President James H. Ammons will Host the President’s Forum

New anchors selected for FAMU TV-20’s Live at Five Newscast

Four new anchors and an alternate have been selected for Florida A&M University TV-20’s Live at Five Newscast. The news anchors are Ashley Carnegie, a senior broadcast journalism student from Bradenton, Fla., and Brittney Terrell, a senior broadcast journalism student from Atlanta, Ga.

The live newscast will air at 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and “Week in Review” featuring students in the advanced TV news class will air on FAMU-TV 20 at
7 p.m. on Fridays.

“My position as one of the main news anchors is important to me because it gives me a chance to challenge myself, be creative, and report news that will be beneficial to people,” said Terrell. “I know that if I do the work I love and it completes me, the rest will come.”

Oldine Monestine, a senior broadcast journalism student from Miami, was selected as an alternate anchor.

“This symbolizes the start of my journey to success,” Monestine said. “Television has power as many people are influenced by what they see and hear. If I can utilize that power to make people care about important issues, real issues, factual issues, then my purpose in life will be fulfilled. My ultimate dream is to be the face of Caribbean television where I can help people of Caribbean descent, especially Haitians, receive pertinent news that is relevant to them.”

Senita McRae, a senior broadcast student from Atlanta, will be the weather anchor. Alexis Blackwell, a senior broadcast student from Fayetteville, Ga., will serve as the sports anchor.

Broadcast journalism students this semester also will debut a news magazine show entitled “Paradigm” under the direction of Kenneth Jones, an associate professor and award-winning filmmaker.

“It’s a more in-depth, investigative show about news issues including the Florida Presidential Primary on January 29,” said Jones.

The show’s producer is Brent Hatchett, a broadcast journalism student from Detroit. FAMU student anchors for the show will be Driadonna Roland, a broadcast journalism student from Detroit, Maya Franklin, a broadcast journalism student from Denver, CO., Maria Osler, a broadcast journalism student from Ypislanti,
MI, and Monique Mitchell, a broadcast journalism student from Miami.

FAMU-TV 20 is an educational access channel operated by FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. It reaches more than 80,000 households via Comcast.

Florida A&M University Participates in Focus the Nation Teach-In

On Thursday, January 31, Florida A&M University (FAMU) will participate in Focus the Nation 2008, a national teach-in engaging students with political leaders, decision makers, community members and faculty to talk about global warming solutions. FAMU President James H. Ammons and Mayor John Marks will open the program with a welcome at 8:30 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom.

Hosted by FAMU’s Environmental Sciences Student Organization and the FAMU Green Coalition, Focus the Nation is free and the general public is invited to attend.

To kick off Focus the Nation, a webcast, “The 2% Solution,” is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the New College of Pharmacy Bldg., Blue Cross and Blue Shield Auditorium. This national webcast will feature Stanford climate scientist Stephen Schneider, green jobs pioneer Van Jones, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins, and actor and clean-energy advocate Edward Norton.

“We are excited to be a part of this initiative,” said Ammons. “It represents the enormous power that young people have when they use their education to create positive change in the world.”

“Today’s college students are truly the greatest generation,” said Lewis & Clark Professor of Economics Eban Goodstein, author and project director for Focus the Nation. “No other generation has ever had to face this kind of civilizational challenge. And we as educators would be failing if we did not prepare them to meet this challenge.”

Beginning at 9:30 a.m., more than 25 seminars are scheduled. Some of the seminars include: Global Warming: What’s It All About?; Public Health Implications of Global Warming; The “Greening” of Florida; Food and the Future; Water Matters; Global Warming: A Human Rights and Environmental Ethics Issue ; and Solar, Wind and Other Energy Options.

Other highlights include video presentations Kilowatt Ours, a 38-minute documentary that traces our energy use from the coal mines of West Virginia to the light switches in our homes; An Inconvenient Truth, the Academy Award-winning documentary on global warming; and a taped video of Jerome Ringo, chair of the National Wildlife Federation and President of Apollo Alliance.

