FAMU alum, Prairie View band director dies

George Edwards, a FAMU graduate, who for 30 years served as director of the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm band, died Thursday from injuries sustained in a car accident earlier this month. He was 60.

When the Chattanooga, Tenn. native arrivedat Prairie View in 1978, he founded a small band known as the Funky 50. Five years later, he had grown the band and recast it as the Marching Storm. Today, the Marching Storm is now considered among the most dynamic and skilled bands in the world for its musical artistry, and electrifying and adventurous drum line which is showcased during each performance.

The Marching Storm, with its drum line and Black Foxes dance troupe, has performed around the world, including the inaugural parade for former President George W. Bush in 2001 and the Tournament of Roses parade in January.

Former students say Edwards’ legacy isn’t one of competition but of a lifelong relationship that began in a college band room. "Music, not showmanship, was at the heart of all Edwards did," said one former student.

“I went to Prairie View for architecture, but the band was a plus,” said Corey Wilson, a 2002 graduate who now is an architect in Dallas. “When I saw the band, that sealed the deal.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Here's a sample of Prof. Edward's work with the PVAMU band: here

U.S. Rep. Brown considering run for Senate

A well-connected group of Democrats who came to Miami Beach for the state party's annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner tipped reporters to a new possible election development. The word is that Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville) is seriously pondering a run for the U.S. Senate. Brown, who received her B.S. degree from FAMU, would face U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, another FAMU graduate in the primary if she decided to enter the race.

State Sen. Tony Hill, who traveled with Brown to the Miami event, confirmed that he's interested in succeeding her in the U.S. House, should she decide to leave her seat.

With about $2 million in his campaign account, Meek is considered the Democratic frontrunner in the 2010 U.S. Senate race.

Brown's potential candidacy should be viewed as more of a nuisance rather than a serious threat to Meek. Here's why: Corrine Brown in action.

Update (6:00 pm): U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown confirmed that she is launching an exploratory campaign for U.S. Senate, and said an internal statewide poll shows her comfortably ahead of any Democratic contender including Kendrick Meek.

"Experience,'' she said, when asked why the 17-year U.S. House member would be a stronger candidate than Meek. "I like Kendrick and I love his mother but this is about making sure we have someone at the table when we're talking about energy, we're talking about education, we're talking about jobs, we're talking about health care."

Alum tapped to lead art museum

A FAMU alumna is the new leader-designate of New England’s only museum of contemporary craft.

Wyona Lynch-McWhite has been named Executive Director of Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Mass. As the institution’s leader, she will continue its mission of showcasing the objects, ideas, and insights that inspire people to explore life through the art of contemporary craft.

“Wyona is the perfect choice at this stage of Fuller Craft’s development,” said Board President Michael C. King. “She brings with her new energy and extensive museum experience. We have learned much from her in the year she’s been our Deputy Director, and feel fortunate to have her in the leadership role.”

Lynch-McWhite, who assumes the new position on June 1, comes with a wealth of experience. is currently Fuller Craft’s Deputy Director, a position she has held for more than a year. She replaces Gretchen Keyworth, who will remain with the museum in the capacity of Director Emeritus and Chief Curator following a summer sabbatical.

Lynch-McWhite moved to Massachusetts in 2008 to join Fuller Craft. Prior to that, she was Director and Chief Curator of the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum, the art museum of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia.

After attending FAMU for her baccalaureate, she earned her M.F.A. from Columbia College in Chicago. Lynch-McWhite then began her museum career at The Museum of Contemporary Photography and then joined the staff of the Art Institute of Chicago. She currently resides in Brockton with husband Christopher McWhite and their two children.

“I am eager to lead the next chapter in the storied life of Fuller Craft,” Lynch-McWhite said. “This is a special place that echoes its surroundings and community. Despite the economic climate, recent exhibitions have broken attendance records, and membership is growing. With an unwavering commitment to craft, we will continue to bring vibrancy, accessibility and dialogue to the art, to the field, to our neighbors, and beyond. We’re defining, redefining and celebrating craft.”

Hayes dodges press

FAMU Athletic Director Bill Hayes isn’t known for being shy. Just ask around campus and you’ll hear stories about staffers who’ve been berated by his foul mouth.

But it looks like the AD shuts up very quickly when it’s time to answer for the problems he’s created.

WCTV-6 reporters showed up on campus yesterday to question him about rumors that FAMU track athletes planned to protest his decision to fire their coaches.

Hayes made himself scarce. Phone calls to his office were not returned.

Here’s a suggestion to any reporter who wants to find the AD: Go undercover and say you’re a student who supports another fee hike to cover the $3.1M in red that Hayes amassed at the athletic department last year.

He’ll come out running.

You may also be interested in: Hayes is full of bright ideas

Palm Beach Post wrong – again

Palm Beach Post reporter Kimberly Miller seems oblivious to facts on what actually happened between FAMU and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

As every journalist who carefully researched the issue knows, FAMU never lost its SACS accreditation. It was placed on probation because of an incompetent interim administration that messed up the financial books and mismanaged almost every other part of the institution.

But despite all the times that SACS officials have clarified that they never took FAMU's accreditation away, Miller still claims otherwise.

In a recent article she wrote that after Dr. James Ammons became president, FAMU “regained its accreditation.”

Question: How can FAMU “regain” something that it never lost?

