Poll: Lawson has early lead over Boyd

An internal poll commissioned by state Sen. Alfred “Al” Lawson's Congressional campaign shows him leading incumbent Blue Dog Allen Boyd 34.9 percent to 30.7 percent in the district.

“This poll confirms what we have known for a long time, that I can and will win this election,” Lawson said. “I have said for months that this race is winnable, and that Allen Boyd has done the bidding of special interests."

The poll, conducted by the Research Network, showed that 44.5 percent of district voters approved of Boyd’s job performance while 42.7 percent disapproved. Overall, voters gave Boyd a 53.2 percent favorability rating and a 38.3 percent unfavorable rating. Lawson’s favorability rating is 47.5 percent and his unfavorable rating is 12.4 percent.

“Allen Boyd is out of touch with North Florida, and the voters have noticed,” declared Josh Robinson, Lawson's campaign manager. “Allen Boyd’s embrace of radical positions, such as opposing health care reform, voting against the federal stimulus bill and privatizing Social Security, has placed him outside the mainstream of North Florida.”

This poll conducted for the Lawson campaign comes on the heels of Allen Boyd spending more than $1.5 million to flood local airwaves with expensive campaign television commercials.

“Allen Boyd has attempted to reinvent himself through weeks of slick campaign commercials, but voters aren’t buying it,” Robinson said. “Boyd’s rhetoric doesn’t match his actions. No matter what he says, North Florida knows that this Blue Dog won’t hunt.”

Pulley dubbed top MEAC offensive player

FAMU quarterback Curtis Pulley was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Year, as voted on by the MEAC head football coaches and sports information directors.

Pulley led the MEAC in total offense with 2,705 yards and ranked third in rushing and passing. He completed 60-percent of his passes (137-of-226) with 1,824 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Rattlers in rushing with 881 yards on 122 carries with six touchdowns. The Hopkinsville, Kentucky native earned five conference Offensive Player of the Week honors and is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award.

FAMU players Robert Okeafor, Trevor Scott, and LeRoy Vann also made the all-conference first team.

Happy holidays from FAMU Parking Services

FAMU Parking Service was busy passing out boots the day before Thanksgiving for parkers who hadn't paid their parking tickets.

The moral of the story: pay your bills !!!

FAMU ROTC takes first place in Ranger Challenge

For the first time in the program’s history, the FAMU Army ROTC “Rattler Battalion” took first place in the Ranger Challenge Competition at Fort Benning, Ga.

Cadets from 42 schools throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana competed in the competition over a three-day period. FAMU was classified in the gold tier, where the Rattlers emerged victorious over teams from the University of Florida, which finished second, followed by Tulane University. Each team was comprised of 10 to 11 students for competition.

“For a team that never won before, it is a very motivational tool, it’s bragging rights,” saidd Sgt. Maj. Julio Baez , of the FAMU command.

A few of the graded events the cadets participated in included a physical fitness test, obstacles courses, marksmanship training and night land navigation.

Cadet Cory Bazemore, a third year electronical engineering technology student from Fayetteville, N.C. and FAMU team captain, said all of the hard work and preparation of the team paid off.

“To see the excitement on my teammates faces was priceless,” Bazemore said. “I knew we had the physical ability and the mental capacity. It was just about staying focused.”

“Not only are they training for this event, but, in addition to that, they have to do their normal studies and many of them work part-time jobs. I’m incredibly impressed with each one of them,” said Master Sgt. Thomas Myers.

The Annual Ranger Challenge competition is widely considered a valuable training tool for the enhancement of skills ROTC cadets acquire through years of intense training. Upon their college graduation, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

Gas prices drying out students' pockets

Soaring gas prices have student travelers looking for cheaper transportation options. According to FAMU students, gas prices have had a costly effect on how much they pay for utilities, food, and airplane tickets.

Since gas prices have increased, FAMU has experienced an increased participation in the spirit bus, a charter bus funded by the Student Government Association that takes students to out-of-town games at a discount price. “I decided to travel with the spirit bus because everything was included and the prices were fair,” said Nicole Skeete, a senior health care management student from Orlando, Florida.

Commercial buses such as the Greyhound Bus Line provide a more cost-efficient means of travel for students who want to visit home. Greyhound travels throughout the country and runs 24 hours a day, with incentives such as the student advantage card and half price shipping for moving expenses. This is an inexpensive method of travel, according to Derrick Porter, a Greyhound manager. “It is convenient because we run everywhere,” Porter said. “It is cheaper than buying a gallon of gas.”

According to Porter, students can also purchase a non-refundable ticket that is cheaper than a regular price fare. A bus trip leaving on a Friday from Tampa to Tallahassee cost $47.50 regularly. With the student advantage card, the price would be $40.38 after taxes for a 247-mile trip. “The bus prices have not changed even though the gas prices have,” Porter said.

We wish you a happy Thanksgiving

All of us at Rattler Nation wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Dr. Ammons discusses FAMU sports on blog

Dr. Ammons has a wide-ranging interview with the HBCU Sports Blog. Listen in.

FAMU to offer Florida’s first M.S. in athletic training

Nationally, only five percent of athletic trainers are minorities. FAMU’s School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS) wants to change that.

SOAHS recently unveiled plans for a master of science (M.S.) in athletic training. Currently, Florida universities have six undergraduate programs in this field, but no master’s degrees.

According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, “accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition…More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.”

Athletic trainers are in heavy demand at secondary schools, colleges, professional sport organizations, hospitals, private medical offices, military bases, law enforcement offices, and performing arts centers.

