Prairie View Today for July 24, 2008

Bells will be ringing from July 28-Aug. 1, 2008 at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View. The church will host the 2008 Summer Community Bell Choir Camp at the church on 204 Dooley St. The campers will also take part in the TAKS mathematics review and activities in arts, craft, money management, computers, recreation and a field trip and closes with a concert on Aug. 3 at 9 a.m. The free camp, with lunch and snacks, is open to all interested students. For information, contact Ms. Madolyn Reed at madolynreed@yahoo.com or call (936) 857-3574. Dr. Vicki Seldon, professor of music at PVAMU, is the musical director.

More than 2,000 members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from around the globe descended upon Kansas City, Missouri from July 18-22 for the 102nd Anniversary Convention. The seminars and workshops addressed issues on health care, entrepreneurship, wealth building, voter registration, education, service and membership development. Some of the dignitaries in attendance were Soledad Obrien, CNN Reporter, who received the fraternity’s Award of Merit, Randall Pinkett of the Apprentice Winner and PVAMU Alumnus Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri. Local chapter members included – Epsilon Tau Lambda - George Higgs, Tau Kadhi, Sean Granger, Simeon Queen, Gregory Rose, Frederick V. Roberts, Bobby R. Williams and Mark Williams, Sr. and from Eta Gamma – Chris Mitchell, Calvin Singleton, Andre’ Williams and Mark Williams, Jr. Congratulations to Carlton, scholarship winner and Mark Williams, Runner up for Brother of the Year. There was plenty great food and fun for all. Members took in the sights and sounds and partied in the famous Jazz District on 18 and Vine, including the historic Mutual Musician’s Foundation at 1823 Highland. The 78 year-old home for jazz greats as Charlie Parker, Count Basie and Big Joe Turner, is managed by Betty Crow. As for the eateries, Gates Bar-b-Que and Papa Lew’s were the hot spots. Papa Lew’s on 2128 E 12th Street, owned and managed by Doris Lyman opened 26 years ago in a partnership with her husband, the late Lewis Lyman. The convent ion closed with the traditional banquet and installation of officers. The Beta Nu Chapter at Florida A&M University was named College Chapter of the Year and the Epsilon Theta Lambda of Bermuda being as Alumni Chapter of the Year. Reverend Herman ‘Skip’ Mason was elected the 33rd President of the Fraternity and will take office on January 1, 2009. Darryl Matthews is the current president, with the fraternity’s headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland.

The world watched Black History unfold through the words of Soledad Obrien’s CNN Special on 'Black in America’ on July 21-26. Through the lens of numerous cameras and conversations with many civil rights leaders, teachers, businessmen and women and political leaders, the world got a glimpse at what it meant to be Black in America. For an in depth look at Black in America, check out http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/black.in.america/ for a special clip on the series. This is a powerful presentation that you are dared to watch with your children and see their reactions.

Want your house kept spic and span? Then Debra Holt, experienced in house cleaning, light cooking and running errands is available for services in the Prairie View, Hempstead and Waller area. For information and fees, call Debra at (979) 525-6693.

For all the management gurus, the public is invited to the Center for Teaching Excellence’s book review of “Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson on July 28, 2008 at 12:00pm in the Delco Building, Room 202. The book will help you deal with whatever changes are going on in your life, personal or professional.

A View from the Hill: August 9, 2008 will be a great time in the lives of more than 400 students as they receive their respective degrees at the Summer Commencement of Prairie View A&M University. The program, which begins at 9 a.m. in the William J. "Billy" Nicks Sr. Building, will feature Dr. Frank Ashley, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of The Texas A&M University System.

In keeping with state mandates on Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB Vendors), PVAMU invites the public to a specialized HUB Forum, today, July 24, 2008 in the John B. Coleman Library, Room 108, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The featured HUB vendor is Houston-based Marimon Business Systems, Inc. equipment dealership. For information contact Jim Nelms, HUB Coordinator at janelms@pvamu.edu or Marie Robinson, HUB Assistant at bmrobinson@pvamu.edu.

It’s official, PVAMU and Lone Star College-CyFair are now partners I a program that will afford students of both institutions the opportunity to study a transfer curriculum with the College of Business, where students can enroll in upper-level business classes toward a bachelors degree while attending Cyfair. For information, contact the College of Business at 936-261-9200 or cob@pvamu.edu.

Homecoming 2008 comes very early this year (October 11) and the committee is busily making plans for the annual and traditional trek to the campus the many alumni and friends. In addition to the football game, various activities are being planned for the weeklong event. Persons interested in participating and sharing ideas should contact Mr. Steve Ransom, Chairman at (936) 261-1340.

