At the June 30, 2011 Board of Trustees meeting FAMU President James H. Ammons and Provost Cynthia Hughes-Harris announced that Patricia C. Hodge will serve as the new superintendent of the FAMU Developmental Research School (DRS).

Hodge comes to DRS from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Schools, where she served as the assistant principal from 2004 to 2008 and as the principal/director for the past three years. During her tenure with FAU, the schools earned straight "A" grades on their Florida School Accountability Reports.

Before working at FAU, Hodge served as an assistant principal of the Broward County School System from 2002-2004.

Hodge received her B.A. in liberal arts from the University of Florida, an M.S. in library science from Atlanta University, a specialist certificate in education from FAU, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from FAU.

July 1, 2011 will be Hodge's first day at FAMU DRS. She will make $110,000 per year and will hold a two-year contract.

Yesterday, the FAMU Department of Athletics wrapped up its first-ever Joe Taylor Football Camp. A number of middle school and high school athletes came out to hone their skills from the MEAC co-champion coaching staff of the Rattlers.

The Rattler coaches provided instruction in the fundamentals of football, conditioning, health and safety, and leadership skills — all phases of the game of football.

The training activities also emphasized the values of teamwork, education, and remaining drug-free.

The Florida A&M University Taylor County Alumni Association presented four $1,000 Presidential Special Scholarships to deserving students. FAMU Interim Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr. served as the keynote speaker at the festive event.

The recipients, Erica Scott, Sa-Mia August, Arneshia Stephens and Maya Sutton, will each receive $1,000 per academic year totaling $4,000 for four years.

Stephens was all set to attend a community college in Alabama to play basketball; however, by the evening's end, she informed Hudson that she will complete her application and commit to FAMU.

Area middle school students are curing the summer “brain drain” this year with a heavy dose of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fun at the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp hosted by Florida A&M University (FAMU). The hands-on program offers students an exciting way to beat the heat as they design space suits while experiencing life on a college campus.

Founded by veteran astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., the program targets underserved youth. It is a two-week, all-expenses-paid residential camp that encourages math and science. The ExxonMobil Foundation provides funding and expertise of talented engineers to support the educational experience.

“Summer learning opportunities are crucial to continued academic success,” said Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., veteran astronaut and camp founder. “In partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation, we are able to offer students a tremendous opportunity to hone the math, science, communications and leadership skills needed to realize their full potential. Our goal is to inspire them to reach beyond the classroom and pursue careers in critical technology fields.”


For the sixth consecutive year, the ExxonMobil Foundation has partnered with Harris and his nonprofit organization, The Harris Foundation, to provide residential camps to underrepresented and underserved middle school students at 25 universities across the country. This is the second year FAMU has had the honor of participating in the program.

During a recent “Space Day” event, students were treated to a visit by Harris where they heard first-hand about his inspirational journey to become the first African American to walk in space and the extreme elements he encountered during his historic spacewalk.

“At Florida A&M University, we understand the importance of partnering with ExxonMobil and others to fuel the pipeline of students needed to keep our state and country competitive,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We are building the next generation of scientists and engineers and we are proud to be a part of the effort.”

The demand for workers with strong math and science skills is significant as eight out of 10 of the fastest growing occupations in the nation are in STEM fields, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The camp program aims to fill this critical need by offering a curriculum that features hands-on experiments, team competitions and field excursions to help students build essential skills. Campers receive quality instruction from local educators and hear from ExxonMobil engineers about the exciting and rewarding aspects of their profession.

“We have seen this experience positively impact youth in our community, and look forward to witnessing our students’ dramatic growth as they gain valuable knowledge and a passion for math and science this summer,” said Edith Davis, director of FAMU’s ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. “At FAMU, we understand the important role STEM programs such as these play in preparing students for the high-tech careers of tomorrow.”

While many coaches take every opportunity in the offseason to rest and reload for the next season, several FAMU women's coaches, trainers and athletics staff members used their time to help others. They all participated in a home build for Big Bend Habitat for Humanity.

Meeting at 6:15 a.m. to get a jump on the heat, the ladies were supplied partially through an initiative called "Women Build," which is sponsored by Lowes. Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide.

Within the athletic department, softball coach Veronica Wiggins led the FAMU effort. "We have a Habitat for Humanity chapter on our campus. In speaking with Phyllis Reeves (FAMU Big Bend Habitat for Humanity campus chapter faculty advisor), who spearheads that effort on campus, she let us know about the Women Build Day. We took the opportunity for all our women in athletics to get together and work hard and give up some sweat for our community," Wiggins said.

Head women's basketball coach LeDawn Gibson, who also participated in the build, was excited about the opportunity as well. Gibson stated, "It feels good giving back to the community and for all of the women in athletics to get together and have fun for the right reason."

Head women's tennis coach Nikki Goldthreate, assistant A.D. for Development Angela Suggs, assistant softball coach Lori Goodart, graduate softball assistant Melissa Oliphant, assistant women's basketball coaches Latasha Shipman and A.J. Johnson, athletic trainers Yadisha Ortizz-Torres and Portia Williams, and the wife of Assoc. A.D. Michael Smith (Loretta Smith), were all present for the day and contributed to the build .

In fact, the ladies worked on one home, while dividing themselves up to do site preparation on another lot nearby. Marty Chumbler, incoming president of Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, was on hand to participate in the home build. Chumbler expressed her gratitude and expressed the importance of having groups like the ladies of FAMU Athletics, come out and provide valuable support to their efforts. "We are here to help the future homeowners build their house. Everyone is helping each other to provide the opportunity for home ownership for members of our community," she said.