This inaccurate information should come as no surprise after the Post’s editorial board credited the former interim president with actually assisting FAMU’s “turnaround.”

FAMU trustees award bonus, hike college costs

Despite abundant evidence that an increase in college costs will probably force students to take smaller course loads, FAMU’s Board of Trustees decided to hike tuition and fees anyway.

Trustees voted to implement a 7 percent differential option on top of the 8 percent tuition bump approved by the Florida Legislature.

In-state students pursuing graduate and law degrees will have to pay 15 percent more. Their out-of-state peers will face a 19 percent price jump.

While the legislature estimated that FAMU could raise $4.4 million from tuition and fee increases (for a total of $57.1M), President James Ammons said that number is not realistic.

The legislature projects that every student will take a full course load. However, most FAMU students actually take fewer credit hours when college costs go up. Pell Grant increases have not reversed this trend.

With the price increases, FAMU is likely to stay on top of the State University System’s student debt list. FAMU students graduate with about $30,000 in debt each – the largest reported number among Florida’s public universities.

FAMU trustees did not consider any major fee breaks despite the fact that other state universities have adopted fee breaks as a way to generate new revenue.

The board also awarded Ammons a bonus of about $113,750. His base salary is $325,000.

Some news reports pointed out that the presidents of Florida Atlantic and Florida State turned down bonuses due to budget constraints.

Ammons’ bonus, though, was based on his success in navigating FAMU through crises that FAU and FSU did not face. They include getting FAMU’s re-accreditation processes for law, pharmacy, journalism, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools back on track.

Another state champ track recruit looks to leave FAMU

The FAMU track program continues its Bill Hayes induced free fall, as another state champ signee is looking to leave.

Marissa McElveen, Florida’s 3A triple jump champion, wants out of her letter of intent to run for the Lady Rattlers next year. Her decision comes in the aftermath of FAMU’s decision to fire women’s coach Maicel Malone.

The recent dismissal of men’s head coach Rey Robinson also triggered a similar shake-up. Tony McQuay, the state’s 2A 400-meter dash champion, is now looking to run for Florida State instead of FAMU.

Like McQuay, McElveen was recruited by many other Division I programs. She has filed the required paperwork to end her commitment with FAMU and is weighing her numerous options.

A savvy AD, which Hayes obviously is not, would have timed the coaches departure better, and personally contacted recruits to massage their fears.

OT: Ursula Burns to head Xerox

Changes in the corner office come a dime a dozen, especially during this time of economic turmoil, but there is one on the horizon that is a testament to how far our nation has come since the Civil Rights and Women's Rights movements.

On Thursday, Anne Mulcahy, who earlier this decade spearheaded a multibillion-dollar turnaround at Xerox (XRX), announced that she would retire but would remain chairman of the board. Filling Mulcahy's spot is Ursula Burns, a Xerox veteran, who may soon become a household name.

Why? Burns is set to become the first African-American female CEO to lead a Fortune 500 company. The leadership change also marks the first time that the baton was passed directly to another female executive at a Fortune 500 firm.
Burns joined Xerox in 1980 as a mechanical engineering summer intern and climbed her way up the corporate ladder, with roles including product development and planning, heading up manufacturing and supply chain operations. In April 2007, Burns was named president of Xerox and will take over the CEO role in July.

Differential could harm FAMU’s recruitment budget

It was no coincidence that FAMU enrolled some of its largest National Achievement Scholar classes after the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program was established in 1997.

Former President Frederick S. Humphries strategically took advantage of Bright Futures to relieve strain on the recruitment budget. NAS finalists and semi-finalists from Florida automatically qualify for the Academic Scholarship, which paid 100 percent of tuition and fees.

When FAMU attracted these students, it didn’t have to pay a dime for their tuition and fees because the state picked up the tab. That meant that FAMU only had to cover the relatively inexpensive costs of room and board.

During Bright Futures’ first year in 1997-1998, FAMU ranked number one in NAS recruitment. It also held the top spot in 2000 (with Harvard University tied).

However, the state legislature’s differential tuition law could make it much more expensive for FAMU to compete for NAS students.

The differential permits every public university to hike tuition by an up to 15 percent differential that goes beyond the rates set by the legislature in the annual appropriations bill. The differential will not be covered by Bright Futures.

FAMU has an important decision to make.

Option 1: Require NAS students to pay the differential out-of-pocket.

This is probably the worst option. FAMU’s in-state competitors, particularly UF and FSU, are likely to continue providing full-ride scholarships for NAS students. NAS students help them maintain a high black graduation rate (even while their overall black freshman numbers are declining).

If UF and FSU let NAS students enroll for free while FAMU asks them to come up with hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket, FAMU will be much less competitive.

Option 2: Cover the differential through the recruitment budget.

This option would place an enormous strain on the recruitment budget. FAMU does not receive as much recruitment money from the legislature as UF and FSU. With the recession, corporate donations are also drying up. Wall Street’s financial crisis also negatively affects the interest on the FAMU Foundation accounts that go toward scholarships. Tuition increases are not a reliable source of revenue either because most FAMU students will probably decrease their course loads.

Tacking the differential onto scholarship costs could result in a smaller overall FAMU recruitment budget. That would mean fewer top scholars.

Option 3: Waive the differential for NAS students.

