Prairie View Mourns the passing of Dr. Waymon T. Webster

The Prairie View A&M University family and the Prairie View community lost another pillar with the passing of Dr. Waymon T. Webster and longtime resident, alumnus and faculty member.

Arrangements for the Viewing and the Celebration of life are as follows: Visitation (Viewing) on Friday, February 20, 2015 from 4-7pm in the Johnson Phillip All Faiths Chapel, Prairie View A&M University. The Celebration of Life is Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Center, Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium at Prairie View A&M University.

In lieu of flowers the Webster family is asking for donations to the Waymon T. Webster Scholarship fund. Donations can be made at the Prairie View Credit Union in person or by mail to below. PO Box 788 Prairie View, Texas 77446

Dr. Webster was born in Hearne, Texas to Mrs. Mary T. Webster and John Webster He was an honor graduate from Blackshear High School in Hearne, Texas. He served two years in the army with an honorable discharge in 1948. He graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a Bachelor and Master of Arts in music. He was band instructor at Kemp High for eleven years and later returned to Kemp High as a counselor. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and Texas A&M University. There he received his Ph.D. in educational psychology.

Dr. Webster began his teaching career at Prairie View A&M University in 1967. His administrative experience includes: Graduate School Dean; Coordinator of the Off Campus Resident Instruction Program; Director of the Twilight and Weekend Program; Department Head in the Department of Psychology; Director of the Institute to Train Veterans as Junior College Counselors; Department Head in the Department of Counselor Education; Director of Continuing Education; Coordinator of the Counseling Program and Counseling Services.

He served on several boards and councils including: Advisory Committee to Commissioner; Coordinating Board, Texas College and University Systems; Board of Directors of Brazos County Counseling Services; Council of Deans for Texas Colleges and Universities and Graduate Council at Prairie View A&M University.

Dr. Webster received numerous honors throughout his career including: Distinguished Service Award from Kemp High School in Bryan, TX; Distinguished Alumni Award from Blackshear High School in Hearne, TX; Distinguished Service Award from Veterans Institute in Prairie View, TX; Certificate of Recognition Award from University of North Dakota; Service Award from Brazos County Counseling Service in Bryan, TX; Membership Award from the American Personnel and Guidance Association; Service Award from Prairie View A&M University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and many more.

Dr. Webster held numerous licenses and certificates including: National Certified Counselors, License Chemical Dependency Counselor, Certified School Counselor, Certified Master Addictions Counselor and many more. He also dutifully served as a consultant in various Texas cities including Houston, Bryan, Abilene, Waller, Hempstead, as well as for NCATE at Southern University, and Community Colleges throughout the State of Texas.

Dr. Webster was an active member of the professional community and was an active member of several organizations including: Phi Delta Kappa (Advisor), Kappa Delta Pi (Member), Chi Sigma Iota (Advisor), American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors and several others.

He is survived by his lovely wife Bernice, two sons Jacques and Travis and a daughter Senora, grandchildren, daughters in law and a son in law, a brother, a sister and a host of relatives and friends.

St. Francis of Assisi to host Lenten Programs

In preparation for Lent, the members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church invites the public to it Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. and the Ash Wednesday, February 18 services at 6:00 p.m. Members of the public are also invited to the Christian Education and Bible Study at the church every Friday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Come learn the word and share in the fellowship.

This weekend all roads lead to the Dallas Renaissance Hotel for the members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter and Eta Gamma Chapter to participate in the 51st Anniversary Convention of the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters on February 13-15. The delegation includes chapter presidents Mark Spivey and Ameer McMillan and the Miss Black and Gold Contestants Adebesi Adenji (Eta Gamma) and Kieara Hooey (Epsilon Tau Lambda). Both Chapters are expected to compete in several competitions and hope to repeat as Chapters of the Year.

