State University

Best Student Government Association
Philander Smith College

Best Student Organization
Nashville Student Organizing Committee

Best Student Newspaper
Morehouse Maroon Tiger

Best Alumni Publication
NCCU Now

Best Research Center
H.U. Minority Men’s Health Initiative

Best Fine Arts Program
VSU Dept of Art & Design

Best Business Program
Edward Waters Dept. of Business

Best STEM Program
NCA&T Dept of Electrical, Comp Engineering

Best Nursing Program
Southern University

Best School of Social Work
AAMU Dept of Social Work

Male Faculty Member of the Year
Brian Seymour

Female Faculty Member of the Year
Amber Johnson

Male Coach of the Year
Ed Joyner

Female Coach of the Year
Darlene Moore

Male Athlete of the Year
John Gibbs

Female Athlete of the Year
Nour Abbes

​Men’s Team of the Year
Alcorn State Football

​Female Team of the Year
Tenn. State Women’s Basketball

National Alumni Association of the Year
Claflin University

Alumnus of the Year
Michael Jones

Alumna of the Year
Cecka Rose Green

Male Student of the Year
Jared Loggins

Female Student of the Year
Danyelle Carter

Male President of the Year
Wayne Frederick

Female President of the Year
Elmira Mangum

HBCU of the Year
Claflin University