FAMU officials anticipate a high number of applications for this degree program once it is launched.

OT: Cookman fires football coach

Bethune-Cookman announced this afternoon that the school would not retain the services of head coach Alvin Wyatt.

Wyatt has served as the Wildcats' head coach since November 27, 1996 -- a span of 13 seasons -- and compiled a 90-54 redcord in that time. In 2008, he became the all-time winningest coach in school history with his 84th win, surpassing Rudolph "Bunky" Matthews, who had served as the head coach from 1946-1960.

"Today marks the end of an era in Wildcat football that many have enjoyed and celebrated...Alvin Wyatt has been the epitome of a B-CU Wildcat," said school athletics director Lynn W. Thompson. "He has given so much to this university, and it will be a tremendous challenge to find the right person to build on his legacy and take the Wildcat football program to new heights."

Wyatt's best season came in 2002, when he led the team to an 11-2 mark and a MEAC championship. In 2009, the Wildcats went just 5-6 with a 4-4 record in league play.

An alumnus of the university and a former football player with the school, Wyatt had a brief career in the NFL with the Bills, Raiders and Oilers.

Sun begins to set on Hollins' tenure as SID

Alvin Hollins worked his last FAMU football game Saturday, with the same good natured professionalism that he worked his first some thirty years ago.

Hollins has seen a lot in his 30 years at FAMU --- six different presidents, five head football coaches, and hundreds of wins. Alvin Hollins has bled Orange and Green, but as he begins to pack up his office, three decades of

For the past 30 years, Alvin Hollins has been a shoulder to lean on and a wealth of information for FAMU athletes, but budget cuts and a new administration decided it was time to go in a new direction. So just after Christmas, Hollins will close the door on three decades of service as Sports Information Director at FAMU.

You won't find many people who know more about FAMU sports than Hollins, and you won't find many people who have more friends on campus than Alvin. His coaches all loved him, and he loved working with them. Most of them at least.

"The secret to longevity is to work with everybody, even the people you want to strangle on occasion. You need to work with folks," Hollins said.

"I call him a walking encyclopedia. He's been around and understands, he's a good resource person," said current FAMU football coach Joe Taylor.

Alvin began his tenure on August 1, 1979. He witnessed the FAMU win against Miami, and the Rattlers short lived stay at the highest classification of NCAA football, he's been there to document it all.

Now it's Alvin Hollins turn to his head to the sidelines. After 30 years on the field, it's time to do something else. FAMU is a better place because of Alvin Hollins, but it won't be the same without him.

Keith Miles, the radio voice of FAMU summed it by saying, "We couldn't let this season pass without saying how much we appreciate the hard work and years of service Alvin Hollins has given all of us."

Still #1: FAMU volleyball keeps MEAC crown

FAMU won its ninth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball championship, defeating Maryland Eastern Shore in a 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 20-25,25-23) win in the championship match Sunday in the Coppin Center on the campus of Coppin State (Md.) University.

FAMU football season over

FAMU came up short in its quest to enter the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Head Coach Joe Taylor had hoped that the Rattlers (8-3, 6-2 MEAC) would receive an at-large invitation.

"They take four teams from each region, and this region already has (Appalachian State,) South Carolina State and Elon," Taylor said. “We were told it was between us and Liberty for the fourth spot, and Liberty lost while we won.”

The playoff bracket released by the NCAA today has SCSU facing off against Appalachian State and Richmond taking on Elon.

Despite the disappointing outcome, FAMU’s future is very bright. Seniors Curtis Pulley, LeRoy Vann, and Robert Okeafor are receiving national buzz as potential NFL draftees. FAMU also has very notable up-and-coming stars such as redshirt freshman QB Martin Ukpai.

FAMU too strong for B-CU

The FAMU Rattlers played strong in a 42-7 rout of Bethune-Cookman in the 30th Florida Classic at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.

A crowd of 59,418 fans witnessed the Rattlers (8-3, 6-2 in MEAC) storm to a 28-0 halftime bulge behind the running of Classic MVP Philip Sylvester and the excellent play of redshirt freshman quarterback Martin Ukpai, who made his first collegiate start in place of senior Curtis Pulley.

Sylvester ran for 21 yards on 19 carries, scoring on runs of five and 42 yards, while Ukpai rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries and one TD, on an 11-yard run.

Ukpai, a native of Plantation, Florida, went 8-for-11 passing for 151 yards and one TD, tossing a one-yard pass to Kevin Elliott.

The Rattlers took a 7-0 lead on Sylvester’s five-yard run with 6:53 left in the first period, but used a 21-point second quarter surge to put serious distance between themselves and the Wildcats.

Bethune-Cookman (5-6, 4-4 in MEAC) got on the board with 6:57 left in the game on a one-yard plunge by Androse Bell, but the Rattlers closed out the scoring on Eddie Rocker’s one-yard run with 3:18 left.

The Rattler Defense picked off three passes Saturday - a 76-yarder by Curtis Holcomb, a 21-yarder by Michael Creary and a seven-yard pick by Qier Hall – while holding B-CU to 83 yards rushing and 176 through the air.

FAMU improved to 20-10 in the 30 Florida Classic games and is now 48-16-1 overall in the 65 games played against Bethune-Cookman since 1925.

Martin Ukpai became the first redshirt freshman quarterback to start a FAMU game since Tony Ezell in 1988.

SGA leases buses to promote FAMU

Just as the afternoon sun begun to fade into a deep orange, two, large buses adorned in orange and green with the FAMU logo and an enormous Rattler, drove onto the FAMU Set.

