FAMU Journalism Grad Named 2007 "Distinguished Alumnus"

The Florida A&M University, School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) has selected Africa Price as the 2007 recipient of the Thelma Thurston Gorham Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Price is the managing editor at the Tallahassee Democrat and a 1992 graduate of the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

“To say that Africa has distinguished herself in newspaper journalism would be an understatement,” said Jim Hawkins, dean, School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. “Her appointment as the Tallahassee Democrat’s managing editor signals the respect she has earned in newspaper journalism.”

Price will receive her award Thursday, November 1, during the school’s alumni homecoming luncheon. The luncheon, sponsored by the Tallahassee Democrat, will be at 12 noon in the school’s gallery, room 2015.

Before assuming her current position, Price worked as managing editor at the Jackson Sun in Tennessee. While there, the newspaper won several state and national awards, including one of a package that looked into a failing state health system.

She also has worked at The Times in Shreveport, La., as an education reporter, team editor and assistant managing editor.

The Thelma Thurston Gorham award is named in honor of the late Thelma Thurston Gorham. Gorham was the first instructor of journalism at FAMU. She also distinguished herself in being one of the few African-American women to work in newspaper journalism at a time when it was not fashionable for African Americans or women to work as newspaper journalists.

“Price clearly reflects the level of achievement deserving of the Thelma Thurston Gorham award,” Hawkins added. “The School of Journalism and Graphic Communication applauds and congratulates Africa on her accomplishments.”

FAMU’s Marching “100” will be featured on PBS’s Florida Crossroads

Florida A&M University “Marching 100” will be featured on Florida Crossroads which will air on PBS and other public, educational and government channels throughout the state beginning Tuesday, October 30. The 30-minute documentary, The Making of the Band: The FAMU “Marching 100” will also air Thursday, November 1, at 8 p.m. on WFSU Channel 11 which is COMCAST 5. It will air again Sunday, November 4, at 11 a.m.

The documentary will focus on the members of the Marching 100, who will speak candidly about what it takes to be a part of the tradition. For showtimes schedules visit www.famu.edu.

RW NEWs: FAMU's Office of Public Affairs will Launch Public Affairs Radio Show - “Inside FAMU”

Florida A&M University Office of Public Affairs will launch its new public affairs radio show called “Inside FAMU” on Sunday, November 4, on WANM 90.5 FM at 1 p.m. The show will feature FAMU President James H. Ammons. President Ammons will share his vision for FAMU and talk about his plans and goals. The host of the show is Pamela Tolson, director of Media Relations.

“Inside FAMU” highlights people, events and news at Florida A&M University. Staff and/or faculty members will be featured along with students who are doing great things at FAMU and in the community. It will air every Sunday at 1 p.m. Individuals can tune in by listening to WANM 90.5 FM or online at www.wanm.org.

RW News: FAMU Student Wins Florida Classic Design Contest

Florida A&M University student, Brittany Barr, has won the program design contest for both, the Walt Disney World Florida Classic Battle of the Bands presented by State Farm and game day.

“All of us here in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) congratulate and applaud Brittany for this recognition,” said Dr. James Hawkins, dean of FAMU’s SJGC. “The award reflects the skill sets we seek to provide our students and it will motivate others to achieve greatness.”

Barr, a 21-year-old Jacksonville native and senior graphic design major in the SJGC, said she heard about the contest while sitting in class.

“I’m excited to have the winning design in both areas of the contest,” said Barr. “The exposure I’ll get from winning is the best prize.”

Barr’s design was chosen from a pool of about ten graphic design students from FAMU and Bethune-Cookman University. In addition to having her work featured on thousands of programs, Barr won two tickets to the football game and exposure on the official website for the game (www.floridaclassic.org).

Bradford Gillens, the Florida Classic assistant, said Barr’s design embodied what the classic is all about.

“She did an excellent job designing and paid special attention to detail, which is what her design over the top,” he said. “Brittany’s design incorporated all aspects of the classic, from the band, football players and even our sponsor. Although we were choosing from a very competitive field, we really felt that Brittany’s design was the best.”

RW News: FAMU Beats Out FSU in First Campus CANpaign Challenge

Florida A&M University beat out Florida State University (FSU) in the first Campus CANpaign competition, part of the City of Tallahassee’s effort to collect and recycle aluminum cans.

