*** Please note: The following is a revised press release. Total donation amounts have been included.
With Florida A&M University’s 120th anniversary and homecoming well underway, the university celebrated the Homecoming Convocation at the Jake Gaither Gym.
This year’s homecoming theme, “The Rattler Renaissance; A Rebirth of Rattler Pride and Spirit,” encompasses the renewal of the institution in every aspect. Alvin Bryant, president of the FAMU National Alumni Chapter, greetings embodied the theme.
“Although we’ve been through tumultuous times,” said Bryant. “This is a time of togetherness and rebuilding of strength.”
FAMU’s Marching “100” enthused the crowd with “FAMU Spirit,” “Rattler Orange & Green,” and “S.O.S.” while FAMU’s world-renowned gospel choir serenaded the audience with “More Abundantly” and “I Will Bless the Lord.” Cheerleaders kept the crowd roaring while the 2007-2008 Royal Court was introduced and past Miss FAMUs of the 30s and 40s were recognized. Even former FAMU presidents Fred Gainous and Fredrick Humphries were in attendance.
FAMU President James H. Ammons described the keynote speaker, William Packer, film producer and FAMU graduate, as “an outstanding and gifted Rattler.”
“Never has there been a more important time, and never have we had to be more responsible for being African-American,” Packer said. “We’re about to inherit the world. No one prepares our young people for the world like HBCU’s and no HBCU prepares our young people like Florida A&M University.”
Packer ended his speech by explaining the importance of giving back to the institution he cherishes, and by giving Ammons a check for $10,000. As it turned out, this was the first in a series of eight checks to be presented to President Ammons.
Col. Ronald Joe, interim vice president for university relations, reintroduced Ammons for an announcement regarding a new fundraising effort.
In the midst of the Marching “100” playing the Tom Joyner Morning Show’s theme song and a swarm of orange and green balloons falling the gym ceiling onto a plethora of prestigious guests, Ammons said, “I am proud to announce the official launch of the fundraising campaign for Florida A&M University,” he said. “We have been selected to as the Tom Joyner School of the Month for January 2008, which is the 10th anniversary of the School of the Month effort. Today, we kickoff this campaign with efforts donations made by FAMU alumni and supporters.”
To date, the following has been received for the Tom Joyner School of the Month Campaign.
- Student Government Association: $500
- Executive Office Furniture: $5,000
- Diamondback Pharmacy Council: $30,000
- Florida Region of the National Alumni Association: $62, 908
- Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Alumni Association: $64,500
- National Alumni Association: $158,000
- FAMU Industry Cluster: Alcoa, $65,000; Boeing, $75,000; Duke Energy, $10,000; Eli Lily,
$23,000; and Lockheed Martin, $20,000 (totaling $193, 026.95)
- FAMU Foundation and National Alumni Association fundraising receptions: $168, 980.15
Ammons thanked each of the contributors and encouraged the audience of Rattlers past and present to continue the effort to raise dollars for the campaign. Ammons ended the convocation with the famous FAMU mantra, the Rattler Charge.
3 comments:
I attended the homecoming convocation and was really impressed and excited about my alma mater. SGA President, Monique Gillum gave an outstanding speech. I was also impressed with the young man, Omari Crawford who presented Mrs. Judy Ammons with a plaque. FAMU has some extremely bright students.The convocation was so nice, I hated for it to end.
It's interesting (to me, that is) that there are literally zero comments posted on the RattlerWire blog. While I certainly do understand the nature of this very public site and how the university is careful to publish damaging commentaries that are contrary to the positive image that the university is embracing and has engaged, are the zero-postings a form of censorship simply because the commentary is not what the administrative officials deem to their liking? I understand the necessity to critique and careful review posts for content and substance, but I dare say that every post coming from the public cannot be "un-postable." Why have a site if posts will not be posted unless administrative officials agree. I sure all the posts aren't horrific. Some have to be postable. Please comment. If no comment is forthcoming, then certainly the defense rests (and perhaps wins) its case (in point).
Before you say, "There are so many errors in the above post,that's why we don't put anything out there for the world to see," please note that after I clicked "the button," I saw every, last one of the errors!. I suspect that you will make the error-filled commentary your case (in point) for not posting commentaries from TD&H. Fair enough, I guess.
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