Oxford University Invited Professor Dhyana Ziegler to Speak on the Status and Progress of African-American Women Journalists

Lady Dhyana Ziegler discussed women’s achievements in 19th and 20th century literature with academic scholars and leaders from around the world at the annual Oxford Round Table — a nonprofit academic conference that focuses on issues concerning women’s interests and gender equity. Ziegler, Dame of Justice and a professor of journalism at Florida A&M University (FAMU) presented a paper on “African-American Journalists: Finding Their Voices” at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England.

“I was very excited about the opportunity to sit at the table with scholars to discuss important issues,” said Ziegler.

According to Shenette McCandless, coordinator of the Oxford Round Table, “Invitations are sent to selected persons throughout the world. The foundation of the Round Table’s success is the assurance that this academic forum will be composed of outstanding leaders.”

Invited speakers are identified through several screening processes: by nomination from previous participants in the Round Table; from recommendations to the Round Table directors who are actively involved in higher education and public school leadership; from recognized presentations and awards by state and national organizations; and by invitation to individuals from a successful university or school district.

Ziegler teaches media ethics at the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. She recently served on an Oxford University Press review panel to evaluate a draft manuscript of Ethics in Communication, a 500-page textbook intended for courses addressing media ethics.

“I was very pleased to serve on the Oxford University Press panel and review a manuscript that introduces a new theory on ethics. It was an exciting read!”

For more information about the Oxford Round Table, visit www.oxfordroundtable.co.uk.

Alumnus Adriel A. Hilton to Receive an Award for Exemplary Scholarship

Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus Adriel A. Hilton will receive the 2010 Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Exemplary Scholarship at the 2010 American Educational Research Association Conference Multicultural/Multiethnic Education (MME) Special Interest Group (SIG) on May 3, in Denver, Colo.

“I feel both humbled and honored to be receiving the 2010 Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Exemplary Scholarship,” said Hilton, who received his master’s degree in applied social science with a concentration in public administration in 2004. “I am excited that the American Educational Research Association has taken the initiative to encourage scholarship that represents the underrepresentation (persons of color).”

This award is given annually to an exemplary scholar/practitioner who illustrates effort in producing scholarship that advances multicultural and multiethnic education and a demonstrated commitment to underserved communities beyond scholarship with evidence of improving the practical conditions experienced by multicultural/multiethnic communities.

Hilton was nominated for this award and selected by a committee of the MME-SIG of the American Educational Research Association.

“Receiving the 2010 Dr. Carlos J. Vallejo Memorial Award for Exemplary Scholarship is an outstanding accomplishment,” said Hilton. “The award symbolizes that my work and scholarship are not in vain. Receiving this award is inspiring and memorable.”

Hilton is a graduate of the Ph.D. program at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md. He has been a Frederick Douglass Scholar at Clarion University of Pennsylvania in the College of Education and the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He was featured as one of Ebony magazine’s “2009 Young Leaders Under 30” for his educational achievements, service to the community and leadership.

In his career, he has received numerous accolades, including the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education’s “Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation” Award and the Outstanding Research Award from the American College Personnel Association’s Standing Committee for Men.

FAMU State of the Student Summit set to be Historic and Groundbreaking

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Student Summit is set to make history in Tallahassee. The Summit is bringing together an ethnically diverse compilation of today’s top leaders from around the nation in business, academia, media, politics and education to attack major issues affecting America’s students domestically and globally. This event is scheduled for Sunday, March 28, at 6 p.m. in Gaither Gymnasium.
The keynote speaker is Susan Taylor, founder of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence magazine. Her speech and video display is geared towards bringing awareness to mentoring in our nation.
The main event will feature a panel discussion and open-dialogue with the audience.
• Cornel West, Ph.D. – The class of 1943 professor at Princeton University and author of Race Matters;
• Ralph Nader - Famous consumer advocate, and four-time presidential candidate;
• Frank T. Brogan - Chancellor, State University System of Florida;
• Susan Taylor - founder of the National CARES Mentoring Movement and editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence magazine;
• Hezekiah Griggs - 21-year-old entrepreneur and multimillionaire
• Robert “Biko” Baker - Hip-hop organizer, journalist, activist and leader of the League of Young Voters; and
• Atira Charles, Ph.D. - Expert in race relations in the corporate and academic settings; FAMU alumna
FAMU’s Student Government Association, in conjunction with the FAMU chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, is hosting the event.
General admission is $5, and free to FAMU, Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College students with a valid student ID.
For more information, contact (850) 412-5211.