If FAMU waives the differential, then the state legislature will still pay 100 percent of the tuition and fee costs for in-state NAS students at 2008-2009 rates. FAMU will continue to get NAS students at a bargain price.

FAMU’s administration and trustees have a responsibility to think carefully before implementing a differential that could hurt the university’s recruitment program.

FAMU featured on CBS Evening News

Highlights of the 2009 Commencement were featured on the CBS Evening News tonight. Check out the segment here.

A match made in Orange & Green heaven

Two Rattler sweethearts will tie the knot today.

R. Jai Howard and Andrew Gillum met as undergraduates on The Hill after being recruited by former President Frederick S. Humphries.

They were both members of the Student Government Association. Howard was a student senator and later won election to the position of student body vice-president. Andrew, who also started out in the Student Senate, served as senate president and went on to become the first student body president to sit on FAMU’s Board of Trustees.

As students, Andrew and R. Jai led marches and rallies against then Gov. Jeb Bush's One Florida Initiative and the voter disenfranchisment that took place during the 2000 presidential election.

Today, the two continue to use their FAMU training to make political waves across the state. Howard is currently the director of appointments for Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. Andrew is a Tallahassee city commissioner, holding the office of Mayor Pro-Tempore. He also directs the Young Elected Officials Network for the People for the American Way Foundation.

Best wishes to the future Mr. and Mrs. Gillum!

Boyd to get update on FAMU research

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, U.S. Congressman Allen Boyd will tour FAMU research facility at Innovation Park with FAMU President James Ammons. The visit will update Congressman Boyd on a number of the important research projects that are currently being conducted at FAMU and outline the University’s plans for future research.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Boyd has helped secure funding for many of the ongoing projects at FAMU .

You may also be interested in: Boyd secures $12.4 million for FAMU research

Atlanta Classic could lose title sponsor

Bank of America Corp. may pull its title sponsorship of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Football Classic.

The Charlotte-based bank's three-year contract as title sponsor of the college game in Atlanta ends after this year's event on Sept. 26. While the bank will maintain some level of sponsorship, it likely will not continue as title sponsor. BofA has been the title sponsor since 2004.

According to 100 Black Men's 2007 tax returns, it paid $287,867 to Tennessee State University, which plays in the game, and $255,081 to Florida A&M University, Tennessee State's annual opponent.

Atlanta Sports Council President Gary Stokan says his group would help find a new title sponsor if asked.

Angry rams “go RN” at WSSU

Some Winston-Salem State University supporters are not happy with the performance of their chancellor, Donald Reaves. To voice their concerns, they’ve turned to blogging.

The “Fire Donald Reaves” blog demands new leadership at the university. Its anonymous authors and commentators have posted a long list of grievances against the WSSU leader. They accuse him of:

-Cursing out WSSU supporters and calling them racially offensive names such as “spooks.”

-Hiring under-qualified administrators;

-Making poor spending decisions;

-Marching fired employees “out under police escort as if they were common criminals;” and

-Blaming past administrations for problems he actually created.

For Rattlers, these problems might sound eerily familiar.

When asked about the blog, WSSU spokeswoman Nancy Young said: “Yes, the chancellor is aware of the blog. We all are aware of the blog. It cannot rule our life.”

She also questioned the accuracy of the blog’s information.

"It's anonymous and it talks in broad generality or specifics that may or may not be correct, but when you don't know who's saying something and you can't hear their side and speak, there's nothing you can do about it," she said.

Tensions between the chancellor and alumni have steadily risen throughout his less than two year tenure. The alumni association president recently asked the state to perform a special audit of the university administration.

Here are some friendly suggestions from Rattler Nation to the “Fire Donald Reaves” blog: Post more regularly, add some pictures, make full use of public records, and don’t lose your sense of humor.

FAMU track recruit looks to FSU

Florida State University’s track team could soon get a big gift as a result of FAMU Coach Rey Robinson’s dismissal: a state champion sprinter.

Tony McQuay (left), of Riviera Beach’s Suncoast Community High School, was signed by Robinson. But after the FAMU athletic department forced the head track coach out, it also released McQuay from his scholarship commitment.

McQuay holds the 2A state title in the 400-meter dash. Clemson, the University of Georgia, and Georgia Tech were among the many colleges that wanted him.

But McQuay dreamed of continuing his family's proud Orange and Green tradition. His parents are both FAMU alums. His mother, Linda, sprinted for the Lady Rattlers and his father, Tony Sr., was a drum major for the Marching 100. Tony's sister is currently enrolled on The Hill.

Now, thanks to FAMU Athletic Director Bill Hayes, Tony wants to join FSU’s team, which has expressed strong interest in bringing him aboard.

Bill Hayes, the new Castell

RN Poll: Hayes running athletics into the ground

FAMU dismisses both track coaches

FAMU announced yesterday that it would not renew the contracts of the men's and women's head track coaches, effectively firing them.

Rey Robinson, the men's track coach, had served as coach since 2000-01, and Maicel Malone, has been the women's track coach since the Fall of 2005.

According to an athletic department release, "a nationwide search would begin immediately to fill the vacancies."

This year the FAMU men's team finished 8th in the MEAC outdoor championships, while the women finished 9th. Neither team faired any better in 2008 as the men & women's teams finished 9th and 11th respectfully at the MEAC track and field championships.

