The MANRRS “Chapter of the Year” Award is given to the university that demonstrates the most active involvement and service in the community through oral and written reports. FAMU took the top honors in this category over The Ohio State University and Oregon State University.
“This is indeed a great honor for our college and our students," said Michael Thomas, agribusiness program leader. "It also speaks volumes about the faculty, students and staff that made it all happen."
The FAMU Chapter is also the Outstanding Chapter for MANRRS Region II, which includes the University of Florida, University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, South Carolina State University, Clemson University and Voorhees College.
Damon Miller and Lurleen Walters serve as advisors for the chapter. Walters is also an assistant professor of agribusiness in CAFS.
Walters said, “We are very proud of these accomplishments and all that the Chapter is doing to build a stronger network and make a positive impact on the development of our students.”
At the conference, the FAMU Chapter also won other competitions including the following:
The FAMU Strike Team won second place in the College Bowl competition. The team members were: Kashney Welch, Aaron Judson, Althea Whitter-Cummings, Ashley Bell and Victoria Smith-Thomas.
Saundra Wheeler, chapter president, won third place for her impromptu speech; and Diana Alexis submitted the winning title for the 2013 conference, “MANRRS: Turning Vision into Action.” Wheeler expressed: “The MANRRS Career Fair and Training Conference attracts more than 900 students, recruiters and other professionals, which provide students with “excellent networking opportunities." Winning the title of “Chapter of the Year” will help our efforts to increase membership and, hopefully, provide more opportunities for the professional development of students majoring in agriculture and food sciences.”
She explained that those who attended MANRRS were given an all-access pass to leading companies in agriculture and natural resources as well as graduate schools and government agencies.
“Several of the students were hired on the spot,” said Wheeler.
“The energy and drive of our chapter president, Ms. Wheeler, is a great example of student leadership. Her standards of excellence and confidence have made a huge impact in CAFS,” said Neil James, food science program leader. “Under her leadership, membership in the chapter has diversified and graduate membership has increased during the past year.”