FAMU’s total was 154.6 pounds and FSU’s total was 13. Tallahassee Community College chose not to participate.

“Honestly, I wasn’t at all surprised that FAMU won the competition,” said Michelle Williams, program coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Environmental Science Cooperative Program and who also oversaw FAMU’s collection efforts. “I’ve been at FAMU for 11 years, and I know that when we come together for a common cause, we Rattlers will produce awesome results.”

CANpaign 2007 was Tallahassee’s entry into the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Cash for Cans City Recycling Challenge. In a report released by the City of Tallahassee Solid Waste Services, Tallahasseeans are reported to have dropped off more than 4,300 pounds of aluminum cans on collection day October 13 at The Home Depot located on 3200 Capital Circle NE.

According to Anja DeLoach, Tallahassee recycling and special services coordinator, the CANpaign complements the increased curbside collection of recyclables this past year.

The Campus CANpaign Challenge was coordinated at FAMU by the FAMU Green Coalition, a group of faculty, staff, students and community members dedicated to making FAMU a sustainable community. FAMU student organizations were encouraged to collect cans as a fundraiser for their organizations. Groups received 40 cents per pound for cans collected. The group that collected the most cans received double its money.

FAMU’s top collector was the Environmental Sciences Student Organization (ESSO), which collected 53.4 pounds. Members of ESSO and the FAMU Green Coalition spent several hours collecting, weighing and then tossing cans into large dumpsters on collection day.

For its win, FAMU received a traveling trophy fashioned out of aluminum cans and wood. FAMU President James H. Ammons and architecture Professor Beth Lewis, co-chair of the FAMU Green Coalition, accepted the award at the Second Annual Campus and Community Sustainability Conference.

“I am already excited about next year,” Williams said. “Now that we know exactly what needs to be done, I know that we will be keeping the Campus CANpaign trophy in our possession for years to come.”

Photo: Professor Beth Lewis, co-chair of the FAMU Green Coalition, and FAMU President James H. Ammons hold the Campus CANpaign Challenge trophy.

RW News: FAMU Unviels New Developments In Agricultural Sciences

Florida A&M University’s , College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA) hosted the 2007 CESTA Research Forum and officially announced the new developments initiated in the College’s Division of Research.

Unveiled for the first time was the first muscadine grape variety released from FAMU, an innovation tool used for weevil identification and a pesticide bacteria strain.

“I encourage CESTA to continue and increase their research efforts,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “I applaud the college and their new developments. I know with their hard work and dedication there will be many more to come and they will continue to uncover new developments to benefit society.”

The Honorable Dr. Gale Buchanan, Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics for the United States Department of Agriculture, was the keynote speaker at the forum’s opening session. He spoke of the importance about Land-Grant Institutions in society today.

“I have a deep appreciation and understanding for Land-Grant institutions and their contribution to society,” Buchanan said. “For over 30 years, FAMU has been successful in their different programs of study and they continue to be a critical asset in addressing many of the public’s issues today.”

The newly released muscadine grape, named Majesty, is disease resistant and adaptable to climate in North Florida. The weevil identification software also identifies other harmful species of insect that are foreign to the U.S. The new strain of bacteria is a biological method used to control mosquitoes and is considered safer than pesticides.

“One of the main reason we do research is to increase the economic opportunities for society as a whole,” said Samuel L. Donald, CESTA’s interim dean and director of Land-Grant programs.
In addition to unveiling new developments, students and faculty presented their research on a variety of agricultural topics.

FAMU Homecoming 2007

Sssssssssss....

RW News: FAMU Ranked One of the Most Innovative Colleges and Universities

Florida A&M University was featured in BusinessWeek as one of the country’s “Most Innovative Colleges” and universities making its mark in technology development in a study on technology transfer.

Technology transfer involves moving a novel development from one organization or environment into another. Often this movement is from a federal or university laboratory into a commercial operation, capitalizing on the investment in research and development that was initially intended for use by the government or for the advancement of science.

The study, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, examined tech transfer results of a number of smaller colleges and universities whose research and development budgets fell far short of the funds expended by tech development superstars such as MIT and Stanford.

