Cooper Takes on New Challenge

Prairie View Today
05.13.10
Legendary Coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke is headed to North Carolina-Wilmington to become the women's basketball coach. Cooper-Dyke is leaving Prairie View after five seasons where she coached the team to NCAA tournaments in 2007 and 2009 and four consecutive SWAC championships, the best showing in team history. Coopers personal achievement off the court was earning the Bachelor of Science Degree from PVAMU, studying for the Masters’ Degree, being named to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and a 2010 inductee for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 13. The PVAMU Family will miss Coach Cooper-Dyke and wishes her best as she moves forward in the coaching ranks.

On Saturday, May 15, more than 600 candidates will receive diplomas from Prairie View A&M University during the Spring Commencement ceremonies in the William “Billy” Nicks Building. At 9:00 am candidates from the Marvin D. & June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, Whitlowe R. Green College of Education and the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering will receive degrees. Then at 1:00 pm, candidates from the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, School of Architecture, College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology, College of Nursing and the Graduate School will receive their degrees. Dr. Michael D. McKinney, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System, is the speaker.

The PVAMU Cooperative Extension Program is sponsoring a Disaster Preparedness Seminar on today, May 13 at 12:00 noon in the Carden-Waller Extension Building. Call for 936-261-5100 for information.

Kudos to Elizabeth Ann Martin professor of Social Work at PVAMU! After 38 years of service, Martin is trading in her shoes for retirement. The staff of the Division of Social, Behavioral and Political Sciences will honor Martin with a special program on May 21 at the Coleman-Kemp-Smith Community Center in Prairie View from 3:00-5:00 pm. Call 936-261-1670 to confirm reservation by May 15, 2010and for information.


Bullock is New College Prexy Congratulations to Dr. Quintin B. Bullock on his inauguration as the sixth president of Schenectady County Community College in New York on April 30. Among the well wishes were a large delegation of Dr. Bullock's family, other Texans and William H. Chapman and his family. Mr. Chapman, a retired professor of English, represented Prairie View A&M University. Chapman also taught Quintin, who received the Bachelors and Masters Degree from PVAMU . . . to Reserve Capt. Kelvin N. Dixon on his nomination for appointment as Rear Admiral (lower half). Dixon, a 1981 PVAMU Alumnus, is the deputy reserve commander, Navy Region Northwest, Everett, Wash.

The reviews are in and The Loni Love Special “America’s Sister” on Comedy Central on May 8 is a hit. Loni, a 1997 graduate of Prairie View A&M University, made us all proud. What’s next for Loni . . . Maybe a network show? Check out www.lonilove.com for more information.

The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association Board will meet on May 16 at the George E. Higgs National Alumni Headquarters on University Drive. All alumni are invited to attend. Plans are underway for the National Alumni Association convention on July 21-24 in New Orleans. For registration information and transportation, contact the National Headquarters at 936-857-5817.

The countdown is on for the afternoon of bridge with the Prairie View Duplicate Club set for May 22 from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Coleman-Kemp-Smith Community Center in Prairie View. Persons interested in learning Bridge are invited. Contact Linda Durham at 936-931-5114 for more information. Also, sign up for the club’s five-day cruise to Cozumel and Progreso Mexico from Galveston on Dec. 11-16. Contact Dr. Frank Hawkins at msh38@academicplanet.com.

Your prayers and encouragement are always welcomed for the health of Martha Bailey, Esel and Willie J. Bell Sr., Ernestine Carreathers, Nellie Charleston, Dewayne Charleston, Larry Coleman, Redessa Coleman, Hulen and Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Mary Kemp, James Poindexter, Irene Reid, Otelia A. Watson and Douglas Woolfolk. May the peace of God be with you!

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Congratulations to PVAMU SIFE Members Courtney Cunningham, Harold Franklin, LaDonna Green, Joe Ivory, Anita Jones, Kendramia Prestage, Justin Samuel and Deszzarray Smith on their graduation. Devin Evans, sophomore civil engineering major, is president. For SIFE events, see www.sifepvamu.org, e-mail to sifepvamu@yahoo.com or call 936-261-3579.

The PVAMU Career Services Department completed a successful recruiting season. More than 500 students benefitted from the services. The fruits of its labor are shown in the students’ employment after commencement. The team is preparing for its summer workshops and 40th Anniversary Celebration. For information, call 936-261-3570 or visit www.pvamu.edu/careers.

Happy May birthday congratulations to Carolyn Hood (11), James Kromah (11), Cecil G. Dorsett Jr. (11), Gloria Hall (12), Tenama Sirleaf (12), Ananias K. Waters (13), Cheryl Battle (14), Sherron Hall (14), Denise Roberts (14), Frances Robinson (14), Harold S. Franklin, Jr. (18) and Jurah Kromah (24). May Wedding Anniversary - Keith and Annette Bowdre (16).

On a cultural note, I am sure you knew that on May 14, 1888 - Slavery was abolished in Brazil; 5/17/1875 - Oliver Lewis wins first Kentucky Derby; 5/17/54 - Brown vs. Board of Education, declaring public school segregation illegal by the Supreme Court; 5/18/1896 - U.S. Supreme Court upholds the "Separate But Equal" doctrine in education and public accommodations in Plessy vs. Ferguson; 5/18/25 - Malcolm X, civil rights activist, was born in Omaha, Neb.; 5/19/91 - Willy T. Ribbs is the first black driver to qualify for the Indy 500; 5/22/59 - Benjamin O. Davis Jr. becomes the first black major general in the U.S. Air Force; 5/22/66 - Bill Cosby is the first black to win an Emmy in a drama series for his role in "I Spy"

Until next week, in the words of Tim McGraw, "Live like you were dying," and take a chance on life! 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.