The New Student Orientations continues this week (July 23 and 25) at PVAMU for all new students attending the university in fall 2007. Parents and students from around the state and nation will attend sessions. Students will register for classes, secure housing and financial aid, pay fees and tie up any loose ends. Orientation runs from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm in the Memorial Student Center Ballroom. Other dates include August 2 and 12. For more information, contact the office at 936-261-1093.

PVAMU Athletics will have some new faces for 2008 and among them will be Mr. Jethro Hillman as an assistant coach with the Panthers basketball and Lana Williams as head coach of the Lady Panthers Softball teams. Hillman comes to “The Hill” following stints at Delaware State, Texas Southern and Nicholls State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Southland Conference. Williams is a former lady panther player, joined the staff as an assistant coach in 2001. Congratulations to all the coaches and also to former PVAMU Baseball player Wilford White, who recently signed a free agent deal with the Atlanta Braves. White’s quest to reach the major leagues began with the Danville Braves, currently one of the Braves’ minor league affiliates. White debuted against the Greenville Astros on June 28th with a single hit his first time at bat. Eyes will be White in the future who will join the ranks of Charlie Hudson, former major leaguer

Please continue your prayers for Mrs. Mary Kemp, Dr. Lee Henderson, Mrs. Douglas Woolfolk, Irene Reid, Mr. Hulen Davis and Dr. Marion Henry, who stand in the need of prayer. May God's blessings be added to their health and strength.

The Prairie View Community lost another pillar with the passing of Mr. Lorenzo Tramble on July 22. Funeral services for Mr. Tramble were held on July 26 at Mount Corinth Baptist Church in Hempstead. Mr. Tramble a retired administrator, landscaper, inventor and fisherman was revered by the members of the university staff, community and the young people whose lives he help shaped. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. March Tramble, c/o Singleton & Sons Funeral Home, 627 New Orleans, Street, Hempstead, TX 77445.

Happy July Birthday to Carolyn Giles (20), Carven K. Kromah (20), Bernice Cummings (22), Paris Kincade (25), Gerald Ladig (25), Carol Campbell (26), Rose M. Jackson (26), Renee Calloway (27), Ashlee Davies (29), Deborah Dungey (29), Waymon Webster (29), Mary White (30), Mary Hawkins (30) and Robert Hall (31). July Anniversary Congratulations to Demetria Howard (16), and Alvin and Redessa Coleman (23).

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY HONORS TO: Harold S. Bonner (1), George E. Brown (1), Gwendolyn Grossman (1), Cathy Douse-Harris (3), Mae Helen James (2), James I. Kirkwood (3), Lindsey Weatherspoon (4), Paula Garrett (7), Marie Herndon (7),

Congratulations Dr. George C. Wright as he celebrates his fifth anniversary as President of Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Wright was appointed the 7th president of the university by the TAMUS board of regents on July 22, 2003. He assumed the office on August 15, 2003, in compliance with state law regarding state employment.

On a cultural note, I am sure you knew that on July 19, 1941 President Roosevelt established a Fair Employment Practices Committee to monitor discrimination against negroes in defense industries; 7/21/1896 - National Association of Colored Women founded by Mary Church Terrell in Washington DC; 7/21/57 - Althea Gibson becomes the first Black American woman to the National clay court singles competition, her first major U.S. tennis title; 7/23/1868 - The Fourteenth Amendment is ratified, granting citizenship to Black Americans and provides for federal intervention when state governments are accused of violating individuals' constitutional rights; 7/23/1892 - Halie Selassie, Emperor and Ethiopian ruler was born in Harer, Ethiopia; 7/25/70 - Charles Cordone won Pulitzer Prize for his play "No Place to Be Somebody;" 7/25/43 - First warship named for a Black person, the SS Leonard Roy Harmon, launched in Quincy Mass; 7/28/1802 - Alexander Dumas, author of the French classic, The Three Musketeers, is born in Villiers-Cotterets; 7/30/1822 - James Varick is consecrated as the first Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Zion in New York; 30/1885 - Eugene Kinckle Jones, a founder of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Cornell University; is born in Richmond, Virginia; 31/1874 - Patrick Francis Healy, a Jesuit Priest, is inaugurated as the first Black president of Georgetown University and is credited with expanding the curriculum and the campus.

Until next week, seek God's guidance in all that you do and you will never be lost. Give thanks to God in all circumstances and you shall receive his grace. 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.