Various government officials, community members and educators participating in the seminars included: Andrew Gillum, city commissioner; Cliff Thaell, county commissioner; Mike Rogers, president of Rogers Development; Will Sheftall, Leon County Extension Agent; Steve Urse, Big Bend Climate Action Team; Daniel Parker, M.S.P., assistant director, Division of Environmental Health, Florida Department of Health; several members of FAMU’s faculty; and many more.

Sponsors for Focus the Nation include the FAMU Environmental Sciences Institute, the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, the Office of Sponsored Research, the Office of Student Activities, Rogers Developments, the Phoenix Environmental Group, Environment Florida, the City of Tallahassee Utilities, the Student Conservation Association and the Doris Duke Conservation Fellowship.

FAMU’s Environmental Sciences Student Organization plans to reach out to student leaders and organizations with its first healthy environment competition titled Green Games, which is fashioned after the television show “The Amazing Race.” The games are centered on environmentally friendly initiatives such as park cleanups, recycling, beautifying the campus, etc. Student teams will “race” for points by completing activities that are designed to educate them on global warming and climate change and to get them involved in outdoor activities that will increase their campus involvement while having fun. The competition will begin on January 28 and continue for the remainder of the spring semester. The student organization with the most points will receive $5,000.

For more information regarding the Focus the Nation initiative, visit www.focusthenation.org or contact the FAMU Focus the Nation program coordinators Jacqueline Hightower at (850) 561-2128 or LaRae Donnellan at (850) 561-2765.

FAMU Black Infant Health Alliance to Develop an Action Plan for Florida

The Florida A&M University Black Infant Health Alliance will host a one-day summit and community forum on black infant mortality on Saturday, January 26, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will bring together child advocates, local leaders and national experts including Dr. Jack Turman, the founder and director of the Center for Premature Infant Health and Development at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.

Presentations and discussion will cover the challenges to addressing black infant mortality will offer and promising approaches used by California to address the issue. The purpose of the meeting is to develop a plan of action for Leon County and the surrounding area.

Moderators will be Cynthia Hughes Harris, FAMU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Joseph Webster, president for the Institute of African-American Health, Inc.

The meeting will begin following a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Lunch will also be served. This meeting is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is requested. Please register online at www.ounce.org/register.html.

What: Meeting on Black Infant Mortality

Who: Child advocates and leaders in minority infant health including

When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2008

Where: Florida A&M University New College of Pharmacy Building
1415 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tallahassee, Florida

RW News: FAMU College of Pharmacy Receives $250,000 in Scholarships from Walgreens

Walgreens, one of the fastest growing, chain drug store retailers in the United States, presented Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) with a gift of $250,000 to be applied toward the College’s scholarship programs.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this donation,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “It will assist us in our effort to continue to recruit the best and brightest students to the pharmacy program. Increasing the number of scholarships for our students is one of my key priorities and I would like to thank Dr. Lewis and Walgreens for supporting us in this area and making this donation a reality.”

Representatives from Walgreens making the presentation were Manuel Littlefield, pharmacy supervisor, Tallahassee, Fla. (FAMU ‘87); Jeff Roland, pharmacy supervisor, Pensacola, Fla. (FAMU ‘98); Dr. Elbonie Moore, pharmacy manager, Tallahassee, Fla. (FAMU ’02); and Jay Johnson, district manager, Tallahassee, Fla.

“We are happy to support FAMU with this donation and we look forward to bringing new students into the pharmacy profession,” said Littlefield.

“Walgreens pharmacy has been a long time friend, supporter of the college’s varies programs, and one of the leading employers of our students graduating from COPPS,” said Henry Lewis III, dean of the college of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. “It is through this type of assistance that we can achieve our vision of academic and research excellence.”

Walgreens operates 6,149 stores in the United States. Seven hundred and forty two stores are located in Florida.

Photo caption:

Left to right: Dr. Elbonie Moore, pharmacy manager, Tallahassee, Fla. (FAMU ’02); Manuel Littlefield, pharmacy supervisor, Tallahassee, Fla. (FAMU ‘87); FAMU President James H. Ammons; Dean Henry Lewis, III, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Jay Johnson, district manager, Tallahassee, Fla.; Jeff Roland, pharmacy supervisor, Pensacola, Fla. (FAMU ‘98); and Tia Reynolds, recruiter for Walgreens, display the $250,000 check presentation from Walgreens to FAMU.

