PVAMU and crosstown rivals TSU Labor Day Classic in new Blackshear Stadium

This weekend all roads lead to Prairie View A&M University for the State Farm Labor Day Classic Football matchup on September 4 between the Prairie View Panthers on cross-town rival, the Tigers of Texas Southern University. The game starts at 5:00 p.m. in the new Athletic Stadium and Complex at Prairie View A&M University. More than 30K fans, alumni, friends and guests are expected to descend on the $60 Million facility which formally opened on August 27 with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Officials from The Texas A&M University System, including John Sharp, Chancellor, President George Wright, John Osby, Vice President for the Prairie View A&M Foundation and others were on hand for the event.

Head Coach Willie Simmons is looking forward to a win over the Tigers in the first game of the season. In his second year, Simmons coached the Panthers to a 7-1 SWAC Games. The team and staff are confident of a SWAC win to kick of the season. The world renowned Marching Storm, directed Dr. Timmey Zachery plans to reign supreme over the TSU’s Ocean of Soul. Kudos to the coaching staff, students, and athletic staff, and to the band for what we know will be a spectacular show.

The ‘Red Hot Summer’s Night in August’ and the 9th Annual Red & White Fireman’s Ball is now history. Congratulations to the Waller County Outstanding Women Volunteers were honored at the event on August 27 at Prairie View A&M University and sponsored by the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighters Association. The honorees included Chandra Adams, Joan Boson, Gwendolyn Carter, Rosa Deloeral, Diana Duncan, Margo Gillium, Samantha Glover, Kim Mathis-Goodrum, Nora Hodge, Irene Mattox, Angela Jones, Kimberlee Parmer, Grady Paris, Lori Perkins, Te'Anna Reed, Veronica Hargest-Sharp, Merry Sewell, Gloria Thompson, Cathy Watson and Onita Williams. Each honoree received a personalized engraved 12” Crystal Vase and a special congratulatory proclamation from Texas Governor Gregg Abbot. Special Awards were presented as follows: Mark Shaffer - Officer of the Year, Derrian T. Ben - Firefighter of the Year, Michelina Rookie of the Year and Vedron Bordeaux - Marlon Kizzee Award. Additionally, Firefighters Frank Jackson and Altervice Bowdre and their wives, Elaine and Larneathra, respectively, received a specially designed fire sculpture for their dedicated service.

Former Assistant Fire Chief Ellroy Stephens and original organizers of the Volunteer Fire Department, was among the guests for the celebration. The planners expressed thanks to the patrons for the successful event and looks forward to the August 2017 event, which will honor and salute administrative assistants in Waller County.

The Texas State NAACP and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Tau Lambda and Eta Gamma Chapters hosted a Budget and Savings Financial Literacy Seminar on August 27 at Prairie View A&M University. The speakers for the event were Terrance Livingston, Business Relationship Manager and Kristen Erin Forest, Business Banking Associate at Wells Fargo Houston Business Banking office in Missouri City. Wells Fargo is one of the underwriters partner with the Texas NAACP for the national program. In addition to financial information, the participants received paraphernalia and bank gift card. Brian Rowland, Treasurer for the Texas NAACP coordinated the program.

More than 100 members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. from around the state of Texas converged on the campus of Prairie View A&M University for a District-wide Initial Membership Development Program on August 27. The program is required for all membership participating in the fraternity’s process of initiation. The training was conducted by Dr. Willie Edwards, professor education at Texas A&M University at Commerce.

Congratulations to D. Blake Simon on the publication of his book The Transition Guide and Journal, a simple tool for students to help maximize the college experience. Blake is a former Financial Aid Counselor at Prairie View A&M University who decided to take his experiences on the road to assist prospective college students in their transitions from high school to college. The book is a quick and actionable read that is easily implementable so that individual can get straight to making the transition. It also provides space for the students to write their goals, ideas, memorable lessons and reflections. Blake also served as Director of Educational Activities for the Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Blake is currently on a book and speakers tour. For more information, visit www.blakemotivates.com

GoodNews Food comes to Prairie View to provide members of the community a way to stretch their food dollars. Patrons can purchase food boxes of groceries at 50% less than store prices. For more information, visit www.goodnewsfood.net or call 281-210-3295 or email unitancommunications@yahoo.com.

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

Our condolences to the family of Vanessa Williams Jackson of Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson is former resident of Prairie View and served as an Administrative Secretary in the Department of Communications at Prairie View A&M University. Vanessa passed away on August 28 in Mississippi. At press time funeral services are pending.

Our condolences also the family of Elaine Ward who passed away on August 20 in Houston. Elaine was a retired Cooperative Extension Program Coordinator at Prairie View A&M University with responsibilities for the youth development and 4H programs. Funeral services were held for Elaine on August 27.

HAPPY SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY TO: David Kirkpatrick, Sr. (1), Ida B. Campbell (2), David Wheatfall (4), Jasmine Boyer ( 5), Eula Stafford (6), Lee Coleman (6), Martha Harris (6), March Tramble (6), Edward Reid, Jr. (6), Charles Lewter (7), Rosie L. Matlock (7), Troyla Washington (7), Frank Francis (8), Deborah Jackson (9) and Angela E. Wells (9). HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO: Dorothy and Carlton Carter (2).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: The public is invited to the S.P.I.T. Knowledge lecture on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30pm, Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium at the university. The speaker is Myron Rolle, former NFL player for the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He of Bahamian descent from New Jersey and studied and played football at Florida State. Rolle was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University for the 2009–10 academic year in order to earn an MSc in Medical Anthropology and is a 4th year medical student at the Florida State University College of Medicine. The program is opened to the public. Mrs. Yolanda Gross is the Coordinator for Special Programs and Cultural Services and may be contacted at 936-261-3566.

Prairie View A&M University will host its fall Student Organizations Open House on September 7 at 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the university Recreation Center. The event provides an opportunity for students to learn about and get involve in the organization of his or her choice. For information, contact Nina Wright at 936-261-1344.

The Office of Career Services at PVAMU is gearing up for its 40th Annual Fall Career Fair on September 7, 2016 from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Recreation Center. More than 80 companies, non-profits and government agencies will participate in the event. Several pre-career fair events are scheduled, including the Career Readiness Seminar on August 30 from 6:00 – 8:00p.m. For more information, contact careers@pvamu.edu or call 936-261-3570.

Until next week, in the words of the great Jesse Owens, a U.S. Olympian, "Find the good. It's all around you. Find it, showcase it and you'll start believing in it." Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.