It was the same dismal story when it came to the Rattler track teams performance at indoor meets.

Leading law firm will pipeline FAMU law grads

FAMU’s College of Law sets the national standard in diversity. Recognizing that fact, one of the nation’s largest law firms is partnering with FAMU to bring more minorities to its employment roster.

Joseph W. Hatchett, a FAMU alumnus who chairs Akerman Senterfitt’s appellate practice group and diversity committee, is leading a minority pipeline project that aims to place more FAMU law gradutes at the organization’s 13 national offices.

“A diverse profession benefits clients, the profession itself, and the population that it serves,” said Hatchett, the program’s creator. “This partnership will be instrumental in helping Akerman realize its diversity goals in addition to increasing the number of first-year associates, senior partners and of counsel who are minorities across the state.”

Hatchett has decades of experience in serving as an advocate for social justice and diversity. He made history in 1975 when then-Gov. Reuben Askew selected him for the Florida Supreme Court. Later, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter appointed Hatchett to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama).

The pipeline program is part of an initiative by the American Bar Association's Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession that aims to increase the number of people of color on track to becoming lawyers. Currently, minority lawyers make up only three percent of Florida’s attorneys.

Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by the National Law Journal in number of lawyers and is one of the largest firms in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the firm serves clients in major business centers throughout the United States, including Miami, New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.

N.C. anxious to hire Fla.’s best profs

Facing a severe shortfall in general revenue that shows no signs of ending in the near future, FAMU President James Ammons is outlining a new budget reduction plan that might include layoffs. If FAMU sends professors packing, Ammons’ former boss in the University of North Carolina system is ready to take their job applications.

Florida Trend reported on the unnerving news that a group of Florida business leaders received when they recently met with UNC President Erskine Bowles to discuss universities as economic engines. According to the magazine:

Bowles strode into the conference room and without much ado told the group that “my office is being flooded with resumes from your best scientists and researchers. We’re going to hire them away from your universities unless you get your act together in Florida. Now, what can I do for you?”

While there has been much media coverage on how budget cuts have driven UF and FSU professors to systems such as UNC, FAMU could become the next big loser.

UNC has five HBCUs: NC Central (which Ammons formerly led), NC A&T, Winston-Salem State, Fayetteville State, and Elizabeth City State.

Bowles has stated that he wants to increase the graduation rate at all those universities. Hiring more high-quality professors is essential to that goal.

A&T, state’s public land-grant HBCU, is in the best position to take FAMU’s top faculty members. It has a large slate of graduate programs and many colleges that parallel FAMU’s own: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Business and Economics, Technology, Journalism, and Nursing.

If Rattlers want their university to maintain its current level of quality education, they must get involved in the fight to reform the Florida tax system in a manner that provides adequate funding for the State University System.

FAMUans must also urge the university administration to seek creative options to generate new revenue. Tuition hikes aren't helping. They just give the Florida Legislature to political cover to continue slashing the higher ed budget and hurt FAMU's graduation rate.

Pictured: Bowles with NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms.

Budget emergency spurs new tax talks

Opinion: SUS leaders chose poor lobbying strategy

Fee breaks could generate revenue

Rattlers bounced from MEAC baseball tourney

The Rattler baseball team's season ended yesterday in the 2nd round of the MEAC Baseball Tournament. North Carolina A&T State defeated Florida A&M 10-3 in an elimination game to send the Rattlers packing.

A&T improved to 21-33 on the season, while FAMU ended the season with 24-29 record.

A&T advanced to the championship game to face Bethune-Cookman.

Students push Riley for Hall of Fame

Two Winter Haven High School students have launched a petition campaign for a cause that’s dear to them. It has nothing to do with cafeteria food, a dress code, or budget cuts. They want their school dean, Ken Riley, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

So far, classmates Nick Harper and Jordan Powell have more than 1,000 signatures.

Riley was a cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1969 to 1983. According to the Lakeland Ledger, he “finished his career with 65 interceptions, led the AFC in interceptions three times and was on the NFL All-Pro First or Second Team three times. Yet, Riley, who never was a flamboyant player or sought personal attention, never made a Pro Bowl.”

Riley is a FAMU alumnus and played football for legendary Coach Jake Gaither. He later served as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers, head football coach, and then athletic director, at FAMU.

When Riley's former boss, President Frederick S. Humphries, retired in 2001 the athletic department had a $3 million surplus. The university administration that succeeded Humphries replaced Riley with an interim AD who quickly turned the surplus into a $3 million deficit. That interim AD's associate director for finance later pled guilty to stealing money from the department.

Prof leads charge to develop WHO center at FAMU

FAMU Professor Jane Barber’s services are in heavy demand from the United Nations’ World Health Organization.

Barber, who focuses on agricultural pesticide application, has been working with the WHO's pesticide evaluation program for the past year now to develop guidelines for "Efficacy Testing of Insecticides for Indoor and Outdoor Ground Applied Space Spray Applications."

Currently, she is a research leader for the John Mulrennan Public Health Entomology Research and Education Center in Panama City. Her area of specialty is mosquito adulticide.

The purpose of the draft document is to provide specific and standardized procedures and criteria for efficacy testing and the evaluation of the named products. Its aim is to harmonize the testing procedures used by laboratories and institutions throughout the world to generate data for registration and labeling of such products by national authorities.