ESPN Hires Four Florida A&M University Broadcast Students

ESPN has hired four broadcast journalism students in the Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC). They are Danon Bell, Mark Washington, A’sia Horne-Smith and Serge Beaubrun.

Bell said he is thankful that FAMU provided the opportunity for him to interview with recruiters during the SJGC’s first ESPN Corporate Recruitment Day.

“I think the ESPN day was an awesome event,” said Bell. “The school did a great thing by bringing them here,” said Bell, who was offered a position with “The Worldwide Leader in Sports.”

The SJGC’s Office of Internship and Placement (OIP) sponsored the ESPN Corporate Recruitment Day. In addition to interviewing students for internships and jobs, eight ESPN executives held an open-session seminar for all SJGC students to hear about various opportunities with the ESPN family. Tony Valentino, ESPN manager of Technical Recruitments, who co-coordinated the event with Yanela Gordon, director of the SJGC OIP, said he was impressed by the caliber of students in the SJGC.

“It is obvious that the school takes the time to teach their students how to prepare for an interview and how important first impressions can be to an employer,” Valentino said. “Even the students who did not meet our needs at this time left me with a positive impression. Others we met may be hires or interns for the future.”

Bell, a Detroit native, was among 40 students who interviewed with one of five ESPN recruiters. He, along with Serge Beaubrun, accepted a full-time position with ESPN.

“I was already in talks with ESPN, but the chance of actually being able to speak with them face to face and interview with them really helped get things moving,” said Bell. “The same people I spoke to will now be my colleagues!”

FAMU seniors Mark Washington and A’sia Horne-Smith were offered spring internships. They will begin their internships on January 28, 2008.

“I feel excited and blessed to have the opportunity to work at ESPN this spring,” said Horne-Smith, who is from Deland, Fla. “This blessing is one of the reasons why I love FAMU. I'm often exposed to organizations and opportunities that I feel wouldn't have been offered at other universities.”

Horne-Smith will work as an editing intern for ESPN productions such as “SportsCenter.”

At least eight students were flown to ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn. for follow-up interviews. Several more are scheduled for second interviews during the 2008 spring semester.

"We are delighted that ESPN has made employment and internship offers to these students,” said Gordon. “These hires reflect the most recent example of ESPN's interest in our students. We applaud that and look forward to growing our relationship with ESPN."

Valentino further stated that he is impressed with FAMU’s commitment to preparing its students to be competitive in the mass media industry.

“The opening of the new facilities at the SJGC shows FAMU's commitment to moving their students into the future of broadcasting and journalistic excellence,” said Valentino, who added that developing relationships with colleges and universities is key to ESPN’s success. “This is only the beginning of better things to come for FAMU and ESPN. We can learn a lot from each other.”

About ESPN, Inc.

ESPN, Inc., The Worldwide Leader in Sports, is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets with over 50 business entities. Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

FAMU’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication

The Florida A&M University School of Journalism & 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. It offers four journalism sequences: newspaper, magazine production, broadcast (television and radio) and public relations. The Accrediting Council on Collegiate Graphic Communication accredited the Division of Graphic Communication in 2002. It offers four major tracks: graphic design, printing production, printing management and photography.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two Florida A&M University (FAMU) public relations seniors will compete in The PR Apprentice this spring for a full-time position

Two Florida A&M University public relations seniors will compete in The PR Apprentice this spring for a full-time position at Kidd Group Public Relations, a full-service public relations firm established in 1980. The PR Apprentice is Kidd Group’s latest internship challenge.

Kamaria Hopkins, a 21-year-old and Shaletha Litt, a 22-year-old, will compete by performing public relations tasks such as client meetings to press releases and special events for local non-profit clients.

“We have selected the very best students in the area for this experience,” said Public Relations Director Tom Derzypolski. “Our goal is to provide a true, real-world experience that is both challenging and rewarding.”

