The PVAMU Panther Football team is the SWAC’s Western Division Championship

The PVAMU Panther Football team is the SWAC’s Western Division Championship with the recent 49-17 rout of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on November 21 at Blackshear Stadium. The team capped off the undefeated SWAC (8-0/8-1) play for the first time since 1964. The Panthers will travel to Birmingham to play Alabama A&M in the SWAC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 12. The Panthers clinched the SWAC berth with its 34-14 win over the Alcorn State Braves in Lorman on November 14.

The small crowd endured the cold and wet spell to cheer the panthers onto victory. The Marching Storm paid tribute to the late Prof Edwards during the half-time performance.

The seniors were honored during the halftime festivities. Congratulations to Coach Henry Frazier, the players and staff. Continue voting for Coach Henry Frazier, III for the Liberty Mutual NCAA Coach of the year at http://www.coachoftheyear.com/Vote-for-Your-Coach.aspx

Amidst the Panther hype, Let’s give Kudos to Charles McClelland former PVAMU Athletic Director, the students and staff of PVAMU for putting together a winning team of coaches, athletes and athletic program some seven years ago. Remember that the Harvest is plenty but the workers are few, so let’s give credit where it is due!

The public is invited to Friday Night Bible Study at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church 204 Dooley Street at 6:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy the fellowship, food and the word. For information call 936-857-3272.

The PVAMU Classic Dance Ensemble celebrated its 20th Anniversary Alumni Reunion Dance Concert on November 20 in the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, Memorial Student Center. The Ensemble was established in Sept. 1989 by Jennifer Adams and Bongi Sithole, then students at the university. Kudos to the ensemble and its Director, Danyle Taylor, for maintaining the standard of excellence. For tickets contact Taylor at 936-261-3921.

Congratulations to the newest members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Area IX. The members are Rodney Bell, Jason Bullen, Cameron Estwick, Victor James, Michael Jones, Cephaus Riggins, Garland Thompson and Carlton Todd (Epsilon Tau Lambda-Prairie View); Jason Mathis, Herbert Pierre and Brian Walton (Pi Alpha Lambda-College Station) and Byron Barber, Branson Brade, Kosie Okafor, Christopher Rainey and Aston Remo (Pi Omicron-Texas A&M University).

Please continue praying for Dr. Martha Bailey, Mrs. Esel and Mr. Willie J. Bell, Sr., Mr. Calan Carter, Mrs. Ernestine Carreathers, Mrs. Nellie Charleston, Mr. Dwayne Charleston, Mr. Hulen Davis, Sr., Mrs. Irene Davis, Dr. B. J. Freeman, Mrs. Mardell Harden and Family, Mrs. Mary Kemp, Dr. David Kirkpatrick, Ms. Betty Miles, Sr., Mrs. Irene Reid, Mrs. Ann Sams and Mrs. Douglas Woolfolk.

A View from the Hill: Congratulations to the Lady Panthers Volley Ball team as it travels to Ruston, Louisiana for the SWAC tournament on Nov. 21-22. The Panthers are currently in second place in the western division behind an unbeaten Grambling State. Kudos to Coach Alecia Pete, players and the staff. For information, go to http://sports.pvamu.edu

Congratulations to the PVAMU Marching Storm Band on its return to Honda Battle of the Band Showcase set for January 2010 in the Georgia Dome. The showcase, in its 8th year has hosted some 70,000 band members and given more than $1 Million in scholarships to historically black college bands. Honda Representatives Derek Weber, Director of Operations, Ericka Braxton and John Morris presented the formal invitational plaque on Nov. 13.

The Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team at PVAMU continues to make its mark on the community. On Nov. 21, the team will took its Campbell Soup Let’s Can Hunger Campaign on the road as it joined the Mount Corinth Baptist Church’s “Meet the Need Center” for a community-wide food drive. The program is to raise awareness of hunger in the world and to collect food and money to support area residents. Thanks to Walmart, Harlans and Brookshire Brothers for their contributions. Malcolm Copeland is the Project Manager and Ridge Fields-Cooper is SIFE’s president. The team will also host its Business Ethics/Intellectual Property seminar on tonight (Nov. 19) at 6:30 pm in Room 1A110, Hobart Taylor Hall. Other planned events are the Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurs Workshops and the ongoing Environmental Sustainability Project with the Student Government at PVAMU. For SIFE’s information, call 936-261-3579 or log onto: www.sife.org.

November Birthday Congratulations to: Lillian Kirby (11), Harold Simmons (11), Barbara Dunham Gooden (13), Carol Cummings Kellum (15), Larry Hickman (20), William ‘Trey’ Reid (20), Cleola Walker (21), Gwendolyn Carter (21), Eichele Shafer (21), Kevin Tompkins (21), Cleola Walker (21), Purvis Carter (22), Samuel Montgomery (23), Priscilla Yell (23),James Jacob Boyer (26), Irma Kendrick (26) and Charles McClelland (26).

ON A CULTURAL NOTE, I am sure you knew that on November 7, 2003 Dr. George C. Wright was installed as the 7th President of the University; 11/12/22-Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is founded at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana; 11/14/20-The New York Times and Tribune call Charles Gilpin's portrayal of Brutus Jones in The Emperor Jones "a performance of heroic stature;” 11/15/89 - President George Bush signs the bill renaming the Houston Federal Building in honor of Congressman George Thomas "Mickey" Leland; 11/17/11- the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Howard University; 11/9/1797 - Isabella Baumfree, was born in New York. As a freed slave, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843 and began speaking for emancipation and women's rights; 11/22/63 - President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas; 11/22/66 - Dr. Alvin I. Thomas is named the 3rd president of Prairie View A&M University; 11/25/22- Marcus Garvey electrifies the crowd at Liberty Hall, New York with the principles of the Universal Negro Improvement Association to fight for the emancipation of the race and the redemption of the mother country Africa; 11/27/80 - KPVU FM 91.3 began broadcasting to the surrounding community; 11/28/61 Ernie Davis of Syracuse University becomes the first Black to win the Heisman Trophy; 11/29/89 - Colonel Frederick D. Gregory becomes the first Black Commander of a space shuttle mission on the Discovery.

Until next week, remember that whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Believe in the power and make a difference in the lives of others. 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.