Big Bend Habitat for Humanity volunteer/grants coordinator, Juanita Ross, was elated to have FAMU participate in the activity. Chumbler credited her and her efforts for coordinating with groups like the women of FAMU Athletics, to continue the success of assisting families with realizing homeownership.

Matthew Mituma and Charity Gikunda, owners of the home, were also on hand and assisting with the construction of their new home.

FAMU will take home $400,000 from its football game against the University of South Florida at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on September 17, 2011.

USF defeated FAMU, 37-3, in 2005, the only meeting between the two programs. The game was the Bulls' home opener that season and produced one of the top crowds in program history up to that point. It marked the first time that tickets in the upper deck at Raymond James Stadium were made available for a USF game, resulting in a crowd of over 43,122 fans. That was the second largest attendance number in USF’s history.

FAMU has also signed a contract to play USF again on September 5, 2015.

FAMU coach LeDawn Gibson released her list of 2011 signees, yesterday. The class of 10 recruits represents a rebuild of the team that went 15-15 last season. In an effort to get a combination of players ready to play immediately and talent that the coaching staff will develop in building the program, the Lady Rattlers welcome four junior college transfers and six high school recruits.

Leading the class of signees is the Illinois Valley Community College standout Shannon Washington. Washington is a two-time junior college All-American and two-time 1st team all-conference player. The 5'11" guard from Sarasota, averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, five steals and five assists per game. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn., honored her for her play last season.

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the country's top players on all levels, from pro to high school. In making the team, Washington's jersey will hang in the ring of honor at the museum in Tennessee, where she is among other greats such as Candace Parker (Univ. of Tennessee), Sue Byrd (Univ. of Connecticut) and Britney Griner (Baylor).



Keturah Martin will also join the Lady Rattlers this fall. Martin is a junior college transfer from Southwest Tennessee Community College. Last season she averaged 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. She is a 5'11" guard from Memphis, Tenn.

Ra'Shawn Sparkman is a versatile 5'8" guard from Columbia, Tenn. She signs with FAMU, via Volunteer State Community College. She was a junior college All-American, averaging 14 points, five assists and four rebounds per game last year. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at FAMU.

Patrice Collie is a 5'10" guard out of Palm Beach. As a freshman at Indian River State College, she averaged 10 points and eight rebounds per game. She was a second team all-conference selection. She will have three years of eligibility remaining at FAMU.

Carrington Caise comes to the Lady Rattlers from Bryan Station High School in Lexington, Ky. Caise stands 5'7" and plays point guard. Her senior year, she earned 1st team all-conference, all-district team, all-region team, all-region tournament and best defender awards. She averaged 10 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds per game last season.

Cashala Thompson is a 5'8" guard from Tucson, Az., where she attended Sahuaro High School. Thompson averaged 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. She is the all-time leading scorer in Sahuaro High School history. She attained All-Southern Arizona and first team All-State honors. She was also the Kino Region 4A Co-player of the year.

Jaleesa Blue is a 6'0" combo player form Leesburg. She averaged 11.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, three assists, four steals and two blocked shots per game as a senior at Leesburg High School. She was honored as the Lakes County Player of the Year. She also made 1st team All-State. She was ranked the No.1 power forward in the state of Florida. She holds the record for most rebounds and blocked shots in Leesburg High School history.

Kaylin (6'1") and Jamie Foreman (5'11") are a sister tandem from Silver Bluff High School in Aiken, S.C.

Kaylin averaged 10.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, two assists, 1.3 blocks and two steals per game her senior year. She lettered three years in volleyball and four years in basketball. She made the all-region team in both volleyball and basketball.

Jamie averaged 19 points, 12.3 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals per game. She was the Augusta Chronicle Basketball Player of the Year. She averaged a double-double her junior and senior years in high school. She scored 1,362 points in high school. She was selected as an all-region player and the most valuable player.

Kabrina Merriweather is a 5'11" forward/center from Indianapolis. She averaged 20.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, four assists and two steals per game. She was selected 1st team all-city her junior and senior seasons and team MVP her senior year. She finished her career with 1,494 points and 1017 rebounds.

An innovative program run by the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) reached its tenth anniversary last week.

FAMU has operated a “Bridges to Pharmaceutical Sciences” program with Hillsborough Community College (HCC) since 2001. It aims to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who enter career tracks in the pharmaceutical sciences.

FAMU helps HCC recruit a cohort of 30 students who are interested in pharmacy degrees. The two institutions then provide a variety of services that assist the students with their laboratory research skills, study habits, professionalism, and self-confidence. After the participants graduate from HCC with their associate of arts degrees they transfer into FAMU COPPS.

“Bridges” is funded by grant money FAMU receives from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH has awarded a total of $982,057 to Bridges since 2001. The first principal investigator was former Pharmacy Dean Henry Lewis, III. The current principal investigator is Professor John J. Scrivens (pictured top left).

The former general counsel who served Interim President Castell V. Bryant as FAMU coughed up well over a hundred thousand dollars for wrongful termination case settlement costs now wants to be the top lawyer for the Palm Beach County School Board.

Elizabeth McBride will interview for the chief counsel position on Wednesday, June 22. She is currently an associate counsel for the board. McBride held the general counsel position at FAMU from 2004 to 2007.

