FAMU Division of Journalism Director Appointed to National Committee that Awards Excellence in Student Journalism

Dorothy Bland, Florida A&M University’s director for the division of journalism, was recently appointed to the Hearst Journalism Awards Program Steering Committee.

“I'm honored to serve on the Hearst Steering Committee,” said Bland. “At the collegiate level, the Hearst Awards are as prestigious as the Pulitzer Prizes in the professional arena. The steering committee represents some of the most prestigious journalism programs in the nation."

The Steering Committee, which meets twice a year, involves discussing any changes that might have developed over the year or additions to the program. All steering committee members are expected to make sure their institutions enter all monthly competitions in writing, broadcast, photo and multimedia. The only exception would be if an institution does not have a curriculum in one of the areas.

The next board meeting will be in January 2009 in Mexico City, as part of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC) winter meetings.

FAMU Foundation Offers a New and Innovative Option for FAMU Donors

With just two clicks, anyone can make a contribution to Florida A&M University, or any FAMU school, college or institute, via the new online-giving Web site.

To make an online contribution visit https://secure.qgiv.com/cps_donors/index.php?key=famu and input the requested information.

Rattlers fill FAMU’s Gym to Capacity in Anticipation of President Ammons’ State of the University Address

Standing room only describes Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Annual President’s Convocation.

Cheers of anticipation grew silent as a processional of FAMU’s faculty, followed by distinguished guests, entered the gym draped in academic regalia for the day’s occasion. As it turns out, this President’s Convocation would commemorate more than just the start of a semester and a presentation of FAMU’s President James H. Ammons’ goals for the school year.

This convocation would remind everyone that with perseverance and “a dream” anything is possible.

FAMU Student Government Association (SGA) President Andrew Collins presided over the convocation and SGA Vice President Mellori Lumpkin delivered a dynamic welcoming address. Following Lumpkin were Omari Crawford and Amanda Byrd, Mr. and Miss FAMU 2008-2009, who introduced the Royal Court and spoke of the significance of today’s occasion.

Cynthia Hughes Harris, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, had the honor of introducing FAMU’s tenth president, who presented to the FAMU community his eight goals for the 2008-2009 school year but not before explaining today’s historical significance.

“I want to congratulate the United States of America and indeed the Democratic Party for the historic nomination of Senator Barack Obama as President of the United States,” said Ammons. “His acceptance of this nomination came 45 years to the day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.”

Ammons said that no matter what your party affiliation, he encourages everyone to exercise their right to vote in this historic election.

Ammons then outlined his goals, which focused on retention and graduation rates, reaffirmation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC), new degree programs and full accreditation for the FAMU College of Law.

• Update the university’s strategic plan;
• Increase enrollment as well as retention and graduation rates by improving the quality of the student experience;
• Secure reaffirmation of the SACS-COC and move FAMU’s accredited disciplines toward compliance with the standards of their respective accrediting bodies;

• Develop new degree programs and increase research productivity to be competitive with our peers;
• Implement policies, processes and procedures that continue to enhance and strengthen the University’s financial and operational systems;

• Implement new strategies to meet fund-raising goals;
• Implement marketing and public relations strategies that will enhance the image; of the University and increase membership in the National Alumni Association; and

• Secure the full accreditation for the FAMU College of Law

Hughes Harris then introduced members of the FAMU Board of Trustees, FAMU’s leadership team and the university deans to the campus community and recognized all faculty and staff in attendance.

In presenting this year’s “Marching 100” to the community, Julian White, Ph.D., also introduced James Moran, Ph.D., development officer in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, who delivered a stirring rendition of the “I Have a Dream” speech as the sounds of the world famous “Marching 100” playing America the Beautiful filled the background.

Ammons honored White with a framed New York Times article that featured the “Marching 100.” Following the introductions of the band and band staff, Director of Athletics William “Bill” Hayes introduced FAMU’s coaching staff. Joe Taylor, head football coach, followed Hayes and introduced the football team and brought an overwhelming feeling of school spirit into the gym.

“I look forward to the celebration as we highlight a new beginning and a new era of excellence with caring,” said Ammons. “Rattlers, 2007-2008 was remarkable, but 2008-2009 will be the ‘Year of the Rattlers,’ where we will have no boundaries in the pursuit of excellence and success and a year of unlimited possibilities.”

