Oakwood University has emerged as the new national champion at the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) held on April 12, 2024. The Alabama-based university defeated 31 other teams to take home the title and a $100,000 institutional grant. Howard University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College finished in the top four.

HCASC is known as the nation’s premier historically Black college and university (HBCU) academic competition, and this year’s theme was “Live Your Dream.” It was Oakwood University’s 28th appearance at the HCASC and the school’s fourth win.

The 2024 winning team was coached by Steven Lai Hing and led by team captain Jonathan Gunthrope, alongside Hannah Browning, Janiah Hinds, and Grayson Mejia. The team’s dynamic performance, work ethic, drive, and sportsmanship earned them the championship title.

“Winning HCASC in one word? Unbelievable,” said Mejia. “This is my fourth year competing, and I just really can’t believe it happened.”

“Congratulations to the scholars from Oakwood University on their dynamic performance and national championship win at the 2024 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “On behalf of Honda, we applaud all the 35th-anniversary HCASC participants on their exemplary display of HBCU excellence. We also thank all the volunteers and alumni who made this year’s program possible.”

Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University, expressed his immense pride in the team’s achievement. “This victory is more than just a win in a competition; it’s a reflection of the dedication, intelligence, and spirit of our students and the supportive community at Oakwood University. We are incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishment and the positive light they have shone on the academic excellence within the HBCU community,” said Pollard.

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For more information on the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, please visit https://www.hcasc.com. Founded in 1989, HCASC is based on College Bowl—the Varsity Sport of the Mind and supports the unique mission of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Approximately 150,000 HBCU students have competed in HCASC since its inception.

CLICK HERE to watch the 2024 Honda All-Star Challenge National Championship.

— Norman J. Jones is executive director of integrated marketing and public relations for Oakwood University.