The McBride résumé that is posted on the Palm Beach County School District’s website says that she “proposed and implemented a compliance and audit unit approved by the President and Board of Trustees, including the adoption of a compliance and audit charter by the Board of Trustees” while she was the general counsel at FAMU.


The résumé does not talk about the fact that the Castell administration received a qualified financial audit from the state in 2005-2006 despite the “compliance and audit unit” that McBride “proposed and implemented.” That financial audit and the previous one in 2004-2005 were the only two qualified financial audits in the history of FAMU.

FAMU also received the worst operational audit in its history following the implementation of the audit and complaince unit that McBride proposed. There were 35 findings in 2006. State auditors discovered that $39M had been spent without following all the required rules.

The McBride résumé goes on to state that she managed “diverse legal matters including litigation, personnel, labor and employee relations.” It does not mention the fact that two high-profile employees who were fired while McBride was in office later won big out-of-court settlements.

The university had to award former Inspector General Michael E. Brown a three-year job and pay him $90,000 plus $25,000 for his lawyers. FAMU also had to pay former Head Football Coach Billy Joe a settlement of $135,000.

McBride is not the only former senior administrator from the Castell days who has gone on to work for a Florida school district. Back in 2008 former Castell CFO Grace Ali resigned from her job as CFO of the Miami-Dade public school system amid allegations of financial mismanagement. District officials said her “creative accounting” directly contributed to $70 million of the system’s $125 million deficit.

Stay focused in school and get as much education as possible.

That is the advice Florida A&M University President James Ammons gave to the six Pensacola students who received $1,000 scholarships from the Pensacola alumni chapter during a scholarship banquet there last night.

"When you come to Florida A&M, one of the first things we'll talk with you about is getting advanced degrees because the competition out there is so tough," Ammons told the students. "It's tougher now than most of us have seen in our lifetime. You have to distinguish yourselves."

About 200 people attended the fourth annual scholarship banquet.


Scholarship recipient Halle Woods, 18, plans to move to Tallahassee to study allied health and physical therapy at FAMU in the fall.

"I really didn't expect to get it," the Escambia High School graduate said. "This is going to (partially) pay for room and board (for one semester)."

Jamiliya Gainey, 20, who will be a junior at FAMU in the fall, will use her scholarship money to pay for textbooks. She received a special scholarship sponsored by local alumna Mary Parker Abernathy.

"I made the right choice in the school I'm going to," Gainey said. "They support their students, and they want you to be there."

Chapter President Bill Byrd said the banquet's purpose is to raise money for future scholarship winners — half of each $50 ticket goes toward scholarships — and to recruit new members.

Read the full article here at the Pensacola News Journal.

FAMU professor Larry Robinson, assistant U.S. Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, recently celebrated a federal project that will restore nearly 70 acres of wetlands that feed into Tampa Bay. The work is being done through a collaborative effort on the part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Ecosphere Restoration Institute, and state and local partners.

“This project restores fish and wildlife habitat lost in the 1950s when the wetlands were filled for development,” Robinson said. “The restoration work has helped support jobs for the community and improve important nursery habitat for fish, which is so vital to local recreational and commercial fisheries.”

NOAA provided $750,000 in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding to Ecosphere Restoration Institute for the project. Hillsborough County and the Southwest Florida Water Management District also contributed funding for the restoration.

This project expands upon a 17-year restoration effort of the adjacent Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve, which is nearing its final stage of completion. The restored wetlands provide important nursery and foraging habitat for numerous fish, wading birds, and frogs.

Through the Recovery Act, NOAA was provided $167 million for marine and coastal habitat restoration. This project is one of four habitat restoration projects in Florida, out of 50 total projects selected by NOAA for this funding.

FAMU alumni Alcee L. Hastings (FL-23) and Corrine Brown (FL-3) recently joined three other Democratic Congressional representatives in criticizing Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s decision to sign HB 353, a bill that requires applicants for benefits through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program to be tested for illegal drugs.

TANF is a block grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of Family Assistance in order to help States provide work opportunities to needy families. Under HB 353, applicants must pay for the drug testing upfront, which typically costs about $35. Individuals who test negative for drugs are reimbursed the cost of the screening while those who test positive for drugs lose their benefits for at least one year.

"The TANF Program helps tens of thousands of Floridians care for their families and access vital job opportunities," Hastings said. "Governor Scott's new drug testing law is not only an affront to families in need and detrimental to our nation's ongoing economic recovery, it is downright unconstitutional. If Governor Scott wants to drug test recipients of TANF benefits, where does he draw the line? Are families receiving Medicaid, State Emergency Relief, or educational grants and loans next?"

"Drug tests for benefits recipients represent an extreme and illegal invasion of personal privacy," Brown said. "Indeed, investigating people when there is probable cause to suspect they are abusing drugs is one thing, but these tests amount to strip searching our state's most vulnerable residents merely because they rely on the government for financial support during these difficult economic times."

Florida Congressional Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-11), Ted Deutch (FL-19), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-17) also spoke out against HB 353.

"Republican Gov. Rick Scott's rigid ideology blinds him to the struggles of Florida families who were hit hard by the worst recession in our lifetimes," Castor said. "Scott and the Republican Legislature add a costly and bureaucratic burden without any demonstration that a problem exists."