This collaboration with the world's leading authority on health and well-being is an honor for the university. The guidelines are in the editorial stage and will be available in the near future from the WHO’s website.

The ultimate goal is to make FAMU an official collaborating center of the WHO, a mark of distinction received by currently only five centers in the world. The WHO fully funds all its research projects. This would be a huge financial benefit for FAMU and open up tremendous learning opportunities for students.

The Mulrennan Center is part of FAMU’s College of Engineering Sciences Technology and Agriculture.

Student ready to fight future tuition hikes at ballot box

FAMU physical therapy student Briana Chilton is upset about the big tuition bump approved during this year’s legislative session and is ready to voice that anger when she casts her next election vote.

She won’t be alone.

A February Quinnipiac University poll reported that 78 percent of Floridians opposed the differential tuition policy pushed by the GOP. It will permit every state university to increase tuition by up to 15 percent that goes beyond the rates set in the annual appropriations bill.

“That was a horrible decision that they made, horrible decision, horrible, 'cause I don't think they were really thinking about the big picture,” Chilton told WCTV-6.

The public’s overwhelming disapproval of the differential plan is sure to become a major issue in the 2010 election. Many Democratic leaders are arguing that the proposed tuition increase is additional proof that Republicans are out-of-touch with Floridians who are suffering from the recession.

Chilton says she will have to take out a loan to pay for the differential. She will join the thousands of other FAMU students who face major debt after graduation.

FAMU students leave with almost $30,000 in debt each. That is the highest reported number in the entire State University System. It reflects the fact that most FAMU students come from households that only make about $40,000 per year.

With the new differential, FAMU is likely to stay on top of the SUS’ student debt list for years to come.

The soaring tuition burden “goes on the back of the students," Chilton said.

Students taking on more credit card debt to pay for college

FAMU students drowning in debt

Tuition price hurting FAMU students

More Floridians feeling pain from soaring tuition

USF pharmacy bill dies in Senate

The University of South Florida’s push for a pharmacy school hit a dead end in the state Senate. Some senators were reluctant to commit long-term funding to an expensive new program.

USF has made no secret of that fact that it considers FAMU pharmacy the benchmark for competition. It has proposed building a school that will match FAMU’s in size, operational funding, and research dollars.

And knowing that FAMU has the best pharmacy faculty in the state, USF rushed to hire a FAMU professor to lead its newly created Division of Clinical Pharmacy in 2007: Kevin Sneed (pictured).

Each year, about 6,500 students apply for a razor thin 800 seats at Florida’s five pharmacy schools. The Florida Pharmacy Association reports that of the 22,000 registered pharmacists in Florida, only 16,000 maintain an address in the state.

Florida’s failure to invest more money into creating additional satellite campuses of FAMU’s pharmacy is one factor behind state’s pharmacist shortage

UF operates 4-year pharmacy degree satellites in three cities: Jacksonville, Orlando, and St. Petersburg.

FAMU just received the money to open its first degree-granting satellite in Crestview last year. The university’s campuses in Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa do not offer full degrees. They are used as clinical training divisions for advanced students.

Despite coming up short this year, USF will come to the next legislative session with much more momentum. Its pharmacy school bill passed the House, in large part, because the university raised $1M to cover start-up costs.

USF’s creative “no money down” lobbying strategy offers a useful model for FAMU to use as it pursues a dental school. FAMU will have a much better chance of picking up legislative support if it raises as many private dollars as possible to cover the start-up costs of the new college.

USF sees FAMU pharmacy as benchmark for competition

USF wants a pharmacy school

Crist expected to enter U.S. Senate race today

Gov. Charlie Crist will deliver a much-anticipated public statement about his future plans today. He is widely expected to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by fellow Republican Mel Martinez after one term.

If Crist enters the race, he could face FAMU alumnus and Congressman Kendrick Meek in the 2010 general election. Meek is currently the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.

UPDATE:

Crist has confirmed that he is running for Florida's junior U.S. Senate seat.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has wasted no time in gearing up for the clash against the governor.

Legislature using inflated tuition projections

The Florida Legislature expects FAMU to raise $4.4M in new revenue from tuition and fee increases next year (for a total of $57.1M). But, President James Ammons says that number is unrealistic.

“They have projected full payment from every student,” he told the Tallahassee Democrat. “But as you know, when you do projections, sometimes they’re different from reality.”

Most of FAMU’s students take smaller course loads as college gets more expensive. That directly slices into overall tuition revenue and hurts the university’s graduation rate.

The inflated tuition projections appear to be a smokescreen to hide the damage that was done to the State University System’s budget. This year, SUS leaders lobbied for big tuition increases. The legislature used that as political cover to continue its long history of raising tuition in one hand while cutting university appropriations in the other.

FAMU started out with $104.2M in general revenue during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. That was cut down by $4.1M to $100.1M during a special session held after the recession ripped a huge in hole in tax collections.

This year, FAMU starts out with only $87M in general revenue, a difference of $13.1M.

The university was also appropriated $7.4M in federal stimulus money. Stimulus funds will only be available for one more year.

FAMU received the following nonrecurring sums from the Public Education Capital Outlay fund: $1.6M for utility upgrades; $985,665 for FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Building III; and $5.6M for the Gore Education Complex's remodeling.