“I had an opportunity to get on one of the buses when they arrived on campus and I was just in awe,” said Brandon Hill, a junior philosophy student from Lake City, Fla. “I think they will be a wonderful addition. The buses stand out when they are parked, so I know that while traveling on the interstate, they will have a great impact.”

The new 56-seat charter buses were leased by the FAMU Student Government Association (SGA) for recruitment trips and other SGA activities.

The lease of these buses will alleviate FAMU-SGA from having to rent buses when traveling with students. According to Henry Kirby, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students, the buses will also promote the FAMU Rattler brand as they ride into cities across the United States.

“FAMU is a brand, and to have these bright buses pulling into cities in North Carolina, Alabama and even across Florida will increase the visibility of the university as we continue to recruit the best and brightest students,” said Kirby.

The recruitment team is comprised of SGA officials, the FAMU Connection, Presidential Ambassadors, the FAMU Royal Court and representatives from the FAMU Office of Student Affairs.

The lease of the buses was funded by 2008 Activities and Service Carry Forward Funds, which were approved by the FAMU Board of Trustees. The multi-year lease cost a total of $450,000.

The new buses made their inaugural trip to Tampa, Fla. for a recruitment fair and then to Orlando, Fla. for other recruitment activities during this weekend’s 30th Annual Florida Classic.

OT: UC students confront regents, riot police over fee hike

Outrage over a 32 percent fee increase is fueling tense student-led street demonstrations throughout the ten-campus University of California System. Riot police were called in on several campuses.

According to the Los Angeles Times: “The fee hike of $2,500, or 32%, will come in two steps by next fall. That would bring the basic UC education fees to about $10,300, plus about another $1,000 for campus-based charges, for a total that would be about triple the UC cost a decade ago. Room, board and books can add another $16,000.”

Last Thursday, students from across the system converged on UCLA to confront the Board of Regents, which met there to approve the fee increase. Students took over one campus building by chaining the doors shut. Some attempted to start a sit-in in front the vans that rushed the regents off campus (pictured).

At UC Berkeley, campus police brought in a SWAT team to help them control a student picket line. 50 protesters were arrested for holding a sit-in at UC Davis’s administration building. Students also took over the administrative building at UC Santa Cruz.

While the regents approved the fee hike, they also expanded the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, a financial aid program that covers all fees for in-state undergraduates whose families make less than $70,000 per year.

The UC system faces a $535M budget deficit. Campuses have laid off employees, frozen faculty hiring, implemented furloughs, cut library hours, and are considering freshman enrollment caps.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awards FAMU $750,000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) awarded FAMU $750,000 over three years for its Environmental Health, and Toxicology Educational Research Program.

FAMU is one of only two recipients of the award.

This award will address the initiative titled the Jacksonville Racial and Ethnic Environmental Approaches to Community Health (REEACH). This initiative will allow the FAMU and the Division of Environmental Health and Disease Control (DEHDC) Environmental Health and Safety in Jacksonville, Fla., to provide the opportunity to develop and disseminate an environmental medicine curriculum to area health providers. FAMU and the Duval County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division will also work together to provide a “train the trainer” program for community leaders and stakeholders.

“The most significant aspect of this opportunity is to work collaboratively with those concerned with environmental contaminants in underserved communities,” said Principal Investigator for the award, Cynthia M. Harris, director of FAMU’s Institute of Public Health (IPH) in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. “It will take a team of not only academics, but health departments and community members to address these concerns. We are pleased that the federal agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has granted us this award. These resources will enable us to provide environmental toxicology materials and a curriculum that will be developed by and for local health professionals and community members in Jacksonville, Fla.”

FAMU’s vice president for research, Larry Robinson, acknowledged that the focus of the award is quite significant.

“This will allow us to address an issue that forms the basis of our commitment to understanding and resolving environmental issues confronting underserved populations,” said Robinson.

“This award helps to support the University’s mission, shaping the future of our students and contributes to solving issues impacting global society,” said Barbara Clayton, director of the FAMU Office of Sponsored Programs within the Division of Research.

CESTA receives $225,079 to train farmers and ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently awarded $225,079 to FAMU’s College of Engineering, Sciences, Technology and Agriculture (CESTA) to address the needs of beginning farmers and ranchers and enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of American agriculture. FAMU was one of only 29 institutions selected to participate in the $17M grant program.

“Beginning farmers and ranchers face unique challenges and need educational and training programs to enhance their profitability and long term sustainability,” Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. “The training and education provided through these grants will help ensure the success of the next generation of farmers and ranchers as they work to feed people in their local communities and throughout the world."

This funding announcement is part of USDA's new “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative which was launched in September 2009 to emphasize the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers. “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” includes such major agricultural topics as supporting local farmers and community food groups; strengthening rural communities; enhancing direct marketing and farmers' promotion programs; promoting healthy eating; protecting natural resources; and helping schools connect with locally grown foods.

“FAMU is one of two 1890 Land Grant Institutions that received an award from this program,” said Ray Mobley, CESTA's director of extension programs. “Although we are pleased for this award, we are very much aware of the work to be done to address issues particularly related to our clientele. I am appreciative of the work of our team led by Ms. Vonda Richardson, extension marketing specialist. We are determined to provide the best support to our Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program.”

The grants were awarded through USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture's (NIFA, formerly the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). BFRDP is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers, specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or fewer.

SGA bickering attracts bad headlines

FAMU is taking another black eye in the Tallahassee news due to recent squabbling within the Student Government Association.