Business research and consulting firm Innovation Associates, with the help of a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Partnerships for Innovation program, set out to find institutions of higher learning that are punching above their weight in areas of technology transfer. The schools were selected from a list of institutions that fall below the top 50 when ranked by innovation and design budgets, and met several other criteria, such as a high ranking in some area of tech transfer — including patents filed, licenses executed or startups launched.

According to the study, in the last 10 years academic institutions have nearly doubled the number of licenses executed and more than doubled the number of startups launched.

FAMU is known for innovation particularly in pharmaceutical research, physics, agriculture and the environmental sciences. Innovation Associates highlighted FAMU's lead role in the TechLink project to promote technology transfer at the university and eight other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In addition, FAMU promotes startups with an incubator at the nearby Innovation Park, a research center supported by local colleges and governments.

“We are extremely pleased with the progress that Florida A&M University has made in the technology transfer arena over the past seven to ten years. As the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization reaches the age of maturity, our goal is to continue to make significant contributions to the economy of this state and nation through the development and commercialization of innovative technologies”.

Read the story at:
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/oct2007/bs20071016_313906.htm?chan=bschools_bschool+index+page_top+stories

RW News: Two New Members Join FAMU's School of Journalism and Graphic Communication Board of Visitors

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) announces the addition of two new members to its Board of Visitors.

Joining the board are Kimberly Godwin, senior producer for CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, and Terrence Williams, vice president of Human Resources for The New York Times Regional Media Group (NYTRNG).

“We are elated to have these two media professionals on our Board of Visitors,” said Jim Hawkins, dean, School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. “Both bring a wealth of experience and will add significantly to our efforts to advance the mission of the school.”

Godwin was named senior producer at CBS this past April. Her responsibilities include overseeing editorial coverage and story production for all CBS bureaus in the country. She also has served as vice president and news director of KNBC-TV in Los Angeles and before that she served as vice president of News Operations for NBC television stations for Atlanta and New York.

A 1984 graduate of FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, Godwin returned to her alma mater in 2004 to serve as the interim director of the Division of Journalism.

Williams was named vice president for Human Relations, NYTRNG, in December, 2006. His responsibilities include leading human resource initiatives, involving selection, performance management, succession planning and organizational design and development for the company’s 14 daily newspapers. He also has served as director of development for the company’s production department and director, business development of their New York Times Professional Exchange.

Before joining The Times, Williams worked for the Sentara health system. He has a B.S. degree from Johnson and Wales University and a M.S.M. in human resources from Troy State University.

“I look forward to working with these two members and indeed our full board,” Hawkins added. “Having input from these industry leaders in discussions about the school’s strategic planning is highly valued and appreciated.”

RW News: FAMU Professor has new Evidence that Garlic is the Anti-Cancer Weapon

Ronald D. Thomas, associate professor in the Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, (COOPS) has new evidence that garlic could play a significant role in the prevention of cancer and many cancer prevention research scientists agree that one of the keys to unlocking the door of cancer prevention is eating more vegetables.

For many years, scientists have been accumulating evidence that what we eat and how it is prepared has a lot to do with preventing or causing cancer, especially garlic. Thomas, an environmental toxicologist, suggested that studies have shown that a chemical that helps give garlic its flavor can keep PhIP from triggering DNA damage or the formation of carcinogens in the body. Thomas further suggests that the garlic flavor component, called DAS, triggers a gene alteration in PhIP that might play a significant role in preventing breast and other types of cancer.

“People should include garlic with their daily meals or take a garlic supplement if they can’t take it in their meals,” said Thomas. “Additionally, eat less meat and more fruits and vegetables.”

“The research that our faculty are involved in seek to find cures for the many disease facing society and improve the quality of life for patients everywhere,” said Henry Lewis III, dean and professor of FAMU’s COPPS.

RW News: FAMU is Major Contributor to Nation’s Physics Workforce

On average, approximately 15 PhDs in physics are awarded to African Americans in the United States each year, according to data from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Florida A&M University awarded five Ph.D. degrees in physics to African Americans during the 2006-2007 academic year—a significant portion of the total national output.

“There are so few African-American physicists produced,” said Roman Czujko, director of the Statistical Research Center at the American Institute of Physics (AIP). “The numbers have bounced between 12 to 22 over the last five years. The recent graduates of FAMU’s doctoral physics program are a very big percentage.”

