tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206036722024-03-18T11:25:24.421-04:00Rattler NationUncover the truth and news about Florida A&M University. Explore academics, athletics, and more. Join Rattler Nation today!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7770125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-30369660401742173372024-03-18T07:41:00.005-04:002024-03-18T11:24:50.752-04:00FAFSA delays leave students in financial aid limbo<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMgAFtkeOBNbFtcgVbkMnlwFHHxLXdyw03cZKZUI8PFq9tyjJ_KIpaa6muScWl1SjVHR4rL6P0CvkGQR_4RIxrFURng0d-dhFLST7xP_JJE0FZthNFYNp3gHA0hY7dTDYPS0onv_ZGN6g1ZbOioafFz9hiP3HIbWgnGqsZONBxl5xRWcdrcVBiQ/s600/IMG_0622-600x450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMgAFtkeOBNbFtcgVbkMnlwFHHxLXdyw03cZKZUI8PFq9tyjJ_KIpaa6muScWl1SjVHR4rL6P0CvkGQR_4RIxrFURng0d-dhFLST7xP_JJE0FZthNFYNp3gHA0hY7dTDYPS0onv_ZGN6g1ZbOioafFz9hiP3HIbWgnGqsZONBxl5xRWcdrcVBiQ/s320/IMG_0622-600x450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />After months of delays and technical hiccups, some colleges and universities have started to receive the federal data they need to put together financial aid offers for incoming students, the Biden administration said last week.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The Education Department says it sent a first batch of student records to a few dozen universities on last Sunday and is making final updates before expanding to more universities.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The delay has cut into the time schools usually have to assemble financial aid packages before the typical May 1 deadline for students to commit to a university. Many colleges have extended enrollment deadlines as they wait on the federal government, leaving families across the nation wondering how much financial help they will get with college tuition.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The Free Application for Federal Student Aid overhaul delayed the form’s usual rollout from October to late December. The department then soft-launched the new version to address lingering bugs in the system, but many families reported difficulties accessing the form.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The delays have had cascading impacts across the higher education landscape. FAFSA information is used to award state and federal education grants, and schools use it to assemble financial aid packages for prospective students. In the meantime, families often have only a murky idea of how much they would need to pay, which can be a dealbreaker when choosing colleges.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Many fear the holdup will deter some students from pursuing higher education at all, especially those who were already on the fence.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Repeated delays have become a blemish for the Biden administration, which has blamed Congress for rejecting requests for more money to overhaul information systems and update the decades-old application process.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Every year, about 17 million students submit the FAFSA as part of their applications for financial aid. So far, this year, 5.5 million students have been able to fill out the new FAFSA form, according to the department.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The department updated its formula to account for inflation, which will increase the amount of aid students are eligible to receive. But the initial release didn’t include the updated inflation tool.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>In a letter to the department in February, over 100 Democratic lawmakers pressed for answers on how the department planned to minimize the impact the delays have had on families.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>“Any delays in financial aid processing will most impact the students that need aid most, including many students of color, students from mixed status families, students from rural backgrounds, students experiencing homelessness or in foster care, first-generation students, and students from underserved communities,” they wrote. “For institutions to support students’ ability to make informed decisions about their future, they need clear guidance and resources from the Department immediately on any and all next steps.”<br /> <o:p><br /></o:p>For institutions like FAMU where nearly 80% of students rely on some form of federal financial aid, the delays pose significant challenges. <b>William Hudson</b>, FAMU's Vice President of Student Affairs, emphasized the broad impact the delays have on the university putting together financial aid packages for new and returning scholarship recipients, Pell Grant recipients, and borrowers of parent PLUS loans and student loans.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>As the Biden administration works to rectify these delays, the spotlight remains on ensuring equitable access to higher education and providing clarity to students and families navigating the financial aid process. </span></div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-60642078622619521272024-03-17T09:04:00.002-04:002024-03-17T09:04:21.090-04:00 Rattlers dominate Alabama A&M Bulldogs in doubleheader sweep<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfYMHu7_c2Rwc5xJd5TZ7bFzT1kxpQdAsZfjGrHx4ErXQspSN5zp4KakceNe-3ci_zQ4orVdVNaYENO-UdGjhwwWRKDA9cU8mbVeCANeW6n_PaxpZwS68aktUtPpny7aTcEJqYB7r-yak4WlF_lkXI7wO0qPu390D2vkqWVv2yuFJdmBty6dUIQ/s1179/resize-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1179" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfYMHu7_c2Rwc5xJd5TZ7bFzT1kxpQdAsZfjGrHx4ErXQspSN5zp4KakceNe-3ci_zQ4orVdVNaYENO-UdGjhwwWRKDA9cU8mbVeCANeW6n_PaxpZwS68aktUtPpny7aTcEJqYB7r-yak4WlF_lkXI7wO0qPu390D2vkqWVv2yuFJdmBty6dUIQ/w343-h193/resize-4.jpeg" width="343" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The FAMU Rattlers showcased their dominance on the baseball diamond yesterday as they swept the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in an impressive doubleheader, with victories in both games.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In the first game of the doubleheader, the Rattlers found themselves trailing the Bulldogs early, with Alabama A&M taking a 1-0 lead. However, the Rattlers quickly turned the tide, scoring two runs in the third inning to take the lead 2-1. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The momentum continued as FAMU’s offense remained relentless, adding five more runs in the following inning to extend their lead to 5-1. Freshman <b>Ben Kim</b>'s two-run homer further </span>solidified <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">the Rattlers' lead. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Despite the Bulldogs' efforts, the Rattlers' defense held strong, keeping Alabama A&M scoreless while FAMU's offense continued to pile on the runs. The game ended with a commanding 11-1 victory for the Rattlers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Game two saw another stellar performance from the Rattlers, as they secured a 13-7 win over the Bulldogs. Senior <b>Sebastian Greico</b> led the offensive charge with an impressive four hits, including a double and a home run, contributing three RBIs to the team's victory. Senior <b>Adam Haidermot</b> and Senior <b>Evan Badger </b>also made significant contributions, with Haidermot going 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, while Badger added two hits, including a double, and two RBIs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On the pitching front, Senior <b>Andrew Ginther</b> stepped up for the Rattlers, earning the victory out of the bullpen with a solid performance. Ginther pitched 4.2 innings, giving up just two runs, one earned, on three hits. His impeccable control, with no walks allowed, and four strikeouts helped secure the win for FAMU.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Rattlers improved their season record to 7-12, with a perfect 2-0 start in conference play. The Rattlers and the Bulldogs faceoff again today at 1:00 pm </span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-30887293427800017732024-03-16T00:02:00.002-04:002024-03-16T09:36:33.590-04:00 FAMU awarded $9 million grant to develop community schools in North Florida<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlL-9WDw6vem1ULAbIV6xl4VSogXJRqgoYJjrVzKS9L1sfbv5BWfTSWbQjYtLj6ANO-S36iyrkpolrha93QQZDKr949dtB0BfQDRQOtcJossn9mSnBMrISuk8CHop62DYu_EYLQrfKcxafEXCKtnQOIrTWCMydrSmE21KL7RuRsi0rK4Nut_aRg/s1200/FAMU-Gore-Front-of-Buildingedit-jpg2-1200x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlL-9WDw6vem1ULAbIV6xl4VSogXJRqgoYJjrVzKS9L1sfbv5BWfTSWbQjYtLj6ANO-S36iyrkpolrha93QQZDKr949dtB0BfQDRQOtcJossn9mSnBMrISuk8CHop62DYu_EYLQrfKcxafEXCKtnQOIrTWCMydrSmE21KL7RuRsi0rK4Nut_aRg/s320/FAMU-Gore-Front-of-Buildingedit-jpg2-1200x900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In a significant stride toward bolstering educational opportunities in North Florida, FAMU has secured a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant is earmarked for the development of community schools in the region, aimed at enhancing outcomes for students in high-needs districts. The initiative is part of the broader $50 million statewide partnership known as the Unlimited Potential Initiative, which involves the collaboration of the University of Central Florida (UCF), Florida International University (FIU), and the University of South Florida (USF).<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The primary objective of the Unlimited Potential Initiative is to elevate educational outcomes for students across Florida, particularly in districts facing significant challenges. Over the next five years, the initiative will focus on scaling up pipeline services, expanding the presence of university partnership community schools throughout the state, and providing essential technical support to school partners.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The $9 million investment dedicated to FAMU will be channeled towards the advancement of North Florida's regional schools, particularly those in Leon County. Collaborating closely with the FAMU Developmental Research School and Leon County Public Schools, the grant aims to implement targeted interventions that will drive positive change in educational outcomes.