Campus News

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team advances to 'Elite Eight'

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge team members, (standing l. to r.) Coach Jaelaun Cavlier, Paulina Webber '23, (seated l. to r.) Nicholas Moody '25, Chad Fuselier '22 and Jared Ingram '23. Photo: University College/Dillard University.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          

March 17, 2022
Updated March 29, 2022
Contact: Eddie Francis, efrancis@dillard.edu 

504.816.4024

NEW ORLEANS —After competing in the "Sweet Sixteen," Dillard University is one of eight teams that has advanced to the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament, April 10-12. The competition will stream on the HCASC YouTube channel, 6 p.m. EDT each day. Dillard's team will vie for the top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.

Now in its 33rd year, HCASC is America's premier academic competition among HBCUs, annually bringing together more than 300 HBCU students, coaches, presidents and institutional representatives for a tournament that uniquely combines educational and personal development experiences beyond the classroom. 

This is the 21st year Dillard University has participated in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. Chad Herman Fuselier, a senior majoring in accounting from Lafayette, Louisiana, Jared M. Ingram a junior majoring in biology from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Paulina Webber a junior majoring in English and pre-law from Little Rock, Arkansas and Nicholas Moody a freshman majoring in physics from League City, Texas, will represent Dillard. Jaelaun Cavalier is the team's coach. 

“Our students' wealth of knowledge and their desire to acknowledge and improve on weaker areas continues to impress me,” said Dr. Kimberly Moorehead, HCASC campus coordinator and dean of Dillard’s University College. “I truly enjoy sitting in on their practices and watching them go to work.”

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program celebrating Black excellence and showcasing the academic talents of top HBCU students from across the country. Four student teams face off in head-to-head competition and must quickly answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, math, the arts, pop culture, and sports. HCASC challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge on a wide range of topics while also helping to develop their leadership and collaboration skills. With the opportunity to compete against students from other HBCUs, participants build camaraderie, gain mentorship opportunities with HCASC alumni, and make “friends for life.” Beyond the competition, Honda provides development seminars aimed at increasing career readiness and student empowerment. Students will learn interview tips, resume writing best practices, and ways to prepare for post-graduation success.

“Honda applauds the students from Dillard University for their incredible dedication to preparing for HCASC,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of corporate social responsibility and inclusion and diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “For over 30 years, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has brought together the best and brightest HBCU students for a celebration of academic excellence. We are excited to cheer on the students and crown the 2022 HCASC national champion.”

This year, Honda will provide nearly $400,000 in institutional grants to the participating HBCUs with many of the schools utilizing the grants to fund student scholarships. More than 145,000 scholars have competed in HCASC since the academic tournament was established in 1989.

Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities

For over 30 years, Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students through initiatives including the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These programs provide unforgettable experiences and opportunities for HBCU students, including meeting and networking with peers from other HBCU schools. Honda has impacted the lives of more than 200,000 students and awarded over $14 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

To advance its leading investment in HBCUs, Honda is a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships. Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

For more information:

Lillian E. Parker, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge: lillian@hcasc.com

Jaymie Robinson, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.: jaymie_robinson@na.honda.com

Connect with HCASC on social media using #HCASC:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HCASC 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/HCASC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hcascpix 

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Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Founded in 1869, Dillard is Louisiana’s oldest HBCU, born from the union of Straight College and New Orleans University. Find out more by visiting www.dillard.edu.

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