PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY NATIONAL ALUMNI CONVENTION - JULY 8-11

The Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association is hosting its 35th Annual Convention on July 8-12 on the PVAMU Campus.

Under the theme: “The Greatness of our past: the Key to our future” the host chapter has taken out all the stops for events and activities. The convention kicks off with its 5th Annual pre-convention convention Golf Tournament on July 8 at the Legendary Oaks Golf Course in Hempstead, Texas.

The convention formally opens with at the general session is on Thursday, July 9 with the Association’s president Mr. Clem Daniels and Prairie View’s Mayor Frank D. Jackson welcoming the conventioneers to the hill for University Day. PVAMU’s President George C. Wright, along with Senator Royce West, Dr. Lucien Yates, Dean of the Green College of Education and other university officials will also address the alumni.

Among the many speakers and presenters, Texas Legislators, Senator Royce West (D) of Dallas and Representative Sylvester Turner (D) of Houston will address the group on July 9 and 11, respectively. Senator Wests represents the North Dallas area and is one of two Blacks in the senate. Representative Turner comes from District 139 in Houston

Other events include a spectacular musical concert featuring a stellar cast of PVAMU Alumni Talent, accompanied by the renowned pianist Dr. Danny R. Kelley, Dean of PVAMU’s Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences on July 9 in Hobart Taylor Recital Hall.

Several workshops including the Economic Development Empowerment sponsored on July 11 by the Cooperative Extension Program, PVAMU’s Small Business Development Center and the Prairie View City’s Economic Development Corporation 4-B are among the scheduled events. The attendees can also participate in the campus tour, specialty vending area, and Awards Banquet and Dance with Representative Turner on July 10. Rev. Robert Williams of Hope AME will lead the Alumni Memorial Service on July 11. The convention closes on Saturday night with the Old School/New School Jamz in the Tempton Memorial Student Center.

The convention is hosted by the local Prairie View Alumni Flagship Chapter; Mrs. Lois Brown is the president. For registration and ticket information contact the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Office – 936-857-5817 or pvamualumni@sbcglobal.net.

Alphas host 3rd Annual Golden Tee Golf Tournament and Honors Pastor Thomas

Tiger Woods may not attend the Golden Tee Golf Tournament at Houston’s National Golf (USGA rated) Club on June 20 but members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter are happy that 65 golf enthusiasts will take to the course for its charitable event.

The tournament is in its 3rd year and is open to the public. “The tournament is an exciting time for golf and we’re excited to host this event,” says Eric Dargan and Kevin McCraw, the first tournament organizers

The golf tournament format will be 2-man captain’s choice. Patrons at the tournament will play for prizes and meet members of the organization. The Golden Tee was established in 2007 as a major supporter for the Chapters scholarship program.

Prior to the tournament the Chapter will commemorate the Juneteenth observance with an art exhibit, silent auction and honor Pastor Fred Thomas of Greater St. Peters with is Ankobia Leadership Award for his service to the community. The art exhibit features specially commissioned work by local artists.. The event takes place on June 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the Coleman-Kemp-Smith Community Center in Prairie View. The event is free but donations are welcomed.

To register or become a tournament sponsor please contact Adrian Carter (832) 687-0803 or Charles Allen (832) 265-7012. For more information on the fraternity visit www.epsilontaulambda.org


Notes and Contact:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization founded in 1906 in Ithaca, NY to aid downtrodden people of African descent. Since then its mission has expanded to address academic excellence, social responsibility, personal development and ethical values. The Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter was established in Prairie View in 1952 and continues to support the national programs of Go to High School, Go to College, Voter Education, the March of Dimes, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boy Scouts of America. www.alphaphialpha.net

Other Events in Prairie View

The men of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View will host its monthly Men's Breakfast on June 20th at 8:00 am in the Parish Hall. Prairie View Mayor Frank D. Jackson is the featured Juneteenth speaker. The event is free and is open to all men in the community. The members of St. Francis also invite the public to join them for Adult Bible Study and Family Fun night on Fridays from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the church on Dooley Street. For information call 936-857-3272.

In 25 days all roads will lead to Prairie View for the 35th National Convention of the Prairie View A&M University Alumni Association. The event will be on July 8-11, and is hosted by the local Prairie View chapter. More than 1000 participants are expected to attend the four-day event, featuring workshops, seminars, and concert, dance and awards ceremonies. Mrs. Lois Brown is the chapter president and convention chair. For registration information call, (936) 857-5817 or email pvamualumni@sbcglobal.net.

The Career Services Center staff of Prairie View A&M University welcomed some 80 campers and their families to the 2009 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Summer Camp on June 7. The program for 5-7th graders runs June 7-19 and will include classroom and field experiences in forensic sciences. Mr. Crawford Bunkley, ExxonMobil’s Public Affairs staff addressed the happy campers. Then on June 21-July 3, the team will enroll 110 high school students for the Institute for Pre College Enrichment. The students will participate in professional and recreational activities, test preparation skills and how to apply for college and scholarships. Mr. Herbert Thomas is the program coordinator. Special honors will be presented at the closing of this event to persons who’ve participated over the 25 years.