Tickets On-Sale for FAMU’s Tenth President Inaugural Kick-Off Event — Featuring Gospel Sensation Evangelist Shirley Caesar

Tickets go on sale today, Thursday, August 28, 2008, for Florida A&M University President James H. Ammons’ inaugural events, including the gospel concert, featuring Evangelist Shirley Caesar, gospel phenomenon and 11-time Grammy Award winning artist.

In addition to the concert tickets, which are $40 per person, tickets for the Homecoming Gala, $125; Presidential Inaugural Barbeque, $10; and Champagne Jazz Brunch, $25, will be on sale at Lee Hall, Room 103, and at the FAMU Alumni House, 1810 South Adams Street, Tallahassee, Fla. 32307, and online at https://secure.qgiv.com/cps_donors/index.php?key=famu.

The gospel concert featuring Evangelist Shirley Caesar is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Lee Hall Auditorium, Monday, October 27. The theme for the inaugural week is “Preserving a Legacy of Excellence in a New Era.” The seven-day celebration will highlight some of the major thrusts that are part of the Ammons 10-point plan: education, community service, health and the arts.

For more information about the FAMU Presidential Inauguration and for regular updates, visit the official website at www.famu.edu/inauguration2008.

Anchors and editors announced for FAMU Student Media for 2008-2009

Brent Hatchett and Courtney Simms have been named news anchors for FAMU-TV 20 and the Live at Five Newscast. The newscast will move from airing twice a week to four times a week starting September 15.

“This places our broadcast journalism program on par with the top journalism programs in the nation in regard to producing news reporters, producers, videographers, editors and news anchors,” said Kenneth Jones, a broadcast professor and sequence coordinator.

Students in the advanced TV news class also will contribute to the Week in Review news show that will air on Fridays at 7 p.m. on FAMU-TV 20 starting September 5.

Hatchett, a broadcast student from Detroit, has interned with WTXL-TV as a reporter. He also has worked as a sports announcer and gospel disc jockey for WANM-FM as well as a reporter for The Famuan, FAMU’s student newspaper.

Simms, a broadcast student from Chicago, has been a Fashion Fair model worldwide and worked on FAMU’s homecoming show broadcast as a reporter.

Rounding out the four-person anchor team will be weather anchor Maria Osler, a broadcast student from the Detroit-area, and sports anchor Alicia Mitchell, a broadcast student from Orlando.

Akeem Anderson, a newspaper journalism student from Chicago, and Yewande Addie, a newspaper journalism student from Atlanta, have been selected as the editors for The Famuan newspaper and Journey Magazine respectively for the 2008-2009 school year.

Under Anderson’s leadership, The Famuan was named the top student newspaper published at a historically black university in 2008. The Famuan staff also won 10 other awards for reporting, headline writing, editing, photography, informational graphics and design work at the HBCU National Newspaper Conference held in Baltimore earlier this year. Students working on Journey also have won several awards in recent years, including a Hearst Award in 2008 and the “Best College Magazine” by the Southeast Journalism Conference in 2006.

“We understand the increasing importance of convergence and our student media will be ramping up the volume of multi-media projects in the coming school year,” said James Hawkins, dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

Under the leadership of Professor Michael Abrams, FAMU journalism students also will be working with the Tallahassee Democrat on an election-related poll this fall.

Photo caption: (From left to right) Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) TV-20 news anchors for the fall 2008: Alicia Mitchell, Brent Hatchett, Courtney Simms, and Maria Osler.

FAMU Welcomes Rev. Margaret Kartwe-Bradley as the New Director of the Campus Ministry

Rev. Margaret Kartwe-Bradley recently joined the Florida A&M University family as the director of the campus ministry.

“I have already fallen in love with the people here at FAMU, and the university is so blessed to have an awesome president,” said Rev. Kartwe-Bradley. “As an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church, the world is my perish. At this moment in time, this university, FAMU, and its whole community is my parish. I’m not just here for Methodist students, but all students and staff if and when needed.”

Rev. Kartwe-Bradley, former member of the Gainesville and Orlando Board of Ordained Ministry, comes to FAMU after serving as senior pastor at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, in Orlando, Fla., since 2003.

She has also served as senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church and Zion United Methodist Church, in Ocala, Fla. Prior to moving to Florida, Rev. Kartwe-Bradley served as a local pastor at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Madison, Ind. She has held leadership roles in the Conference Board of Global Ministries, the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry and the Justice Committee on African-American Comprehension Plan Task Force.

Rev. Kartwe-Bradley obtained her associate in business degree from the College of West Africa, in Monrovia Liberia, bachelor’s of arts from the American Baptist College and master’s of divinity from the Gammon Theological Seminary.