</span></div><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-30584348366842051822024-03-14T06:48:00.005-04:002024-03-14T06:48:28.153-04:00FAMU falls to Grambling in SWAC tournament opener<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNpqs0q9bvA_lRA3VtkAcU6OSML3h98bKtmEOLEcFaidXKvFOLhDKwY1GdDA9zSYplC90hHZMUMkXJcwyslq_hD8omr-w2LO741vdWs4bDE9oBCQSO73odT691XbL6BDK8AMUB7SO6FBM93Z_jpsCdmCdEZvuRe9A8m_PfchasgFnL7nECfTMCQ/s1294/resize-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1294" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNpqs0q9bvA_lRA3VtkAcU6OSML3h98bKtmEOLEcFaidXKvFOLhDKwY1GdDA9zSYplC90hHZMUMkXJcwyslq_hD8omr-w2LO741vdWs4bDE9oBCQSO73odT691XbL6BDK8AMUB7SO6FBM93Z_jpsCdmCdEZvuRe9A8m_PfchasgFnL7nECfTMCQ/w348-h232/resize-4.jpeg" width="348" /></a></div><br />In a hard-fought battle, FAMU women's basketball team suffered a setback in their opening round game of the SWAC Tournament against the Grambling Tigers. The Rattlers faced a formidable opponent in the No. 2 seed Grambling, ultimately falling short with a final score of 66-60.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Despite the loss, the Rattlers displayed resilience and determination on the court. <b>Ahriahna Grizzle</b> led the charge for FAMU, contributing 16 points and dishing out five assists. <b>Olivia Delancy</b> added to the offensive effort with 14 points, while <b>Ivet Subirats</b> provided a solid performance with nine points and 10 rebounds.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">A standout performance on the boards came from <b>Nashani Gilbert</b>, who pulled down five offensive rebounds, helping FAMU capitalize on second chance opportunities. The Rattlers managed to convert 19 rebounds into 16 crucial second chance points, showcasing their tenacity and hustle throughout the game.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Defensively, FAMU put up a strong fight, holding Grambling's shooters to just 39.4 percent from the field. The Rattlers' defensive effort extended beyond the arc, limiting Grambling to a mere 9.1 percent shooting from three-point range.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Despite the outcome, the FAMU women's basketball team demonstrated their competitive spirit and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on the court. The Rattlers remain determined to learn and grow from this experience, setting their sights on future success in the SWAC Tournament and beyond.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-74811048700815936862024-03-13T01:35:00.010-04:002024-03-13T21:15:57.765-04:00Amateur hour!<p><span face="Aptos, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhGeQR2IgV1c3qFHtLnniaDETpgdgtiuypG8x64n4ktTsg6RJAov95WmkAAn9MoTXAP89358-DKViOhG7KPDkQs6RdTGXpM0pjeK2SVE3RMhEykAJpCGqjljbqgEnnfJGoBj0H1WN2VROuGDGVCFFMqP_39pC7-ex1RTdspO_3KykFuVdqcpaGA/s347/90-3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="347" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhGeQR2IgV1c3qFHtLnniaDETpgdgtiuypG8x64n4ktTsg6RJAov95WmkAAn9MoTXAP89358-DKViOhG7KPDkQs6RdTGXpM0pjeK2SVE3RMhEykAJpCGqjljbqgEnnfJGoBj0H1WN2VROuGDGVCFFMqP_39pC7-ex1RTdspO_3KykFuVdqcpaGA/w336-h225/90-3.jpeg" width="336" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">FAMU AD<span face="Aptos, sans-serif"> </span><b>Tiffani Dawn Sykes</b><span face="Aptos, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif">is once again under fire as criticism mounts over her latest fundraising effort, a <a href="https://twitter.com/RattlerNationFL/status/1767639097017770069"><span style="color: red;">raffle for a Telfar Bag purse</span></a>, sparked outrage among students and alumni alike.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The move has earned her the derisive nickname "VP of Raffles" among critics who argue that it underscores her lack of vision and strategic planning for the university's athletic department.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The announcement of the raffle was met with swift backlash on social media, with many expressing embarrassment and frustration over what they perceive as a misguided attempt at fundraising. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"Here we go again, this is embarrassing," one user remarked, while another quipped, "This is giving very gofundme.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Man let me know when the fish fry dinner is. Lol," wrote another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">President <b>Larry Robinson</b>, a vocal supporter of Sykes, has to be acutely conscious of her shortcomings and <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2024/01/alumni-vote-no-confidence-in-ad-sykes.html"><span style="color: red;">cannot overlook the criticism surrounding her leadership</span></a>, given the AD's numerous <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2023/09/long-lines-mar-fan-experience-at-famu.html"><span style="color: red;">struggles </span></a>and <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2024/03/athletics-triumph-turns-to-turmoil.html"><span style="color: red;">missteps</span></a> during her 14 months on the job have been widely observed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Insiders within the university have also raised concerns about Sykes' leadership style, citing allegations of bullying and a refusal to collaborate with other administrators. Her infamous boisterous tone, <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">and her<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; padding: 0in;">near-constant “word salads”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">that fails to convey any sort of message.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Skyes' blunders <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2024/01/fact-checking-latest-tiffani-dawn-sykes.html"><span style="color: red;">persist</span></a>, seemingly accumulating with each passing day, solidifying her reputation without leaving much space for sympathy at her level of authority. What was once whispered behind closed doors during her inaugural year has now spilled into the public domain, particularly evident following the <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2024/01/sources-fvsu-coach-shaw-gibbs-emerges.html"><span style="color: red;">protracted hunt for a head football coach</span></a>.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #2a2a2a; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1SOlmE7TrQ-SCkHw5sPAbXkrR6OARzckzrKRV8KWEpWU4erH4sf6WZJbOsfBLBbKODwUWDD2m05StqKYFc-o0QWF9jKQVJgVlnhPgYSmDMmzUiyZoIgaGcYvesKin1RznqhFovo2sqJPPBzzwZ-ZvTk36YIbKAi2ab4aL94ymWO6rc_ogaXbVA/s784/T.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="784" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1SOlmE7TrQ-SCkHw5sPAbXkrR6OARzckzrKRV8KWEpWU4erH4sf6WZJbOsfBLBbKODwUWDD2m05StqKYFc-o0QWF9jKQVJgVlnhPgYSmDMmzUiyZoIgaGcYvesKin1RznqhFovo2sqJPPBzzwZ-ZvTk36YIbKAi2ab4aL94ymWO6rc_ogaXbVA/s320/T.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">The scrutiny surrounding the recent raffle arrives just one day after Skyes' tweet acknowledging the order of football championship rings and clarifying that the ongoing </span><a href="https://twitter.com/FAMUAthletics/status/1766988067276034166"><span style="color: red;">ring sponsorship fundraiser</span></a><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"> aims to reimburse the athletic department for the costs to purchase the rings. </span></span><br /><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-83042179482432255842024-03-12T08:23:00.000-04:002024-03-12T08:23:00.381-04:00FAMU names Kenneth Wilson as new controller<p><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oGU368mU2U6KUJy4raWk5sp8crDiQiRwlCWXlaxggnVQ-kWRAqKxGn5KMpfFPgAzZCZ985ym4dLKck9Tw3mgY7Y46fF81ixXTI_EA5vx5PMWGqsgQNaEPrfIFM0oEIABBuHwaIqwSknSirxY9_YQkaI1YcmxZ-ggXOaSo1P4M7VKAVNaUHOrSg/s940/KennethWilsonController-1-940x560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="940" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oGU368mU2U6KUJy4raWk5sp8crDiQiRwlCWXlaxggnVQ-kWRAqKxGn5KMpfFPgAzZCZ985ym4dLKck9Tw3mgY7Y46fF81ixXTI_EA5vx5PMWGqsgQNaEPrfIFM0oEIABBuHwaIqwSknSirxY9_YQkaI1YcmxZ-ggXOaSo1P4M7VKAVNaUHOrSg/s320/KennethWilsonController-1-940x560.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />FAMU recently announced the appointment of<b style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> Kenneth Wilson</b><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">as the university’s new controller.</span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;">He started in the role on February 12th.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Wilson, a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Strategic Management from Purdue University. He previously served as controller/director at the University of North Texas Foundation and acting senior vice president for Finance/chief financial officer (CFO) at the Florida Institute of Technology. Prior to these positions, he held significant roles in public higher education at prestigious institutions such as Purdue University and the University of Michigan. Additionally, he has contributed his expertise in budgeting at Case Western Reserve University.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">"Wilson's appointment reflects our dedication to enhancing our financial strategies and operations. We are confident that his leadership will further our mission and strengthen our long-term fiscal health and sustainability, " said <b>Rebecca Brown</b>, FAMU CFO/Vice President for Finance and Administration.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-14930879412616458272024-03-10T01:53:00.007-05:002024-03-10T09:48:54.942-04:00FAMU women secures SWAC Tournament berth with victory over Bethune-Cookman<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMMK2UnBJy6Gnq5Egi8PsYLyxW0wVsRfGb3URSMeo-L2jfu5xT2thIS2lLNrPy7X01hvqoNzIR60eucYR1vX1fvzgUfNH5O5-B0rOxKTQBmnMy2mrow0VdHyn8-eNFzGLTe6G0xZZo8ltdPm_Jbr6PldVAIVMvGD3xVIeC-ryxXkjGHLgyhhTwA/s1920/resize-4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMMK2UnBJy6Gnq5Egi8PsYLyxW0wVsRfGb3URSMeo-L2jfu5xT2thIS2lLNrPy7X01hvqoNzIR60eucYR1vX1fvzgUfNH5O5-B0rOxKTQBmnMy2mrow0VdHyn8-eNFzGLTe6G0xZZo8ltdPm_Jbr6PldVAIVMvGD3xVIeC-ryxXkjGHLgyhhTwA/s320/resize-4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>In a thrilling showdown on Saturday, the FAMU women's basketball team clinched a spot in the SWAC Tournament Championship with a hard-fought 69-65 win against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. <span style="background-color: white;">With the win, the Rattlers are headed to their first SWAC Tournament as the 7-seed.