Education Gala 2011 is Huge Success

"Celebrating our Legacy in Education” was the theme for Gala 2011 at Prairie View A&M University on April 16. The event honored and recognized the teaching alumni for their contributions to education in Texas and around the world. The gala, held on the campus for the first time, featured Dr. Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education and was hosted by the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education. Among the many recipients were former Texas Legislator Wilhelmina Fitzgerald Delco, Kevin Hoffman and Accenture as Cluster Company of the Year. The event was first class and drew a capacity crowd. Highlighting the event was the presentation of the $25K Scholarship Endowment Check from the Paul Metha Family. Metha is the former dean of education. TAMUS Chancellor McKinney commented that he was very impressed with the event and was glad that it was held on the campus and provided an opportunity to showcase the campus. PVAMU President Wright expressed his thanks to the committee for their hard work and to the audience for their continued support.

Congratulations to the PVAMU Career Outreach and Services department on receipt of a $80K grant from the Bernard Harris Foundation for the 2011 ExxonMobil-Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp on June 5-17. In its fourth year, the forensic science camp is open to students in grades 6-8 from Austin, Brazos, Waller and Washington counties. Mr. Herbert Thomas is the Camp Director. Applications are available at www.pvamu.edu/careers or call 936-261-3570 for assistance. The deadline for application is April 16, 2011.

The men of St. Francis will host its monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast on April 16 in the Church’s Parish Hall, 204 Dooley Street, at 8:30 a.m. Please call 936-857-3272 to confirm attendance. Members of the community are also invited to the Christian Education and Bible Study on Fridays at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Plans are underway for the 2011 City of Prairie View Celebration on April 30. This year’s focus is on the Family and area churches are asked to share in the family events. For information, contact event chair Elaine Jackson, 936-857-5550 or mejacksontx@prodigy.net.

Please remember the following in your prayers: Vera Armstrong, Mary Boozer, The Ernestine Brown Family, Ernestine Carreathers, Hulen and Irene Davis, Mary Kemp, David and Lorraine Kirkpatrick, Irene Reid, Willie Smith and Douglas Woolfolk, who all stand in the need of prayer. May God’s blessings bring them health and strength!

April 10-16 is National Library Week and PAMU John B. Coleman Library in support of the theme: Create your own story @ your library presents Mr. Joseph A. Rivers, author of “A Young Man With a Plan” for its National Library Worker's Day program on April 12 at 2 p.m. in Room 108. Rivers is a sophomore Biology student from California. The public is invited. For information, contact Kimberly M. Gay at kmgay@pvamu.edu or 936-261-1506.

For the health of it, the ladies of the Prairie View Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presents: “All About Lupus and More” on May 18 at 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Prairie View Alumni Headquarters on university drive. Speakers for the event are Joyce Thornton for president of the Prairie View Alumnae Chapter and Rebecca Kramer, Representative from the Lupus Association. Refreshments will be served and Door prizes for the participants.]

The View from the Hill: This year has been very tremendous for the PVAMU Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team. With more than 20 projects under its belt, the team will close the semester with 6th Annual Entertainment Business Career Fair and the Hip Hop Conference on April 28-29 and the Business of Engineering Success Forum on April 29. For information, contact Devin Evans, SIFE’s president at (936) 261-3579.

Applications are being accepted for the 2011 Institute for Pre College Enrichment (PCI) on June 19 –July 2 at Prairie View A&M University. The PCI programs consist of 6 workshops for students entering the 9-10-11th grade in September. Applications are available at or call 936-261-3570 for assistance. The deadline for application is April 16, 2011.

Happy April birthday greetings to: Thetis Edmond (1), Mary L. Gooch (2), Seab Smith (7), Hubert D. Smith (8), Marshall Brown (8), William McQueen (9), Ernest Williams (12), Johnson Ezeoka (13) and Helen Yeh (16); and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Johnson & Vidah Ezeoka (7).
Until next week, be mindful that "history is the rear view mirror on the road of life, so don't take it lightly." Keep the news, achievements and recognitions coming to
prairieviewtoday@iwon.com, fax (936) 857-5352, phone (936) 857-3272 or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, Texas 77446.

Collegiate 100 Returns to Prairie View A&M University

April 18, 2011 was a great day in the lives of 22 dynamic and  progressive young men when they were formally inducted into the Collegiate 100 at Prairie View A&M University, which reactivated on March 10. The Chapter is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of America, Metropolitan Houston Chapter, Inc., and was created Frederick V. Roberts, then Director of Student Activities at the university.