"The number of needy families relying on welfare assistance in Florida has skyrocketed by over 50 percent since this devastating recession struck," Deutch said. "If Governor Scott were truly concerned about reducing our state welfare rolls, he would focus on creating jobs and economic opportunity for Florida's families."

"Governor Scott has made a conscious decision to attack working families by subjecting them to needless drug tests instead of focusing on creating jobs," Wilson said. "This is nothing but an attempt to squeeze poor people, who cannot afford to pay for their own testing, off of welfare rolls. Why does he want to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable? This is an absolute shame."

FAMU alumnus James Bland was recently recognized as the winner for Round 1 of the inaugural Shadow and Act Black Filmmaker Showcase. Bland’s short film entry, “Cocoa Love,” garnered 46.7 percent of the 14,220 votes.

“It felt incredible to win Round 1 of the Shadow and Act Digital Filmmaker's Showcase,” he said. “It's one of the most respected entertainment and film blogs amongst the industry and it's really a privilege to have my work featured on the site. I discovered my passion for film while a student at FAMU. My film roots are deeply connected to FAMU and the university helped me to realize my potential.”

Bland earned his degree from FAMU’s School of Business and Industry in 2008. While a student, the multi-talented filmmaker wrote and directed his first feature film, “Dreaming in Color.”


“I’ve grown tremendously as a filmmaker since ‘Dreaming in Color,’” he said. “I often say that I'm cut from a different cloth than my peers, and I realize that it was the FAMU experience that sharpened me. Being a student at FAMU showed me what excellence looked like and taught me that mediocrity as a standard was unacceptable.”

Bland, a Titusville, Fla. native, said he feels the best way to learn anything is by simply doing it.

“One of the first pieces of advice I received when I was just an aspiring filmmaker was from (director and FAMU alumnus) Rob Hardy,” he said. “I told him I wanted to make films and he told me to pick up a camera and shoot something.”


Following graduation, Bland moved to Los Angeles, Calif. and received his first big studio opportunity working as an intern for producer and FAMU alumnus Will Packer on the movie, “Takers.” Finding a home at Sony Screen Gems, Bland continued to work on the production side of films, such as “Death at a Funeral,” Priest” and “Burlesque.”

“Cocoa Love” has competed in many film festivals around the country, winning Best-Comedy at the Urban Media Makers Film Festival, and airing on the season two finale of Black Entertainment Television’s “Lens on Talent” show.

Currently, Bland serves as co-president of Hometeam Entertainment. The first project to be released under the Hometeam banner is the web series, “FAIL,” where Bland acts and serves as one of the executive producers. He is also directing a documentary titled, “Mission Swaziland,” which is a look at American volunteers on a mission to help the Kingdom of Swaziland, but culture, tradition and politics get in the way.

“I took a hiatus from Hollywood last year and went on a mission trip to the Kingdom of Swaziland, which is one of Africa's poorest countries and the last absolute monarchy,” he said. “My documentary will focus on American volunteers who are committed to helping the Swazi people help themselves as they face challenges from the country’s culture, tradition and politics.”

The Florida Republican establishment and Tea Party might soon regret their decision to push Charlie Crist out the GOP.

State and national newspapers are abuzz with word that the Florida Democratic Party is considering recruiting Crist to join its ranks and challenge incumbent Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.

St. Petersburg Times Political Editor Adam C. Smith wrote about the issue in a recent column: “Consider one scenario a number of Democratic strategists see as more than plausible: Crist, still popular outside of conservative Republican circles, endorses Obama and helps his campaign in Florida in 2012. He parlays that goodwill into another gubernatorial campaign and Democrats desperate to rid Florida of Rick Scott welcome a moderate statewide figure who looks like a winner.”

Even though Crist supported GOP presidential nominee John McCain during the 2008 election, he played a big role in helping U.S. President Barack Obama win Florida. Crist used his emergency powers as governor to extend the hours for early voting across the state. Some prominent Republicans believed that Crist’s decision helped more Democrats get to the polls to cast ballots for Obama.

Crist also took heat from the GOP for endorsing Obama’s $787B American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.


Back when Crist broke from the GOP in 2010 to seek Florida’s open junior U.S. Senate seat, there was widespread talk about the possibility that he would caucus with the Democrats if he won. His Senate bid attracted support from a number of prominent Democrats, including then Senate Minority Leader Alfred “Al” Lawson.

As governor Crist pushed for increased funding for higher education. Lawson and other high-ranking Democrats did clash with Crist, though, over his opposition to closing a billion dollars in tax loopholes tailored exclusively for high-end developers and non-Florida based corporations. Democrats will likely require Crist to embrace those types of tax code changes before he receives the party’s support in any election.

Other prospective 2014 Democratic gubernatorial nomination candidates include: former CFO Alex Sink, Sen. Jeremy Ring, and state party Chairman Rod Smith.

Crist is currently a partner in the Orlando-based personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan but has said that he intends to return to public life “very soon.” He won 20 percent of black votes during the 2006 gubernatorial election.

Officials from FAMU, alongside Florida State University’s College of Medicine, are working with the Gadsden County School Board and the Gadsden County Health Department to develop a 4,000 square feet state-of-the-art Health and Wellness Service and Training Center at Havana Middle School.

To provide quality health care for students, Havana School Board employees and the citizens of Havana are at the forefront of Shirley Aaron’s, chair of the steering committee, agenda. Aaron is working tediously to congregate FAMU, FSU, Tallahassee Community College, Gadsden County officials and the community to decrease the number of individuals affected by inadequate healthcare in Havana. A large population of the community is living without insurance or receives Medicaid.