Dentist MaKeba Earst will Keynote FAMU’s Honors Convocation

Florida A&M University (FAMU) will host its annual Honors Convocation Thursday, April 1, at 10:10 a.m. in Perry-Paige Auditorium.  Dr. MaKeba S. Earst, owner and operator of All About Smiles Dental Center, will serve as thekeynote speaker. 

Earst, who has been practicing general dentistry in Tallahassee for more than 10 years, is the only African-American female practitioner in Tallahassee who owns and operates her own dental practice.

The Tallahassee native graduated as valedictorian of her senior class from Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU-DRS).  She enrolled at FAMU where she earned a bachelor of science in chemistry.  She later attended Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry and was conferred with the Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree, which opened the door for her to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a dentist.

Earst currently serves as vice president of the Sunshine State Dental Association of which she is the immediate past president.  She holds membership in the National Dental Association, American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Leon CountyDental Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Orlando, Fla. – The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, will serve as the keynote speaker for Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law’s Sixth Annual Hooding Ceremony on May 15, 2010.

Reverend Jackson will address the Spring 2010 candidates, who will have the Juris Doctor degree conferred in Tallahassee, Fla. at the University’s Commencement Exercises on May 1, 2010.  The Hooding Ceremony will recognize more than 150 candidates, including the fall 2009 and summer 2010 classes.  These are the first classes to be recognized since the College of Law achieved full accreditation from the American Bar Association.

The FAMU College of Law’s Hooding Ceremony will take place at the Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway near International Drive.  The ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m.

Reverend Jackson is one of America’s foremost civil rights, religious and political figures.  Over the past 40 years he has played a pivotal role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace, civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice.  He has been called the “conscience of the nation” and “the great unifier,” challenging America to be inclusive and to establish just and humane priorities for the benefit of all.  He is known for bringing people together on common ground across lines of race, culture, class, gender and belief.

“We’re honored to have Reverend Jackson address our Hooding candidates and believe it is fitting given the history of the FAMU College of Law,” said LeRoy Pernell, dean of the FAMU College of Law.  “Reverend Jackson’s stance on social justice speaks directly to the injustice that led to the closing of the original College of Law.”

Reverend Jackson participated in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches organized by James Bevel, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other civil rights leaders in Alabama.  In 1966, King and Bevel selected Jackson to head the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, and SCLC promoted him to national director in 1967.  When King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., Jackson was in the parking lot one floor below.  He resigned from the SCLC in 1971 and formed Operation PUSH.  He eventually organized the Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which later merged with Operation PUSH to form the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in 1986.  He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as Shadow Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997.  On August 9, 2000, President William “Bill” Clinton awarded Reverend Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.  He is a graduate of North Carolina A&T University and has a Master of Divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary. 

The FAMU College of Law was founded in 1949 on the main campus in Tallahassee.  After graduating 57 lawyers, the law school was closed by the state of Florida in 1968. The Florida Legislature voted to reopen the law school in 2000 and Orlando was selected as the location. The re-established FAMU College of Law opened its doors in 2002 and is now housed in a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.  The FAMU College of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association in July 2009, and is ranked number one in the nation (tied with Texas Southern) for Diversity by U.S. News and World Report.

Former Associate Editor for Capital Outlook Joins

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Office of Communications has added to its staff Stephanie Lambert, a former associate editor for the Capital Outlook newspaper, a weekly black-owned publication in Tallahassee, Fla.

 “I am pleased happy to have such a talented journalist as part of our staff in the Office of Communications,” said Sharon P. Saunders, executive assistant to the president and FAMU’s chief of communications.  “Ms. Lambert will help provide information to the public through our social networks.”