Over the course of three months leadership meetings, seminars and programs dominated the activities of the men in addition to the planning for the main event - the induction ceremony held in the Memorial Student Center on April 18.  The City of Prairie View’s Mayor Frank Jackson was the master of ceremony and City of Houston Comptroller Ronald Green was the guest speaker.

The inductees include: Courtney Allen (Parliamentarian), Timothy Anderson, Jerry Battle, David Brown, Dymonique J. Burton. (Vice President), Terrance N. Caldwell (Sergeant at Arms), Vincent I. Ellis (Chaplain), Frederick C. Fox (Marketing Director), Patrick Gray (Treasurer), Ross Hampton, Jeffrey L. Harris (Historian), Jerrald Hubbard, Donlamasstino Hune, Justin Linton, Michael Love, Dorian Price (Vice President for Programs), Travis C. Reed (President), Christopher J. Shelton (Secretary), Dominique R. Washington (Communications Director), Kelvin Washington (Membership Director), and Justin Whitaker.

Jackson commended the young men for their leadership and return to the campus. “We’re expecting great things from this group of men. You represent the future leaders so you must always be on your A-Game,” Jackson said.  Green spoke on the importance of brotherhood, education, and being articulate. He also explained the responsibilities and expectations of new members.

Several family members and friends were there to witness the elegant event as the young men were escorted by some dynamic and beautiful women. Members of the 100 Black Men from Houston attending, including Comptroller Green, were Darnell Joseph, Chairman and President-Emeritus and Ronald Douglass

The primary goal and objective of the Collegiate 100 is to support the programs of the 100 Black Men, specifically its mentoring young men between the ages of 8 and 18. Additionally, the chapter members in turn will receive mentoring from the professional members of the 100 Black Men as they seek to improve themselves.

When asked about the Chapter members conducting mentoring off-campus Roberts commented, "The young men have an obligation to support the “Mentoring the 100 Way” program but are not restricted from implementing a local program. We believe that the skills, professionalism and actions of the members would provide symbiotic mentoring through role modeling for the men on the campus. It is our hope that will change the behavior of the men and women on campus. That's what we believe will be their impact."

"We are not here to be examples, but to lead by example," said Dominique Washington, a junior architecture and construction science major and the Communications Director.

Vice President Dymonique Burton said, "It is important for each of us to recognize our potential and purpose and put them to use now, rather than to sit around wondering when the right time is."

What took the group so long to come back to the campus you may ask? Well according to Roberts, several attempts were made to reactivate the chapter, however he felt that the young men were not serious about the group and were looking at it differently for personal resume dressing.  The idea to start the group again was vested in the Mr. Prairie View A&M University because he felt that the impact would be greater with this student leader at the helm.  However, circumstances prevented its return until now.

Most of the men in the group were personal mentees of Mr. Roberts and some were recommended by other staff members.  Roberts called together the men and appointed Travis C. Reed, a junior architect student from Beaumont, President and Dymonique A. Burton, also a junior architect student from Houston, as the Vice President. The men were given the charge to invite other young men with like qualities and character to form the nucleus and seek recognition from the university. In the meantime, Roberts being the only 100 Black Men member selected Dr. Clement Glenn, professor of Education Leadership to be the Primary Campus Advisor.

Commenting on his selection as Advisor for the group, Dr. Glenn stated how elated and honored he was and “I do not take this position lightly because I know what we have to do and am counting on you young men to rise to the occasion.”

The Collegiate 100 was created at Prairie View A&M University in Texas in 1993 by Frederick V. Roberts, then director of Student Activities. The original group included male and female students who provided leadership and mentoring for the students at the university. Roberts, being a charter member of the newly recognized Metropolitan Houston Chapter, Inc. (June 1994) of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. presented the idea to seek affiliation with the national organization. The chapter, led by Attorney Benjamin Pigott, accepted the proposal and presented the request to the Board of Directors of the 100 at its December 1994 Leadership Board Meeting. The proposal was unanimously adopted as part of the organization's Program Success and thus began the national launch of the Collegiate 100. The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the 100 Black men is credit to help launch the organization with the formation of the Collegiate 100 at Tennessee State University.

 

The 100 Black Men of America organization was borne out of the 100 Black Men of New Jersey which was created in 1963. The national organization was formed in 1986 and formally introduced to the nation in 1987 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. was chartered in March 1994. Some of the first members of the Collegiate 100 at PVAMU were Robert Brown, Horace Bussey, Kevin Bussey, Lelar Corbett, Loretta Davis, Jason Jefferson, Christina Johnson, Marcus Lane, Derrick Ross, Devyon Smith, Michael Smith and Donna Tomlinson.