Tuition price hurting FAMU students

SUS budget cuts: $211M

FAMU softball wins MEAC title

FAMU softball came out of the loser’s bracket to win two games as they defeated Bethune-Cookman 4-0 in game one and 9-1 in game two in five innings Saturday afternoon at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. The wins resulted in the Lady Rattlers' third Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in the decade and their ninth overall.

Two FAMU players were named to the 2009 All-Conference All-Tournament team: Amanda Reyes and Nicole Terryn. Reyes also received the “Outstanding Performer” distinction. FAMU head coach Veronica Wiggins was named “Outstanding Coach.”

FAMU earns the conference’s automatic qualification in the NCAA Softball Championship and will await their next opponent.

The 2009 NCAA Softball Selection Show will air on Sunday, May 10 at 10 p.m., and will be re broadcasted again on ESPN News at 10:30 a.m.

Architecture students gain inspiration from Jax

As a growing city with ever-expanding infrastructure needs, Jacksonville offers an ideal study site for future architects. With the help of the city’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture, some FAMU students got to take full advantage of that opportunity.

The FAMU Jacksonville Studio began ten years as an opportunity for FAMU architecture students to tour the city and visualize projects that meet the community’s needs. Months later, the students present their designs before a jury of Jacksonville AIA members.

FAMU Architecture Professor Michael Alfano, who has advised the Studio students ever since the program began, said: “The challenge for the students is for the design to be an iconic architectural landmark. My challenge as a professor is to let the students have their space. They are doing their building, not my building. I know I have been successful when the designs are all different.”

According to the Jacksonville Daily Record, this year’s project focused on “a health and fitness facility that included a natatorium, a facility dedicated to swimming and diving, that would be located on the Southbank near the Duval County School Board Building.”

Read more here.

Computer Insecurity: UC Berkeley computers hacked, 160,000 at risk

This is sort of off topic, but not really...

FAMU isn't the only university with occasional computer hiccups, hackers broke into the University of California at Berkeley's health services center computer and potentially stole the personal information of more than 160,000 students, alumni, and others, the university announced yesterday.

At particular risk of identity theft are some 97,000 individuals whose Social Security numbers were accessed in the breached, Shelton Waggener, UCB's chief technology officer, said in a press conference Friday afternoon.

The attackers accessed a public Web site and then bypassed additional secured databases stored on the same server. In addition to SSNs, the databases contained health insurance information and non-treatment medical information, such as immunization records and names of doctors patients had seen.

The server breach began on October 9, 2008, and continued through April 9, when a campus computer administrator doing routine maintenance discovered messages left by the attackers. Logs indicate that the hacks originated from overseas, "primarily in the Asian theater," Waggener said, later specifying traces to China.

While campus police and the FBI were immediately notified of the breach, it wasn't until April 21, Waggener said, that officials learned data had been stolen.

The university started notifying the 160,000 people at risk via e-mail and snail mail on Friday. Victims include an assortment of current and former Berkeley students--as well as their parents or spouses, if linked to insurance coverage--who had University Health Services health care coverage or received services. Also included are 3,400 students of Mills College in Oakland, Calif., which contracts with the university for health services.

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FAMU P.D. helps nail hackers

Feds say FAMU computers hacked

SBI students win Ford HBCU biz classic

Two FAMU business students recently claimed the top honor at the 2009 Ford HBCU Business Classic.

Evan Anderson and Emerson Naylor submitted their business plan for VMed LLC and received the grand prize honors for their life-changing concept. Their company has developed a plan to utilize technology to simplify people's health care needs. Ford awarded them a total of $50,000 in scholarship funds -- $35,000 in personal scholarships and $15,000 for their university.

During the competition, students were challenged to test their entrepreneurial ambitions before a panel of judges, comprised of influential entrepreneurs from the business community. Each team was scored on the viability of their business plans, their overall presentation and the business plan's potential benefit to the community.

The judges for the competition included George Fraser, Chairman & CEO of FraserNet/author; Boris Kodjoe, actor/entrepreneur; Pat Lottier, CEO of Atlanta Tribune; FAMU almunus Will Packer, Chairman & CEO of Rainforest Films/producer; and Dr. Randal Pinkett, Chairman & CEO of BCT Partners/author. The event was hosted by Kevin Frazier, TV anchor and entertainment correspondent.

"As an HBCU graduate I know firsthand the impact that programs such as the Ford HBCU Business Classic can have on students," said Crystal Worthem, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Ford Brand. "The real-world solutions presented during the competition are extremely timely and will have huge positive implications on communities and businesses nationwide. We are excited to pave the way for this next generation of business leaders, and gain their perspective about the current economic situation and solutions for the domestic auto industry."

To enter the competition, students submitted a business plan via the Ford HBCU Business Classic website. The plans required several key elements to be considered for the competition, including type of business, product or service, target market and competition, and general operations.

The Ford HBCU Business Classic finalist competition will also premiere as a TV One special in July 2009. The "Ford HBCU Business Classic Special" will feature candid moments with the student teams as they prepare for the competition, highlights from each business plan presentation as well as the celebrity judges' selection process to determine the 2009 winners.

Check for the exact air date, local times and channel listings here.

Meek to Crist: Don't turn down $444M stimulus

Late last week, Congressman Kendrick Meek today wrote Gov. Charlie Crist urging him to call the Florida Legislature into Special Session if $444 million in federal stimulus dollars meant to fund Unemployment Insurance (UI) are not utilized to help unemployed Floridians and their families.

