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.”

RW Soul: FAMU President James H. Ammons Gives Holiday Joy to Local Kids

Florida A&M University President James H. Ammons and first lady Judy Ammons kicked off the holiday season with their first annual toy drive. CD players and bicycles were distributed to more than 750 children ranging from ages five to 18. The program benefited children at the FAMU Developmental and Research School and three local community centers — Jack McLean, Jake Gaither and Walker-Ford. The Ammons also delivered bicycles (three for boys and three for girls) to each community center. Collecting the CD players and bicycles was a university collaboration.

“This holiday season is about more than giving presents,” said President Ammons. “It is about showing you care and are concerned; it is a time for family and friends to come today to celebrate the true meaning of the season.”

According to Phyllis Bush, supervisor of the Jack McLean Community Center, the children were to grinning from ear to ear.

“The kids couldn’t wait to show their parents what they had received,” said Bush.

At two of the centers, the children received greetings from the FAMU men’s and women’s basketball teams, Mr. and Mrs. Florida A&M University and Student Government Vice President James Bland. They were entertained by the Marching “100” and the FAMU cheerleaders.

Ray Mobley, FAMUassociate professor, Reappointed to the USDA Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

Florida A&M University’s Ray Mobley was reappointed to the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner appointed 20 members to serve on the committee. Seven of the appointments are new; the other 13 are reappointments.

Mobley is an associate professor and coordinator of Animal Science and Research programs in the FAMU animal-science department and serves as an extension veterinarian.

"I was pleased to meet with committee members and I appreciate their work to strengthen support of beginning farmers and ranchers," said Conner. "As the Administration's proposals for the 2007 Farm Bill demonstrate, helping beginning farmers and ranchers is a priority. I look forward to working together with this diverse, skilled team to build a strong future for our next generation of farmers and ranchers."

This committee identifies ways to increase participation between federal and state programs to provide joint financing for beginning producers. Committee members also suggest agricultural opportunities that will help beginning farmers and ranchers.

“I was proud, delighted, and humbled to be reappointed,” said Mobley. “The competition is keen to be appointed to this committee, and to the best of my knowledge, there is only one additional black minority to be appointed to the committee.”

Mobley said the opportunity to have a voice in agricultural policy at the national level is what initially interested him in the committee.

“I believe that minorities need to take advantage of the opportunity to influence issues that impact us,” he said.

Mobley is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Florida and is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. He received the bachelor’s degree in animal science from FAMU, a master of public health from Tulane University and a doctor of veterinary medicine from Tuskegee University, and the MPH. He is a certified trainer instructor for the Hazard Analysis Critical Control point program and has conducted numerous food safety workshops. His area of concentration is herd health and food safety.

FAMU Administrator selected to serve on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Advisory Board

Cynthia M. Harris, professor and director of Florida A&M University’s Institute of Public Health was invited to serve as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Exposure and Human Health Committee for a term that began October 30, and ending September 30, 2010. As a member of the board, Harris, because of her extensive experience in toxicology, will serve as special government employee and will provide independent, expert advice on technical issues underlying EPA policies and decision-making.

According to the appointment letter received from Stephen L. Johnson, EPA administrator, the EPA is committed to employing sound science and good sense to pursue the resolution of a broad range of urgent environmental issues facing the nation. Additionally, Johnson said the experts selected to serve on the SAB will play a big part in the success of a prudent approach to effective environmental protection.

“I’m very excited and look forward to serving as a member of the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board,” said Harris, whose program is housed in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “This appointment will further allow me to provide public-health service regarding protection of human health and the environment.”

“We congratulate Harris on receiving this significant national appointment,” said Henry Lewis III, dean of FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Harris’ contributions to the nation in environmental health policy and her board certification as a toxicologist made her an ideal candidate for this appointment.”

The Environmental Protection Agency’s mission is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a cleaner, healthier environment for the American people.

FAMU Faculty Honored as American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Fellow

Mandip Sachdeva, professor of basic sciences at Florida A&M University’s, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) was conferred as Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) at a recent AAPS meeting held in San Diego, California. AAPS confers the honor of Fellow to recognize individuals for outstanding contributions, which elevate the stature of the pharmaceutical sciences, and for professional excellence in the field relevant to the mission of AAPS. AAPS is an international pharmaceutical organization with more than 10,000 members.

Over the years, Sachdeva has identified new molecular pathways and mechanisms for therapeutic agents intended for the treatment of lung cancer and skin inflammation. Additionally, he has made significant contributions in understanding skin irritation markers in the skin.

“This is not only a great honor for me, but also for Florida A&M, which gave me a platform to strive for excellence in research by caring for the students,” said Sachdeva. “This clearly demonstrates that high quality pharmaceutical research is being conducted here at Florida A&M, which is being recognized by my peers across the country.”

“I join our many colleagues in the pharmaceutical sciences in congratulating
Sachdeva on receiving this national recognition,” said Henry Lewis, III dean of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Sachdeva has been a significant contributor to research that enhances our abilities to treat several diseases.”

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) publishes papers on innovative research spanning the entire spectrum of science that is the foundation of drug discovery, development, evaluation and regulatory approval. Small drug molecules, biotechnology products including genes, peptides, proteins and vaccines and genetically engineered cells are an integral part of papers published in Pharmaceutical Research, the association’s principle research journal.