Florida A&M University (FAMU) Environmental Sciences Institute doctoral candidate Viniece Jennings was selected to participate in the Youth Encounter to Sustainability (YES) course in Switzerland.
The program has operated since 2000 in different parts of the world with the goal to bring together a diverse group of motivated future leaders for learning, discussing and debating urgent questions of a sustainable future.
“I am very honored to participate in this exceptional learning experience,” said Jennings. “I look forward to developing my perspective on sustainability, my research, teaching strategies, and other skills that will enhance my overall development.”
The competitive course is for students from different parts of the world and different fields of study. An international team of distinguished faculty and facilitators help guide the participants through living together in a remote campus. Participants will be offered lectures, workshops, field experiences and the opportunity to work together as a team on solutions and multidisciplinary action plans.
Previous participants have represented American institutions such as Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California-Davis, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Hawaii. Students, who complete the initial course, are eligible for special courses of interest across the world. They are also part of a vibrant network that promotes sustainability, service and social justice worldwide.
“Learning about sustainability from a different worldview would enable me to embrace diverse strategies to achieve a similar goal,” said Jennings. “To participate in this consortium is not only an opportunity but also a mission to greater knowledge. I look forward to sharing the insight with FAMU and the society at large.”
Jennings is also an appointee on President James H. Ammons’ Environmental and Sustainability Council. Her graduate research project investigates the role of urban green spaces as a human health indicator.
From alumni to current and prospective students to working professionals and retirees across the nation, Florida A&M University (FAMU) charges all constituents to participate in the celebration of College Colors Day on Thursday, September 2 and Friday, September 3. Individuals can wear their favorite orange and green attire or Rattler paraphernalia and show their pride during this national celebration.
College Colors Day is an annual dress celebration that coincides with back to school and the kick-off of college football season. The Collegiate Licensing Company organizes College Colors Day to encourage fans, alumni and students to wear their favorite college apparel.
Participating individuals can submit individual or group photographs showcasing their Rattler spirit to famucolorsday@famu.edu.
FAMU will highlight and upload unique and exciting photographs submitted from across the country onto the university’s social media outlets and “Snake Eye,” FAMU’s online photo gallery.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) President James H. Ammons has appointed William Hudson, Jr. as acting vice president for Student Affairs until a permanent vice president is named. Hudson also is chairing the search for that position.
“ I am confident that Dr. Hudson will provide strong leadership for the Division of Student Affairs during this transition period,” said Ammons. “He has the experience and the background in higher education to help us maintain a level of excellence.”
Hudson has extensive experience counseling students with academic, personal, and career issues. He is a specialist in the recruitment and retention of minority students and provides consulting to small colleges and universities. As an adjunct professor at FAMU, he educates students on rehabilitation, disability, vocational training and services, community transition, and empowerment.
He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (C.R.C.), and a member of the American College Counseling Association, National Association of Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and Florida Association Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (FAEOP), among other professional organizations.
Hudson is a native Floridian and FAMU graduate. He received his B.S. degree in psychology and master’s degree in counseling education from FAMU. He went on to earn a specialist degree in counseling and human services and a Ph.D. in rehabilitation counseling from Florida State University.
The Honorable John Marks, III, Mayor of the City of Tallahassee, will serve as the keynote speaker for Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) 2010 summer commencement. The ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, August 6 in the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
Graduates are to arrive at the assembly area, Bragg Stadium, at 4:30 p.m.; the line of march will commence at 5:30 p.m. from Bragg Stadium and the doors to the Lawson Center will open at 5 p.m.
Marks practices law with his son at Marks and Marks, LLC. The firm focuses its practice on utility regulation, telecommunications and Internet law.
Marks was elected in 2003 to a four-year term as mayor and re-elected in 2006. His board affiliations include the Fringe Benefits Management Company, a privately held financial services company, the Florida League of Cities Municipal Investment Trust, the Tallahassee Economic Development Council, the Alliance for Digital Equality, the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center Authority, the Sunshine State Governmental Financing Commission and the Economic Club of Florida.
He serves on the Board of Advisors for the U.S. Conference of Mayors and is vice chairman for Communications of the U.S.C.M. Transportation and Communications Committee. In addition, Marks served as the president of the Florida League of Mayors from 2005 to 2007 and currently serves as president of the Florida League of Cities for the 2009-2010 term.
Marks received his bachelor’s degree in 1969 from the Florida State University (FSU) School of Business and his juris doctor degree in 1972 from the FSU College of Law.