“It has been my dream for a long time to have a health and wellness center that serves the people who are underserved, or served in a limited way in Havana,” said Aaron.

According to Aaron, there is one practicing medical provider in Havana, which does not provide medical services for individuals receiving Medicaid.

In December 2010, Yvonne Nelson-Langley, program coordinator for FAMU Community Health Alliance, was brought on board bridging the gap between the committee and the university.

“FAMU President [James H. Ammons] and Provost [Cynthia Hughes Harris] really thought it was important that FAMU be involved in health initiatives that are going on in the community so that we can provide support and technical assistance,” said Langley. “Also, we want to know what is happening as we provide different types of training for students as well as activities and community service.”


Langley provided an additional fraction that was necessary for the committee to move forward with restructuring the vacant space into a sustainable state-of-the-art facility by bringing officials from the FAMU School of Architecture to the table.

Gretchen Miller, visiting assistant professor in the FAMU School of Architecture, along with a group of students and professors, met with the steering committee to brainstorm ideas that will maximize the use of space by creating a sustainable facility. The group created three charrettes – architecture models - for the committee.

“We basically made them [the steering committee] better clients by educating them,” said Miller. “A group of students, teachers and advisors took the existing shell of the industrial center with some of the existing walls and created three floor plan scenarios for them to evaluate.”

In addition, the committee received a grant from the Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health to conduct focus groups in Havana to get input from the community on what their needs are. Langley plans to have three graduate students from FAMU’s School of Allied Health, the Department of Social Work and the Institute of Public Health to participate in conducting these focus groups.

“I’m making sure that FAMU’s interest is involved and that there is a voice advocating for our students; I am that voice,” said Langley. “I’m not only excited, but I feel it is imperative that we are involved.”

The program is currently awaiting feedback on two grants that will provide funding for the projects. The New Access Point grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration includes funding for the project as well as supplemental funds to finance renovations. The committee anticipates the facility will open August 2011; initially providing services for Havana students and employees before branching out to the local community.

Today, FAMU is welcoming 24 gifted African-American male high school students from around the United States for the 2011 Distinguished Young Gentlemen of America, Inc. (DYG) National Summer Academy.

The two-week program will feature an innovative accelerated student curriculum focusing on the following topics: advanced African studies and communal values; financial literacy and entrepreneurship; foreign affairs and globalization; leadership and communication; and professional and personal development.

“I applaud and commend these determined and ambitious young men,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “It is imperative that we give them support and the necessary skills to be the leaders of tomorrow.”

Distinguished Young Gentlemen of America, Inc. is a national non-profit entity fully committed to addressing a myriad of multi-dimensional issues permeating throughout the world.

The incoming youths, all with grade point averages above a 3.0, will have the opportunity to develop and implement strategies to provide effective leadership on critical issues, learn tangible life skills (oratorical, culinary, mechanical, technical and etiquette) cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit, and broaden their intellectual capacities through reading and analyzing relevant essays, poems and books.

“These young African-American males understand that an education is an essential ingredient to succeed in life,” said William E. Hudson, Jr., interim vice president for the Office of Student Affairs. “This two-week program will provide some of those extra ingredients needed to be the next CEO, doctor, teacher, scientist, lawyer or entrepreneur.”

FAMU men's basketball recently announced its 2011 signing class. The mixture of athletes concentrated on increasing the size of the Rattlers' front line. Four athletes have signed, with three coming from within the state of Florida and one from Georgia.

First year head coach Clemon Johnson, charged assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Tony Sheals to get some size to bulk up the inside play and toughen the defense. The result is the signing of Eddie D'Haiti, Markee Teal, Nathaniel Drayton and D'Andre Bullard.

D'Haiti, is from Orlando, Fla., and is a junior college transfer from Santa Fe College. He is 6'8" tall and weighs 235 lbs. He should help the Rattlers in the post position. He was an All-Mid Florida Conference player. He attended Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, where he led the team to a 43-13 record while playing there. He was shown interest by West Virginia, Valdosta St. and FAU.

Teal, is from State College of Florida (formerly Manatee Community College). He is from Ocala, Fla., where he attended Westport High School. He was also a first team Suncoast All-Conference selection as a post player. Teal stands 6'7" and weighs 220 lbs. He was shown interest by B-CU and St. Peters College.

Drayton, who goes by the name "Nate," is originally from Savannah, Ga. He is a junior college transfer from Salkehatchie Community College, where he was an All-Conference performer. Drayton plays the post and is 6'7" and 245 lbs. He was shown interest by Towson State, Coastal Carolina, and S.C. State.

Bullard, is a true freshman from Apopka, Fla. He attended Wekiva High School and was an All-County and All-Region player. He has good height for a point guard, standing 6'4" and 175 lbs. He was shown interest by Northeastern and Stetson University.

The Rattlers will open exhibition play on Nov. 4, against Albany State University at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.

FAMU Student Vince Evans cuts his teeth as a regular contributor on "the Blu Vu", an online political reality show.

Evans is senior political science major from Green Cove Springs, FL, and the Blu Vu is a growing weekly online political talk show with a Democratic bent.

The FAMU Department of Athletics has unveiled "The Mystique," a web-based miniseries of eight short videos about the history of FAMU athletics. It is exclusively available at www.FAMUAthletics.com.