The 20-hour-per-week internship begins with a boardroom meeting. Over 13 weeks, the apprentices will compete in both weekly and “curve-ball” challenges for a chance to win prizes from local sponsors and to avoid being “fired.” The boardroom panel, consisting of public relations professionals and professors from both Florida State University and FAMU, along with local media representatives, will offer constructive criticism each week. The final PR Apprentice winner will be announced April 18, 2008, and will be offered a full-time position at Kidd Public Relations.

“Being selected for this opportunity is basically a win/win situation,” Litt said. “It’s a unique chance and whether I’m chosen as the PR Apprentice or not, I’ll still feel like a winner.”

Intern profiles, challenge updates, photos and blogs will be updated on the contest Web site. To follow progress and learn more, visit ThePRapprentice.com.

“I’m a little nervous, but it’s a good nervous,” said Hopkins. “I know what I’ve learned in FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications and student media has prepared me, and given me an insight as to how media operates so that I can be a better public relations representative. I know we’ll all have learned from each other and all bring something to the table, but at the end of the day, I hope to be the winner.”

FAMU will Sponsor the Spring 2008 Career Expo

All students and alumni are encouraged to attend Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) C.C. Cunningham Career Center’s Spring 2008 Career Expo on Wednesday, January 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. A career expo reception is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. Both events are free of cost.

“The expo and the reception gives the students and alumni the opportunity to network with potential employers on a formal and informal basis,” said Delores Dean, director of the career center. “The expo officially kicks off our recruitment efforts for the rest of the semester.”

Business attire is required for all expo participants. Free shuttle service is available. For additional information, call (850) 599-3700.

RW News: FAMU will sponsor a Memorial Service for FAMU Student Antoine Gordon

Florida A&M University will sponsor a memorial service for FAMU freshman Antoine Gordon, Friday, January 18, at 6 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.

Gordon, who was from Washington, DC, was pursuing a degree in business administration. Gordon was killed in an automobile accident on I-10 on Sunday, January 6, 2008, near Tallahassee.

RW News: FAMU Hires New Vice President for University Relations

Florida A&M University has hired a senior level development professional from the University of Toledo to serve as its new vice president for University Relations.

Carla S. Willis, who has had more than 17 years of experience in the advancement field, will assume her new post on February 18, 2007, and has agreed to an annual salary of $175,000. She also will serve as vice president of the division and executive director of the FAMU Foundation, Inc.

“I’m excited about Mrs. Willis joining the leadership team,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “She is talented, personable and highly skilled in the
area of fund raising. I am confident that she can help the university to reach its goals and build a strong fund raising division.”

Willis has served as a principal gifts officer of the University of Toledo and a senior consultant for John Brown Limited, a New Hampshire based-development consulting firm. At the University of Toledo, she was responsible for developing and sustaining a comprehensive development program for University-wide development initiatives in the mid-Atlantic Region and focused nationally on initiatives for the College of Law. In her consulting role, Willis managed large institutional client projects in the areas of feasibility studies, development audits, pre-campaign planning and preparation, staff coaching, strategy development, and solicitation of donors.

"I am pleased to serve as the next vice president for University Relations and executive director of the Foundation for Florida A & M University,” said Willis. “FAMU has a long and rich history, and I look forward to helping shape its future through the philanthropy of alumni, board members, students, corporate supporters and friends."

Willis has also served as a director of development at Ohio Northern University, a regional director for the east coast for the University of Michigan Law School, and headed up her own development consulting firm, Willis Development and Communications Associates.

She began her development career in the early ‘90s at the University of Missouri. Prior to her career in advancement, Willis had a 10-year career with IBM Corporation.

Willis is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE,) and earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Toledo. She is an active member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and currently serves as a board member and chair of the Committee on Equity for CASE District V.

She was recently selected as one of 20 international participants in the 2008 Minority Advancement Institute, sponsored by CASE. A noted and frequent presenter on topics related to philanthropy and development, she also is an active member of the Association of Fund Raising Executives (AFP) and has held many offices in the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the organization including Chapter President in 2002.

She is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and is married to Edward Willis and has two teen-aged sons, Brandon, 16, and Christopher, 19.