Lambert will manage the university’s social media outlets, which include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and RattlerWire, a blog page, and develop press releases about university’s events, activities and accomplishments.

Pamela Tolson, FAMU’s director of media relations, echoed Saunders’ sentiment.

“Stephanie is a great addition to the office,” said Tolson.  “One of my priorities is to make sure that all of our constituents are knowledgeable about what is occurring here at FAMU.  With Stephanie’s work experience, I am confident that Stephanie will help in continuing to make sure this priority is met.”   

            Lambert, a 2006 FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communications graduate, says she is excited about her new job.  She fills the position left vacant by Angel Suri, a 2007 graduate of FAMU with a degree in journalism.

            “Florida A&M University has so many great things going on and I am proud to be a part of a team that assists with getting that message to the masses,” said Lambert. “I’m appreciative of this opportunity.”           

            Lambert, a native of Panama City, Fla., has also worked with the South-Florida Sun Sentinel newspaper and Teen Voices magazine in Boston. She was employed at the Outlook from 2006 to 2010.

FAMU Alumna Tanza Thompson wins BET’s Talent Showcase

Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumna Tanza Thompson appeared on the Black Entertainment Television (BET) show, “106 & Park,” on March 17 in New York City, winning first-place in the weekly talent competition, Wild-Out-Wednesday (WOW).

             Thompson competed against two musical groups and was selected by viewers throughout the nation and internationally.

             “The City of Tallahassee certainly showed me a great amount of love and support,” said Thompson, a Rickards High School graduate. “I really want to thank my family, FAMU, Rickards High School and everyone who texted or voted for me on BET.com.  This is one of the happiest nights of my life and I will never forget the feeling I am feeling right now.”

            As a result of her win, Thompson will be performing with other previous “WOW” winners in an eight-city tour titled “Blaze the Stage,” and will perform on BET again this summer during the “Best of Wild Out Wednesday.”

             Her edgy, beat-based songs have attracted an energetic audience since she began her entertainment career in 2004.

              “106 & Park” is a 90-minute countdown music video show that features the top 10 most requested videos on BET of the day.

The University Lyceum Committee

The University Lyceum Committee is identifying events and performances for the 2010-2011 year. It is truly important to have input from alumni, students, faculty, staff and other university friends. In order to get as many opinions as possible, please complete the lyceum survey at http://famu.wufoo.com/forms/lyceum/ .

Shawnta Friday-Stroud Named Dean of FAMU’s School of Business and Industry

In an over-flowing room of faculty, staff and students, Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Provost Cynthia Hughes Harris appointed Shawnta Friday-Stroud dean of the School of Business and Industry (SBI) after a national search.

“It is truly an honor to have Dr. Friday-Stroud lead our School of Business and Industry,” said Provost Hughes Harris.  “I am confident we have the very best person.”

        Friday-Stroud formerly served as the interim dean and is a professor of management. She also serves as the University’s Southern Association for Colleges and Schools  (SACS) Accreditation Liaison. Under her leadership, the University attained reaffirmation of accreditation through 2018

“I am humble by the confidence that President Ammons and Provost Hughes Harris have placed in me by appointing me to this awesome position and trusting that I have the skills and capability to lead one of the nation’s prestigious and dynamic business schools,” said Friday-Stroud.

Students in the School of Business and Industry were thrilled to hear the announcement of Friday-Stroud’s appointment.

“I’m very happy,” said Aaron Galloway, first year MBA student.  “I have worked closely with Dr. Friday-Stroud on recruitment events.  She really understands SBI.”

Other students echoed Galloway comments.

“Let me compose myself first because I am so excited,” said Audreen Robinson, a fifth-year SBI student from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  “This is some of the best news I have heard since I have been here at FAMU.  Even though, I am graduating in May I know that SBI is in very capable hands.” 

Rayvin Julien, who will also graduate in May, said she had tears in her eyes.

“The future of SBI is that much brighter now,” said Julien, a native of Chicago, Ill.

Friday-Stroud is a former McKnight Doctoral Fellow and a former McKnight Junior Faculty Development Fellow.  She has been recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.  She has also taught at Florida International University and Florida Memorial College. 

