Feb. 1, 2010, marks 50 years since a protest initiated by four North Carolina A&T freshmen changed the nation's course of history. Events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins will be held Jan. 29-Feb.1.

"Celebrating the 50th Sit-in Anniversary: A Spiritual Thanksgiving" pays tribute to David L. Richmond, Franklin E. McCain, Ezell A. Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan) and Joseph A. McNeil, the four A&T freshmen who sat down and refused to leave the whites-only lunch counter at the F.W. Woolworth Store in downtown Greensboro on Feb. 1, 1960. Their nonviolent protest resulted in similar actions nationwide.

The celebration kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, with a town hall forum, "21st Century Activism and Protest: The State of the Civil Rights Movement." Hosted by Emmy Award winning television and radio personality Ed Gordon, the panel includes Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, journalist and former ESPN sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, and radio talk show host Warren A. Ballentine, among others. This ticketed free event will be held on campus in the Alumni-Foundation Event Center.

The Sit-in Movement Luncheon honoring unsung heroes begins at noon Friday, Jan. 29, in the Memorial Student Union, Stallings Ballroom. This event is also free and open to the public.

At 6 p.m., Jan. 29, Kevin Wilson's play, "The Emmett Till Story," will be presented in Harrison Auditorium. Admission is $5 for A&T students (with student I.D.) and $7 for non-students.

The 50th Anniversary Gala and Banquet, "Standing Up for a World of Change," will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m., at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center. Julian Bond, civil rights activist and former U.S. legislator, and Tom Joyner, nationally syndicated radio host, author and philanthropist, are the honorees. Admission is $100 per person, and tickets are available at www.sitinmovement.org.

On Sunday, Jan. 31, a "Celebration of Unity Service" will be held 6-8 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. Admission is free and open to the public.

This year's Sit-in Anniversary Breakfast will be held 5:30-7:30 a.m. Feb. 1, at the Empire Room, 203 S. Elm St. Bishop Cecil Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Piedmont Episcopal District, is the keynote speaker. This is a ticketed free event.

The off-campus site will afford participants quicker access to the 8 a.m., ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in the F.W. Woolworth building, which is located across the street from the Empire Room.

Other activities on Feb. 1 include the adornment of the A&T Four Buildings (Aggie Village) and the burial of a time capsule at the February One Monument, 11a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively. At noon, the Aggie community will march from the February One Monument to Governmental Plaza (downtown).

Tickets for the play and the breakfast are available at the University Ticket Office in Brown Hall.

For information about International Civil Rights Center & Museum visit the website: www.sitinmovement.org/home.asp.

North Carolina A&T State University has received approval from UNC General Administration to establish a Ph.D. program in computational science and engineering (CSE) this fall.

"The proposed Ph.D. in computational science and engineering is consistent with North Carolina A&T State University's vision, and it will impact – in very positive and significant ways – the Triad and the state's economy, as well as serve as a catalyst to attract new high industries to the Triad and the state," said Alton Thompson, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Ajit D. Kelkar, director of computational science and engineering, said, "This program will strengthen our other graduate and undergraduate programs in the areas of physical and life sciences, mathematics, technology and business. It will also help us recruit additional well qualified faculty and students, simulate and enhance access to federal research funds and programs that are specifically tailored for doctoral level education.

"The doctoral program – along with the faculty it attracts, infrastructure resources and new courses – will strengthen undergraduate education and training by providing students with access to and experiences with these resources, research and educational activities," Kelkar added.

In its first four years at A&T (2005-2009), research in the master's level CSE program attracted more than $4 million. Today, the program draws expertise and resources from various disciplines across the university, and it is currently one of three programs with the School of Graduate Studies.

The master's curriculum combines applied mathematics, high performance parallel and scalable computing, scientific modeling and simulation, data visualization with the domain areas such as physical sciences (physics and chemistry), mathematics, life sciences, technology and business. In addition, the curriculum stresses not only science of discovery but the application of science to technology and implementation. Hence, there is a component of engineering science, engineering applications, and technology which is missing in the pure sciences.

For information about the Ph.D. program in computational science and engineering at A&T, call Kelkar at (336) 334-7437, ext. 2001, or inquire via email at kelkar@ncat.edu.