RW Sports: FAMU Women’s Flag Football Wins Two National Championships

Florida A&M University’s Women’s Flag Football Team recently won two national championship titles: the 2007 Pontiac American Collegiate Intramural Sports (ACIS) Flag Football National Championship and the 2008 National Intramural & Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) National Campus Championship Series (NCCS)—Flag Football.

The team went 10-0 in both tournaments, resulting in “undefeated tournament play” for the duration of the competitions. Ruby Nugent, a 25-year-old Lake Wales native and a fall 2007 graduate, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for both tournaments.

“We had a rough start and it was a lot of hard work, but my team is made up of a great group of girls that developed into a strong team,” said Nugent. “We had a strong offense and a strong a defense that complimented each other. That’s what led us to the national championship.”

Hosted by the University of New Orleans, the ACIS Flag Football National Championship had seventy-seven state and regional champions from across the nation participated in the competition. In the championship game, FAMU defeated Campbell University team with a score of 21-19.

At the NCCS hosted by the University of Texas, a total of 70 state and regional champions from across the nation participated in the competition. FAMU defeated the University of West Florida with a score of 26-0 in the championship game.

“Our team has been in existence 1996,” said Marvin E. Green, Jr., who serves as the team coach and assistant director of the FAMU Campus Recreation Department. “We have traveled to this tournament probably eight times, but we have only had two runner-up appearances and this is our first championship. I am appreciative of all the hard work that the teams of the past have put in. They have laid the foundation for this team, a relatively young team, to accomplish this. They came in strong and really believed from day one that they could be national champions.”

Robert Brown served as the assistant coach and is the intramural sports coordinator of the FAMU Campus Recreation Department. The following team roster included the following: Ruby Nugent; Ravonda Claitt; Asia Evans; Nikki Goldthreate; Ashley Livingston; Trivia Richardson; April Roberts; Akuawana Sesler; Michelle Smith; Shemaiah Thames; and Crystal Wicks.

RW News: Jeopardy! will Visit Florida A&M University to Recruit Contestants

Members from Jeopardy! will visit Florida A&M University Tuesday, January 29, and Wednesday, January 30 to find FAMU administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni to be contestants for both the College Championship and regular shows.

FAMU is one of six colleges or universities in the U.S. and the only historically black college or university that Jeopardy! will visit.

“We think Florida A&M University is a great university,” said Maggie Speak, Jeopardy! contestant executive. “We are really excited about going to the university.”

To be eligible for the College Championship, interested individuals must be a full time student with no previous bachelor’s degree. To be a contestant for the regular show, individuals must be 18 years of age or older.

For more information, contact Vivian Hobbs at (850) 599-8316 or 599-8320.

RW News: Fort Valley State University President will keynote Florida A&M University’s Martin Luther King Convocation

President Larry E. Rivers, Ph.D., D.A., of Fort Valley State University will keynote Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Martin Luther King Convocation at 9:25 a.m. Thursday, January 17, in Gaither Gym.

The general public is invited to attend.

The program will also feature elementary-school students from FAMU DRS, the FAMU concert choir and a special rendition of King’s “I Have a Dream” that will be performed with the FAMU Band. FAMU President James H. Ammons will also present MLK leadership awards to Andrew Gillum, Phillip Agnew, and the Student Coalition for Justice.

Born in the Philadelphia suburb of Sharon Hill, Rivers graduated from Fort Valley State College (now University) with a bachelor of science degree in social science education before pursuing a master’s degree in history at Villanova University. Carnegie-Mellon University awarded him a doctor of arts degree in history and curriculum development in 1977, with Goldsmith’s College of the University of London adding a doctor of philosophy in history degree in 2002.

For 24 years, Rivers taught history at FAMU, ultimately receiving the rank of “distinguished university professor,” only one of two on FAMU’s campus. Meanwhile, he held a series of administrative appointments leading up to his selection in 2002 as dean of the FAMU College of Arts and Sciences.

Rivers’ Slavery in Florida, Territorial Days to Emancipation, published in 2000, garnered three national awards. He subsequently has co-authored two additional volumes—Laborers in the Vineyard of the Lord: The Beginnings of the AME Church in Florida and For a Great and Grand Purpose: The Beginnings of the AMEZ Church in Florida—that have received scholarly acclaim. His teaching, research, publications, and community service have earned him numerous additional citations for excellence. Ebony magazine has featured Rivers as one of America’s future Black leaders.