- Jeremy Jackson earned his Ph.D. in physics from FAMU in August 2006. He is now a postdoctoral fellow at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee;

- Stephen Roberson and Eddie Red earned Ph.D. degrees in physics from FAMU in December 2006. Roberson is a National Research Council Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, Md. Red accepted an E. O. Lawrence Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California;

- Cleon Barnett and Eli Leon earned Ph.D. degrees in physics from FAMU in May 2007. Barnett is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in forensic science at Florida International University. Leon is an Adjunct Physics Instructor at FAMU.

FAMU’s Ph.D. program in physics is the only one of its kind in the southeast, according to Professor Charles Weatherford. In addition to a standard physics curriculum, the university has two new research centers with academic programs in astrophysics, astrochemistry, and plasma science and technology.

“Physics is the fundamental science—the basis for all of the natural sciences,” said Weatherford. “Our country needs this workforce to study new ways to generate energy, to work in the national defense effort, and in general to staff the national scientific enterprise. We have to produce physicists who can do this important work.”

FAMU was recently awarded a $5 million grant from the NSF to establish the Center for Astrophysical Science and Technology (CAST). A major objective of the grant is to increase the number of African-American PhDs in astrophysics and astrochemistry.

FAMU aims to produce 15 African-American PhDs in these areas over the five-year grant period.

According to the AIP Statistical Research Center, FAMU has averaged five physics bachelors per year for 2002, 2003 and 2004. Research programs at FAMU, such as CAST and CePaST (Center for Plasma Science and Technology), are establishing a strong pipeline for baccalaureate-degree holders to pursue graduate-level degrees in physics, including the Ph.D. “We are a newly-minted PhD program that is committed to educating and graduating our students,” Weatherford added. “We are constantly working to diversify our physics program by also trying to recruit more female students.”

Physics is concerned with how the universe works from the smallest sub-nucleon matter to the entire universe—it is concerned with the pre-origin of the universe (what pre-dated it) and its ultimate destiny including everything that is matter and energy, dark or non-dark. Basic research in physics has led to the development of transistors, cell phones, computers, television, lasers, magnetic resonance imagers, electron microscopes, x-ray machines, superconductors, all varieties of medical imagers including the new proton therapy accelerators. Physics, as the foundation of biology and chemistry, is pointing the way for the medical science revolution that is presently occurring, and will continue for the indefinite future.

RW News: Monument Honoring Dr. Leonard W. Johnson to be Unveiled During Homecoming

A special campus monument honoring the late Leonard W. Johnson, the founder and director of Spruce Medical Center in Philadelphia, who served as President of the Florida A&M University (FAMU) National Alumni Association from 1970 -1980, will be unveiled as part of FAMU’s 2007 Homecoming celebration.

The unveiling is scheduled for Friday, November 2, at 9 a.m., on the east lawn of Jones Hall (science building) on FAMU’s campus. Johnson spent much of his college life in Jones Hall studying as a biology and chemistry major.

Johnson, a renowned and beloved physician, healthcare educator, mentor and humanitarian, was one of FAMU’s most distinguished graduates and most loyal supporters. During the 1970s, in the midst of desegregation in America, FAMU was threatened with merger with neighboring Florida State University (FSU). Benjamin L. Perry, Jr., FAMU’s sixth president, spearheaded a successful and highly strategic campaign to keep FAMU operating as a separate education entity. As the newly elected president of FAMU’s National Alumni Association, Johnson was one of Perry’s most prized generals and is credited for rallying and organizing FAMU alumni, economic supporters and political allies nationwide.

“In an era when white folks expected blacks to be deferential, Johnson never held back in expressing his contempt for the people and policies that relegated FAMU to the back of the higher education bus for so long,” proclaimed Eddie Jackson, FAMU’s former vice president of University Relations.

Johnson not only played a pivotal role in the first fight to save FAMU, he continued to financially support, recruit students, and contribute to the University in a variety of ways. He helped establish the Philadelphia Chapter and FAMU’s Northeast Alumni Association chapters, which are today some of the University’s largest and strongest alumni chapters.

The unveiling ceremony will include tributes from President Ammons, FAMU’s National Alumni Association, the Philadelphia NAA and Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. A special salute will be presented by FAMU’s Music Department and a mini exhibition by the Meek-Eaton Black Archives will also be on display.