<br /></span><o:p> <br /></o:p>The Rattlers' victory was anchored by a stellar defensive performance that stymied the Wildcats' shooting efforts, holding them to a mere 28.6 percent from the field, including a paltr<br />y 20 percent from beyond the arc. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Leading the charge for the Rattlers was <b>Ahriahna Grizzle</b>, whose remarkable performance included 23 points, five assists, and three steals. Additionally, <b>Olivia Delancy</b> delivered a standout performance with 14 points and a commanding nine rebounds, while also contributing two steals. <b>Sydney Hendrix</b> provided a significant spark off the bench, adding 13 points to the Rattlers' tally.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>On the men’s side of the ball, the Rattler men’s basketball team's season ended with a 67-66 OT loss to Bethune yesterday.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-18750264692873703172024-03-09T04:07:00.002-05:002024-03-09T10:30:06.188-05:00Rattlers to take on in-state rival BCU today<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7onpdnoKkBBSWkI8Lj1D8jFC7AudrHrn8WYPvFX_Rg7JQSsd7x6p5VpniHYGp-kb47kH67ImYc9D0Nqt5QHa-L3nuZ466238w5OJEsv7thjQYYJ0_dpEFouurPxSQ98QqUwlM1Q4hV73-wrNjSZ-CggczoQNqwRfcFFqHkJJKP5lPcTvW4lm4TA/s358/crop.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="358" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7onpdnoKkBBSWkI8Lj1D8jFC7AudrHrn8WYPvFX_Rg7JQSsd7x6p5VpniHYGp-kb47kH67ImYc9D0Nqt5QHa-L3nuZ466238w5OJEsv7thjQYYJ0_dpEFouurPxSQ98QqUwlM1Q4hV73-wrNjSZ-CggczoQNqwRfcFFqHkJJKP5lPcTvW4lm4TA/s320/crop.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The FAMU Rattlers are set for a Saturday afternoon showdown as they play host to in-state rival Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in a highly anticipated basketball match at 1 pm and 4 p.m. at the Al Lawson Center in Tallahassee, Florida.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The Rattler men enter the contest on a two game losing streak, but riding a two-game home winning streak after securing victories against Alabama A&M and Alabama State in recent matchups at the Al Lawson Center. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p> The Lady Rattlers are currently on a three-game losing streak and are battling for a chance to secure a spot in the upcoming SWAC Tournament. BCU got a narrow 80-76 win in Daytona on Jan. 6. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-23029216096817230052024-03-07T07:34:00.002-05:002024-03-07T07:34:13.794-05:00Freshman Zoryana Hughes strikes out 10 in FAMU victory over Mercer<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_cgvgCw04Jo1-0YB0g_1G7B-yfBPLbW2ohmGbGGK4L5P50jV-Jr1V2wQsr9a_-2hiTLWHhS-lnhpgu-7fmyBGaLgV7E9kibVjcdO0ryd1XDRV-bhdQugBK8qOAKynxjmoSU-n3kV05ophuaxgWlaM6mt3eEpGdmF2eK9WqEgWvDkfSkXm2yEzw/s1920/resize-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1920" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_cgvgCw04Jo1-0YB0g_1G7B-yfBPLbW2ohmGbGGK4L5P50jV-Jr1V2wQsr9a_-2hiTLWHhS-lnhpgu-7fmyBGaLgV7E9kibVjcdO0ryd1XDRV-bhdQugBK8qOAKynxjmoSU-n3kV05ophuaxgWlaM6mt3eEpGdmF2eK9WqEgWvDkfSkXm2yEzw/w338-h190/resize-4.jpeg" width="338" /></a></div><br />In a commanding performance, freshman pitcher <a href="https://famuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/zoryana-hughes/4127"><span style="color: red;"><b>Zoryana Hughes</b></span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span>led the FAMU Rattler softball team to a 5-2 victory over the Mercer Bears, Wednesday at the Veronica Wiggins Softball Complex, showcasing her dominance on the mound.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Hughes struck out 10 Mercer hitters over 6.2 innings of work, allowing just one run on five hits and two walks effectively stifling the Bears' offense securing a crucial win for FAMU.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The Rattlers' offense contributed significantly to the triumph, with junior <b><a href="https://famuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/brianna-duggins/4135"><span style="color: red;">Brianna Duggins</span></a></b> leading the charge. Duggins went 1-for-2 at the plate, adding a walk and driving in two runs to bolster the Rattlers' offensive efforts. Junior <a href="https://famuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kiauna-watson/4126"><span style="color: red;"><b>Kiauna Watson</b> </span></a>delivered an impressive performance as well, going 1-for-2 with two RBI, while junior <span style="color: red;"><b><a href="https://famuathletics.com/sports/softball/roster/kayla-alexandre/4139">Kayla Alexandre</a></b> </span>contributed with a 1-for-3 performance and an RBI.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The victory helped the Rattlers improve to 4-13 on the season. With Hughes' dominant pitching and the team's strong offensive showing, the Rattlers showcased their potential to compete at a high level in their as they approach conference play.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-64824760268368195212024-03-06T00:01:00.001-05:002024-03-06T16:10:44.679-05:00Triumph turns to turmoil: Athletics faces fiscal crisis under AD Tiffani Sykes<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiRpiNEOSWUMERYdUhEcfHY6SM0AUAqRpH_SpG7leN4QyswfpINPNhAZ4gy0PBQhUH69x5jxQhRDmCzmFZfUtVYCy4TV1_b-ttzvjFsuEEwWlFaZBizuWjQujwFHpMpbQUaDFIbk1JK-rKAM8nSeVXLo41XIYTvosy2Ht8d8JVnF-4u6GuDz7bA/s1200/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiRpiNEOSWUMERYdUhEcfHY6SM0AUAqRpH_SpG7leN4QyswfpINPNhAZ4gy0PBQhUH69x5jxQhRDmCzmFZfUtVYCy4TV1_b-ttzvjFsuEEwWlFaZBizuWjQujwFHpMpbQUaDFIbk1JK-rKAM8nSeVXLo41XIYTvosy2Ht8d8JVnF-4u6GuDz7bA/w335-h251/11.jpg" width="335" /></a></div>In the aftermath of triumph, FAMU Athletics found itself teetering on the precipice of financial ruin, a stark contrast to the euphoria of its recent successes. Four SWAC championships, punctuated by a resounding Celebration Bowl victory, had propelled the department to new heights of glory. Yet, beneath the veneer of achievement lurks a burgeoning crisis and a <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2023/12/athletics-facing-nearly-817k-deficit.html"><span style="color: red;">projected $817,000 budget deficit</span></a> threatening to unravel the very fabric of its fiscal stability.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>At the helm of this </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">tumultuous journey is AD <b>Tiffani Sykes</b></span><span>, whose tenure has </span><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">signaled a departure from the department's recent </span><span>tradition of fiscal prudence. </span><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">For seven years straight, FAMU Athletics has adeptly steered through budgetary challenges, but under Sykes's guidance, the ship has veered off course, despite a notable rise in the cost of the popular Investment in Champions Packages.</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><o:p> <br /></o:p><b>How did we get here?<br /></b>The seeds of the fiscal crisis were sown in a landscape of unchecked spending and neglectful stewardship. Under Sykes’s leadership, </span><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;">alongside President <b>Larry Robinson</b>'s lack of attention,</span><span> the department's financial trajectory has veered off course.</span><span> </span><span> </span><span>Fundraising, a vital element of sustaining a winning department, has withered to a trickle under Sykes’s stewardship, exacerbating the financial strain. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By November 28, 2023, the consequences of this <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2023/12/athletics-facing-nearly-817k-deficit.html"><span style="color: red;">negligence had become painfully apparent</span></a>. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearly every facet of the budget had been encumbered beyond reasonable limits: 99% of salary, 94% of leave payout, and 95% of OPS budgets had been exhausted. The operating expense budget exceeded projections by a staggering 8%, leaving a deficit of -$146,752 in its wake.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> <br /></o:p><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">The ‘math ain’t mathing’<br /></span></b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">Amidst this fiscal turmoil, Sykes's stated decision to pursue the purchase of two separate championship rings for the football team epitomizes the department's profligacy. In an era of austerity, such extravagance is a luxury FAMU Athletics could ill afford. <br /></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">Compounding the dilemma further is the obligation to procure championship rings for other successful teams, including tennis, baseball, women's cross country, and women's indoor track. Each additional expense further exacerbates the budget shortfall, pushing the department deeper into the red.</span> <br /><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><b><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">Digging a deeper hole<br /></span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">In December, FAMU Trustees voted to provide the athletic department with an <span style="outline: 0px;">additional</span> $1,250,000 in budget authority to provide for "essential operational expenses, including personnel costs, promotions, administrative expenditures, and team travel." These funds were expected to be offset by funds generated by the SWAC Championship game and the $600,000 expected to earn from its participation in the Celebration Bowl</span><span style="outline: 0px;">.