National Quiz Bowl Celebrates Academic Achievements of America’s HBCU

March 6, 2018 – After participating in a National Qualifying Tournament, Virginia State University (VSU) will compete against fellow historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) at the 29th annual Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge National Championship Tournament. Teams from 48 HBCUs will go head‐to‐head in the National Championship of America’s premier academic quiz for top HBCU student on the American Honda Motor Co., Inc. campus in Torrance, California. Virginia State University has the opportunity to win the HCASC top prize ‐ a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.

VSU will be represented by Sierra Turner, a senior majoring in animal science from Alexandria, Va.; Chidera Ntiwunka‐Ifeanyi, a sophomore majoring in engineering/mathematics from Lagos, Nigeria; Brae Fletcher, a junior majoring in mathematics from Locust Grove, Va.; and John Brinson, III, a junior majoring in mathematics from Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Robert Wieman will coach the team.

Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge is a year‐round program that includes campus engagement, intramural play, qualifying tournaments and culminates with the National Championship. The fast‐paced competition highlights students’ academic prowess and ability to answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, the arts and pop culture. As a result, students expand their scope of knowledge; learn teamwork and sportsmanship; travel to California to represent their schools at the National Championship Tournament; and develop a bond with their fellow competitors. HCASC’s active alumni group also supports students with networking and mentorship opportunities post‐graduation.

“Honda congratulates Virginia State University for advancing to the ‘Great 48,’ a group that represents some of the brightest HBCU students across the country,” said Steve Morikawa, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Social Responsibility, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Beyond the impressive academic competition, Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge has fostered a network of ‘friends for life’ that champions students as they pursue their professional dreams. We look forward to hosting an exciting HCASC National Championship Tournament in April.”

In 1989, Honda established HCASC to highlight and recognize the academic achievements of HBCU students. More than $8.5 million in grants from Honda have provided support for scholarships, facility upgrades and other investments to improve the student experience. Now in its 29th year, more than 125,000 students have participated in HCASC.

The 2018 HCASC finals will be live‐streamed on Tuesday, April 10 starting at noon ET at HCASC.com. For more information on HCASC, including a full list of the 48 qualifying teams, visit www.hcasc.com.

About Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

Honda has supported and celebrated America’s HBCUs for more than 25 years. Since 1989, Honda Campus All‐Star Challenge (HCASC), one of Honda’s largest and longest running philanthropic initiatives in the United States has impacted the lives of academic superstars from across the country. Since 2003, Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) has provided eight top HBCU marching bands with a once‐in‐a‐lifetime opportunity to deliver a dynamic performance on a national stage. Both HCASC and HBOB enable HBCUs to earn grants and positive attention for their respective institutions. Through programs like HCASC and HBOB, Honda has been able to touch the lives of more than 170,000 students and award $12 million in grants in support of education programs.

For more information, contact:

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

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