FAMU is the Only University Recognized as Graphic Students Win 15 Printing Association of Florida Awards

The Florida A&M University School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) announces its students have received 15 awards at the 2008 Printing Association of Florida (PAF) Print Awards. The awards were announced at the association’s annual conference in Orlando.

FAMU was the only university honored among 78 Florida-based printing, graphic arts companies, and schools.

“We are delighted the Printing Association of Florida has recognized our students’ work,” said James Hawkins, SJGC dean. “This will signal to the printing community that students in our school are learning the skills they will need in the workplace.”

The students won one Best of Category Award, two Awards of Excellence and 12 Honorable Mentions.

The students participating in the competition were:

• Angelica Broadus
• Windham Graves
• Cleather H. Hathcock, III
• Alicia Hope
• Stephanie M. King
• Matefia Poitier
• Tchanarian Roche
• Delarian “Dee” Roper
• James Scott
• Yvette Summers
• Terrance Ward
• Riana Winters

“We applaud these students’ work,” said Arvid Mukes, SJGC associate dean and director of the Division of Graphic Communication. “We also recognize and appreciate the work of Kay Wilder, a professor of graphic design. Professor Wilder encouraged these students to participate and coordinated their entries.”

FAMU 2008 Community Kickoff

FAMU Environmental Sciences Institute Students Receive First to Third Place at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Scholarship Program

Four Florida A&M University Environmental Sciences Institute (ESI) undergraduate participants received high rankings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 3rd Annual Combined Student Scholarship Program held at NOAA’s Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD.

“We are extremely proud of the success of these Florida A&M University students,” said Larry Robinson, director of FAMU’s Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC). “It reflects their capabilities and potential to make even greater scientific contributions in the future. Their faculty advisors and NOAA mentors should also be congratulated for playing a role in this tremendous outcome.”

Students were evaluated by prominent NOAA scientists in the extremely competitive event.

This year, NOAA’s Office of Education hosted 136 undergraduate student participants from around the nation representing NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholars and Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship recipients. Students gave oral or poster presentations describing their internship research experiences in one of six categories critical to NOAA’s mission.

In the oral presentations Sherrita Commey placed first in ocean and coastal management; LaToya Chandler placed second in fisheries sciences; and Amari Jones placed third in meteorology and hydrology. Judith Sarkodee-Addo placed third in the poster competition.

All four ESI students were supported by NOAA’s Environmental Cooperative Science Center led by FAMU.

Photo caption: From left to right – Florida A&M University’s Environmental Sciences Institute students Judith Sarkodee-Addo; LaToya Chandler; Amari Jones; and Sherrita Commey were winners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 3rd Annual Combined Student Scholarship Program.

FAMU to Induct Eight in Sports Hall of Fame

The 33rd Annual Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame program will induct eight members in the Class of 2008 during enshrinement ceremonies Friday, August 29, at 7 p.m. in the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center.

The honorees include Sura Balogun, tennis; Joseph Durant, baseball coach; Eddie Jackson, supporter; Frances Knight, track coach; Curtis “Pecan” Parnell, football; Kanyon Singleton-Medford, track and field; Willie “Jelly” Taylor, football; and Dorothy Williams, supporter.

Balogun led FAMU to three consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tennis team championships in 1991, 1992 and 1993. Lucas served a head baseball coach from 1991 to 2007, capturing three conference championships, 350 wins and FAMU’s first ever Division I post season appearance in 1994.

When serving respectively as vice president of university relations, Jackson and Williams played major roles in raising funds for women’s athletics, underwrote the first Wall of Fame breakfast program and made substantial contributions to the planning and operation of the Orange Blossom Classic and the Florida Classic.

Knight was a three-sport letter winner at FAMU in softball, track and tennis. She also coached tennis and volleyball, winning three consecutive MEAC titles in tennis and the 1988 MEAC championship in volleyball. Medford was twice voted the MEAC Outstanding Female Performer in 1991 and 1992, winning the 100 and 200 meters while excelling in the field including the javelin, discus and shotput.

Medford, who earned All-America honors in 1976, was a four-year starter at defensive back. He led FAMU in interceptions in 1973, 1975 and 1976, finishing his career with 22 interceptions, the third highest in FAMU’s history.

Taylor earned All-America honors at center in 1958 and was an outstanding performer on FAMU’s undefeated national championship team in 1957.

Established in 1976, FAMU has inducted more than 200 members into its sports hall of fame including coaches, supporters of sports programs and outstanding athletes in football, men and women basketball, men and women track and field, baseball, women softball, volleyball and swimming.