Lola Lockett Ministries International cordially invite you to their Ladies Gathering on Friday, February 20 at 7pm and Saturday, February 21, 2015 starting at 9am. This year theme is "The Finish Product". Come and join us. To reserve your space register at http;//ladiesgathering.eventbrite.com The Ladies Gathering will be held at Hempstead Recreation Center 635 Business 290 E. Hempstead E. Hempstead, Texas 77445 For more information email powerhouse50k@gmail.com or call 832-409-2708

The men of the community are invited to the monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast on February 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the St. Francis Parish Hall, 204 Dooley Street. Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson is the speaker. The breakfast is free. Please confirm attendance to 936-857-3272 or email stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net. The public is also invited to participate in Bible Study on Fridays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the church.

The Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, Ann Preston Unit will hold its monthly meeting on February 24, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street. The organization was founded on January 31, 1968 and led by Mrs. Anne C. Preston, founder. Interested persons are invited to attend. Mrs. Joyce Thornton is the president.

The City of Prairie View is now accepting applications for the City Secretary position, which became open with the retirement of Mr. Carl Jones from service after six years on January 31, 2015. Persons interested in the position can secure application at City Hall on 44480 US Business 290 or call 936-857-3711. For other city information, visit www.prairieviewtexas.gov.

The Episcopal Diocese of Texas 166th Council held at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel on February 6-7 is now history. The delegates, Mrs. Helen S. Boyer and Mrs. Madolyn Reed, represented the St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church at the council. More than 400 delegates from some 200 churches and missions attended the event to be informed on the activities for the past year. Several workshops on mission and Christian formation, church management and college and youth ministry were conducted. The Rt. Reverend C. Andrew Doyle is the Bishop of the Diocese.

Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the Vestry and Church affairs at St. Francis of Assisi as follows: Dr. Glenn Berry, Senior Warden, Dr. Seab Smith, Junior Warden and Mrs. Florine Muse, Treasurer and to Frederick V. Roberts, appointed as the Vestry Clerk. Other members of the vestry are: Mrs. Debra Berry, Ms. Sylvia Cedillo and Mrs. Juanita Walker. The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Engle is the Rector.

The Waller County Democratic Club invites the citizens of Waller County and surrounding areas to "A Night with the Stars" Gala on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 7pm at Hempstead Recreation Center 635 Business 290 E. Hempstead, Texas. The organization is seeking sponsors for the gala through purchasing tables and ads for our souvenir program booklets; and also items for the silent auction. The gala will celebrate and recognize county and local leaders for their achievement and community service. For more information contact, Dr. Lola H. Lockett, Chair @ powerhouse50k@gmail.com 832-409-2708 or Dr. Denis Mattox, President dsm529@gmail.com 979-645-1664.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for the health and well-being of Ernestine Carreathers, Cube Charleston, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Mae Helen James, Evelyn Jones, David Kirkpatrick, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Theola Woods, Douglas Woolfolk and Arie Yell. A special prayer and condolences to the Herbert Tomas Family on the passing of his mother Christineta Stephens on February 9. Funeral services are pending.

HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: Lee Henderson (9), Rose M. Jackson (10), Angela McMorris (10), Frank Yepp (12), Wendell C. Baker (14), Frederick Roberts (14), Royce Royston (14), Hattie Wells (14), Karen Daniels (16), Stephanie Taylor (16), Darryl Kemp (17), Joseph Diamond Harrison (17), Everett Fredholm (18), Dianne Thomas (20), Juanita Pennywell (20), Irene Wallace (21), George E. Higgs (22), Mogongwa Nnana (22), Johnson Ezeoka Jr. (22), Luther Francis (24), Deynese Kirkpatrick (24), James Kent Tompkins (25) and Kevin Carreathers and Wyiatta Freeman (26). HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS TO: Herbert & Dianne Thomas (20), Mary Ann Palmer-Spring (21) and Kevin Carreathers (26). Happy Anniversary: Herbert & Dianne Thomas (20), Carol & Leonard Campbell (21), Munson & Linda Durham (24) and James & Norma Tompkins (24).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Prairie View A&M University continued it Black History Programs and President’s Lecture Series with a special appearance of Dr. Richard J. Reddick, associate professor of higher education leadership and coordinator of the master’s specialization in College and University Student Personnel Administration at the University of Texas in Austin. The event was held on February 10 in the Don Clark Auditorium. Reddick shared his experiences and reflected on Black history and the advances made through education. He encouraged the students to take full advantage of their educational experiences and to give back to their communities. Reddick’s prior experiences include an elementary and middle school teacher in inner city Houston and a student affairs administrator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Emory University. He holds the bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, master’s and doctoral degrees in administration, planning and social policy and higher education at Harvard University in 1998 and 2007, respectively.