On Monday, the Student Senate launched a dead-end attempt to remove Student Body President Gallop Franklin from office, approving impeachment proceedings against him by a nine to 16 vote. Senate President Asia McFarland said that Franklin was accused of not appointing “a chief justice in a timely fashion.”

The effort to remove Franklin from his position can’t go anywhere. The SGA Constitution requires impeachment cases to be tried before the Student Supreme Court. Dean of Students Henry Kirby explained that the court cannot even hear the case because it lacks quorum.

Franklin maintains that he has done nothing wrong, stating: “I was impeached by one-third vote of the senate because I would (not) perform a function that a certain interest group was pressuring me to perform for their best interests. I do have complete confidence in the functional capacity of the student government.”

Franklin’s tenure as student body president has had its ups and downs. He faced criticism over the selection process for the Homecoming concert promoter (who was later arrested after attempting to storm into 90.5FM’s studios) and the choice of performing artists.

However, Franklin has made progress in his quest to help low-income FAMU students who are struggling with skyrocketing college costs. He received a positive response for his more than $30,000 “student stimulus package,” that will provide students with money for book vouchers, study materials, and graduate school entrance exam fees.

As one of FAMU’s 13 university trustees, Franklin also successfully persuaded his fellow board members to waive the seven percent differential tuition increase for students who qualify for the need-based Florida Public Student Assistance Grant (FPSAG). With the waiver in place, FAMU's FPSAG students won’t have to request to extra grants or loans from the Office of Financial Aid to pay for the differential.

FAMU boasts strong NFL prospects

Three FAMU gridiron stars are generating strong buzz as potential National Football League draftees.

In a column published by ESPN.com, Philadelphia Tribune staff writer Donald Hunt said that seniors Curtis Pulley, Robert Okeafor, and LeRoy Vann are all viable candidates for the pros.

One team, the Detroit Lions, is on record about its interest in FAMU players. James Harris, a Lions scout, recently visited campus for a first-hand look at Rattler team and expressed his enormous respect for Head Coach Joe Taylor’s program.

Here’s what Hunt had to say about FAMU’s NFL-caliber talent:

Curtis Pulley, Florida A&M, 6-4, 200 pounds, senior:
Pulley has all the tools to be an NFL quarterback. First of all, he can run and throw in every sense of the words. He has rushed for 885 yards while scoring seven rushing touchdowns. He's thrown 17 TD passes while compiling 1,382 yards. He should open a lot of eyes during the pro days this spring.

Robert Okeafor, Florida A&M, 6-4, 320 pounds, senior:
Okeafor is a tremendous pass and run blocker. His pass blocking skills have allowed Curtis Pulley to have a huge year. He has the athletic ability to play offensive guard, too. His versatility should land him a spot in the league.

LeRoy Vann, Florida A&M, 5-9, 185 pounds, senior:
Vann is the most exciting player in college football. He ranks No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision and No. 1 in the MEAC in punt returns. He averages 20.9 yards a return. He recently scored on a 51 yard punt return against North Carolina A&T, which was his fifth return TD of the season. He is the fifth player in the NCAA FCS history to have 1,000 yards in punt and kickoff returns.

J-School plans to offer degrees in digital media

With more and more Americans turning to the internet for their daily news, FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication is preparing a new digital media program to train students for this cutting-edge field.

The J-School has received Board of Trustees approval to initiate both a B.S. and M.S. in Digital Media. The undergraduate major will instruct students in areas such as graphic design and animation. The master’s degree will “appeal to students who wish to work in the industry as well as those who wish to teach at the high school or community college levels.”

The digital media program will build upon a variety of successful existing courses. The J-School already trains students in digital photography, digital video recording, and graphic design through post-production computer software. The digital media sequence will combine these strengths into a new degree.

FAMU’s digital media graduates will be prime candidates for not only reporting jobs, but also production and editing positions at Hollywood studios and private corporations.

Let the pre-classic trash talk begin!

Hampton blanks Rattlers 25-0

The Florida A&M University Football team suffered their first shutout in conference play in 11 years Saturday, as they dropped a 25-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference decision to Hampton University at Armstrong Stadium.

It was the first shutout overall for FAMU since a 62-0 setback at the hands of Virginia Tech in 2004, and it was the first conference shutout since an identical 25-0 decision was dealt to them by Bethune-Cookman in 1988 in Tampa.

Saturday’s setback virtually ended the Rattlers NCAA playoff hopes, but a bigger question for FAMU (7-3, 5-2 in MEAC) is the health of the squad.

Senior quarterback Curtis Pulley exited the game in the first half after re-aggravating a groin injury, then backup Eddie Battle injured his shoulder late in the game. Plus all three starting Rattler receivers – Kevin Elliott, Adrian Smith and Isaac West all left the game with injuries.

David Legree and Herbert Bynes split time at quarterback, leading the Pirates (5-5, 3-4 in MEAC) to 464 total yards Saturday, while the Rattlers managed just 184 total – their lowest of the season.

Third string quarterback Martin Ukpai led all FAMU runners with 48 yards on five carries in the final two series of the game, followed by Philip Sylvester, who ran for 45 yards on 10 carries.

Battle finished the game Saturday with 32 yards passing on eight completions (16 attempts), with two interceptions, while Pulley was five of seven for 22 yards in the first period.