 

On hand the for the ceremony were Houston City Controller, Attorney Ronald Green the featured speaker, Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson, the Master of Ceremony, Mr. Darnell Joseph, President and Chairman Emeritus of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc. Other well-wishers were the family of the members along with the beautiful, talented and progressive young ladies, all students at the university.

The return of the organization also created a stir among the students who were in awe as the men conducted themselves at the program and on the campus. The women in particular were very curious in a women’s counterpart organization.  Burton and Roberts were approached about this idea but Roberts stated that “the activities of the Collegiate 100 will be on a higher order for now.  We will look into forming a ladies group when the time is right."

It is expected that once the Collegiate 100 establishes itself and is on firm ground with the campus and the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan Houston, Inc., then the ladies group will be the next goal, perhaps as early as fall 2011. Roberts stated that he’ll be in touch with interested ladies during the summer.

Who knows what in store for Prairie View A&M University the Collegiate Movement. Incidentally, Roberts is also the creator and vision behind the scene of the Ms. Collegiate Mom™  Scholarship Pageant. The program, designed for college women who have a child and wish to participate fully in the campus experiences, is headed by Jasmine Wiggins, another Roberts’ Mentee.

For details on the Collegiate 100, contact Frederick V. Roberts at unitancommunications@yahoo.com

PVAMU SIFE Team Wins Regional Award

The moment of truth came for the PVAMU Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team at its 2011 Regional Competition and Career Fair held on March 18 in Dallas, Texas. While other students were spending spring break on beaches or places everywhere, the team of 15 students, led by its president Devin Evans, reported on its yearlong activities and events before a panel of judges from corporate America. This year’s expo attracted some 900 students from 60 universities from Arkansas, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas and Tennessee competing one of the 10 national spots.

After the league rounds of competition, the PVAM Team fell short and received 2nd place honors. The team was a bit disappointed but left with the intent that its time will come next year.

The team’s strategy this year was to educate the new members on leadership development. In order to get this accomplished the SIFE team participated in SIFE Regional Training in San Marcos, Texas and hosted two training sessions titled “Unleash your potential part 1 and part 2”. In these training sessions the members learned the proper procedures for implementing programs, and executing all duties to flourish as an outstanding SIFE Team. We implemented our officer shadowing program which paired old and new members. 47 Members participated with 16 of them have produced programs and projects. Members are encouraged to participate in leadership development programs and organizations such as Toastmasters, Douglass Leadership and Student Government.

The members take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations, using their knowledge to make life better in their communities by teaching the principles of free enterprise and entrepreneurship. The team touched the lives of many students and persons in the surrounding communities in 2010 with more than 40 programs and projects.



Some of its notable programs to address the social, economic and environmental criteria are its seminars on How to Start and Run a Business, the Business of Engineering, the Student Entrepreneur Expo, Collegiate Mom Program, Texas Fashion Week, the Campbell’s Let’s Can Hunger Project, Stock Market Simulator Financial Game, Campus Panther Pete Goes Green Recycling Project and the Papa Leo’s Restaurant project, funded by a grant from the National SIFE and the Sams Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge. The team also conducted the first in a series of High School Tours to introduce students to college and provide career development strategies.

The team’s partners include the American Marketing Association, Toastmasters International, Frederick Douglass Leadership and the National Association of Black Journalists. Its Campbell’s Soup “Let’s Can Hunger Project” runs through April 16 and area churches and organizations are asked to collect for the local food pantries and report their collections to David Brown, project chairman at 936-261-3574. The team will also host the 6th Annual Hip Hop Conference and Entertainment Business Career Fair on April 20-21. For information, contact Devin Evans, SIFE’s president at (936) 261-3579.


About SIFE
SIFE brings together a diverse network of university students, academic professionals and industry leaders around the shared mission of creating a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business. By contributing their talents to projects that improve the lives of people worldwide, SIFE participants are demonstrating that individuals with a knowledge and passion for business can be a powerful force for change.

About Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University, the first state supported College in Texas for African Americans, was established during the Reconstruction Period after the Civil War. This was an historical period in which political and economic special interest groups were able to aggressively use the Federal Government to establish public policy, in an attempt to "alter or reshape the cultural milieu of the vanquished southern states". The University had its beginnings in the Texas Constitution of 1876, which, in separate articles, established an "Agricultural and Mechanical College" and pledged that "Separate schools shall be provided for the white and colored children, and impartial provisions shall be made for both." As a consequence of these constitutional provisions, the Fifteenth Legislature established "Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth" on August 14,1876.