He is married to Jane Awkard Marks, a psychotherapist, and has one son, John, IV.
Lisa Taylor, who previously served as associate director of Law Admissions for Ohio Northern University College of Law for four years, has joined the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law as assistant dean for Admissions.
Taylor, who has more than six years of experience in law school admissions, was responsible for the nationwide recruiting efforts at Ohio Northern, and coordinated the college’s minority recruitment program. She also assisted with the development and international admissions for the LLM program. She most recently served as Ohio Northern’s Director of Law Development.
“Ms. Taylor was selected from a strong pool of experienced applicants after a national search, and she carries outstanding recommendations from within the national law school admissions community,” said Dean LeRoy Pernell.
Taylor is a graduate of Howard University School of Law. She previously served as a staff attorney/campaign finance coordinator for the Office of the Election Administration for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and as a judicial intern for the Honorable Anita Josey-Herring. She is a member of the Florida Bar.
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 for Diversity by U.S. News & World Report.
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law recently announced the hiring of Shashi Persaud as the new director of Information Technology (IT) after a national search.
Persaud has more than 11 years of experience as a director of IT in both Tallahassee and Central Florida, and carries extensive technical and management experience specializing in software, hardware and network connectivity issues. He has served as a senior IT administrator for both the Department of Homeland Security and the First District Court of Appeals in Tallahassee. He most recently served as director of IT for the Osceola County Department of Health.
“Mr. Persaud emerged as the top-ranked candidate in a pool of strong applicants,” said Dean LeRoy Pernell. “I am pleased that he has agreed to share our vision for the FAMU College of Law where he is already making a difference.”
Persaud is a graduate of Flagler College and holds an M.B.A. from Florida State University.
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 for Diversity by U.S. News & World Report.
Florida A&M University President James H. Ammons' sense of humor will be tested next Thursday evening as a few of his closest friends and colleagues will good-naturedly 'roast' him with humorous quips and wisecracks for a good cause. Dr. Ammons is the honoree during Roast & Toast, the annual scholarship fundraiser for the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA- Capital Chapter) scheduled for July 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. (Silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m.)
Roast & Toast, now in its 13th year, serves as the FPRA Capital Chapter's signature event and fundraiser. Money raised provides scholarships for public relations students at FAMU and Florida State University. "This year's Roast & Toast serves two purposes," said FPRA Capital Chapter President Heidi Otway, APR. "First, it gives this community an opportunity to honor Dr. Ammons for his work to provide a quality education for individuals matriculating at a historically black university, and second it raises scholarship dollars for students who are the future of the PR profession."
Otway, who is a 1992 graduate of FAMU also noted, "We get to have a little good-natured fun at his expense!" The lineup of roasters this year includes Dr. Frederick S. Humphries (past president of Florida A&M University), Ken Armstrong (CEO for United Way of the Big Bend), and Marjorie Turnbull (Florida A&M University Trustee) and the Honorable Alfred "Al" Lawson (State Senator).
Educational Excellence Defined: Dr. James H. Ammons, a Scholar & a Gentleman, is the theme for this collegiate-focused event that will include an elegant and sumptuous menu, live music by the FAMU Jazz Ensemble and performances by the world-renowned FAMU Marching "100." In addition, FPRA-Capital Chapter will acknowledge the 2010 Communicator of the Year. Attendees are encouraged to wear the "College Couture" of their alma maters or favorite colleges/universities-school spirit with an upscale twist. Doors open and the silent auction begins at 6:30 p.m.; dinner and program start at 7:30 p.m.
The 'roasting' tradition has become a popular way for the FPRA-Capital Chapter to recognize some of the city's most celebrated leaders. An illustrious list of previous roast-ees recognized by the FPRA Capital City chapter includes City of Tallahassee Mayor John Marks, Leon County Sherriff Larry Campbell and Past Superintendent of Leon County Schools Bill Montford.
"Planning this event has been an absolute honor," said Cecka Rose Green, chairperson of the 2010 Roast & Toast, and a 1991 FAMU graduate. "This is the signature event and major fundraiser for the Capital Chapter. The silent auction and dinner program will be the best ever, due in large part to the unwavering support of our sponsors, roasters, FPRA members and the community, at-large. "You don't want to miss a minute of the fun and excitement!"