Johnie Jones Receives Humanitarian Award and Bachelors Degree

When Johnie L. Jones, III was growing up in Hope, Arkansas, the community knew he was destined to be a star. Well, now everybody knows because Johnie recently added two stars to his crown, having been awarded the 2009 Humanitarian Award and the Bachelors degree in Agricultural Economics with honors from Prairie View A&M University (PVMAU) in Texas on May 16.

Johnie is the son of Bishop Johnie L. Jones, II and Minister Juanita Jones-Jackson. From his early beginnings you can say he took a page from his grandmother’s book when it comes to leadership and service. Mrs. Catherine Thomas who served as Mayor of Tollette, Arkansas was a great influence on Johnie. Jones ran for a position for the Prairie View City Council in 2007 and narrowly lost in highly contested race.

Throughout his tenure at Prairie View A&M University, Johnie served the university community in many roles, including President and Vice President of the Student Government Association (SGA), and Vice President for Finance and Administration. Under his leadership of Student Government, Jones tirelessly helped to increase voter awareness and voter participation among the PVAMU students and the community through special rallies, town hall meetings and marches. While serving as the SGA President, Jones worked as an advocate, gaining access for improved student services, campus development, safety and security. His diligent leadership laid the foundation for the University’s “Go Green” initiative to be implemented this summer along with SIFE.

Jones’ influence extended beyond the university when PVAMU President George C. Wright invited him to speak before the Texas State Legislature’s Subcommittee on Finance to inform them about the importance of supporting the university and the students. As the SGA president he was appointed to The Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board, which provides an avenue for student leaders to address common concerns of the students at the system’s nine universities. Jones also served on the Chancellor’s Diversity Council and was a candidate for the student regent’s position, a non-voting member of the system’s Board of Regents. Additionally, Jones’ administration facilitated online SGA elections, which resulted in a ten percent increase in student voter participation this past spring.

Johnie was involved in campus activities from his freshman year having been elected Mr. University College and Freshman Senator for SGA. He served as president of the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team, which teaches students about financial literacy, business ethics, entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability. Additionally, Jones holds membership in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Eta Gamma Chapter, was a treasurer and founding member of the Frederick Douglass Leadership Institute, Chaplain for the PVAMU Chapter of the NAACP, a member of MANNRS and a Career Services Ambassador. Johnie is a dedicated volunteer for the PVAMU Panthers-At-Work (PAW) Community-Wide Cleanup Project. In between classes, Jones took time to mentor students at Hempstead Elementary.

In addition to his academic studies, community service and leadership involvement, Jones participated in several summer internships - George Washington Carver Research Program, Department of Agriculture Economics at the Iowa State University (2006); Monsanto Company in Ottawa, Illinois (2007) and the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. (2008). Each program provided him the opportunity to conduct research, enhance his leadership and communications skills and to further his career in public service. He also served as an ambassador and for the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and a student assistant in the Career Outreach and Services department at PVAMU.

In the Arkansas community, Johnie finds time during his home visits to volunteer for activities with Providence Baptist Church in Hope, to help provide food and clothing to the area’s needy families.

In June 2009, Jones will participate in a mission trip to Burundi, Africa with the Community of Faith Church of Hockley, Texas. This humanitarian trip will help the country decrease the mortality rate and increase the life expectancy of its citizens.

You may ask ‘what’s in the future for this son of Hope?” In September 2009, Johnie will attend the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin to pursue the Masters of Public Affairs with an assistantship in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement. Additionally, Texas’ Governor Rick Perry, Jones’ commencement speaker was so impressed with Jones leadership and involvement that he offered him a position in his office. Jones plans to earn a Ph.D. and Law Degree and become a public servant.

Copyrighted 2009 UNITAN Communications

SIFE TEAM WINS AT 2009 REGIONAL EXPO

Prairie View, Texas: -- While other students at Prairie View A&M University were enjoying spring break or the Texas Relays, sixteen members of the Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team were competing at the 2009 SIFE Regional Competition and Career Expo in Dallas, Texas on April 2-3. The team tested its educational outreach projects against the projects of 46 other teams paired in 7 leagues from around the country. PVAMU team competed with 5 other schools and received Second Runner up honors to Southern Arkansas University and Ouachita Baptist University, regional champions. Other teams in the league were, Texas Woman’s University, Wayland Baptist University and Northwestern State University

Members of the team included Breona King (President), Anita Jones (Vice President), Ridge Fields-Cooper (Vice President for Programs/Ethics Director), Elex Stokes (Membership Director), Nathan Dyles (Communication Director), Malcolm Copeland (Business Advisory Board Chair), Lynn Smith (Entrepreneurship Chair/CEO Director), Kyle Maronie (Environmental Sustainability Director). Other team members included Courtney Cunningham (Secretary), Cene Little Ferguson, LaDonna Green, Celestial Hall (Fashion Week Director), Joe Ivory, LeWebster Lacy (Presentation Producer), Duane Qualls (Sgt.atArms) and Bracia Sims, Mrs. Shadia Washington, Scheduling Coordinator and Student Relations in the Career Services and Frederick V. Roberts, Assistant Director, Career Services and the Sam Walton Fellow (Team Advisor) traveled with the team.