Joseph Ramsey, chairman of the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Committee said the induction ceremony helps to strengthen and support FAMU’s great athletic tradition.

“The Class of 2008 is representative of those who gained prominence in athletics as players, coaches and supporters,” said Ramsey. “We expect this year’s ceremony to be among the largest and the best we have had.”

FAMU NABJ Wins Student Chapter of the Year

The Florida A&M University Chapter of National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) was recently honored as Student Chapter of the Year during the UNITY Journalists of Color Convention.

Earlier this summer, FAMU broadcast journalist senior, Sidney Wright IV, an award-winning senior broadcast journalism student from Tampa, was honored as the Student Journalist of the Year by the NABJ.

“Anybody who hadn’t heard of SJGC before knows about us now,” said James Hawkins, dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

Hawkins noted Dorothy Bland, director of FAMU’s journalism division and a McCormick Fellow, was featured in UNITY’s opening plenary session that focused on changes and challenges facing the media 40 years after the historic Kerner Report. The Kerner Report spotlighted the lack of diversity among media organizations.

“Our students and graduates are ready, willing and able to help the media industry diversify the talent pool,” said Hawkins.

Wright said UNITY, which attracted more than 6,000 journalists, recruiters and other professionals, was an “excellent networking opportunity…. I and other students met industry leaders that will benefit us for years to come.”

“Under the leadership of President Georgia Dawkins, FAMU’s NABJ chapter has become one of the most active student groups in the SJGC,” said Bland. “Membership in the chapter has tripled from 15 to more than 50 active members in the last year.”

Members of the FAMU NABJ chapter are actively engaged in student media outlets such as The Famuan, Journey, WANM radio, FAMU-TV 20 and related web sites. In addition to participating in student media boot camps, producing a newsletter and hosting résumé-writing workshops, they have established a mentoring and scholarship program for high school students at FAMU’s Developmental Research School.

About the SGJC
The School of Journalism and Graphic Communication was founded in 1982. Its Division of Journalism was the first journalism program at a historically black university to be nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). It offers four journalism sequences: newspaper, magazine production, broadcast (radio and television) and public relations.

Photo caption: From left to right: Front row - Kathy Times, NABJ vice president of print and a FAMU alumna; Sidney Wright IV, winner of Student Journalist of the Year; FAMU Professor Dorothy Bland, director of FAMU Division of Journalism; Georgia Dawkins, FAMU ABJ president, who is holding the Chapter of the Year Award; Chantell Black, FAMU ABJ vice president; and John Marsh, a 2008 FAMU graduate. Second row - Jon McCloud, ABJ treasurer, and Robin Mitchell, a FAMU alumna and former ABJ president.

FAMU Rattler Football Day at the Governor’s Square Mall

The Tallahassee community is invited to attend Florida A&M University Rattler Football Day at Governor’s Square Mall on Sunday, August 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Individuals will have an opportunity to meet FAMU’s Head Football Coach Joe Taylor and members of the FAMU coaching staff and football team. FAMU football players will be available for photos and autographs. Season football tickets will be available for purchase as well as information about FAMU Booster membership. Entertainment will be provided by FAMU’s pep band and cheerleaders.

“We are looking forward to the upcoming Rattler football season,” said Mickey Clayton, director of the FAMU Booster Club. “There will be a lot of excitement this year.”

Governor’s Square General Manager Eric Litz welcomes all Florida A&M University alumni and friends for the pre-season football pep rally.

“August is a time of excitement in our community with the return of college students and the expectations for the coming football season,” said Litz. “This season will indeed be one of expectation for FAMU with the advent of a new coaching staff. We wish the Rattlers much success on the gridiron this fall.”

FAMU Health Information Management Program Faculty Garners Statewide Recognition

A record number of awards were presented to Florida A&M University Health Information Management (HIM) Program affiliates at the Florida Health Information Management Association’s (FHIMA) Annual Convention in Orlando.

Marjorie McNeill, Ph.D., director of the Division of Health Information Management in the School of Allied Health Sciences, received the 2008 FHIMA Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes FHIMA members who have completed a major project for the Association and supported the Association through leadership in accomplishment of a goal.

McNeill served as FHIMA chair of the Bridging the Gap: Education to Employment Task Force. This project took first place at the 2008 American Health Information Management Association Component State Association Core Service Achievement Award in Support for Local Accredited HIM Education Programs.

