 |
| (L-R): FAMU NAA President Tommy Mitchell Sr., FAMU Director
of Media Relations Alonda Thomas and HBCU Digest Founder Jarrett Carter, Sr. |
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the HBCU
Awards for the A&M Magazine and the FAMU National Alumni Association,” said
President Elmira Mangum. “Our alumni are a major support system and
integral part of sustaining the educational quality that we continue to
provide. I’d like to extend special thanks to the Office of Communications for
a job well done in producing an outstanding publication to share our legacy of
excellence with alumni, students and supporters across the nation.”
The Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (FAMUNAA) boasts more than 112 years of spirited involvement in the university. The FAMUNAA supports the university’s initiatives through chapter activities and fundraising to advance FAMU’s mission.
"Florida A&M University has a distinguished history
of excellence in advocacy and achievement among its alumni ranks, and that
history was again on display this past academic year,” said HBCU Digest Founder
Jarrett Carter, Sr. “The FAMU NAA was a key group in raising awareness about
the university's continuing productivity during its presidential search,
transition and selection process, and was a source of advocacy throughout
legislative action impacting its College of Engineering."
Carter also praised FAMU for producing a high-quality alumni
publication, which keeps stakeholders informed and engaged
"The university chronicled these efforts in a
beautifully produced, content rich magazine that helped to continue the
engagement process for graduates and supporters alike,” said Carter. “The FAMU
narrative is one that needs little clarity, because of the work of its alumni
and communications personnel, and I think that our voting committee easily and
responsibly recognized this fact."
NAA President Tommy Mitchell, Sr. credits the long, positive
history between the NAA and the FAMU Office of Communications for their ability
to collaborate seamlessly on behalf of the institution.
“The FAMU Office of Communications keeps us informed on the
vision and we, the alumni, are here to lend our support through advocacy and
financial support,” said Mitchell. “This recognition is attributed to the hard
work of the executive board and the alumni chapters across the country.”
Currently, the FAMUNAA joined forces with the Office of
Communications and the Office of Alumni Affairs in a campaign to encourage
alumni to become life members by July 31. All new 2014 life members will be
listed in the next A&M Magazine issue. For more information, visit
www.FAMUNAA.org.
The 4th Annual HBCU Awards ceremony was a part of the 2014
HBCU Media Week presented by Dillard University. The two-day conference drew
more than 40 HBCU communications executives, faculty, presidents, alumni
officers and vice presidents from HBCUs around the country. Highlights from the
event included a remote Q&A session with Craig Melvin, host and correspondent
for MSNBC, and Roland Martin, host of NewsOne Now on the TV One network.
FAMU workshops during the event included a presentation from
School of Journalism & Graphic Communication Dean Ann Wead Kimbrough,
titled "HBCU Media Ownership - FAMU and the Black Television News
Channel" and Alonda Thomas, FAMU director of media relations, titled
"Utilizing Alumni Support for Effective Media Relations."