The series began on Monday. A new video will be released each Monday in June and July.

Pulling together interviews, video footages, photos and first-person accounts from some of those involved in these historic times, the videos will bring a unique perspective to the history of the special athletes, coaches and administrators of FAMU's athletics history. The videos range anywhere from three to 10 minutes, depending on the availability of resources.

FAMU Director of Athletics Derek Horne felt it was mandatory that the department rekindles the FAMU spirit by celebrating those who have made us proud.

"I think the Mystique series will give us the opportunity to expose our rich tradition to the younger generation to see why we are so proud of FAMU athletics," he said.

Because of the rich heritage of FAMU athletics, it is virtually impossible to capture all of the history in eight short videos. The initial release of "The Mystique" is designed to provide a snapshot of some of the greatest athletes and moments in FAMU history.

The subjects of the miniseries include: the Frazier/Galimore Express (1956), Andre "The Hawk" Dawson, the 1984 Women's Track All-American, Althea Gibson, The Gulf Coast Offence, NCAA 3-pt. Champion Terrence Woods, FAMU's historic 2004 volleyball team, and "The Bullet" Bob Hayes.

Some athletes are good students, while others perform well on the playing field. It's not often you find a good student, who is an exceptional athlete. The demands on student-athletes requires them to be strict with their time management.

FAMU track star Leon Hunt has mastered them both, graduating from FAMU in May with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration, and this past weekend qualifying for the NCAA National Championship meet in Des Moines, Iowa in June. This follows winning the long jump in both the MEAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

The St. Croix,Virgin Islands native is as cool a customer as you'll ever meet. The lanky 6'3" sprinter/jumper has been constantly improving since coming to FAMU, and is the model athlete for his focused demeanor. Hunt explained his focus saying, "I'm happy to be going to the NCAA nationals and happy to represent FAMU. All of my family has been calling me for the last four days. My island, the Virgin Islands, has been contacting me and they are very happy and it feels good," Hunt said.

With his regional tournament leap of 7.64m (25.00-. 75 ft) last week, he was able to qualify for the nationals without taking his last remaining leap. He set his country's record earlier this season for indoor and outdoor in the long jump. He reached a personal best at the Niswonger Invitational Meet at Middle Tennessee State, where he leaped 7.75m (25'4"). His Virgin Islands coach Wallace Williams makes no qualms about how excited he is about Hunt's accomplishments. "He's very focused," Williams said of Hunt. Hunt's marks have qualified him for the Pan-American games this October in Guadalajara, Mexico.


FAMU men's track coach Wayne Angel feels a rejuvenation in Hunt's performances. "I feel very excited for the opportunity for Leon Hunt heading into the nationals. I'm really excited about this next step for Leon and FAMU. When you can make it at a national level, it means you've put a lot of work in, commitment and dedication and that they're a touch above the best," Angel said. Angel attributed Hunt's increased success to training. "I think his fitness level was much higher and technically, he's just much better," Angel concluded.

Hunt points directly to his regimen for his increased success. He added, "If you want to jump as far as you would like to jump, me personally trying to jump 26 feet now, you've got to put in the time. Time is the key. It took me a while, but I found some missing pieces and we got it together."

Hunt graduated in May from FAMU's prestigious School of Business and Industry, and feels that graduation was a solid accomplishment for him and his loved ones. "Graduation was a very special day. My family came down from northern America and from the Virgin Islands and they were very proud," he said.

He added, "Its pressure to have a whole country behind you. It's good pressure and good stress all at the same time, because when you've got somebody behind you, you feel like you've got something extra in your stride on the runway."

The FAMU Environmental Sciences Institute (ESI) recently received a $199,706 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate how the BP oil spill of 2010 is affecting microorganisms in the Gulf of Mexico.

The principal investigator for the grant Henry Neal Williams.

Williams proposed the research project because of the important role that microorganisms play in a wide variety of natural processes that are critical to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Many environmental scientists fear that the oil deposits in Gulf waters and sediments will disrupt the microbial community and those system functions for which they are responsible.

The project engages both ESI undergraduate and graduate students in studying how the catastrophic oil spill is impacting the Gulf of Mexico’s bacterial community.

FAMU is pushing ahead with its plans to launch a PhD program in chemistry despite painful state-mandated budget cuts. A multi-million dollar grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) is aiding the program’s development process.

Back in 2006, NSF awarded FAMU a $5,165,603 five-year grant to establish a Center for Astrophysical Science and Technology (CREST) at FAMU. CREST focuses on education and research in the field of astrophysics. A central objective of the center is to increase the number of African-Americans who earn PhDs in Astrophysics and Astrochemistry.

The Center supports collaboration between the FAMU physics and chemistry departments and will facilitate the startup of a PhD program in Chemistry. It is also helping FAMU establish a laboratory astrophysics program that has a new undergraduate minor and a PhD-level research concentration area.

The principal investigator for CREST is Charles Weatherford, chairman of the FAMU Department of Physics.

FAMU received support to launch a PhD in Chemistry back when the Florida Board of Regents approved a Center of Excellence in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology (or COESMET) at FAMU. The program’s purpose: increase black Ph.D. recipients in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Specifically, the center was to add ten PhD programs in two phases from 2001 to 2010. Phase I consisted of: Physics, 2001; Computer Science, 2002; Chemistry, 2003; Biology, 2004; and Computer Engineering, 2005. Phase II included PhDs in Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Engineering and Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering between 2006 and 2010.