General tickets to the 2010 FPRA "Roast & Toast" are $75 ($50 for FPRA members). Private tables (seating for 8) are $1,000 ($500 for FPRA members). The ticket includes a buffet dinner and dessert, access to the silent auction, a cash bar, and a full evening of entertainment. Tickets can be purchased online through the Capital Chapter's website at http://fpra-capital.org/events/upcoming-events/?event_id=130.
Tickets will be mailed same day as purchase. Tickets purchased after July 16 can be picked up at the on-site registration desk on the evening of the event. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, July 21. (Tickets will not be sold on-site the evening of the event.)
To date, event sponsors are the Florida A&M University Foundation (Presenting Sponsor), FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (Printing Production and FAMU TV-20), the Tallahassee Democrat, Taproot Creative, TREW Media and WCTV Channel 6, Lamar Advertising and Bowman Promotional Specialties.
Roast & Toast is the largest annual event hosted by the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. Tickets purchased for this event help the association reach their goal as they cultivate the future leaders of Leon County and the Big Bend area through student scholarships.
Questions about this event should be directed to Roast & Toast event chair Cecka Rose Green at (850) 570-8482, or (850) 488-4198 extension 1240, or ceckagreen@embarqmail.com.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) student leader Vincent Evans was featured in the spring 2010 edition of Lessons magazine, a Lumina Foundation publication. Evans, 22, a senior political science student from Jacksonville, Fla., said he was taken aback when he discovered that he would also be displayed on the cover of the magazine.
“I didn't expect to make the cover, but I must say it was pretty neat,” said Evans. “I was honored that both the Lumina Foundation and ENLACE Florida demonstrated such confidence in me.”
In the article, titled “Leadership’s Fresh Face: Young Policy Advocate Sees Education Conference as Springboard,” Evans discuss what he believes is his life’s calling — leadership.
Evans, who serves as the president for the FAMU Chapter of College Democrats, said his leadership on and off FAMU’s campus has always been rooted in the belief that service is leadership.
“I’m convinced that service to others is one of the last noble callings there is,” said Evans. “I’ve had the opportunity to participate and do so much during my time on ‘The Hill.’ I’ve met President Barack Obama, dined with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, lobbied members of Congress countless numbers of times, and traveled the country representing the greatest institution on earth. You never know what history will say of you; however, I’m perhaps most proud of the work we did in 2008 with the registering, educating and mobilizing of nearly 4,000 students on the campus of Florida A&M University to get out and vote. That was a special time.”
The ambitious Evans says working in Congress or at a non-profit organization has always peaked his interest, and at some point, he hopes to return to Jacksonville and run for office.
“Wherever I go, and whatever I do, I know it will be in service to others,” Evans said. “I have an old-fashioned conviction that public service is about helping people solve their problems and live out their dreams. I've had every opportunity and blessing in life, and I want the same for every person. That’s what drives me, and that’s why I became involved.”
Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Marching “100” and two Greek organizations, the Alpha Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., will perform at The 2010 ESPYs post party. The Marching "100" will perform on Wednesday, July 14, at the L.A. LIVE complex in downtown Los Angeles. The post-party celebration is scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The Marching “100” and the Greek organizations will perform on stage with rapper Gucci Mane. Other headliners include Robin Thicke and Flo-Rida, who will take the stage throughout the night, and emceed by Doug E. Fresh and deejayed by Biz Markie, DJ Ebron and DJ Steve Powers. Athletes, celebrities and VIPs will view the Marching “100” and Greek organizations’ performance.
“The band is very excited to perform at The ESPYs post-party celebration,” said Julian White, director of bands. “We are proud to represent Florida A&M University.”
The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances
Coca-Cola is giving two Florida A&M University (FAMU) students, Justin Smith and Alisa Routh, the opportunity to embark on cultural adventures against the backdrop of the world’s biggest sporting event. On June 25, the students will travel across the globe to Africa for the FIFA World Cup.
Smith, 20, a junior mathematics major, and Routh, 20, a junior public relations major, are the winners of the Coca-Cola “Open Happiness Tour,” a video contest that sought creative and inspirational answers to the question: How does the Coca-Cola RAIN program inspire you?
The FAMU students will travel with of 19 other student winners from 12 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
“The Open Happiness Tour allows Coca-Cola the opportunity to engage and inspire young African Americans while connecting them with their roots,” said Yolanda White, assistant vice president, African American Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “We hope experiencing the diverse culture and meeting people who will be in South Africa for World Cup will inspire these students to view the world differently and make a commitment to creating a better place for everyone to live.”