He holds life memberships in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Fort Valley State University Alumni Association, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Additionally, he belongs to Sigma Pi Phi (The Grand Boule) Fraternity, the Urban League, and Prince Hall Masonic Lodge.

He is a Baptist. Rivers is married to the former Betty Hubbard, and they have two children: Larry O. Rivers, a doctoral student at Vanderbilt University and past FAMU SGA president; and Linje Eugene Rivers, a 2006 graduate of Morehouse College and student at the University of Florida’s College of Law.

RW News: Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Board Lifts Pharmacy Probation

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) at its board meeting in Tampa, January 9-13, 2008, voted to lift its probationary status of the Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS). In addition, the board voted to re-affirm the College’s accreditation status through June 30, 2010.

“I am elated by the actions of the ACPE Board in both lifting of our probation and extending accreditation through 2010,” said Henry Lewis III, dean of the College of Pharmacy. “This action comes as a result of the tremendous hard work of the faculty, staff and student body within the College over the past five months to address the 21 accreditation findings from its previous ACPE site visit.”

The actions of the ACPE Board of Directors came after a site visit team from ACPE visited the College on November 13-14, 2007. The team rendered a report to the Board of Directors that indicated that the College was in compliance with all 30 ACPE standards for accreditation. Attending the ACPE meeting in Tampa on Friday, January 11, where the accreditation status was reviewed were President James H. Ammons, Dean Henry Lewis III and Dr. John J. Scrivens, Director, Tampa Pharmacy Practice.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment that was achieved through the leadership of Dr. Lewis, the expertise of faculty and staff, and the hard work of students,” said Ammons. “One of my main priorities during my first 150 days as president was to make sure that the college had what it needed for probation to be lifted. As a result of this action, our administrators, faculty and staff in the College of Pharmacy can focus more of their attention on continuing its legacy of producing outstanding graduates this field.”

The Board of Directors indicated its appreciation for the commitment of President James H. Ammons to addressing the concerns of the Council raised in its previous report to the College. In particular, the Board of Director cited the president’s return of the eighteen (18) faculty and staff positions previously removed from the College. In addition, the administration’s support for the funding of clinical training sites and the completion of the Phase II of the College’s building were cited further as the administration’s commitment.

The Council praised the faculty in the COPPS for its prompt and expeditious development of the processes to address previous accreditation concerns. The development of the College’s Strategic Plan, the development of the new curriculum, the Assessment Program, and the Implementation of the Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Programs, were all considered favored actions based on the Council’s previous request.

Michael Thompson, assistant dean for Clinical Affairs and chair of the Accreditation Steering Committee said, “I am extreme happy to hear the decision by ACPE. We have an excellent program in the College, thanks to the faculty, staff and the support of the university administration. I am ecstatic that this was recognized by our distinguished colleagues at ACPE.”

Photo caption: Henry Lewis III, dean of FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, shares the excitement about the College’s accreditation being re-affirmed by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education through June 30, 2010 as President James H. Ammons and Board of Trustee Member Rev. R.B. Holmes participate.

RW News: Youngest African American to Receive Ph.D. in Engineering from Northwestern University is the New Dean of FAMU’s CESTA

Makola M. Abdullah, the youngest African American to receive a Ph.D. in engineering from Northwestern University, will now serve as the dean of Florida A&M University, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA).
Abdullah first arrived at FAMU in 1996 as an assistant professor at CESTA.

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead the academic, research and extension programs at CESTA,” said Abdullah. “I look forward to working with the students, faculty and staff to make our college the best that it can be.”

Abdullah previously served as a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and, most recently, as the associate vice president for research.

Abdullah received his B.S. from Howard University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University. He is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Prior to coming to FAMU, Abdullah served as an adjunct professor at Chicago State University, an engineer and assistant project manager at Jackson and Tull Chartered Engineers in Chicago, IL and as a research and teaching assistant at Northwestern University.