Friday-Stroud was featured in the January 2, 2003 issue of Black Issues in Higher Education as a “Standout Scholar.” Friday-Stroud has also self-published two books, Take A.C.T.I.O.N.® and Cultivate Your S.P.I.R.I.T®. The books offer professionals and individuals a simple holistic process for accomplishing more of their personal and professional goals in less time with less effort and stress.

She was appointed by the governor of the State of Florida and confirmed by the Florida Senate as a consumer member of the Florida Board of Respiratory Care. She is the Board Chair and also serves as Budget Liaison.

She has consulting experience in the areas of strategic planning, leadership training, diversity course development and training, employee attitudinal assessments, workload analysis, strategic market assessment, team building, computer training, conflict resolution and management, and employee-management relations liaison to name a few.

Friday-Stroud received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from FAMU.  She received her Ph.D. in business administration with a concentration in management from Florida International University in Miami, Fla. 

 

Student Interns with Congressional Black Caucus

Florida A&M University (FAMU) physics student Reamonn Soto will intern with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) during the spring 2010 semester.  Soto is one of 15 students who will participate in the internship program. Every semester, members of the Caucus are assigned an intern for nine weeks. 

Soto, a 23-year old from Tallahassee, Fla., begins his internship in January 2010 through May.  Soto is also a Florida-Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation student.

“I heard about the internship while attending a Florida Democratic Party Convention in Orlando,” said Soto. “After speaking with Congressman Kendrick Meek, I felt compelled to pursue the internship program.”

Soto has worked on Congressman Meek’s, a FAMU alumnus and the CBC chair, U.S. Senate campaign.  He also served as an intern for Florida House of Representatives Alan Williams. 

Soto feels that his degree in physics will give him the platform to solve problems that the U.S. is facing today.  Soto’s excitement in becoming a leader in the community came after his involvement with the Young Democrats of America. 

Soto said, “One of my favorite quotes is by Albert Einstein – ‘We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.’” 

While in D.C., Soto will receive a scholarship to attend George Washington University where he will take classes, such as political management, to develop a message for voters. He hopes to learn how to become a political candidate while in D.C., return to FAMU for graduate school and then run for public office. 
    
Soto is a member of the FAMU Honors Program, the National Society of Black Physicists, Phi Sigma Theta honor society, and the Model United Nations.

TV 20 Selects Anchors for News 20 at Five

Florida A&M University (FAMU)-TV 20 has selected three new anchors for its live newscast, which resumes January 20, at 5 p.m.

Letisha Bush, a senior broadcast journalism student from Columbus, Ohio, will serve as a solo news anchor. Bush says she hopes the experience “will help sharpen her on-air presence.” She has plans of building a production company aimed at empowering youth.

Dekywan Debose, a senior broadcast journalism student from Orlando, Fla., will serve as the weather forecaster. His other interests include sports journalism and song writing.

“This is a great opportunity and I plan to take full advantage of it,” said Debose.

Karisa Olds, a senior broadcast journalism student from Columbus, Ga., will serve as the sports anchor and is an avid lover of basketball. Olds says she is both excited and nervous “because this is something new, but I am looking forward to the challenge.” 

The FAMU-TV20 newscast offers a hands-on approach to journalism education for students at the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC).  This year, broadcast journalism students are required to produce multimedia slide shows in addition to maintaining convergence partnerships with The FAMUAN newspaper, Journey magazine, and WANM-FM 90.5.

“The field of journalism is rapidly changing,” said Leonard Horton, SJGC visiting professor and News 20 at Five News director.  “Newsroom staffs are shrinking and job descriptions are changing.  Students have to be extra prepared for this multimedia landscape.”

FAMU TV-20 is an educational access channel operated by the SJGC at FAMU.  It reaches more than 80,000 households via Comcast Cable in Northern Florida. Its diverse program schedule includes student-produced newscasts, educational programming, cultural events, business and celebrity lectures, FAMU football and basketball games as well as university graduation and convocation ceremonies.

For more information about News 20 at Five, call (850) 599-3102.