President James H. Ammons and the FAMU National Alumni Association invite all FAMUans and the entire community to come and pay tribute to this great Rattler. For more information, contact Carmen Cummings-Martin at (850) 599-3707.

RW News: FAMU Student Courtney Simms is the Newest Face for Fashion Fair Cosmetics

Florida A&M University student Courtney Simms has been doing a lot more than hitting the books this semester. She is the new spokesperson of Fashion Fair Cosmetics. According to representatives from Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Simms has the beauty, youthfulness and passion they were looking for.

“She was the right person to represent our brand,” said representatives from Fashion Fair Cosmetics. “We’re proud to have her as one of the newest members of the Fashion Fair family.”

A Gary, Indiana native, Simms is a journalism student, a member of the Presidential Ambassadors and Images Modeling Troupe at FAMU.

As a spokesperson and model, Simms is currently participating in the Total Makeover Madness College Tour, which will culminate at FAMU during Homecoming week on October 31. The tour, in its second year, is tailored to create a lively atmosphere for college students to enhance their beauty, receive tips on fitness and hair care and to receive job and scholarship information. As part of the tour, Fashion Fair will offer 15-minute complimentary beauty makeovers, consultations on skin and hair care and fitness demonstrations. Sponsored by Macy’s, FAMU’s own Images Modeling Troupe will show off the season’s latest fashions in a student fashion show.

Simms said she is enjoying getting accustomed to her new life.

“I love it, especially the opportunity to travel for the company. I am managing quite well, actually,” she said. “I still attend school like a normal student and hang out with friends; I don’t feel overwhelmed at all. Fashion Fair is allowing me to balance school and work.”

Simms will also be instrumental in helping the company reach the younger consumer and she is involved with Fashion Fair Cosmetics’ print campaign, “Inspire Your World.” The campaign can be seen in the latest issues of EBONY and JET magazines and on www.fashionfair.com.

Simms said this experience is more than she dreamed it would be.

“I felt a euphoric rush [when I found out],” said Simms. “Never in my life did I think I would be a spokes model for a major cosmetic line. My dream was to become a model, but I am living way past my dream.”

RW News: Spreading Love at FAMU!

Florida A&M University will host diabetes motivational speaker Mother Love on Thursday, October 25, at 2 p.m. at the FAMU School of Pharmacy, Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium. She will give a motivational talk on her experiences with diabetes and its effects on her life.

Sponsored by Novo Nordisk, this event is free and open to the public.

Mother Love is a published author, veteran of television sitcoms, radio talk and music shows, film actress, advice columnist, motivational speaker and humorist. Having lost more than 100 pounds, Mother Love has improved her diabetes management through hard choices and healthy lifestyle changes. Since her diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes in 1990, Mother Love has been on a personal crusade to share information about diabetes management.

RW News: FAMU Grad and Film Producer Will Packer, Speaker for FAMU’s Homecoming Convocation

Florida A&M University graduate and film producer Will Packer will be the keynote speaker for FAMU’s homecoming convocation scheduled for Friday, November 2, at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gymnasium.

Honored by The Daily Variety magazine as one of their “10 Producers To Watch” in September 2007, Packer is co-founder and chairman of Rainforest Films. He is responsible for producing and overseeing the company’s studio financed and self-financed films and distribution projects. He co-founded Rainforest Films with partner Rob Hardy in the summer of 1994 while both were engineering students at FAMU. After graduating magna cum laude from FAMU with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1996, Packer decided to forego job offers in the field of engineering to capitalize on his entrepreneurial instincts and his passion for filmmaking.

One of their most successful projects, Stomp The Yard (Sony/Screen Gems), held the #1 position at the box office for two weekends in January of 2007. Stomp The Yard chronicles warring fraternities at a historically black college. Stomp The Yard stars R&B sensations Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, as well as rising stars Megan Goode, Columbus Short, and Brian White. And may I add, Stomp the Yard just won BET hip-hop movie of the year.

In 2008, Packer is slated to produce several projects, including Bone Deep, a movie about a Los Angeles. detective gunning against a hip band of thieves as they prepare a $20 million heist and the urban remake of the classic film The Big Chill.