GAME NOTES: Saturday’s loss, coupled with South Carolina State’s win over Morgan State, assured the Bulldogs the 2009 MEAC title. SCSU (9-1, 7-0) will claim the league’s automatic NCAA playoff berth for the postseason which begins November 28.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will close out the regular season next Saturday in Orlando against Bethune-Cookman University in the 30th Florida Classic. Kickoff will be 2:30 p.m. for the nationally-televised contest (ESPN Classic) at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

Lady Rattlers sink So. Fla in OT

LaShonda Gaines hit four straight free throws in overtime to send the Lady Rattlers to a 73-68 opening season victory on the road against the Golden Bulls at the Sun Dome in Tampa Friday.

Deidra Jones had tied the game at 61-61 for FAMU (1-0) when she nailed a three-pointer with seven seconds left in regulation.

South Florida (0-1) opened the game with a 9-0 run. But, the Lady Rattlers countered with a 15-2 run. The lead seesawed after that with FAMU shooting 28.6 percent from the floor while the Golden Bulls hit 23.7 percent of their shots.

100rd invited back to Honda band showcase

The FAMU Marching 100 has received yet another invitation to participate in the 20100 Honda Battle of the Bands . This will be the 100rd's six trip to the eight year old event.

FAMU will represent the MEAC .

FAMU, MIT grad hired at Ga. Tech

FAMU alumnus Asegun Henry is on his way to becoming one of the premier nanoengineers in the country.

Henry received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from FAMU in 2004. He then went on to earn a M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He will start as an assistant professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2011.

In the interim, Henry will pursue postdoctoral research on ab initio techniques, such as density functional theory, with Dr. David Singh at Oak Ridge National Labs. His research focuses on energy conversion technologies and projects related to nanoscale heat transfer/energy transport.

Henry’s success is yet another example of FAMU’s strong track record in preparing African Americans for the Ph.D. degree. FAMU leads America’s public universities in producing black baccalaureate recipients who go on to earn research doctorates.

USF still plans to open pharmacy school in 2011

Despite the fact that USF’s pharmacy program authorization bill died in the Florida Senate last session, the university says it will still open the new school in August 2011.

USF says it can go forward with its plans because it received Board of Governors approval to grant Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degrees. The university raised $1M to cover start-up costs.

The Florida House passed a bill to establish the proposed pharmacy school, but some senators were reluctant to commit long-term funding to an expensive new program.

There’s little doubt that USF will return to the legislature and ask for operational funding in the future. But without legislative authorization for the pharmacy program, state senators and representatives are under no obligation to give it any money. In the absence of such a legislative appropriation, USF would have to fund the school by raising tuition, cutting from other areas of its budget, or bringing in more private donations.

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 College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Florida, USF appointed a former FAMU professor to serve as dean of its new pharmacy school. Kevin B. Sneed (pictured - center), the major architect of the proposal for USF’s PharmD program and clinical director of the College of Medicine’s Division of Clinical Pharmacy, was chosen for the deanship after a nationwide search.

Sneed joined the USF Department of Family Medicine in 1999 as a visiting professor from FAMU’s pharmacy school, where he was an associate professor and ambulatory care clinical coordinator. At FAMU, he was a key member of curriculum committees and participated in several accreditation reviews. According to USF, Sneed's past work at FAMU is “experience that has helped in building USF’s PharmD program to comply with new accreditation standards.”

FAMU presents laptops to top students

Christmas came a little early for some freshmen at Florida A&M University (FAMU). President James H. Ammons presented laptops to more than 40 scholars as part of the FAMU Presidential Scholarship Program, which includes the Life Gets Better Scholarship and the Distinguished Scholar Award.

The sound of boxes ripping out and the chatter of excitement filled the room as FAMU scholars opened their brand new HP Probook 4310s.

The HP Probooks are equipped with a 4.0 GB RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, DVD player and web camera.

“I need one [laptop] because I have been borrowing my parents’ laptop,” said Loren McLendon, a biology pre-med major from Jacksonville, Fla. “I’m really grateful and excited to receive a laptop. It’s nice to know that my hard work has paid off.”

McLendon is a Life Gets Better Scholar.

This group of scholars is from Florida, Missouri, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Alabama, Maryland, and Tennessee. One scholar, Tyler Fryberger, is from the state of Washington. When asked how he originally heard about FAMU, Fryberger, who is a Life Gets Better Scholar, stated he learned about the university through ROTC.

“I received a ROTC scholarship as well,” said Fryberger, who is a chemical engineering major. “I had an opportunity to attend the University of Washington, but I decided to come to FAMU because of the Life Gets Better scholarship package. I made the right decision because I feel I can learn more here than I could in Washington.”

Another scholar, Michael Jefferson from Indianapolis, Ind., said he broke the family tradition by attending FAMU.

“I’m the first to break my family’s tradition by not attending Jackson State University,” said Jefferson, who plans to be a Presidential Ambassador. “In March of this year, I visited FAMU. I walked the campus and studied the history. I knew this [FAMU] is where I wanted to be. I love FAMU.”

NASA funds new institute at FAMU

Under a new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant, FAMU is establishing a Minority Innovation Challenges Institute (MICI) to mentor students at Minority Serving Institutions around the country. The institute will strive to get more minority students interested in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content offered by technical prize competitions sponsored by NASA. MICI will feature a year-round virtual conference to provide video, Q&A sessions, networking opportunities, and other resources, with a focus on a different contest each month.

The principal investigator for the grant is Computer Information Sciences Professor Clement Allen. Allen is an experienced researcher who has also received grants from Dell Corporation and Procter & Gamble.

Through MICI, which will be funded for 3 years, Allen aims to foster further research in technology areas meaningful to NASA. He lso wants to motivate students to become involved in STEM disciplines related to NASA and inspire them to seek employment at NASA or a NASA contractor.

