Early Voting in the City of Prairie View begins Tuesday

The City of Prairie View held a special call meeting and workshop on May 18 in the council chambers. The meeting was held to canvas and validate the election results of May 7, 2016. Following the canvas, outgoing Mayor Frank D. Jackson pass the gavel to the David Allen the new mayor and installed the elected members on the council, i.e. Jonathan L. Miller (Position 1), Wendy Williams (Position 4) and Paulette Barnett (Position 5). For more information, visit www.prairieviewtexas.gov.

The men of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View will host its Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 21 at 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. in the church’s Parish Hall at 204 Dooley Street. Dr. Kendall E. Harris, Dean of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering is the speaker for the free breakfast. He is a licensed professional engineer, Harris began his tenure at Prairie View A&M University in 2005, as associate dean and professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Harris was later named the sixth dean in 2007. Under his leadership, the college implemented the College of Engineering Success Center, which focuses on the retention of engineering students by offering supplemental instruction for freshman and sophomore students enrolled in math, science and engineering courses.

Harris holds the bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Kansas and the master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Mississippi. He is also a graduate of the Naval Aviation Officer School as a U.S. naval officer and aviator. Harris is married to Shundra, who is a design instructor in the School of Art and Architecture at Prairie View A&M University. The breakfast is open to the men of the community. Please call 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net to confirm attendance.

Early voting for the Waller County Commissioner’s run-off election continues on May 19 from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street. Candidates for County Commissioner, Precinct 3 are: Jeron Barnett (incumbent) and Darryl Johnson. The election is on May 24 at Prairie View City Hall.

The ladies of the Prairie View Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will host its 2016 PVAC Cares Community Expo on May 21 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Willie A. Tempton, Sr. Memorial Student Center at Prairie View A&M University. Some of activities include Free Health Screening, conducted by the Waller County EMS, seminars on healthy living and a talent show. Door prizes will be awarded. For information on the event, contact Ebony Weddington at 832-516-4401.

Plans are underway for the 40th Annual Convention of the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association on July 20-24, 2016 in San Antonio. More than 500 alumni and friends of PVAMU are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, class meetings and the awards ceremonies. For information visit: www.pvualumni.org or call 936-857-5817.

The planning committee is gearing up for the 10th Annual Red & White Ball and the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. on August 27 at 7:00 a.m. in the Willie Tempton Memorial Student Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University. This year’s ball will honor and recognize the women volunteers with “The Waller County Outstanding Women Community Service Award.”

The distinguished event is open to the public, with tickets priced at $35.00 through August 1, 2016. Table sponsorships are available. The committee also encourage the patrons to purchase advertisement in the Souvenir Booklet. Monetary donations and Items for the Silent Auction are welcome. For additional questions, please contact Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com.

The Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, Ann Preston Unit will hold its monthly meeting on May 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street. Interested persons are invited to attend. Mrs. Johnie Walker is the president.

The Prairie View Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly meeting on May 27 at the Prairie View A&M National Alumni House on University Drive at 6:00 p.m. All business minded entrepreneurs are invited to attend. Mr. George E. Higgs is the president.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ada Beal, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Vanessa Jackson, Evelyn Jones, David Kirkpatrick, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Arie Walker, Sandra Watson and Douglas Woolfolk. May God’s peace be with you!

HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO: Harold S. Franklin, Jr. (18), Kedrick Hayes (19), Michael Prince (19), Jurah Kromah (24), Elaine Ward (28), Mary Manual (29), Samuel E. Brown (30), Norman Hunter (30) and Iantha Watson Lang (31). May Wedding Anniversary - C. Andrew & JoAnne Doyle (21) and Cornelio & Deynese (Kirkpatrick) Guibunda (23).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: The 2016 Spring Commencement exercises of Prairie View A&M University held on May 13 and 14 are now history. At the commencement on May 13, more than 300 graduates received their Masters and PhD. Degrees. Among that group were five of the most celebrated candidates, i.e. Azizi S. Aubert-Johnson, Valerie C. Richard, Roshunda R. Roberts, Nichole W. Rosette and Deidra D. Williams, in the first class to receive the Doctorate of Nursing. The May 14 event featured the Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston as the speaker.

Mayor Turner and Texas State Representative Helen Giddings were co-recipients of the university’s Humanitarian Award for Community Leadership. Mayor Turner shared three real experiences with the graduates and highlighted his personal story of growing up as the oldest of nine children to a single mother, his father past away when he was ten years old. He talked about his quest to become a lawyer and how his mother signed off on the loan for him to attend Harvard and his three attempts to become the mayor. Turner summed it up saying that he was distance runner and no matter what you want in life you can achieve it if you stay in the race. Representative Giddings also addressed the graduates encouraged them to be proud of their degree from PVAMU and to give back to the university and the community. Giddings is presently serving her 11th term in the Texas House and serves as the Vice Chair of the State Affairs Committee and a member on the House Appropriations Committee and the Calendars Committee. The PVAMU Concert Chorale, featuring Dr. Michael McFrazier and Jahi Harrison presented a heart wrenching performance of “Glory”, the Grammy award winning song by Common and John Legend.

Congratulations to Travette Webster who also received the student Humanitarian Award for her leadership and service. Travette also received her MBA degree at the commencement.

Prairie View A&M University will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony as it takes receipt of 16 of 28 Steinway Pianos. The event is on May 20 at 10:30 a.m. in the H. Edison Anderson Recital Hall, Hobart Thomas Taylor, Sr. Building. The students, faculty and staff invite the community to share in this commitment to excellence with the some of the best instruments on the planet.

Until next week, in the words of Malcolm X, "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.