WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D. 

Winston-Salem State University is the No. 1 HBCU in North Carolina for top public colleges and universities, according to U.S. News & World Report 2025. WSSU is also one of America’s Best Colleges, according to Money Magazine 2025. 

When the WSSU Ramily Road Tour rolled up in front of Carver High School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, around 8:30 a.m., several guests from Winston-Salem State University who came to educate the seniors of Carver Nation entered the building. The four busloads of guests included Bonita J. Brown, the 14th chancellor of WSSU; The Burke Singers, under the direction of Maestra D’ Walla Simmons-Burke; The Red Sea of Sound, under the direction of Dr. Michael Magruder, director of bands at WSSU; The WSSU Powerhouse Cheerleaders – The Red Squad Varsity Cheerleaders linked with Etienne Thomas, director of athletics; Mr. and Miss Junior WSSU; and other supporters and supervisors of the WSSU Rams. 

The purpose of the road tour is manifold. The seniors can get admitted on the spot because admissions officers are there to meet with seniors. The students are exposed to WSSU’s senior leadership. They also learn about WSSU programs, student life, and what it is like to live on campus. In addition, they find out about scholarships and other ways to pay for college. 

The Burke Singers performed a call-and-response song titled, “What You are Talkin’ ‘Bout?” This song motivated the seniors in the audience to call out the names of young people and adults whose lives have been lost to senseless violence. 

“George Floyd! Say his name! George Floyd!  Say his name! Breonna Taylor! Say her name! Breonna Taylor! Say her name! Aubrey Brooks! Say his name! Aubrey Brooks! Say his name! … “ 

Maestra Burke reached out to the Carver Yellowjackets, “Come on, Carver! Say the names!” 

Michelle Hines, director of student services at Carver Nation, was excited to hear from Shamara Harris, WSSU recruitment coordinator, who reached out to Hines to alert her about the Ramily Road Tour. 

“She invited us to be a part of the road tour and we’re lucky enough to get the very first date of the road tour. Shamara Harris came out to do a walk-through of the Carver campus. She wanted to be sure that there was enough space for all the activities and groups they would bring to the school,” Hines said. 

“I am glad they included us. The goal is to get more local students to enroll at WSSU. Our students have a tendency to overlook the value of WSSU because it is so close to home,” said Hines.” They often want to venture out because so many of them have participated each year in the local homecoming parade. They think that they know all there is to know about WSSU. But the Ramily Tour gave them a peek into the admissions office, the financial aid program, student government, cheerleaders, royal court, the band, the choir, and so much more.” 

Carver Principal Dr. Thyais Maxwell appreciated the positive effect the WSSU Ramily Tour had on the Carver seniors who are still finalizing their career choices. 

“Having WSSU on campus brought the synergy of what college is like to our high school. Although WSSU is up the street, it doesn’t mean that our students have had the experience of the campus and what being a college student feels like,” said Dr. Maxwell. “Tuesday the campus was brought to Carver, and our students got to experience pieces of WSSU firsthand. They painted Carver red, and it was epic! 

“I am grateful for Chancellor Brown and the wonderful staff of WSSU for the Ramily Road Tour and its impact on our students as they prepare for college and/or career,” said Maxwell. 

“The seniors at Carver were able to see the deeper inner workings at WSSU, not just homecoming,” said Hines.