Jenese Fuller, a graduating senior in the Division of Health Information Management, received the 2008 FHIMA Outstanding Student Award. This award recognizes a student who has made a contribution to the profession and professional association through special projects or service.

Fuller is a FAMU Outstanding Honors Student; Presidential Classroom Scholar; National Society of Collegiate Scholar; and a member of the White and Gold Honor Society and Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society. She serves as vice president of the FAMU Student Health Information Management Association. Fuller volunteers as a Reaching Out Against Cervical Cancer peer educator, student spokesperson for National Health Information and Technology Week, mentor for the Children’s Home Society, and a participant in the Relay for Life.

Brittany Scriven, a 2004 FAMU Health Information Management graduate, received the 2008 FHIMA Outstanding New Professional Award. This award recognizes a FHIMA member who has made significant contribution to the profession within five years from the date of initial certification as a HIM professional; demonstrated excellence in the management of personnel, finances, or systems; displayed innovation and creativity that exceeds ordinary problem-solving ability; and exhibited leadership qualities.

Scriven is currently the manager of Document Imaging with Automated Document Solutions at Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Florida.

FAMU’s Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is the First International Undergraduate Chapter Recipient

The Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. at Florida A&M University is the International Undergraduate Chapter of the Year for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

This accomplishment marks the first time that there has been an international undergraduate chapter of the year due to an undergraduate chapter being chartered in Canada. The Upsilon Psi Chapter is the first international undergraduate chapter to win this honor. The competition was stiff as chapters internationally competed for this prestigious award.

“It is really an honor for our chapter to receive this recognition,” said Royle King, president of the Upsilon Psi chapter. “This proves that hard work does pay off. The chapter is extremely overjoyed but we know there is still work to do as we move ahead.”

The criterion was based on grade point average and service in the community. The chapter contributed countless hours toward being scholars and uplifting the community.

To add to the chapter lists of firsts, Jason Little, a graduating engineering major, was the first undergraduate to receive the Grand Basileus Award (International President). This award was a scholarship that was started this year and is awarded to graduating seniors who excelled in the classroom and pillars in the community. Little also has the highest grade point average in the fraternity with a 3.9444.

The chapter is striving to be the best in the community. Members plan to have a community-wide Jamboree on August 15, at the Palmer Monroe Community Center on Jackson Bluff Road.

Edward Willis is FAMU’s New Associate Vice President for Student Affairs

With 30 years of student affairs experience, Edward M. Willis is the new associate vice president for Student Affairs at Florida A&M University.

“Edward brings a wealth of student affairs experience to Florida A&M University and I consider him to be a great addition to my leadership team,” said Roland H. Gaines, vice president for Student Affairs. “We are looking forward to his work in student development assisting our students and the directors who report to him. He will support and enhance programmatic directions, student retention, institutional accountability, strategic planning, and accreditation reaffirmation.”

Prior to FAMU, Willis was the special assistant to the president for Community Outreach and Engagement at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. He has also worked at other universities including the University of Michigan; the University of Missouri – Columbia; Rutgers University; St. John’s University; North Carolina A&T State University; and the University of Toledo. He has taught “Orientation to College Life” at Coppin State College and was a freshman year instructor for the College of Business at the University of Toledo.

Part of Willis’ role and responsibility includes working collaboratively with students, faculty and staff across the university to support and promote strategic initiatives for the Division of Student Affairs. In addition, he will oversee the following student affairs departments: counseling services, student health services, career center and the Learning Development and Evaluation Center (LDEC).

“I am pleased to have been selected for this important role in student affairs at Florida A&M University,” said Willis. “FAMU has a long history and rich tradition, and is one of the premiere institutions of higher education in America. I look forward to contributing to the learning environment for students, and supporting programs and activities that reinforce classroom learning and that foster holistic educational development.”

Willis further explained his goals as the associate vice president of student affairs.

“The student affairs program provides opportunities for students to learn and develop, through programs that are based on an assessment of students’ needs and interest,” said Willis. “Student affairs programs are considered laboratories for students to experiment with skills that will help them to develop academically, culturally, socially and recreationally.”

Willis received his bachelor’s degree in American history from Montclair State University, the masters of education from Rutgers University, and has completed work toward a Ph.D. at the University of Toledo.

A native of New Jersey, Willis’ professional and honorary memberships include the Association of College Unions – International (ACU-I); Blue Key National Honorary Fraternity; Golden Key National Honor Society; Midwest Deans’ Conference; National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA); Ohio Association of Student Personnel Administrators (OASPA); and Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary Society.