Congratulations to Mr. Roger Thomas, III, on his first runner up position in the recent Mr. HBCU Pageant held at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri on February 7. Roger is Mr. Prairie View A&M University and seeks to become an agent of change leading the current generation of Panthers on a journey and to improve their community both locally and globally.

The Staff of Career Services will host its 2015 Spring Career Fair on February 20 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM in the Willie A. Tempton MSC Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University. More than 80 companies, governmental and educational entities are expected to participate in this year’s event. The department will host some pre-career fair seminars in resume’ writing, appropriate attire and mock interviews. Members of the Collegiate 100 and Epsilon Gamma Iota are expected to assist with the pre-career fair events. For information visit: www.pvamu.edu/careers.

Until next week, in the words of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross "People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” Keep the news, achievements and recognitions coming to P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, Texas 77446 or prairieviewtoday@iwon.com.

Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson is the speaker for the monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast set for July 19, 2014 at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with networking and breakfast in the church’s Parish Hall.

Mayor Jackson will provide an update on his administration, accomplishments in the city, the Mayor’s Senior Outreach Project in collaboration with the 2104 ACCESS students of Prairie View A&M University. Economic development and the various "Sister Cities" initiatives with Belize, Columbia, Ghana and Mexico, and the pending relationship with Haiti. Frank D. Jackson was elected Mayor for the City of Prairie View, Texas on May 4, 2002. He is seeking reelection for a seventh term in May 2014.

During his tenure as Mayor Frank D. Jackson worked cooperatively with members of the City Council to adopt the first City – Countywide Emergency Management Plan; install a traffic light at the intersection of University Drive & Owens Road; adopted the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and the City’s Strategic Plan; provided leadership to pass the City’s 1st bond initiative since 1975 to make critical upgrades to the water & waste water systems to include a complete refurbishment of the City’s water tower and tripling the capacity of the City’s main (Alta Vista) lift station , pave every street in the City with hot-mix asphalt, and build the 1st City owned City Hall & Municipal Court Building; erect a Welcome to City of Prairie View sign with flags on US 290; landscape major intersections; erect the “Fences Project” that recognizes the historic 14 Farm Families of PV; implement the bi-annual Panthers At Work City-wide Clean up involving the University and Community; widen University Drive from the entrance to Prairie View A&M University to Business 290 to a 5 lane boulevard with bicycle lanes, sidewalks and street lights; adopt a “Down Town Overlay Plan” that with guide a uniform and beautiful development of down town Prairie View; purchased property to build a City owned Retail Center.

Mayor Frank D. Jackson authored the 1st book on the history of the City of Prairie View, Texas entitled “A Brief History of The City of Prairie View” and also “Juneteenth.”

In addition to being mayor, Jackson the Director of Government Relations at Prairie View A&M University, President and Fire Chief of the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc., and Past Master of Lone Star Lodge # 85 – Hempstead, Texas and currently serves as Grand Historian for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter – Prairie View, Texas.

Mr. Jackson is married to Marian Elaine Jones and is the father of four children, Tracy, Ayanna, Cheikh & Okofo. The Jackson’s have two grandchildren Chazrel & Simone.

Mayor Jackson strives to live by the Motto: “Regardless of the phenomenon that we encounter in this life, it will be a whole lot better if we just do it together.”

The breakfast is free and we ask that you confirm your attendance by calling 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.