The winners will spend five days soaking up the South African culture and learning more about Africa’s water crisis. During their visit, the students will meet with executives from Coca-Cola South Africa, who will share what the Company is doing in support of the RAIN project as well as learn about other initiatives throughout Africa, including HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, access to education, job creation and humanitarian assistance.
“This will be my first time leaving the country, and that makes this trip even more exciting because I have always wanted to see what the other side of the world is like,” said Smith, a native of Memphis, Tenn. “I plan to become a new person, better than I was yesterday. I feel as though when a person explore new heights in life they have a better respect for life and gain motivation for wanting to do more.”
In addition, the students will see first-hand the extreme need for potable water when they visit a local orphanage whose water system is in dire need of repairs. The Company will make a donation to assist with the repairs of the water system and, once the project is completed, the orphanage will have clean running water for cooking, bathing and other necessities.
“I am still shocked and wondering why they picked me. It is wonderful that Coca-Cola is taking action to help solve some of the issues that face our world today,” said Routh a native of East Point, Ga. “I plan to gain a bigger understanding of people around the world and be a wonderful representative of my university.”
The students also will have the opportunity to explore more facets of South African culture when they take a trip to the Nelson Mandela National Museum, go on a Safari and attend a FIFA World Cup match. The students will get another perk during their time in South Africa – meeting with actor Idris Elba, whose father is from Sierra Leone and mother is from Ghana. Elba will spend time with the students throughout the trip, discussing water stewardship and its importance to Africa and his passion for the World Cup, as well as providing his unique perspective on the local culture.
“I look forward to sharing my love for Africa with the students,” said Elba. “Through experiencing Africa’s rich history and the wonderful diversity of its culture, the students will be amazed and enriched. I hope they grow to love Africa as much as I do.”
Elba is best known for his roles in HBO’s series The Wire, Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls and Ridley Scott’s award-winning film American Gangster.
Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. The company serves more than 200 countries across the globe and focuses on its initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where they operate.
ur Florida A&M University (FAMU) professors and a staff member have received patents for their inventions that range from detecting radioactive materials in luggage to treating a particular type of breast cancer.
John Cooperwood, associate professor of basic sciences in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has secured a patent for “Selective Estrogen Receptors Modulators,” which is a drug that can assist in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer.
Depending on the stage of its diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be particularly aggressive, and more likely to recur than other subtypes of breast cancer in black women.
According to Cooperwood, the Centers for Disease Control reported that 191,410 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,280 died from it in 2006. White women have the highest incidence follow by black, Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.
“This higher mortality has been shown to be linked to the triple negative form of breast cancer that tends to occur early, under the age of 50, and is more aggressive,” said Cooperwood. “We have several lead compounds in a patent (US patent 7,687,486) that show some promising results on cell culture level against estrogen dependent and triple negative forms of breast cancer.”
Another patent was received collectively by Elliott Treadwell, Ph.D., and Ely I. Leon, Ph.D. They invented the “Threshold Ceronkov Detector with Radial Segmentation.” This design may be adjusted to detect radioactive materials in luggage. High schools may also benefit from general science and astronomy courses that teach students how to detect ever present cosmic and heat rays from a parking lot or lab.
Moeub Lanh, assistant director for Human Resources, was issued a patent for his invention titled the “Finger Flag Assembly.” It is a product that is attached to the finger and is easily removable. It can be used as a flag holder since it has a detachable pole connected. This product is small enough to be carried in a wallet, billfold or a pocket.
Lanh later made an improvement to this invention receiving another patent. This version of the product attaches to writing utensils, car antennas and other narrow items.
Seth Y. Ablordeppey, Ph.D., received a patent for “Haloperidol Analogs,” or new drugs derived from haloperidol for the treatment of mental illness and especially schizophrenia. Unlike its predecessor, the new drugs are designed to treat schizophrenia without producing movement disorders similar to Parkinsonism. In addition, initial tests suggest the new drugs may not produce weight gain which can lead to type II diabetes, a characteristic of the most recent treatment option for schizophrenia. Thus, the new agents have the potential to replace the antipsychotic drugs currently on the market without producing the debilitating side effects associated with them.
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Marching “100” will host its Annual Band Camp from Monday, July 12 through Saturday, July 17. The “100” will lend its talent to hundreds of the nation’s best high school band students.
A myriad of students from throughout the United States arrive for the week-long camp in order to prove their dedication to service and excellence by emulating the style of the world-renowned Marching “100.” The participants will showcase their new skills and moves to the FAMU family and the Tallahassee community at the annual band camp parade scheduled for Friday, July 17, at 1 p.m.