<br /></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">In January, the FAMU Foundation decided to inject an additional $700,000 into the athletic department. Notably, this decision was reached with President <b>Robinson</b> and three university employees casting the deciding votes, pushing the measure over the threshold. The transfer aims to provide a financial lifeline to the athletic department, highlighting the ongoing efforts to stabilize its financial situation. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Despite the bleak financial circumstances, Sykes declined a $1.475 million, <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2023/06/ad-sykes-appears-to-be-untruthful-with.html"><span style="color: red;">three-year proposal to participate in the Orange Blossom Classic</span></a> without presenting a counteroffer.</p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">With the end of the fiscal year looming on June 30, 2024, there remains a glimmer of hope for redemption. FAMU </span><span face=""Segoe UI", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d;">Athletics must launch a concerted effort to rein in spending, by prioritizing essential expenses and adopting a more prudent approach to budgetary management coupled with a renewed emphasis on fundraising to mitigate the financial crisis. Only then, can FAMU Athletics begin to chart a course towards solvency.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-20696363151569939322024-03-05T00:01:00.021-05:002024-03-06T11:46:02.976-05:00FAMU Trustees mulling internal committee overhaul<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73k0e3hGrkc5yNpCPqRFnMcu08CbsR99SDU-bbwf5Q1yz17KKNEAMKXSRZSLno309VzY30ZwQ3mErgf_-PTkP3EzuuWhvd4BgdPoBYTMAn3p6h-uHJYC1XBez3Tz6lLFDZXShGZIeaSDI1UnHvOWC6Gx-tCa4_IF8vxp0I0xE0Pd5bQX-xu_dtA/s1200/BOT.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73k0e3hGrkc5yNpCPqRFnMcu08CbsR99SDU-bbwf5Q1yz17KKNEAMKXSRZSLno309VzY30ZwQ3mErgf_-PTkP3EzuuWhvd4BgdPoBYTMAn3p6h-uHJYC1XBez3Tz6lLFDZXShGZIeaSDI1UnHvOWC6Gx-tCa4_IF8vxp0I0xE0Pd5bQX-xu_dtA/w355-h237/BOT.webp" width="355" /></a></div>The FAMU Board of Trustees is poised to shake up its internal committee structure, with proposed changes that could significantly impact the university's governance dynamics. If adopted, the restructuring would see the Athletic Committee positioned under the purview of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WteGZ6nN69oWR014tlkuVMbtzljCiJkhCaqQvB7qjby76YI0OawQh6ygxRroP1Bu75KxGvdIFP422Tm_RHMrjOYbTA68KvOHv41NhzXhk38kLQK-gvds4QOxdnZH_Qm6v_Uenc9GH8GkBv1lG8rnZtfBflVr2dlxCDg6ABJM4tRrnrfA02K5zA/s1192/20%20PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1192" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WteGZ6nN69oWR014tlkuVMbtzljCiJkhCaqQvB7qjby76YI0OawQh6ygxRroP1Bu75KxGvdIFP422Tm_RHMrjOYbTA68KvOHv41NhzXhk38kLQK-gvds4QOxdnZH_Qm6v_Uenc9GH8GkBv1lG8rnZtfBflVr2dlxCDg6ABJM4tRrnrfA02K5zA/w405-h128/20%20PM.png" width="405" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">proposal would move Athletics Committee under <br />Academic and Student Affairs Committee</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">The proposed overhaul, which is set to be deliberated upon by the Trustees in their upcoming meeting, marks a pivotal moment in FAMU's governance strategy. Since its inception, the Athletic Committee had operated as a standalone entity within the university's committee framework. A few months ago, it was combined with the Direct Support Committee, to provide greater synergies with funding. <br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">In recent weeks, Athletic Director <b>Tiffani Sykes</b> has come under increasing Board scrutiny for her <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2023/12/athletics-facing-nearly-817k-deficit.html"><span style="color: red;">laxed </span></a></span><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2023/12/athletics-facing-nearly-817k-deficit.html"><span style="color: red;">budgetary management</span></a><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">, constant</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2024/01/fact-checking-latest-tiffani-dawn-sykes.html">mendaciousness</a></span><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">, and handling of the </span><a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2024/01/sources-fvsu-coach-shaw-gibbs-emerges.html"><span style="color: red;">football coaches search</span></a><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">.</span><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">The potential restructuring has sparked discussions among stakeholders within the FAMU community with many viewing the move as a strategic realignment that could water down some of the necessary oversight of the department by shoehorning athletics in between student affairs and academics. <br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">"The current structure provides a more holistic approach to the development of the department by aligning it with external finances and stakeholders," said one alum. "While I appreciate the intention behind this restructuring, we must ensure that athletics retains its autonomy and ability to address the unique challenges and opportunities within collegiate sports."<br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">As the Trustees prepare to convene and deliberate on the proposed committee overhaul, the outcome of their decision remains uncertain. <br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">The Board is slated to take up the proposal in its Governance Committee at 11:15 a.m. on tomorrow (Wednesday).</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-41797756094303054822024-03-03T11:01:00.001-05:002024-03-05T09:22:15.234-05:00FAMU renames softball field in honor of legendary Coach Veronica Wiggins<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsNGeeD7YG29uJA-0anTu0JEjumqUtsuTEg_RGLburUblmkchdS92on0-nu5n4rkrLXysbFap0slBb3DEjj5SImQQLWPnOcv1205U03p2y6qgvrDUy-iXvQaCi2mkUXohsZ7dtuD719A3NkKSLB-elHw4cCpydESBMaKdTdB1QIrh6O2cw8CoGQ/s1030/33%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1030" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsNGeeD7YG29uJA-0anTu0JEjumqUtsuTEg_RGLburUblmkchdS92on0-nu5n4rkrLXysbFap0slBb3DEjj5SImQQLWPnOcv1205U03p2y6qgvrDUy-iXvQaCi2mkUXohsZ7dtuD719A3NkKSLB-elHw4cCpydESBMaKdTdB1QIrh6O2cw8CoGQ/s320/33%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In a heartfelt ceremony held yesterday afternoon as part of the softball alumni weekend festivities, Florida A&M University (FAMU) officially renamed its University Softball Field to honor the remarkable legacy of Coach<span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><b>Veronica Wiggins</b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">. The event marked a poignant tribute to a coaching titan whose impact on FAMU Athletics transcended wins and losses.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Wiggins, whose coaching tenure spanned 29 seasons, now stands as the winningest coach in FAMU Athletics history. With an astonishing 726 wins under her belt, Wiggins not only secured her place in the annals of collegiate softball but also etched her name into the hearts of countless players, fans, and colleagues.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Wiggins' storied career was punctuated by remarkable achievements, including 13 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships and numerous appearances in the NCAA Regional tournaments. Her journey with the Rattlers softball program began in 1992, and from there, she steered the team to unprecedented heights of success.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">One of Wiggins' defining moments came early in her tenure when she led the Rattlers to their inaugural winning season in her second year at the helm. With a record of 33-25, she not only secured the program's first winning season but also clinched the MEAC Championship, setting the stage for a dynasty under her guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Throughout her tenure, Wiggins' leadership and coaching prowess earned her acclaim, evident in her five MEAC Coach of the Year titles in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2006, and 2017. These accolades not only reflected her strategic acumen but also underscored her ability to cultivate talent and foster a culture of excellence within the program.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">In recognition of her monumental contributions, Wiggins was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, solidifying her status as a legendary figure in Rattlers Athletics. Her legacy continued to be celebrated when she received the esteemed honor of induction into the MEAC Sports Hall of Fame in 2022, a testament to her enduring impact on collegiate softball.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;">As FAMU honored the indelible mark left by Coach Wiggins, the softball team engaged in a spirited doubleheader against Jacksonville University, showcasing the resilience and competitive spirit instilled by their esteemed mentor. Though the Rattlers split the series, the spirit of Coach Wiggins imbued every moment on the field, inspiring both players and fans alike to carry forward her legacy with pride and determination.