So far, FAMU has only launched the Physics PhD. Former President Frederick S. Humphries and then Provost James H. Ammons had set the foundation for a PhD in Physics even before COESMET received formal authorization. Years earlier, they had begun scraping and saving money from FAMU’s general budget to hire as many physics professors as possible. This enabled the Physics PhD program to begin shortly after 2001.

Florida A&M University reduced its workforce by 48 employees, early last week, as part of its efforts to implement the University’s restructuring plan.

During the past three years, FAMU has experienced budget cuts totaling more than $34 million. Another $8 million will be cut from FAMU’s budget in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2011.

The 48 employees were notified and immediately placed on administrative leave with pay. Their last day of employment with the University will be June 30, 2011. There are an additional 109 FAMU employees, who are on stimulus dollars, whose employment with the University will end on June 30, 2011.

As part of the restructuring, the university eliminated another 52 vacant positions last week.

“I thank all of these employees for their service to FAMU,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “Dealing with dwindling budgets during these tough economic times has not been easy. In fact, today is one of the toughest days of my administrative career. I know many of these employees personally and they have contributed greatly to the success of FAMU.”

As with other universities, institutions and state agencies, FAMU has had to do more with fewer resources. For a two-year period, FAMU has undergone a lengthy planning process to restructure core university functions and to develop a strategy to distinguish itself among other institutions while increasing the number of students receiving degrees in science, engineering, mathematics and technology.

The reduction in staff is a part of the university's sweeping plan to update academic programs, academic organizations, and replaces some of the business functions performed by employees with technology.

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FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) Associate Marketing Professor Roscoe Hightower Jr. will participate in the Faculty Development in International Business Program in Brazil later this month.

The 10-day program will introduce participants to the major emerging economy of Brazil, with a more specific focus on the challenges of long-term sustainability. During the excursion, the 13 faculty members and 10 graduate students from institutions of higher education across the United States will travel to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, the country’s two largest urban centers.

“I hope to learn about Brazil... and the Brazilian perspective of doing business, focusing on the economy and the cultural norms,” said Hightower.

Through the program, sponsored by Indiana University's Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), Hightower will have the opportunity to strengthen his understanding of the country's unique business challenges through a structured itinerary of visits to domestic and multinational companies, tours of cultural and historical sites and presentations by researchers and professionals.

While in Brazil, Hightower plans to gather data for an ongoing research project dealing with a Green Servicescape instrument that has been tentatively accepted for the Fourth International Congress for Facilities Management in Vienna, Austria in November 2011.

“Right now, FAMU is No. 1 in the world in correctly conceptualizing and measuring the servicescape construct,” he said. “It is up to me to get this message out to the community-at-large, and this trip helps to enable me in accomplishing this by providing opportunities to talk to the public about my research.”

FAMU College of Law Dean LeRoy Pernell has been selected to receive Franklin & Marshall College’s prestigious Alumni Citation award during Reunion Weekend, June 3-5, 2011, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Part of the Franklin & Marshall Society of Distinguished Alumni, recipients of the Alumni Citation are distinguished in a particular profession, have provided dedicated leadership and service in the community, and have established an exemplary record of accomplishments in a specific field or endeavor. Pernell, who graduated from Franklin & Marshall in 1971, has worked in the legal arena since receiving his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1974.


Since its inception in 1966, there have been 51 recipients of the Alumni Citation award. The distinguished list includes Congressman William H. Gray, III, (D) Pennsylvania, 1979-1991; and Vice Admiral James A. Zimble, M.D., United States Navy (Retired). Pernell will be recognized along with two additional alumni during the Alumni Celebration program on Saturday, June 4, at 10:30 a.m.

Pernell assumed the deanship of the FAMU College of Law in January 2008, after serving as law dean at Northern Illinois University (NIU) for ten years. Under his leadership, the NIU law school was recognized nationally for its diversity efforts. He also oversaw the expansion of technology in the classroom, the establishment of the clinical education program and the opening of the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford, Illinois.

He continued his diversity efforts at FAMU where the school was recognized as the most diverse law school in the nation two years in a row by U.S. News & World Report, and most recently received an A in diversity from The National Jurist magazine. Also under Pernell, the College of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association in July 2009.

Pernell has written law review articles in the areas of criminal procedure, juvenile justice, personal injury and sports law, and authored the Civil Procedure Forms Supplement for West Ohio Practice from 1978 to 1986. He was a recipient of a special award for his work as an advocate, academician, leader and dean, during the Third National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference in 2010, a monumental event, which occurs only once every five years. He is also an elected member of the American Law Institute and past-trustee of the Law School Admissions Council.

Marvin E. Green, Jr. has been named FAMU's new director for Student Activities. Green will officially begin his new position on July 1.

“I am honored and excited that I can serve my alma mater at this capacity,” Green said. “I am excited about the challenges and look forward to helping to produce that millennial student. We have special students at FAMU who are ready to learn to be productive and it is our responsibility to mold and help them to bring out their creativity.”

Green, who currently serves as the FAMU men’s golf coach, said some of his goals include helping with FAMU’s retention and graduation rates.

“I think FAMU is a special place,” he said. “We are always going to bring in the best and brightest minds. We must find a way to keep our students active outside the classroom, which will help make them better students.”

