Ralph Bunce Professor W. Gabriel Selassie to Speak at Alpha's Founders Day Observance

The members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in Prairie View join Alphas around the world in commemorating its 114th Anniversary with a special Founders’ Day Observance Program on December 6, 2020. The speaker for the occasion is Dr. W. Gabriel Selassie, I, the first participant in the new Visiting Alumnus Program at Prairie View A&M University since September 2020 on the Zoom Network.  The program is open to the public and is being hosted by the Epsilon Tau Lambda (Prairie View), Eta Gamma (PVAMU), Pi Omicron (TAMU) and Pi Alpha Lambda (College Station) Chapters, all members of Area IX of the Fraternity.  The fraternity will also hold a re-dedication program for the brothers on Friday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. on the Zoom Network.

Selassie, a self-proclaimed life-long learner, was selected for the program created by President Ruth J. Simmons which provides an opportunity to advance the institution’s mission by welcoming back alumni who can share their unique experiences with students, faculty, and staff. He is working alongside Dr. Simmons on campus projects and learning the administrative relationship between The Texas A&M University System. 

Additionally, Selassie is the Ralph Bunche Associate Professor of History and Religion at the Los Angeles City College. He holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in history from the Claremont Graduate University, a Masters in African American studies at the University of California at Los Angeles, a Master’s in Public History and Historic Preservation from California State University at Dominguez Hills, a Master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Architecture from Prairie View A&M University.  He also holds a certificate in Democracy in Africa from University of Oxford, St. Antony’s College. 

The Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. invites members of the community to support its Christmas Toy and Food drive.  Drop off places for the donations are Fire Station on 502 Ellen Powell St., Prairie View every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; Prairie View City Hall on US Business 290 and the Prairie View Federal Credit Union on University Drive during business hours. Bring a smile to a child; donate unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 0-17. For information contact: 936-857-9550.

 The Prairie View Federal Credit Union will held its 80^th Annual Meeting
on December 17, 2020 on ZOOM (CLICK HERE). Chairman Terrence Finley will address the membership as well as provide updates on the operation of the Credit University, which is under new management of the Withey Consulting Group. Members will also receive report from the Board of Directors, Credit Committee and Supervisory Committee.Connect with your Credit Union. Meeting ID: 402 863 1108. Sign-in required for Door Prizes.

Nominees for the election to the Board of Directors Members include: Rebecca Faison, William Foster, Mary Hawkins and Frederick V. Roberts.  The Credit Union continues its Holiday Loan promotion for its members through December 18. Members can also secure Auto Loan for new vehicles and cut their interest loans in half for refinancing of automobiles. The Credit Union will be closed for the holidays on December 23-25 and reopens on December 28-29 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and December 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon. Regular hours 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday – Thursdays and 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.  Come join the Prairie View Federal Credit Union, the only financial institution in Prairie View, located at 704 University Drive in Prairie View. Call 936-857-4925 for information.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Cecil Boykin, Irene Davis, Loraine Kirkpatrick, Madolyn Reed, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield and Frederick V. Roberts.  May God’s peace be with you all!

Our deepest condolences to The Davis Family on the passing of Clifford Davis on November 29, 2020. Visitation is on December 4 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Singleton & Sons Funeral Home on 627 New Orleans, Hempstead, TX 77445.  The Funeral Service is on December 5 at the Mt. Corinth Missionary Baptist Church on 806 7th Street, Hempstead, TX 77445. Interment is in the Prairie View Memorial Cemetery on FM 1098 and Cameron Road.  Condolences may be sent to The Clifford Davis Family, c/o Singleton & Sons Funeral Home, 627 New Orleans, Hempstead, TX 77445. You may call for other information (979)826-2425.  www.singletonandsonsfh.com

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY WISHES: Justin Samuel (1), Lewis Smith (1), Sarah Williams (1), Linda Barrs (2), Betty Ricks (2), Robert Woodie McClennon (2), Scherrentina Williams (3), Alejandra Jewel Gutierrez (5), Jessica D. Berry (8), Carolyn Brown (9), Arie Walker (11), Ursula Johnson (15), Vanessa Weatherspoon (15), Emory Davis (17), Chase Gillian (17), Emery Davis (17), Cecil Dorsett, III (18), Clara Walker (18), Barbara Queen-Clarke (19) HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Cynthia & Maurice Hobson (17), Maurice & Arlicia Perkins (25), Everett & Beckey Fredholm (28) and George and Carolyn Brown (28).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL:  December 4, 2017 marked the official appointment of Dr. Ruth Stubblefield Simmons as the 8^th President of Prairie View A&M University. Simmons assumes the presidency of Texas’ second oldest public institution becoming the first woman to lead the university in its 140-year history.  She was named interim president of the university on June 19 and became the lone candidate for the position on October 20, 2017. 

Simmons, a Houston native who served as president of Brown University from 2001 to 2012, had been the interim president at Prairie View A&M University since June. Since retiring from Brown, Dr. Simmons had turned down offers to lead other institutions of higher education, but Prairie View A&M University appealed to her because of its history, significance, and mission. Additionally her brother Clarence who attended the university and was a member of the Championship Basketball team in the 50’s encouraged her to accept the position.  

Since 2017, Dr. Simmons has made a significant impact on the university’s landscape with appointment of Dr. James Palmer as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, increased external funding for the university, including a $10 Million Grant to support students impacted by COVID-19, program changes and visibility of the university throughout the country in local and national medium. She has also enhanced the faculty with naming of endowed chairs to include Dr. Melanye Price as an endowed professor in Political Science and involving the alumni at the presidential level with the appointment of Dr. W. Gabriel Selassie, I as the first participant in the PVAMU Visiting Alumni Program.

The Office of Alumni Affairs will host its Fall 2020 Alumni Pinning Ceremony on December 10 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the FacebookLive @pvamualumniaffairs or www.pvamu.edu/alumni The speaker for the program is Anzilla Gilmore an Architect with the Facilities Engineering and Planning Department at Rice University. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Prairie View A&M in 1997and a Masters of Architecture from The University of Texas at Arlington. She is a founding member of the Houston Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). At Rice, she serves as the project manager for all Housing and Dining projects and is also a Jones College Associate. Gilmore’s leadership of NOMA invigorated the organization and spurred unprecedented growth and engagement nationwide, enhancing the professional commitment of minority architects and elevating the profession at large.

PVAMU will hold its 2020 Fall Commencement on December 12 at 10:00 a.m. on the Facebook Live and Youtube Networks, connections can be found at www.pvamu.edu.  The speaker is Mr. Khambrel Marshall, a member of the KPRC 2 Severe Weather Team who delivers the weekend forecasts to help you plan your day.  He is also the host of “Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall,” a weekly program that explores news in Texas’ Southeast region. More than 400 students are expected to receive their respective degrees from the bachelors to the Ph.D. 

Until next week, in the words of Justice Thurgood Marshall, “A man can make what he wants of himself if he truly believes that he must be ready for hard work and many heartbreaks;” so do your part! Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com, P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.