The new institute is yet another program poised to help FAMU build upon its success in graduating blacks who go on to earn Ph.D. degrees in the STEM fields.

Read the full program description here.

Happy Veterans' Day!

FAMU taking dental school proposal to BOG

Having secured a favorable vote from the Board of Trustees at last month’s meeting, FAMU’s College of Dental Medicine proposal faces another critical hurdle: Board of Governors approval. The BOG must authorize all new doctoral-level programs in the State University System of Florida.

Currently, there are only two dental schools for Florida’s more than 18 million residents. The University of Florida runs the only public dental school in the state. Nova Southeastern University also has a College of Dental Medicine.

A College of Dental Medicine "will build upon [FAMU’s] existing strengths in health disciplines,” university officials wrote in the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan. “The School would produce graduates from under-represented populations to serve underserved populations.”

A FAMU College of Dental Medicine would also be an asset to healthcare throughout the Big Bend area. Dental schools typically offer discounted services for low-income patients.

In planning the dental school, FAMU faculty and administrators have kept grant-raising in mind, too. Each year, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (part of the National Institutes of Health) offers millions of dollars for cutting-edge research. A FAMU dental school could bring more of this money into the state of Florida.

Cost could be a concern for the BOG. The Florida Legislature has cut huge multi-million dollar chunks out of the SUS budget during recent years. But, recent budget problems didn’t stop the BOG from approving an expensive new doctor of pharmacy program at the University of South Florida designed with explicit intent of competing against FAMU’s own College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

If the dental school is approved, FAMU will offer a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree. The university is already pushing forward with plans to launch a B.S. in Dental Hygiene within the School of Allied Health. The Dental Hygiene degree will focus on “oral health of disadvantaged persons.”

McCoy cleared; wants track coach job back

The state attorney’s office has dropped the unemployment compensation fraud charges that led to former FAMU track coach Walter McCoy’s arrest.

Tallahassee police officers arrested McCoy for allegedly accepting unemployment compensation while also working as Leon High School’s track coach. Assistant State Attorney Neill Wade said he dropped charges after Leon High School Principal Rocky Hanna sent a letter stating that: “During this time frame, there was confusion and delay regarding Mr. McCoy's employment status at Leon.”

McCoy’s attorney said his client repaid the money in question and is now seeking reinstatement to his former job as FAMU’s men’s track coach.

Boyd’s health care vote takes center stage in Congressional race

Congressman Allen Boyd’s “no” vote against the Affordable Health Care for America Act is fueling a fierce war-of-words between him and his main Democratic challenger, State Sen. Alfred “Al” Lawson. Lawson says Boyd is "on the wrong side of history."

The $1 trillion bill, which includes a public health insurance option, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 220 to 215. Boyd was one of 39 Democrats who voted against it.

“While the House bill does take some positive steps toward increasing coverage and reforming insurance regulations, it simply falls short when it comes to lowering healthcare costs for North Florida families and businesses,” Boyd said. “Improving our healthcare system is of utmost importance to me, but meaningful reform must reduce the skyrocketing cost of healthcare services. Until I have confidence that a healthcare reform bill will effectively curb rising healthcare costs and ease the burdensome pressure millions of Americans feel when paying their healthcare premiums or doctor bills, I cannot in good faith support this bill.”

U.S. President Barack Obama sharply rejected the argument that the health care act is not fiscally responsible.

“The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare,” the President said in statement released shortly after the House vote. “And it is legislation that is fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit.”

Lawson echoed Obama’s view that the health care act is right solution to a huge national problem.

“I am greatly disappointed in Allen Boyd's decision to join with Washington Republicans in opposing real health care reform. Not only is Allen Boyd on the wrong side of history, but he is on the wrong side of the 126,000 of his constituents who currently lack health care coverage. The people of North Florida deserve better than this; the people of North Florida deserve better than Allen Boyd.”

Boyd’s “no” vote against the healthcare act attracted intense scrutiny from Panama City’s News Herald. In an article entitled “Boyd’s war chest brimming with health care cash,” the newspaper reported that “over the past two fundraising quarters, Boyd has taken in more than $127,000 in campaign contributions from the health care industry, a sharp increase from previous quarters.”

Boyd says his campaign contributions from the health care industry did not affect his vote.

Rattlers top Aggies, 31-27; Vann sets new records

All-American Leroy Vann’s 51-yard punt return for a touchdown sparked a 14-point third quarter blitz, helping FAMU to hold off a determined North Carolina A&T squad, 31-27 in the Rattlers’ 2009 home finale in Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Vann’s runback capped the Rattlers’ third quarter rally that allowed them to overcome a 21-17 halftime deficit, setting and tying several school and national records in the process.

• The touchdown return shattered the single-season school record for TD punt returns set in 1988 by Howard Huckaby (4), and his 81 punt return yards Saturday, boosted his 2009 season total to 540 yards, surpassing Huckaby’s season high 478 yards, also established in 1988.

• The TD return for Vann tied an NCAA Division I FCS and MEAC single season high for returns of five (5), set by North Carolina A&T’s Curtis Deloach in 2001.

The AP reports that Vann “holds the FBS career record [for punt returns for a score] along with Texas Tech's Wes Welker (2000-03) and Oklahoma's Antonio Perkins (2001-04). Vann also broke the all time FCS career record, formerly held by Northern Iowa's Kenny Shedd (1989-92) with seven.”

Saturday’s win allowed the Rattlers to remain mathematically alive in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title chase, and keep their at-large NCAA playoff hopes alive as well - should they win their final two games.