Abdullah is an internationally renowned researcher and educator with expertise in earthquake and wind engineering. In particular, his interests are centered on the vibration control of civil engineering structures. Abdullah’s research, which is currently funded by the National Science Foundation, includes the placement and design of output feedback controllers, optimization of algorithms for discrete location placement, robust control design and minimization of structural pounding. This premier program emphasizes the importance the Foundation places on the early development of academic careers dedicated to stimulating the discovery process, in which the excitement of research is enhanced by inspired teaching and enthusiastic learning. It combines in a single program, the support of research, and education of the highest quality and in the broadest sense.

In addition to these research areas, Abdullah also collaborates with other faculty in areas as broad as the use of computational fluid dynamics in fluid separation and optimal placement of turbines on a wind farm. He has given lectures in the United States, Japan and South Africa and has written more than 25 technical publications.

Abdullah has been recognized by FAMU for his outstanding research and funding. His commitment to increasing the number of African Americans in science, math and engineering is a primary career focus.

Abdullah has appeared on the former Black Entertainment Television, (BET), program “Teen Summit” and he is active in community mentoring programs in Tallahassee.

Abdullah’s recognition includes Teacher of the Year at FAMU in 2004; Outstanding Grantsmanship Award at FAMU in 2003; Graduate Teacher of the Year at FAMU in 2002; Black Engineer of the Year in 1999; National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 1997; Outstanding Teaching Award at Chicago State University in 1994; Departmental Service Award in the Department of African American Student Affairs at Northwestern University in 1994; Outstanding Graduate Student Service Award from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at Northwestern University in 1994; Teaching Assistant of The Year Award from the National Society of Black Engineers at Northwestern University in 1993.

He is a member of XDX Fraternity and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

RW News: International Scientists and Clinicians to Give Presentations on the “Global Perspective on Black Men's Health” at FAMU

Three international presenters, Dr. Frank Chinegwundoh (United Kingdom), Dr. Robin Roberts (Bahamas), and Dr. Titi Akinremi (Nigeria) will feature presentations on global prostate cancer research findings targeting black men of African ancestry on the campus of Florida A&M University January 11, 2008.

The workshop is scheduled at FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will conclude with an open dialogue on black men’s health. Additionally, the scientists and clinicians will visit with the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Cancer Center.

Dr. Frank Chinegwundoh has been a consultant urological surgeon at Barts and The London NHS Trust and Newham University Hospital NHS Trust, London since 1996. He has a special interest in prostate cancer, and has published numerous papers in this area. Additionally, he is the associate medical director at Newham. He was founding chairman of the Black and Ethnic Minority Health section of The Royal Society of Medicine. Since 1998, he has been chairman of Cancer Black Care. This charity provides information and support for all cancer sufferers and families with a focus on black and ethnic minorities. In 2007, he was appointed to the National Cancer Reform Strategy Reform Group.

Dr. Robin Roberts received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies, Kingston Jamaica. He has served as the president of the Medical Association of the Bahamas, Bahamas Family Planning Association and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Research Academy of Medical Sciences. Roberts serves as associate lecturer at the University of the West Indies, associate editor of the West Indian Medical Journal at the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medicine and is an international fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. He is a member of both the Canadian and American Urology Associations. He has made numerous presentations at local, regional and international conferences and has a number of publications in medical literature.

Dr. Titi Akinremi is chief consultant pathologist and heads the Department of Pathology, Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; has served as state pathologist and coroner in Oyo State, Nigeria; and associate lecturer in the Department of Anatomy at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is well published and has memberships with the Nigerian Medical Association, International Medical Women’s Association, International Agency for Cancer Control (UICC) Fellow, International Association of Cytology, Association of Pathologists of Nigeria, and International Association of Pathologist.

Folakemi T. Odedina, professor and director of the FAMU College’s Economic, Social and Administrative Pharmacy Division, said, “This is indeed a historic event for us and will facilitate our global consortium to fully understand the health disparities experienced by black men of African ancestry.”

“It is critical that we develop an objective understanding of the relationships in the incidences, morbidity and mortality of diseases in black men in the U.S. and black men in Africa,” said Dean Henry Lewis III, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “This type of workshop provides the venue for a transatlantic discussion of this important health consequence.”