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-80116023556562614382024-03-02T00:02:00.003-05:002024-03-02T10:31:20.717-05:00Bernard and Shirley Kinsey garner CBS News BHM feature <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="326" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r6NJN2yXeII" width="392" youtube-src-id="r6NJN2yXeII"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FAMU grads <b>Bernard</b> and <b>Shirley Kinsey</b> have made waves in the world of cultural preservation with their remarkable collection of African American history and culture. Over their five decades of marriage, the Kinseys have amassed one of the most comprehensive surveys of African American history outside of the Smithsonian Institution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Their collection, aptly named the Kinsey Collection, has received widespread recognition, including three national awards, notably the prestigious National Medal for Museum and Library Service. With a reach extending to over 16 million people, the groundbreaking exhibition has garnered attention from national media outlets and has toured more than 35 cities across the United States and internationally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The collection has been showcased in renowned institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, EPCOT Walt Disney World, the University of Hong Kong Museum and Gallery, and California’s SoFi Stadium, among others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As Black History Month drew to a close,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6NJN2yXeII"><span style="color: red;"> CBS News</span></a> featured (video above) the couple, shining a spotlight on their dedication to preserving and promoting African American history and culture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Through their tireless efforts, the Kinseys have not only enriched the understanding of African American history but have also inspired countless individuals to embrace and celebrate the richness of their heritage. Their story serves as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the profound impact of cultural preservation on society.</span><span style="font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p></div><p><br /> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-37107867810377538452024-03-01T07:42:00.008-05:002024-03-01T07:43:52.275-05:00Blueprint denies FAMU's $15m funding request for Bragg, suggests alternative financing option<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1NBLYmQWWORI_QRxcvi-2TX_h3cf48LGZbnh4PDtCABxEkNHwD1fg9Dq3AZMgjfh9i0c3Me6dB2ATPdZVGsD93NeTDbWbjhFwxYClDBubVtjw16VpB_Cx4AqgV1VLQxHBc9DBR0tRua0OLFauZqZU4IEUr91Pi1fmLgn-XGIFcgDfx-sGfO_zA/s1004/IMG_0114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1004" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1NBLYmQWWORI_QRxcvi-2TX_h3cf48LGZbnh4PDtCABxEkNHwD1fg9Dq3AZMgjfh9i0c3Me6dB2ATPdZVGsD93NeTDbWbjhFwxYClDBubVtjw16VpB_Cx4AqgV1VLQxHBc9DBR0tRua0OLFauZqZU4IEUr91Pi1fmLgn-XGIFcgDfx-sGfO_zA/s320/IMG_0114.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Tallahassee and Leon County Commissioners, sitting as the Board of The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, yesterday, denied FAMU’s plea for an extra $15 million in funding to pay for additional renovations at Bragg Memorial Stadium. Instead, the board, voted 11-1 to pursue alternative avenues for financing the project, notably through the Office of Economic Vitality.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />This decision, marked a significant setback for FAMU's aspirations to further enhance the infrastructure of its iconic sports venue. The university's proposal sought funds to implement critical upgrades, including the installation of new restrooms, renovation of existing bathrooms, enhancement of concession areas, and the modernization of the stadium's field lighting.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="color: #303030;">FAMU made the new request for funding this past September, after the university was granted $10 million of taxpayer dollars in 2020. FAMU spent another $8 million of its own money on renovations to the Stadium over the past two years. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #303030;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">The rejection by Blueprint merely marks a pause in the process, leaving the door open for future deliberations on financing options through OEV. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">County Commissioner </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Nick Maddox</b><span style="font-family: arial;">, suggested that OEV could issue a bond to fund the Bragg renovations, just as it did for FSU. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Blueprint’s next meeting is in May.</span></span></div><p class="gntarbp" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="gntarbp" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 10.5pt 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="gntarbp" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 10.5pt 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-68661856675810911042024-02-29T07:37:00.001-05:002024-02-29T07:38:49.923-05:00FAMU professor Darius Jamal Young selected as Inaugural HBCU Faculty Fellow by ACLS<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><b style="color: #2e2c26;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamP8USb9WG7keTbgo2Y8K5bwpcKMxUGThribg1p48J6FBZODxpyneACbLPtQkunH0kt6eMSHX-uIU4pSmcZwSuXMut5WECMo3-SIhdAVHEYEdxQY-fV6rEnGXhlAU6Pj4T_YRldRBNAJ761hnrmG30Y-uotQTx6jikgEJUeeRPKBcqBCupG3rjA/s400/young.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamP8USb9WG7keTbgo2Y8K5bwpcKMxUGThribg1p48J6FBZODxpyneACbLPtQkunH0kt6eMSHX-uIU4pSmcZwSuXMut5WECMo3-SIhdAVHEYEdxQY-fV6rEnGXhlAU6Pj4T_YRldRBNAJ761hnrmG30Y-uotQTx6jikgEJUeeRPKBcqBCupG3rjA/s320/young.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Darius Jamal Young</b><span style="color: #2e2c26;">, a Professor of History and African American Studies at FAMU, has been selected as </span><a href="https://www.acls.org/news/inaugural-acls-hbcu-faculty-fellows-and-grantees/"><span style="color: red;">one of the inaugural HBCU Faculty Fellows </span></a><span style="color: #2e2c26;">by the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2e2c26;"><br /></span><span style="color: #2e2c26;">This prestigious fellowship recognizes Young's outstanding contributions to scholarship and his commitment to advancing the humanities and interpretive social sciences. As one of only eight recipients nationwide, Young will receive an award of up to $50,000 to support his research for his upcoming book titled "Freedom Now!: Detroit and the Black Revolt of 1963."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2e2c26;"><br /></span><span style="color: #2e2c26;">Young's research focuses on a pivotal moment in American history, exploring the dynamics of the civil rights movement and the Black struggle for justice and equality. His forthcoming book promises to shed new light on the significance of the Detroit uprising of 1963 within the broader context of the African American freedom struggle.<br /></span><span style="color: #2e2c26;"> <br /></span><span style="color: #2e2c26;">The ACLS is dedicated to promoting excellence in humanities research and scholarship, particularly among faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By providing resources and support to exceptional scholars like Young, the ACLS aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of HBCU faculty members in academic discourse.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #2e2c26;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: arial;"><span>In addition to the individual fellowship award, FAMU will also benefit from the fellowship program. ACLS will provide a $2,500 grant to the university, earmarked to support humanities programming or infrastructure. This investment underscores ACLS's commitment to st</span><span face="Segoe UI, sans-serif">rengthening humanities education and research at HBCUs.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-4521693345035633272024-02-28T01:19:00.014-05:002024-02-28T21:13:36.133-05:00FAMU seeking an extra $15 million from the City/County to make more upgrades to Bragg<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimviDxS8ASDuBgodh9i-hhqhqUw0mMR0MjmChFWgxnSk2UMaTLvaGEJuOUo9um-4s3EWbicehEahRihbLB1alKmZmx2uenYrPh0UdJ0DJCUxXqHKb4eq8s8wccoYV28PsU8ry19DncMgYHqQOwvSQR0ORhBzSymiQ285HjoJM6taJHa-TE7vyybg/s4096/Bragg%2041_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3067" data-original-width="4096" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimviDxS8ASDuBgodh9i-hhqhqUw0mMR0MjmChFWgxnSk2UMaTLvaGEJuOUo9um-4s3EWbicehEahRihbLB1alKmZmx2uenYrPh0UdJ0DJCUxXqHKb4eq8s8wccoYV28PsU8ry19DncMgYHqQOwvSQR0ORhBzSymiQ285HjoJM6taJHa-TE7vyybg/w331-h248/Bragg%2041_n.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #212529;">Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency of Tallahassee and Leon County will consider </span>a request from FAMU for and extra $15 million to complete renovations to Bragg Memorial Stadium. <span style="color: #212529;">FAMU’s new request</span> include the addition of 12 new restrooms, the renovation of existing bathrooms, improvements to the concession areas, new lighting, and the replacement of the elevator shaft.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />While FAMU asserts that these enhancements will not only benefit the university but also stimulate economic growth for the city and county, Blueprint staff has expressed reservations. They caution that approving the new request could jeopardize the completion of 32 ongoing infrastructure projects. These projects encompass vital community initiatives such as sidewalk expansion, trail development, roadway improvements, and the creation of public spaces. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Furthermore, Blueprint staff highlighted that many of the proposed renovations were originally included in the scope of work outlined in the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FAMU and the agency. <br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Financial considerations also come into play, with Blueprint currently servicing a commercial bank loan at a 1.78% interest rate with due date of October 1, 2035. Concerns arise regarding the agency's ability to meet its financial obligations while accommodating additional funding requests.