QB Curtis Pulley, who had been the leading man for the Rattlers the past several weeks, left the game midway through the third period with a groin injury, but instead of putting a damper on FAMU, the intensity level seemed to soar, as they retook the lead in a four-minute span.

The Rattler Defense, which came up big with a stand in last week’s overtime win at Morgan, stuffed the Aggies on fourth and short in the final minute, prompting a furious reaction from the A&T bench, whose demands for a measurement by the officials fell on deaf ears.

A&T’s try for first down on fourth and two yards from the FAMU 23-yard line came up a yard short thanks to a stop from safety Fabian Wilson.

OT: Health Care Bill passes House 220-215

After hours of debate, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system. The House passed the $1 trillion the Affordable Health Care for America Act, H.R. 3962, by a vote of 220 to 215 late Saturday night. Thirty-nine Democrats, including Allen Boyd, voted no. Only one Republican, Louisiana's Joseph Cao, voted for the bill.

The bill requires individuals to have health insurance and for larger businesses to provide it to their employees. It also includes a public health insurance option not tied to Medicare.

Ben Carson to speak FAMU

Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., a world-renowned neurosurgeon, will speak at FAMU on Sunday, November 15, at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium. This event is sponsored by the FAMU Student Government Association.

Carson is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for more than a quarter of a century. He became the inaugural recipient of a professorship dedicated in his name in May, 2008. He is now the Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery.

Some of Carson’s career highlights include the first and only successful separation of craniopagus (Siamese) twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin. Although he has been involved in many newsworthy operations, he feels that every case is noteworthy deserving of maximum attention. He is interested in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery, and has a special interest in trigeminal neuralgia (a severe facial pain condition) in adults.

On February 7, 2009, the movie titled "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" premiered on TNT and is based on his memoir.

Carson’s books include Gifted Hands, THINK BIG, The Big Picture and Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose and Live with Acceptable.

YAG raises $10,000 for FAMU Foundation

Homecoming 2009’s Young Alumni Giving luncheon raised a total of $10,000 for the FAMU Foundation.

During the event Reach Media CEO Oscar Joyner, a member of the FAMU Foundation’s Board of Directors, talked about his efforts to help the university make its donation processes more convenient and technologically sophisticated.

He emphasized that old-time methods like “snail mail” don’t engage FAMU’s young alumni. Ever since he joined the foundation board, Joyner has encouraged the university to explore fundraising options that utilize the latest communication devices – including online communication networks and cell phones.

Joyner said that FAMU’s administration is getting the message, as shown by the recent Mobile Giving Campaign. He then asked everyone in the audience to take out their phones on the spot and immediately make a $5.00 (or more) donation to the foundation.

The YAG luncheon also received sponsorship from Ajax Building Corporation, the company that built the first phase of FAMU’s Recreation Center and currently holds the contract for remodeling Tucker Hall.

FAMU PD: Most campus crimes committed by outsiders

FAMU’s open campus makes it particularly vulnerable to criminal acts by individuals who have no business being on The Hill.

“We have an open campus, so most crimes are [committed by] people from outside the university,” FAMU Sgt. Sherri Luke told the Gainesville Sun.

In 2008, FAMU had the second highest rates of violent and property crimes in the State University System. New College topped the list.

FAMU’s police department is responding by stepping up its identification checks and enforcement of curfews in the dormitories.

Pulley and Ponder team up to read

FAMU QB Curtis Pulley and FSU QB Christian Ponder teamed up to read to a packed house of students at Hartsfield Elementary School in Tallahassee. Pulley encourage students to become readers and to stay in school.

FAMU creates feeder program to grow graduate enrollment

The FAMU School of Graduate Studies and Research recently launched one of its most ambitious initiatives since the hugely successful Graduate Feeder Scholars Program. This time FAMU is working to feed graduates of other HBCUs into FAMU's graduate programs.

"It is common for HBCU’s to partner with other institutions for the purposes of helping minority students attain advanced degrees," said Chanta Haywood, dean of FAMU’s School of Graduate Studies and Research. What distinguishes this program from other partnerships is that this consortium consists solely of HBCUs.

FAMU will serve as the lead institution in the new HBCU Graduate Research and Education Program (HGREP). Its role will be to deliver graduate education to recent alumni of other HBCUs. In the long run, this should help FAMU boost its graduate enrollment and boosts its classification from a Carnegie Doctoral Research University to a Research-Intensive University.

Haywood noted that “research shows that minorities who receive their undergraduate degrees from an HBCU are more likely to pursue their graduate degrees at an HBCU as well.” That is precisely why Haywood chose to target the more than 350,000 students at historically black colleges and universities.

“Our best and brightest need not go to majority schools when we have outstanding graduate education right here,” Dean Haywood said. “Dr. [James H.] Ammons has stated that we (HBCUs) must take the lead now to train the students who will not only populate our own graduate programs as students, but who will also remain at our institutions and serve as professors and administrators. This is why we are calling the students James H. Ammons Fellows, because they embody this vision.”

The first recipient of the James H. Ammons Graduate Fellowship is Joane Theodule, a 22 year-old from Pine Hills, Fla., who received her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in public administration from Bethune-Cookman University. Theodule, a native of Haiti, will receive an impressive scholarship offer, which includes the following:

The full cost of tuition and fees for two years;
• A working graduate research assistantship for up to $9,000 per year for two years;
• The full cost of health insurance while they are a research assistant;
• A stipend (where available) to assist with travel to present a paper at a professional conference;
• A stipend (where available) to assist with the cost of research material to carry out your studies; and
• Funds to travel back to their undergraduate institutions as a F.A.C.E.S. Students (FAMU Ambassadors for Continuing Educational Success) to recruit other dynamic scholars.