Each year, the parade features a variety of community schools, organizations, and local participants for a unique and enjoyable celebration.
The parade route will begin at Bragg Memorial Stadium traveling north on Wahnish Way; turn right on to Gamble Street; then right on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., and end on “The Set” at the viewing stand.
Band participants will continue to showcase their new skills at events throughout the week. An ensemble concert is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and a symphonic concert is scheduled for 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Both concerts will be held in Lee Hall Auditorium.
The Super Summer-Fest Finale Performance is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at 10 a.m., featuring a pre-game and halftime show in the traditional style of the Marching “100.”
Other scheduled events include a talent showcase in Gaither Gymnasium at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14; an ensemble concert in Lee Hall Auditorium at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 15; and a symphonic band concert in Lee Hall Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 15.
For more information, call the FAMU Band Department at (850) 599-3024.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) Student Government Association President (SGA) Gallop Franklin II was recently elected as the Florida Student Association (FSA) chairman and correlating position with the Florida Board of Governors.
Franklin, who is a member of the men's golf team, is the third FAMU SGA president to serve as FSA president and the first to serve on the Florida Board of Governors.
“I am just really excited and humbled to serve the students in Florida,” said Franklin, a fifth-year doctorate of pharmacy candidate from Tallahassee, Fla. “I’m passionate and committed.”
The influential statewide advocacy organization is composed of the student body presidents of the state universities and their respective staffs. FSA represents more than 300,000 students in the State University System.
A third-generation Rattler, Franklin, 22, was elected as the freshman class president and was re-elected as sophomore class president. After his two-year class presidency, he was elected as a student senator, where he served a two-year term.
“When I was told the news, I was ecstatic,” said Dean Henry Kirby, associate vice president for Student Life. “I was happy for Gallop and the university. I know he will be able to do a lot of great things. He has natural leadership abilities. I am really proud of him and I think there are great things to come from him.”
Six Florida A&M University (FAMU) journalism and graphic communication students will join students from Shantou University in Guangdong Province, China in Johannesburg, Africa where they will produce daily multimedia stories about the 2010 FIFA World Cup of Soccer and its impact on life in South Africa.
“I’m pretty sure what we’re doing is unprecedented for a journalism program at a historically black university,” said Joe Ritchie, the Knight Chair in journalism at FAMU. “Few journalism students anywhere get to do a foreign reporting internship of any kind and to be at one of the biggest events on the planet is a huge deal.”
The students will be responsible for posting stories with video, audio and text as well as blogs, photo galleries and podcasts covering a range of topics related to the World Cup as well as to general social, economic and political issues about South Africa. Individuals can view their daily reports at http://www.famustu.net.
The six FAMU students are as follows:
Rachel Gadson from Chicago, Ill., has had previous international experience as a graphic design intern with a company in Florence, Italy. Gadson is the team’s webmaster;
Aaron Lancaster is a first-year student from Bowie, Md., who plans to major in broadcast journalism. Lancaster has traveled to Nanjing, China, as part of a Johns Hopkins University program for talented and gifted youth;
Wandoo Makurdi has completed her first year in the FAMU master’s degree program and is a naturalized citizen originally from Nigeria;
Clarence Polke is a first-year student from Gainesville, Fla. who has served as deputy sports editor and deputy news editor for The Famuan. Polke was named the paper’s “Rookie of the Year;”
Anamarie Shreeves is a senior magazine production student and was the online editor for Journey magazine; and
Kristen Swilley is a first-year broadcast journalism student from Douglasville, Ga. Swilley was news editor for The Famuan this past spring semester.
Ritchie made the connection with Shantou University while on a sabbatical leave in Asia a year ago. He helped arrange a semester abroad there this spring for another FAMU journalism student, Caryn Wilson, a senior from Charlotte, N.C. Wilson will be the upcoming editor-in-chief for The Famuan this fall.
“Shantou is an amazing place,” Ritchie said. “They teach many courses in English and have an amazing faculty which includes internationally known veteran journalists such as Peter Arnett, a former CNN correspondent, and Peter Herford, who was with CBS for years and worked closely with Walter Cronkite.”
Ritchie said he sees the project as an amazing opportunity for the FAMU students.
“This an opportunity for the students to broaden their global perspectives while getting major experience in the news-gathering techniques of the 21st century.” This year is the first time that an African country has hosted the World Cup, which is scheduled from June 11 to July 11.