<br /><o:p> </o:p><br />FAMU defends its proposal by highlighting the success of previous investments in Bragg Stadium. The university points to events such as the SWAC Championship and the Florida High School Athletic Association Football Championships this year, which have generated significant economic returns for the city and county. FAMU contends that approving the $15 million request would not only enhance the stadium but also yield long-term economic benefits, aligning with Blueprint's mission of community development and economic growth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">A breakdown of how FAMU would spend the additional $15 million is as follows:</span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">$3.07 mil to construct 12 new restrooms (6 each on the east and west sides of the stadium)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">$2.5 mil to renovate all the existing restrooms at Bragg </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">$1.525 mil to renovate the six existing concession stands at Bragg</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">$871k to construct a new elevator tower and equipment room </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">$1.16 mil for a new sports field lighting system</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ_t0DFtaEEWkkx3RHz_7P3wQcYX8sOrugIcBEk7jF7hnYFeEMA5QYNJryvoVEsxqJIdWKz_h-u5c5um44adh2Tagcin4YjpL8-4LS19sXUMkt_GgKH1xkUuxbkZzefxShtaPkIDR6dL_MxopoYBtec3dmoKsfkjWIFhWcHjx0YDxICAoec5yRQ/s1000/59%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1000" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ_t0DFtaEEWkkx3RHz_7P3wQcYX8sOrugIcBEk7jF7hnYFeEMA5QYNJryvoVEsxqJIdWKz_h-u5c5um44adh2Tagcin4YjpL8-4LS19sXUMkt_GgKH1xkUuxbkZzefxShtaPkIDR6dL_MxopoYBtec3dmoKsfkjWIFhWcHjx0YDxICAoec5yRQ/w353-h140/59%20AM.png" width="353" /></a></div></o:p>The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency is set to vote on FAMU’s request on Thursday. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-49061632106330851502024-02-27T00:03:00.047-05:002024-03-04T09:17:24.296-05:00FAMU Symphonic Band celebrates Black History Month with powerful performance<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="293" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/okqs6E_W6A8" width="352" youtube-src-id="okqs6E_W6A8"></iframe></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The FAMU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble took to the stage at their Black History Month Concert, last week, delivering a mesmerizing performance that honored the rich musical heritage of Black composers. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Among the works showcased was "Of Our New Day Begun" by renowned classical music and jazz composer, <a href="https://www.omarthomas.com"><b><span style="color: red;">Omar Thomas</span></b></a>, whose evocative compositions have garnered global acclaim.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Thomas, who celebrates his 42nd birthday today, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; white-space-collapse: preserve;">serves as an Assistant Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies at The University of Texas Austin. Renowned as one of the most influential and prolific Black composers of our era, he intricately weaves themes of joy, sorrow, and the spectrum of human emotions into his music.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">"Of Our New Day Begun," premiered on February 20, 2016, just days before his 33rd birthday, at the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">“Of Our New Day Begun” was written to honor nine beautiful souls who lost their lives to a callous act of hatred and domestic terrorism on the evening of June 17, 2015 while worshipping in their beloved sanctuary, the historic Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Drawing from the rich traditions of the Black church, this piece incorporates melodies and harmonies rooted in negro spirituals and hymns. Anchored by <b>James and John Johnson</b>'s timeless anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," Thomas' composition is imbued with soul-stirring blues influences, creating a moving tapestry of sound.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The back story </b></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;">“What's really interesting about this piece is that the hardest part about writing it was actually agreeing to do it," Thomas said. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">"I was contacted by Dr. <b>Gary S</b></span><b>challert</b>, Director of Bands at Western Kentucky University, and he had told me that his wind ensemble had been perform at the CDBNA Southern Conference in Charleston, SC that year. The performance would at a venue right across the street from Mother Emanuel AME Church, this was right after the shooting happened, and he just felt a great weight and a burden to honor the Charleston 9. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;">And he asked me to write something, and by this point I've never really written a large wind ensemble piece yet, so I was kind of panicking. It just feels like so much responsibility to take on your shoulders. And, I didn't want to do it first, you know. I just thought it would be too much. And, I had planned to say no. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;">Then I spoke to my dad about it. My dad was like, you better do it. And so, I did it. And, um, the rest is history,” Thomas added.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: arial;">“You know, once it sunk in that Gary was going to invite members of the church to the premier and I knew exactly what it needed to sound like. I knew that it needed to be sounds and experiences and rhythms and harmonies from the AME experience. And I knew that it needed to be anchored by the Black National Anthem with Lift Every Voice and Sing, because there are just so few symphonic settings of that wonderful, powerful and important piece of music. </span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">And from then on, I just kind of ran with it,” Thomas continued.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Not the first choice</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">It's worth noting that Thomas </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lOgSCRud9s"><span style="color: red;">wasn't Schallert's initial </span></a><span style="color: red;">choice when</span></span><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> he reached out to composer <b>John Mackey</b>. Mackey expressed his belief that he wasn't the right fit for the job and instead suggested Thomas.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This isn't the first time the FAMU Symphony and Wind Ensemble have embraced the works of Thomas. In 2023, they performed his piece </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoO-WXy7AGE" style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: red;"><b>"Come Sunday"</b></span></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> at the College Band Director's National Association National Conference, further cementing their commitment to celebrating the contributions of Black composers to the world of music. </span></p></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-77408736468922382322024-02-26T07:31:00.003-05:002024-02-26T07:31:27.381-05:00Biden cancels another $1.2 billion in student loan debt <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlu-E5RKRO5w8c8rLu6CfDJIcfSG0FyyliJfgfwDMLk88YAbPt3Hwc12KHAgE7eA9uaE8AaSvLrPn1UulQyO2OFO-5V896CUklb5F2KdOfypRhDzbF5IUj-5YavR9Vl8jX3uIXm6A9U_svK9RyYwGEcpyqSCF3jZxkimgh-wmYxzLboEUnlVm5w/s286/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="286" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlu-E5RKRO5w8c8rLu6CfDJIcfSG0FyyliJfgfwDMLk88YAbPt3Hwc12KHAgE7eA9uaE8AaSvLrPn1UulQyO2OFO-5V896CUklb5F2KdOfypRhDzbF5IUj-5YavR9Vl8jX3uIXm6A9U_svK9RyYwGEcpyqSCF3jZxkimgh-wmYxzLboEUnlVm5w/w313-h193/Unknown.jpeg" width="313" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: arial;">In a move aimed at easing the burden on struggling borrowers, President <b>Joe Biden</b> announced the cancellation of $1.2 billion in student loan debt last Wednesday. This action brings the total amount of debt relieved during his tenure to a staggering $138 billion, benefiting 3.9 million borrowers across the nation.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>The latest announcement targets approximately 150,000 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan in income-driven repayment program. These individuals, characterized by lower balances and a decade of consistent payments, stand to benefit significantly from this relief measure. Approximately 13,000 Floridians could receive debt relief under the program.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>President Biden's ambitious agenda to alleviate student debt has encountered obstacles along the way. Despite initial plans to cancel up to $400 billion in debt for approximately 43 million borrowers, the administration faced staunch opposition from both the<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/us/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-biden.html"><span style="color: red;"> Supreme Court</span></a> and Republican lawmakers in Congress. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Undeterred, President Biden has pivoted to a more incremental approach, navigating around legal barriers and bureaucratic hurdles by refining existing programs plagued by administrative delays. By targeting specific cohorts of borrowers and leveraging income-driven repayment structures, President Biden aims to provide relief where it's most needed while circumventing legal constraints.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>Despite these efforts, the broader issue of student loan debt remains a contentious topic on the national stage. While some applaud the administration's measures as a step in the right direction, others advocate for more comprehensive solutions to address the systemic challenges faced by millions of Americans burdened by student debt, and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2024/01/26/republicans-plan-to-repeal-biden-student-loan-forgiveness-and-relief-programs/?sh=76a2c40f71b4"><span style="color: red;">Republicans in Congress continue to push back against it saying the efforts provide <span style="background-color: white;">wasteful subsidies to millions of borrowers at taxpayers</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">’</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2024/01/26/republicans-plan-to-repeal-biden-student-loan-forgiveness-and-relief-programs/?sh=76a2c40f71b4"><span style="color: red;"> expense</span></a>.