When asked about her initial reaction to the news that she was selected as an Ammons Fellow, Theodule stated she was in awe.

“I was totally shocked, amazed, overwhelmed and full of joy,” said Theodule. “I am truly blessed.”

Theodule is pursuing her master’s degree in applied social sciences with a concentration in public administration. Her future aspirations are to finish graduate school and start law school in August 2010 at FAMU’s College of Law.

Pulley on watch list for Payton Award

FAMU Quarterback Curtis Pulley's strong arm and fast feet are garnering national attention and buzz for one of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision's top awards.

For the second week in a row, Pulley was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week.

“I’ve been using the word ‘phenomenal,’” Head Coach Joe Taylor told The FAMUan. “Rushing, throwing, just being an overall leader, he’s really special.”

Pulley (QB, 6-4, 200, r-Sr., Hopkinsville, Ky.) rushed for a MEAC season best 236 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns in the Rattlers 31-28 win over Morgan State. The run performance tops a previous 196-yard MEAC season top performance also set by Pulley in the season opener versus Delaware State on Sept. 5. Pulley also connected on 13-of-23 passes for 174 yards with a passing touchdown.

“It’s no fluke that he’s on the Walter Payton watch list for one of the best players at this particular level,” Taylor said.

The Walter Payton Award, presented annually by the Sports Network, is given to the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS.

Detroit Lions scouting Rattler players

The FAMU football team’s strong performance, along with Head Coach Joe Taylor’s reputation for producing top-rate talent, is attracting attention from the National Football League.

James Harris, a scout for the NFL’s Detroit Lions, recently visited campus for a first-hand look at the Rattler players.

“A lot of the players are aware of the NFL scouts being around. Most of us have known Coach Taylor and his staff for a long time,” Harris told WCTV Channel 6. “They do an excellent job of both preparing players for games and the game of life.”

Taylor says that Harris’ visit shows that the FAMU team is moving in the right direction.

“For him to be here on campus says a lot about where we are,” Taylor said. “It speaks volumes because again he doesn't come unless there is some legitimate reason to come.”

FAMU could attract even more NFL scouts if it has a strong showing throughout the remainder of the season and wins a playoff bid.

“Now, after a 6-2 overall start, including Saturday's 31-28 overtime win over Morgan State at Hughes Stadium in a MEAC second-place battle, the Rattlers have a chance to return to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, if they win their final three games over North Carolina A&T, Hampton and Bethune-Cookman,” wrote Sports Network Reporter Brett Kahn.

Rattlers slither away from Morgan State, 31-28

The Florida A&M Rattlers stopped Morgan State quarterback Carlton Jackson on fourth and inches at the 15 in overtime of a 31-28 victory at Baltimore’s Hughes Stadium on Halloween evening.

The Rattlers started off the scoring rather quickly as 1:50 into the game, Curtis Pulley threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Elliott to give Florida A&M a 7-0 lead.

The Rattlers then fired some more. This time, with Philip Sylvester running the football into the end zone from 19 yards out to help extend the Florida A&M advantage to 14-0 with 6:43 left in the first quarter.

Florida A&M (6-2, 4-1 MEAC) could’ve made it 21-0 when the Rattlers’ Gregory Boler nearly picked off a Jackson pass and would have ran it into the end zone. However, the drive was kept alive and Jackson ended up throwing a 27-yard touchdown pass with Edward Morton-Green with 2:18 left in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 14-7.

In the second quarter, Morgan State (5-3, 3-2 MEAC) tied the game at 14 on a Domanick West 2 yard touchdown scamper with 14:03 left.

Morgan State hardly had answers for Florida A&M quarterback Curtis Pulley as he found the end zone on a six yard run with 10:12 remaining in the third quarter. Pulley ran 20 times for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Hill-Eley said, “Pulley had a good day of escaping a couple of times and was able to get that under control. I think overall, our guys played a good game.”

The Bears answered back on Jackson’s one yard run when he did a crossover on a Rattler defender and then ran it into the end zone with 1:29 left to help tie the game at 21. The Rattlers struck again in the fourth quarter off the feet of Pulley as he used the fake handoff to his advantage and ran 36 yards for the touchdown with 14:14 left, putting FAMU back on top 28-21.

Morgan State answered back on the next drive when Jackson hit Edwin Baptiste for a 53 yard touchdown pass to help tie the game at 28 with 8:33 left.

A few plays before that, MSU’s Lamont Bryant was thrown out of the game by the officials for illegal use of equipment. The officials stated that he was swinging his helmet towards a FAMU player.

FAMU had a real chance to end the game in regulation. But a key unsportsmanlike conduct call pushed the Rattlers away from field goal range with 12 seconds left in regulation. The Bears’ Gary Albury intercepted a Hail Mary pass from Pulley with no time left to force overtime.

In overtime, Trevor Scott converted a 35-yard field goal to give FAMU the lead. Then on Morgan State’s possession, Jackson was sacked by LeRoy Vann for a nine yard loss. Jackson then completed a 15 yard pass to Terrell White at the FAMU 19. Jackson ran the ball 3 yards to the 16 and was looking at fourth down and inches.

The Bears went for it and Jackson looked to have fallen forward, which seemed to be enough for the first down. However, the ball was placed close to the 15 yard line with the nose of the ball touching the line. The sticks were brought out and the measurement turned up a couple inches short, ending the game in heartbreaking fashion for the Bears.