For nearly 20 years, Green has established a notable career at FAMU in intramural/recreational sports and golf. During that time, he has been instrumental in shaping and developing not only the Department of Campus Recreation, but also the highly successful Men’s Golf Program at the university.

“I am very pleased that Mr. Marvin Green was selected as the director of Student Activities,” said Henry Kirby, dean of student affairs. “Mr. Green will bring the necessary experience, professionalism, vision, energy and team spirit to the position as well as take the Office of Student Activities to a higher level of performance and excellence.”


A Chicago, Ill. native, Green attended FAMU’s School of Business and Industry (SBI) majoring in business administration. While in college, he was active in several groups and organizations including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); the Upsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; the Pan-Hellenic Council in which he served two terms as president; and FAMU Student Government Association (SGA).

“The fact that I have been around students affairs at FAMU for so long through SGA, Greek life, and campus recreation, I’ve had the opportunity to deal with the different facets of student life,” Green said. “Now is my time to take all those things I’ve learned and give back in a way.”

After completing his master’s degree in sports and leisure management at FAMU, Green worked as an adjunct professor at the university, teaching introductory and intermediate golf courses. In 2001, Green became the head coach for the men’s golf team, a position he has held ever since.

In 2002, he became the first college golf instructor in the country to earn the Golf Teacher/College Golf Coaching Certification from Trahan’s Swing Surgeon Group, Inc.

For the past 10 years, Green has coached the FAMU Women’s Flag Football Team, “Simply Marvelous.” The nationally recognized team has won a total of six National Championships for both the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and American College Intramural Sports (ACIS). The team’s accomplishments have been documented on CBS Sports for the past three years.

Green serves as president of the National Black Golf Coaches Association and holds memberships in the NIRSA, J.R.E. Lee, Sr. Masonic Lodge No. 422, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and the FAMU National Alumni Association. He also is a past advisor for the Pan-Hellenic Council and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Green and his wife, Cecka Rose Green, have three children: Marhee, 10, Chaela, 8, and Marvin III (Tre), 5.

Curtis Holcomb had what possibly no player ever did in San Francisco 49ers history. 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke marveled at the fact that Holcomb was a captain for four years at FAMU. That was part of what convinced the 49ers to look further into the small school cornerback.

Holcomb, first turned heads with his "Pro Day" workout. Those results from the workout sent the NFL scouts back with a mission to research the kid from FAMU. It ultimately led to the 49ers selecting Holcomb in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Baalke, speaking in front of members of the media about his 2011 draft picks, said "...Mel Kiper (Jr.) had to fumble through his papers because the guy was unrated," in reference to Holcomb's being selected in the NFL Draft. Baalke went on to say, " Talk about wired right? I don't know that anybody in our building ever heard of it. A guy that's been a four-time captain at the college level."

FAMU welcomed home one of its favorite sons to lead the men's basketball program yesterday at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Clemon Johnson was officially presented to alumni, fans and family at a pep rally and press conference in his honor. The world-famous Marching "100" and the MEAC Co-ed Champions Cheerleaders were on hand to add to the excitement.

Johnson was a star basketball player for the Rattlers from 1974-1978. He was an All-SIAC and All-American selection his senior year at FAMU, with several of his records still standing to this day. Johnson went on to a solid career in the NBA, winning a world championship with the Philadelphia 76ers. He later started coaching in the high school ranks, before being hired at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks

FAMU interim Sports Information Director Vaughn Wilson presided over the event. FAMU Director of Athletics, Derek Horne, gave the welcome from the FAMU Athletic Department and FAMU President James H. Ammons welcomed the crowd of about 300 people to the event and introduced new head basketball coach Clemon Johnson.

Horne was excited to have the search completed and a Rattler hired to guide the team.

"It's a great day for not only FAMU, but our athletic department. We have an alum coming back to the hill that we think will do a great job for us," said Horne.

Ammons was emphatic about doing what it takes to regain championship composure for the basketball program. An emphatic Ammons said: " We wanted someone who could come back and ignite that old Rattler spirit. When you think about Rattler sports, you immediately think about some of the great student-athletes who have been a part of this campus. You think of Althea Gibson, Bob Hayes and legendary Coach Jake Gaither. Then, when you think about basketball, you think about Clemon Johnson."


To the sounds of the Marching 100, Johnson approached the podium with a smile as wide as it could go. This was a full circle moment for Johnson. From the late 1970s as a player for FAMU coach Ajac Triplett, to this opportunity to take the helm himself, Johnson has prepared himself for his dream job.

Johnson took his turn to address the crowd, saying "I know a lot of people had a lot to do with helping to get me here. It's been a long journey. I've been preparing myself for this since I left here in 1978."

He told a story of legendary coach Jake Gaither, who was the athletic director when he arrived at FAMU. "I caught the tail end of the blood, sweat and tears of coach Gaither. We were in Atlanta, Georgia playing Albany State in the SIAC championship, and we were beating Albany State by 20 points at halftime. Coach Gaither came to the locker room and said 'Kill a mosquito with an ax.'"

The interest in Johnson's return could be the boost the FAMU basketball program needs. With his ties to FAMU High (DRS), Monticello and Quincy, the interest in the basketball program in and around the Tallahassee area will be increased as his roots are spread deep in the area.

Last season the Rattlers finished 12-20, with a first round exit in the MEAC Tournament. Johnson's goal is to return the team back to the championship caliber that was commonplace while he was a player.