The Republican-controlled Legislature in Florida to date has refused attempts by Democrats to pass legislation enacting the necessary reforms to access the federal stimulus dollars available to Florida.

In Meek's letter to Crist, he wrote: "If the Florida legislature is unwilling to reconsider and act in accordance with ARRA provisions before the end of the extended legislative session ending May 8, 2009, I urge you to call for a special legislative session … Florida taxpayers and businesses are suffering now. The Florida legislature must act now. For members of the legislature to put ideology over the people of Florida in their time of need is objectionable."

Meek first raised this issue on April 23 in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on this subject.

In order to be compliant, the State must implement two of a possible four reforms: (1) Extended UI while in Training; (2) Part-Time Worker Coverage; (3) Weekly $15 Dependent Allowance; (4) Compelling Family Reasons for Leaving Work (includes ALL 3 of the following provisions: Domestic Violence, Spouse Relocation; and Illness & Disability) and affirmatively take these steps:

(1) To receive 1/3 of the funding, the State must enact an alternative base period, which ensures that the last completed quarter of a worker's employment is counted when determining eligibility for unemployment benefits. The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation estimates that this will cost $51.3 million per year

(2) To receive the remainder of the funding, a State must enact 2 of 4 other provisions.

The Florida bills SB 516/HB 1333 reflect that Florida has chosen:

(1) The provision to permit former part-time workers to seek part-time work. This is estimated to cost nothing.

(2) The provision to permit voluntary separations from employment for compelling family reasons. The estimate for this is $22.4 million per year.

SB 516/HB 133 cost estimates are $74 million per year approximates the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation.

The $444.3 million grant would cover more than 6 years of these costs.

The National Employment Law Project (NELP) calculates that the added UI Modernization funding could have the effect of slashing the potential tax increase on impacted employers by $105.6 million. This is a 20% reduction from the expected $528 million increase in taxes. According to the National Employment Law Project, the projected infusion of federal money into the state's unemployment insurance trust fund would lower expected increases to UI taxes by $105.6 million.

Unlike in Florida, Georgia was able to pass legislation to enact the necessary reforms, with Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Republican-controlled Legislature working across party lines to receive its share of UI stimulus dollars by legislatively working together to be compliant with the guidelines set forth in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

On April 29, the St. Petersburg Times editorialized on this subject, writing: "With Florida's unemployment rate at a 30-year high, it's impossible to fathom why state lawmakers may forgo collecting $444 million in federal unemployment compensation for those out of work. But that is what the Legislature's cold-hearted Republican leadership is poised to do as the annual session winds to a dismal close. Florida, once again, won't get its fair share of federal largesse just when its economy and its residents need it most."

SUS budget cuts: $211M

With Florida Senate and House budget negotiations continuing, the State University System is slated to lose a total of 10.5 percent in recurring revenue. That adds up to $211 million.

The Board of Governors estimates that when federal stimulus dollars and tuition increases are added, the SUS’ total budget will experience a net increase of $20 million or one percent.

The projections about tuition revenue at FAMU are highly questionable. Most FAMU students take smaller course loads whenever college gets more expensive. Pell grant increases have not reversed that trend.

Originally, both chambers of the legislature planned to cut more from public universities. The Senate proposed a $250 million cut. The House wanted to take twice as much - $500 million – plus another $100 million in salary reductions.

Lawmakers revisited the proposed spending plans after vigorous protests and pleas from students, parents, faculty, and SUS presidents across Florida.

The current budget reflects the legislature’s long-established pattern of raising tuition in one hand and cutting higher education appropriations in the other.

Opinion: SUS leaders chose poor lobbying strategy

Rattler lawmakers square off with Crist over stimulus

Ammons joins SUS leaders in pleading against cuts

Legislature lights another budget bomb for SUS

Obama eyes Hill for ambassadorship

U.S. President Barack Obama might have a special job in store for one of FAMU’s top legislative supporters.

State Sen. Anthony “Tony” Hill is under consideration to head the United States consulate in Bermuda. In a recent interview with FAMU journalism alum Tia Mitchell, Hill said that Washington insiders tell him the White House is close to announcing his appointment to the ambassadorship.

"They keep saying next week, but I've been hearing that for three or four weeks," Hill said.

FAMUans know Hill as a close friend of alumnus and Congressman Kendrick Meek. In 2000, he and Meek staged a sit-in at then-Gov. Jeb Bush’s office in protest of his One Florida Initiative, which over overhauled affirmative action policies.

He also joined Meek as co-chair of the Florida Coalition to Reduce Class Size, which successfully pushed a constitutional amendment to legislate smaller student-teacher ratios in public schools.

Hill’s been a reliable pro-FAMU voter throughout his legislative career.

If appointed to represent the USA in Bermuda, Hill could be a great asset to FAMU’s recruitment efforts in the Caribbean. The university is working to increase its number of students and academic partnerships in that region.

Caribbean students qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Two other members of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, Rep. Audrey Gibson and former Rep. Terry Fields (a FAMU grad), are campaigning to succeed Hill.

You might also be interested in: FAMU strengthens ties with St. Maarten.

New animal healthcare complex opens today

The doors of opportunity will soon open wider for students seeking a career in animal science, pre-veterinary medicine and veterinary technology at FAMU.