The teams were judged on how well their projects taught others the principles of free enterprise, business ethics, free market economics, entrepreneurship, personal finances, success skills and environmental sustainability. Southern Arkansas University and Ouachita Baptist University, along with Regional champions from the 25 competitions held around the country will compete at 2009 SIFE USA National Exposition in Philadelphia., PA on May 10-12. The national champion in the four-year division will travel to Berlin, Germany in September for the SIFE World Cup 2008.

The students also participated in the SIFE donor companies Career Fair that do not usually recruit on college campuses. They also networked with some of the CEO’s and personnel, judges for the competition. SIFE members credit participation in the projects for their professional growth and development. Some of them have secured internships and full time positions with the companies.

SIFE encourages students to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations, using their knowledge to make life better in their communities by teaching the principles of free enterprise and entrepreneurship. The PVAMU team touched the lives of many students and persons in the surrounding community this year with more than 40 seminars and projects. Noted projects include: Ethics in the Global Market Economy, Financial Literacy - Money Management 101, How to Start & Manage a Business, Social & Professional Networking, Talent Showcase/Competition, Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks, Club Pees & Vees and Credit Counseling. The team hosted its 4th Annual Student Entrepreneur Expo featuring 8 up and coming businesses which helped make the event a huge success. The team’s newest project, Fashion Week Prairie View was a hit that showcased student designers and models.

Its Financial Literacy and Credit Counseling Programs continue to educate the students on personal finances and investment. For its efforts, the team was among 20 schools out of 450 teams to receive the renewable HSBC Financial Literacy Grant for a third year. The team’s AIG Grant for the Credit Counseling for freshmen and senior students was also renewed. Justin Samuel, a junior Chemical Engineering student, chairs the program. The team will extend its programs for students in Elementary through high school with services to schools in the Hempstead and Waller ISD’s.

Founded in 1975 and active on more than 1800 college and university campuses in 50 countries, SIFE is an international non-profit organization that works in partnership with business and higher education to mobilize university students to create economic opportunity for others while realizing their own potential. The students also develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.

The PVAMU SIFE team was created at the university in 1985 and is cosponsored by the Career Center and the College of Business. Members of its Business Advisory Board and supporters are Beth Allday, HR Manager with Enterprise, Yvette Barker General Manager, American Campus, Denise Carreathers Armstrong, Manager, Amistad Bookplace, Rebecca Faison, Director, Small Business Development Center, George Higgs, President, Chamber of Commerce, Frank D. Jackson, Mayor, City of Prairie View, Glenda Jones, Director of Career Services at PVAMU, Morrell Price, Shell Retail Training Manger, Munir Quddus, Dean, College of Business, and Don Sowell, President of Wilmic Ventures.

The team and its supporters continue to be a major contributor to the student personal and professional development programs at the university. The team will close out its year with its environmental sustainability project, Panther Pete Goes Green on Earth Day, April 22 to raise awareness at the university. The project is collaboration with Student Government Association and the Environmental Safety Department.

For more information, contact Breona King, President or Frederick V. Roberts, Sam Walton Fellow at 936-261-3579.

Prairie View A&M University's Marching Storm Reigns on The Parade of Roses

On January 1, 2009, the beginning of a brand New Year, everything came up roses for the "Marching Storm" Band of Prairie View A&M University, the lead band in the 120th Rose Parade themed 'Hats Off to Entertainment.' The band and the famed University 'Black Foxes' also featured in the opening performance playing and dancing to the broadway tunes, as well as a performance atop the Honda asimo float - a 20 feet Robot. In addition to being to its first trip to the parade, the Storm became the inaugural performer for the Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade pilot program to include bands from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the future.

The world viewed the Best Band in the Land on the major networks--ABC, NBC,HGTV, Univision, Travel Channel, RFD-TV, and KWHY and KTLA in the Los Angeles area. Houston's Channel 2 (NBC) and Channel 13 (ABC)covered the local area.

PVAMU received official word of its selection during a press conference last fall when the association's president Ronald “Corky” H. Conzonire came to campus and presented PVAMU President George C. Wright and Marching Storm Band Director George Edwards, with an official Tournament of Roses Association Rose Parade Flag in honor of the special invitation. On hand for the special presentation were Dr. Margaret Sherrod Willie, Black Fox Director and Mrs. Marilyn Conzonire and other university officials.

The Tournament of Roses Association 2009 Rose Parade is the world’s largest festival and parade of featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands showcasing the best in entertainment.

Support for the Band's appearance was garnered through the efforts of Mr. Craig Crason, executive producer of the Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase, who helped initiate the HBCU program with the Tournament of Roses Association. The Honda corporation also helped to underwrite the band's trip to the parade.

Kudos to the "Storm" on a tremendous performance and excellent Panther Proud representation of the university to the world.

Persons interested in supporting the Band's future activities may log onto www.pvamu.edu/giving and select the “Other” category and enter “Band Support." All donations are acknowledged by the PVAMU Office of Research and Development. For press inquires, please contact Bryce Hairston Kennard in Public Relations at (936) 261-2134/2121.