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-85349635372033261512024-02-25T07:45:00.005-05:002024-02-25T14:24:21.862-05:00 FAMU sweeps Alabama State in men's and women's basketball <p><span face="Aptos, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69fDQtVK4-UV-Api5IaDTCfL_13u3rSIBwO2aFll4cZCyaBtUD2K38Tnnzf9FwtG1KcpDi-Yj9WnaZt2kfdgLMoyHTXqIlEx8XgP9qj_mHaQ_mWWl1iZiQt03DBgPYmAJqh7JTif1LlQMHEFU3XoOfM6Q-HulXBG7Rbaf7-PNjuoWHugm9TYJvQ/s876/59%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="876" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69fDQtVK4-UV-Api5IaDTCfL_13u3rSIBwO2aFll4cZCyaBtUD2K38Tnnzf9FwtG1KcpDi-Yj9WnaZt2kfdgLMoyHTXqIlEx8XgP9qj_mHaQ_mWWl1iZiQt03DBgPYmAJqh7JTif1LlQMHEFU3XoOfM6Q-HulXBG7Rbaf7-PNjuoWHugm9TYJvQ/s320/59%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In a remarkable turn of events, FAMU men’s and women’s basketball teams secured victories in their respective home games at the Lawson Center, Saturday, marking the first time this season both squads clinched home wins on the same day.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The FAMU women's team triumphed over conference rival Alabama State with a hard-fought score of 70-66. Meanwhile, the men's team registered a significant 73-65 victory against the Hornets, breaking a challenging six-game losing streak.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">For the men's team, the win not only marked a crucial breakthrough but also improved their season record to 5-20, with a conference standing of 3-11 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This victory holds even more significance as it came after a month-long drought.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">On the other hand, the women's team continued to demonstrate their competitive prowess, elevating their season record to 8-17, with a solid 7-7 standing in the SWAC. Their victory showcased their resilience and determination on the court, solidifying their position as formidable contenders within the conference.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Both teams are back in action, at home, Monday evening against Alabama A&M.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-91665112027071029282024-02-24T08:13:00.002-05:002024-02-24T08:38:18.564-05:00FAMU Rattlers stage dramatic comeback to edge Grambling Tigers 7-6 in Andre Dawson Classic<p><span face="Aptos, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFeQLUG9SN_nnFB_YKi7NvETkM9m91QaPMYbz4MOY3TrzwlXF_vBQDXCfQwlawaAKVZiWCpzqplA1NElO188WsnTjHfst7ar0ket_XeaQ0ub-QMz6NWT3VLnT_bZQ1VMaHxrCP2MI_ZlD1zOnKZqpzCRo6Z3pmb6Ec0VB2aAzaFuI_Li5yOvlXA/s640/Brian-Davis.jpg.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFeQLUG9SN_nnFB_YKi7NvETkM9m91QaPMYbz4MOY3TrzwlXF_vBQDXCfQwlawaAKVZiWCpzqplA1NElO188WsnTjHfst7ar0ket_XeaQ0ub-QMz6NWT3VLnT_bZQ1VMaHxrCP2MI_ZlD1zOnKZqpzCRo6Z3pmb6Ec0VB2aAzaFuI_Li5yOvlXA/s320/Brian-Davis.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In a thrilling matchup at the Andre Dawson Classic, the FAMU Rattler baseball team showcased their<span face="Aptos, sans-serif"> championship</span><span face="Aptos, sans-serif"> by mounting a late-game comeback to snatch a 7-6 victory over the Grambling Tigers on Friday evening.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the game hanging in the balance in the final inning, FAMU, trailing 6-4, displayed sheer determination igniting a fervent rally that culminated in a walk-off win.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The heroics began with a leadoff home run, injecting renewed energy into the FAMU dugout. Buoyed by their early success, the Rattlers exercised patience and discipline at the plate, drawing crucial walks to inch closer to overturning the deficit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;">FAMU's <b>Sebastian Greico</b> who delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the ninth, launching a leadoff homer to ignite the Rattlers' late surge. With the game hanging in the balance, FAMU's <b>Adam Haidermota</b>'s laid down a well-executed bunt single to load the bases. The Rattlers tied the game 6-6 on a wild pitch and then plated the winning run on a walk. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-9274746834043504272024-02-23T09:03:00.007-05:002024-02-23T11:02:39.147-05:00UMES poised to open nation's second HBCU Veterinary School<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-E5FJq-X4naN6xYfjp5xVqwkRDplWxOsY7kFQ-1zAxNXQd6bqpeOqSyhcpYeNNxSsh6MU9aiECAJ9kFZnzx5LeRIXQ1pPyk82zJHpWP_79CwY6U03YLY_k2XTv1JpEGcxuN7rQG5n-CLVOv1pPR1sUuEPgYeoaLSvJMhtboaX9vBXcGWMEplYg/s2880/university-maryland-eastern-shore_1049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="2880" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-E5FJq-X4naN6xYfjp5xVqwkRDplWxOsY7kFQ-1zAxNXQd6bqpeOqSyhcpYeNNxSsh6MU9aiECAJ9kFZnzx5LeRIXQ1pPyk82zJHpWP_79CwY6U03YLY_k2XTv1JpEGcxuN7rQG5n-CLVOv1pPR1sUuEPgYeoaLSvJMhtboaX9vBXcGWMEplYg/w363-h144/university-maryland-eastern-shore_1049.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><br />The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is on the brink of making history as it prepares to establish the second historically Black college and university (HBCU) veterinary school in the United States. Following Maryland state approval in January, UMES is set to join Tuskegee University in offering a program in veterinary medicine, a move that could significantly bolster representation in the field.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>According to a report by USA Today, UMES will become one of only about three dozen schools nationwide to grant a degree in veterinary medicine. This milestone is expected to provide aspiring Black veterinarians with increased opportunities in a profession where they are currently underrepresented. <b>Moses Kairo</b>, the dean of agricultural and natural sciences at UMES, expressed optimism about the school's potential impact. "We are hoping that our new school will open the door and create plenty of opportunities in an underserved field," said Kairo. "There are very few vet schools being established, so there’s room for growth. We feel our timing is just right."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><b>Only 1.2% of nation's veterinarians are black</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Data from a 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicates that Black veterinarians comprise only 1.2% of all professionals in the United States, highlighting the urgent need for increased diversity within the field. Additionally, a study conducted by Mars Veterinary Health in August 2023 suggests that the demand for veterinarians is expected to rise significantly, with approximately 55,000 more professionals needed by 2030 to meet the pet healthcare needs in the U.S.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />To facilitate the establishment of the veterinary school, UMES officials have embarked on a ambitious fundraising campaign aimed at raising $60 million. This initiative represents the largest financial endeavor in the university's history and will fund the construction of the veterinary studies building, as well as updates to the campus farm to provide students with hands-on training opportunities.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Meanwhile, FAMU offers an intensive <a href="https://rattlernation.blogspot.com/2019/05/famu-opens-new-veterinary-tech-lab-in.html"><span style="color: red;">four-year degree program in Veterinary Technology</span></a>, distinguishing itself as one of four HBCUs to provide such training. The program equips students with the skills to offer medical and non-medical support to veterinarians, with the option for graduates to either enter the workforce directly or pursue further education to earn a full doctor of veterinary medicine degree elsewhere.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-84518441073443401952024-02-22T00:00:00.004-05:002024-02-22T07:57:41.033-05:00Willie Simmons linked to head coaching vacancy at Georgia State<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXsiIP-s4jRg8FC6KnHudInEgsFe-AsGMit-mr-jz3U_uJEJG6ptSIErzXc6t_7X-JlotfiyD-pPUDcDVxJnbHH1vMaorTyFq1epoM01q0QmAMZmJDDk-nK3VbtA-8-QN7UtMnikZnyE4nHKnJOHdvP__qn3u6y5rAUGyzWP59QyccjJo_e7XIA/s1370/football%20WS%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="1098" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXsiIP-s4jRg8FC6KnHudInEgsFe-AsGMit-mr-jz3U_uJEJG6ptSIErzXc6t_7X-JlotfiyD-pPUDcDVxJnbHH1vMaorTyFq1epoM01q0QmAMZmJDDk-nK3VbtA-8-QN7UtMnikZnyE4nHKnJOHdvP__qn3u6y5rAUGyzWP59QyccjJo_e7XIA/s320/football%20WS%20.png" width="256" /></a></div><br />Former FAMU head football coach <b>Willie Simmons</b>, now serving as the running backs coach at Duke University, finds himself, again, in the spotlight as speculation swirls around his potential move to Georgia State University in Atlanta. <a href="http://FootballScoop.com"><span style="color: red;">FootballScoop.com</span></a>, renowned for its insider information on coaching vacancies, has linked Simmons to the coaching vacancy at Georgia State, positioning him as one of the prime contenders for the position.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />According to reports, Simmons is among a pool of candidates who are either scheduled for interviews or have already engaged in discussions with Georgia State officials. The interviewing process reportedly commenced on Tuesday, marking five days since the departure of GSU's former head coach <b>Shawn Elliott,</b> who accepted a coaching role on at the University of South Carolina.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>For Simmons, the opportunity to helm Georgia State's football program would not only mark a significant career advancement but also a substantial financial boost. In 2023, the university paid its head coach a handsome sum of $811,000. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">According to <a href="https://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances"><span style="color: #cc0000;">USAToday</span></a>, Georgia State athletics, which participates in the Sun Belt Conference, had an operating budget of roughly $45.6 million ranking it 72 overall in collegiate sports. Last year the Panthers football team finished the season 7-6 (3-5 Sun Belt).