At 10 a.m. today, the FAMU College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA) will host a formal ribbon-cutting and building dedication ceremony for the recently constructed Animal Healthcare Complex, located at the FAMU Research and Development Center in Quincy, Fla.

The Complex is a teaching and research facility that features a fully functional animal medicine clinic with a wet laboratory for student instruction, a computer laboratory and classroom, and a surgery suite with video conference capability that provides access for students to view and participate in surgical procedures while simultaneously broadcasting the procedure to other institutions around the world.

With the completion of a new animal health care facility, FAMU is poised to make a significant impact on increasing the number of minorities prepared to be successful in the three academic program options and to continue in the field of veterinary medicine.

Thomas Peterson, D.V.M., extension veterinarian, is proud of the strategic plan underway to develop a stronger program for students through cutting edge resources.

“The Animal Healthcare Complex will be equipped with the most advanced veterinary diagnostic equipment such as our digital x-ray suite which will allow us to radiograph animals and instantly ascertain if there is a medical problem that needs immediate attention,” Peterson said. “It is this state-of-the art equipment that will allow us to provide the best training for our students while delivering the highest level of medical treatment for the animals.”

Peterson said the facility enhances the university’s ability to implement the land-grant concept of teaching, research and extension. Students will be able to receive pertinent hands-on training as well as participate in the Cooperative Extension Program’s herd health program to support local small farmers and food processors.

The United States Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Research funded the construction project for approximately $1.2 million.

The complex mirrors the most advanced technology for large animal clinics, and houses small ruminants, cattle, swine, and equine species for use in teaching.

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Clinton inspires graduates

Sunday, former U.S. President Bill Clinton sent hundreds of FAMU graduates on new enlightened journeys by challenging them to be "how generation" and work to solve the nation's problems.

Clinton also called upon graduates to build for the future and embrace diversity.

He said, "Can you keep pushing America toward becoming one community where we celebrate our differences, but we think our common humanity matters more; infect the world with that idea and get people to stop killing each other because of one tenth of one percent of us that's different; to focus just a little more on the 99.9 percent we have in common?"

Clinton concluded his address with the ever popular Rattler chant, "The Rattlers will strike, strike, and strike again!

The 9 am commencement drew a host of local and national political figures including former U.S. Senator George McGovern, D-SD, and former U.S Rep. Carrie Meek, D-FL, U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd, and State Senator Al Lawson.

About 1200 graduates were awarded degrees at FAMU's three commencement ceremonies.

A total of 1,260 FAMU graduates walked across the stage in between all three ceremonies.

Grads to get diplomas, masks, hand sanitizer

Florida A&M University is giving out hand sanitizer and surgical masks along with diplomas at its graduation ceremonies.

The school is taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of swine flu in the large crowds attending the weekend ceremonies.

University President James Ammons will have his own bottle of hand sanitizer as he shakes students' hands. The students are being asked to use hand sanitizer themselves as they approach the podium for their diplomas.

Extra hand sanitizer will be available to all guests, staff and the keynote speakers.

Surgical masks will be distributed to students and guests that want them.

Custodians are working overtime to clean up between ceremonies.

FAMU DRS showing improvement

Students at FAMU DRS scored significantly higher on the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) than last year.

Nearly 81 percent of students passed the writing portion of the test compared to the 64 percent from the previous year.

“We have placed a lot of energy and efforts in ensuring that all our students perform above grade level for each portion of the FCAT,” said Ronald Holmes, Ph.D., superintendent of FAMU-DRS. “We are hoping that the writing results will have a positive impact on our overall FCAT scores. I can’t really say how much weight it will have, but I can say that it is a good indicator for success in the other areas.”

About 69 percent of fourth-graders scored a 3.5, the passing score, or higher compared to last year’s 40 percent. Last year, 92 percent of eighth-graders scored a 3.5 or higher compared to 81 percent the previous year. Approximately 84 percent of 10th graders scored a 3.5 or higher compared to last year’s 73 percent.

FAMU-DRS instituted reading, writing, math and science after-school academies and offered Saturday classes to prepare students for the exam.

FAMU-DRS will receive the scores for reading, mathematics and science in approximately four to six weeks.

Alum's 14-year-old son develops new medical procedure

A Jacksonville researcher has developed a way of sewing up patients after hysterectomies that could reduce the risk of complications and simplify the tricky procedure for less-seasoned surgeons.

Oh, and he's 14 years old.

Feel free to read that again.

Tony Hansberry II, a ninth-grader, at Jacksonville's Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School, recently presented his findings before an auditorium filled with doctors just like any of his board-certified - and decades older - colleagues would. He would say he was following in the footsteps of "Doogie Howser, M.D." - if he weren't too young to have heard of the television show.

Instead, he says that his remarkable accomplishments are merely steps toward his ultimate goal of becoming a trained neurosurgeon.

"I just want to help people and be respected, knowing that I can save lives," said Tony, the son of a registered nurse mom and a dad who is a FAMU grad and an African Methodist Episcopal pastor.

To be sure, he had some help along the way, but, then again, most researchers do. The seeds of his project were planted last summer during his internship at the University of Florida's Center for Simulation Education and Safety Research, based at Shands Jacksonville.

Continue reading: 14-year-old med wiz