 

Commissioner William “Bill” Proctor will keynote Florida A&M University’s

Leon County Commissioner William “Bill” Proctor will keynote Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Martin Luther King (MLK) Convocation at 10:10 a.m. Thursday, January 14, in Gaither Gym. The general public is invited to attend.
The program will feature the FAMU concert choir and a special rendition of King’s “I Have a Dream” that will be performed by James Moran, development officer for the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical. FAMU President James H. Ammons will also present MLK leadership awards to Althemese Barnes and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Commissioner Proctor was elected to the Leon County Board of County Commissioners in 1996 and represents the citizens of Leon County in District 1. He served as chairman of the Board in 2006. His priorities as the District 1 Commissioner are affordable housing, quality healthcare and education. He has served on several community advisory boards and has received numerous awards and recognitions for public service.
Commissioner Proctor is an associate minister at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Tallahassee, Fla., where he entered the ministry in 1985. He served as a pastor in the AME church for nine years. Currently, he is a political science instructor at FAMU. He is the advisor to the College Democrats student organization and mentors numerous students.
As county commissioner, his accomplishments include the widening of Crawfordville Road (US Hwy 319 South), the widening of Orange Avenue, the building of the B.L. Perry Branch Public Library and the Southside Richardson-Lewis Health Center.
Commissioner Proctor’s professional political career began as a staff assistant to United States Senator Bob Graham of Florida. He also served as a special assistant to Governor Lawton Chiles before winning a special election to the Leon County Commission in 1996. He has won three subsequent reelections.
Commissioner Proctor chaired the 50th Anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott in 2006.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University School of Communications and a juris doctorate degree from Howard University School of Law. He furthered his studies at Boston University School of Theology, the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Ga. and Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C.

FAMU’s Marching “100” will Perform in Super Bowl XLIV Pregame Show

Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Marching “100” has been selected to perform in the Super Bowl XLIV pregame show scheduled for Sunday, February 7, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
This is the third time in five years that the Marching “100” has been invited to participate in a Super Bowl.
According to Julian White, director of bands and chair of FAMU’s Department of Music, he received a telephone call from the entertainment director for the National Football League notifying him that the “100” had been selected.
“We are extremely honored and proud to be selected by the National Football League to perform during the pregame show,” said White. “To be invited for a third time in only five years is confirmation that we give a quality performance.”
When asked what will the “100” perform to dazzle the audience, White quickly responded by saying they will salute the King of Pop.
“We will do another production to honor Michael Jackson,” said White. “It is only fitting that we salute the King of Pop for the world to see.”
The “100” performed in the following Super Bowls:
- 1969 Super Bowl III Half time performance in Miami, Fla.;
- 1983 Super Bowl XVII Half time performance in Tampa, Fla.;
- 2005 Super Bowl XXXIX Pregame performance in Jacksonville, Fla.; and
- 2007 Super Bowl XLI Half time performance with Prince in Miami, Fla.

According to White, the past year has been really electrifying for the “100.”
“The weekend prior to the Super Bowl on January 30, the “100” will participate in the 8th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, Ga.,” White said. “Just last year in January 2009, the Marching “100” was preparing to participate in President Barack Obama’s inaugural parade. A year later, we are preparing to perform at the Super Bowl. We are indeed America’s favorite college band.”

FAMU Essential Theatre and Lyceum Series Present Crowns

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Essential Theatre and Lyceum Series will present CROWNS, a gospel-infused play, written by Regina Taylor and directed by Valencia E. Matthews.
Based on the book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, this play weaves together a variety of stories, characters, times and places as a young African-American girl tries to find her identity and place in the world. It takes her grandmother and a circle of friends to teach the child about faith, fellowship and “church hat” fashion.
CROWNS runs February 26 to February 28 in Lee Hall Auditorium. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices are $15 for the general public, $12 for senior citizens, $7 for students and $5 for FAMU students with valid ID.
For more information, call (850) 561-2425.

FAMU College of Law Associate Dean featured on CNBC

Professor of Law Darryll K. Jones appeared on CNBC's Power Lunch.  Jones talked about taxing carried interest.