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p> <br /></o:p>The potential move to Georgia State would align with Simmons' long-standing aspiration of ascending to the pinnacle of collegiate coaching within the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-73614439842493963912024-02-21T07:36:00.009-05:002024-02-21T10:40:11.724-05:00Financial crisis deepens for Saint Augustine’s University<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyqhw1ArNIgfLe9E6rgTeaciRGadSQMZju1bJTrTEP2S4MygSOeKDH0B-fTn_ZKjRpZROfRSXfZWbhyYoAhXcVZwoGKc9iFV7qVEuEtNAgQTKSpB5AoNLrftptW72LlQe7y5WupkElEzh0kHY3Z_0AFfZXfyEr8qX0nINIdCstm3rqUvFhe3mrA/s650/Saint_Augustine%2527s_University_Unpaid_Bills.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyqhw1ArNIgfLe9E6rgTeaciRGadSQMZju1bJTrTEP2S4MygSOeKDH0B-fTn_ZKjRpZROfRSXfZWbhyYoAhXcVZwoGKc9iFV7qVEuEtNAgQTKSpB5AoNLrftptW72LlQe7y5WupkElEzh0kHY3Z_0AFfZXfyEr8qX0nINIdCstm3rqUvFhe3mrA/s320/Saint_Augustine%2527s_University_Unpaid_Bills.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Struggling financially and fighting to maintain its accreditation, Saint Augustine’s University was dealt another blow last week when the Internal Revenue Service hit it with a $7.9 million lien for unpaid taxes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />In addition to the tax lien, the university has been accused of failing to pay $1 million to various vendors, including FieldTurf USA, which filed a $598,000 lien against SAU in December for alleged nonpayment for an artificial turf field the college had installed at its football field last year, local TV station WRAL reported.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Now the private historically Black university in North Carolina is scrambling to pay its bills—including making payroll—while fighting to keep its accreditation and dealing with a discrimination complaint from the recently fired ex-president.<br /> <br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">A scan of Saint Augustine’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/560547478" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(147, 197, 253, 0.5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-color: rgb(238, 117, 35); text-underline-offset: 5px;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt solid rgb(229, 231, 235); padding: 0in;"><span style="color: red;">public tax filings</span></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">shows that financial issues are nothing new at the university, which has struggled with a deficit for much of the last decade. Enrollment has also slipped from more than 1,350 in fall 2013 to fewer than 900 in fall 2022, a more than 23 percent drop, according to the latest numbers from the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.<br /></span><o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Interim president <b>Marcus Burgess</b> said SAU has hired a consulting firm to help with its finances, which the United Negro College Fund is paying for. The university has also met with the IRS and others as it addresses outstanding debt. Further, a forensic audit of SAU’s finances is underway. At a press conference last week, Burgess made it clear the university’s challenges are significant.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span>The potential loss of accreditation also looms large. A university spokesperson confirmed that SAU officials met with its accreditor Tuesday to appeal the loss of accreditation, though it will likely be a week before a decision is issued. But Burgess said that if the accreditation appeal is denied, SAU plans to contest the matter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />“If the appeal doesn’t go through, we will then litigate with SACSCOC,” Burgess said Monday.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Struggling enrollment </b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">SAU isn’t the only H<span style="background-color: white;">BCU in NC experiencing a decline in enrollment, Greensboro-based Bennett College saw the largest decrease, down 76% amid accreditation issues going from 707 students in 2012 to 168 in 2022. <br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p>Raleigh-based Shaw University, saw its student population halved – with enrollment dropping from about 2,200 students to a little more than 1,000 last year.</o:p></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white;">Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte has seen its enrollment plummet from 1669 students in 2012 to 1093 in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Education. And, Livingston College in Salisbury has seen its enrollment drop from 1111 students in 2012 to 839 students last year.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>These challenges reflect a broader trend in higher education, with nationwide enrollment declining by 13% over the past decade and HBCUs experiencing a 16% drop in enrollment during the same period.<br /><o:p> <br /></o:p>As Saint Augustine’s University fights to overcome its financial turmoil and preserve its accreditation, the broader implications for the institution and the HBCU community remain uncertain.</span></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-28134321707248865122024-02-20T09:18:00.010-05:002024-02-20T11:45:20.621-05:00 Two FAMU College of Law grads appointed as Judges in Orange and Osceola Counties<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl4wRo5WLIBQrnzHaW0LMQCBZ0v1m27GQy0F1uOZpdfdrEp8IWSbzpSf92ufGzo5nI4BK6qUynCUChF3PDeGaqsZUZywXV_5EMAIeW89kCY_sZkZDaz8ppjlHUCX7c7iZH-l1kmj4cai__F32lkfjeGHtUYyn8xt0r4ldDckBj2_YK2xEN14BFQ/s366/33%20AM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="366" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl4wRo5WLIBQrnzHaW0LMQCBZ0v1m27GQy0F1uOZpdfdrEp8IWSbzpSf92ufGzo5nI4BK6qUynCUChF3PDeGaqsZUZywXV_5EMAIeW89kCY_sZkZDaz8ppjlHUCX7c7iZH-l1kmj4cai__F32lkfjeGHtUYyn8xt0r4ldDckBj2_YK2xEN14BFQ/s320/33%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beasley Pulayya<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Florida Governor</span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><b>Ron DeSantis</b><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">has appointed two FAMU College of Law graduates to serve as judges in Orange and Osceola Counties.</span></span><div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Jeramy Beasley</span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">, a 2016 FAMU College of Law graduate, has been appointed as a Judge on the Orange County Court. Beasley's journey to the bench includes attending the evening program at the College of Law while concurrently working full-time as a judicial assistant for Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge <b>Greg Tynan</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">He previously served as a Litigation Attorney for Garganese, Weiss, D’Agresta & Salzman, P.A. since 2022. Before that, he held the position of Director of Legal Services for the Hillsborough Regional Transit Authority. Beasley earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Meanwhile, <b>Juna Pulayya</b>, a resident of St. Cloud, has been appointed to serve as a Judge on the Osceola County Court. Pulayya previously served as a General Magistrate for the Ninth Judicial Circuit since 2022. Prior to his tenure as a magistrate, he worked as an Attorney for JMP Law, P.A. Pulayya earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Pulayya is a 2009 graduate of the College of Law.</p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20603672.post-5284052230855663232024-02-19T07:29:00.012-05:002024-02-19T11:54:08.611-05:00FAMU clinches 2024 SWAC Indoor Track & Field title<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhpXPGl_JSm6ypY8P5k81fZcFkWVBiDm74jaZWT7NORVNZt1em3Pov4lR6aYD17NnWK5_M6Bqhxc3pCDRGrA1o3kPmLNJpMgySQA4yb0h08P4lBMmEM_db8_xpuE4XCpNXe0ZKX0RFR8gYCTZeE3NM9kcU2tN4yV8x87QE5gf8xq3C7YF6QJylw/s1390/track.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1390" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhpXPGl_JSm6ypY8P5k81fZcFkWVBiDm74jaZWT7NORVNZt1em3Pov4lR6aYD17NnWK5_M6Bqhxc3pCDRGrA1o3kPmLNJpMgySQA4yb0h08P4lBMmEM_db8_xpuE4XCpNXe0ZKX0RFR8gYCTZeE3NM9kcU2tN4yV8x87QE5gf8xq3C7YF6QJylw/w416-h201/track.png" width="416" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The FAMU women’s track team soared to victory at the 2024 SWAC Indoor Track & Field Championships, clinching an impressive 15 medals and capturing the women's championship title. This triumph marks a significant milestone for the Rattlers, securing their second championship under the guidance of Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, <b>Garfield Ellenwood</b> II, who took over the program in January 2023.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The championship is the team's first indoor title in a quarter. FAMU women snagged<span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(13, 13, 13); color: #0d0d0d; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> their last indoor championship win at the 1999 MEAC indoor championship</span>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Ellenwood's strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence have propelled the FAMU women’s track and field program to new heights, inspiring athletes to strive for greatness both on and off the track. Under his leadership, the Rattlers won the SWAC women's cross country title this past fall.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">On the men’s side, the rebuild is still a work in progress as the men’s team finished in sixth place in the 11 team field for the second straight year after earning 52 points.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">"I couldn't be prouder of our student-athletes," said Ellenwood. "Their hard work, dedication, and teamwork have truly paid off, and this championship win is a testament to their relentless pursuit of success."<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Throughout the competition, FAMU's women’s’ team showcased their prowess in a variety of events, from sprints to field events, demonstrating their versatility and depth as a team. <o:p></o:p></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the fifth SWAC Championship the Rattlers have claimed this year winning championships in women's tennis, baseball, football, women's cross country, and women's indoor track. FAMU also claimed league titles in volleyball in 2021 and 2022. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0