FAMU Alumni Association celebrates scholarshop gala

The Seminole County Chapter of the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Alumni Association, held their Golden Anniversary Scholarship Gala, “Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence”, on Sat., May 14, 2016, 6:30 p.m., at the Lake Mary Community Center, Lake Mary, FL.  
George R. Cotton, Sr., Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of FAMU Foundation, Inc. was the Master of Ceremonies. Dr. Velma H. Williams, Sanford City Commissioner of District 2, gave the welcome. Stewart Baker, Reporter, gave the Invocation and Blessings. President, Andre Neal extended greetings to special guests and Queen Esther Jones, Recording Secretary, presented the Chapter’s history.  
After dinner, M.C. Cotton, introduced the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Elmira Mangum, President of FAMU (Tallahassee, FL). She gave a very informative message; the stated focus of her administration is “Building a Brand that Matters in the 21st Century and Beyond”. Carmen Cummings, Executive Director, Office of Alumni Affairs and Ella Lingard, Chapter member, gave acknowledgements.
Vice President Kimberly Saunders introduced the 2016 scholarship recipients; all are Seminole High School graduates and will be attending FAMU: Shamur Oliver (English Major), Tierra Taylor (Biology Major), and Keiyah Webster (Psychology Major). M.C. Cotton and President Neal gave closing remarks, followed by the singing of the Alma Mater. Music and entertainment brought this spectacular gala to a close for the “Rattlers” and their guests.
The Speaker, Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., made history when she became the first permanent female President in FAMU’s 128-year legacy on April 1, 2014. Under her leadership, the University has achieved many milestones including launching the Sustainability Institute, creating a free Student Passport Program; establishing a Debt Reduction Grant; creating a Student Professional Development Series; launching living-learning communities; securing the largest individual gift in University history ($5 million from John W. Thompson and his wife, Sandi); completing the transfer of 3,800 acres of land in Brooksville, one of the largest land transfers in the history of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, to a Land Grant HBCU (Historically Black College/University); becoming the first Purple Heart HBCU and first Purple Heart college or university in Florida because of their ongoing commitment to celebrate and support military veterans; becoming the first classical HBCU to play at Carnegie Hall; and becoming one of the first HBCU’s to appear at the iconic Fenway Park. Dr. Mangum was named the “Female HBCU President of the Year” at the AARP’s National HBCU Media Week in 2015.
The Seminole County Chapter was organized by George W. Conoly in 1966 at Crooms Academy in Sanford, FL. The Chapter has sponsored and participated in many outstanding activities, i.e., banquets, career fairs, band-camp sponsorships, farewell and welcome-home socials, and more.  
At least 1300 students have taken the “FAMU Campus Preview Tour”, spearheaded by alumna Dr. Velma Williams. Their signature fundraising event is the Annual Scholarship Luau; proceeds help fund the scholarships that are awarded each year to local high school graduates to attend FAMU! The Golden Anniversary Scholarship Gala honored past and present contributions to the University, the National Alumni Association and the community!

• Historic Saint James A.M.E. Church, 819 Cypress Ave., Sanford, invites the community to their 2016 Revival Services on Wed.-Fri., June 8-10, 2016, 7 p.m. nightly.  
The guest preacher will be Rev. Dr. C.P. Preston, Jr. of Peaceful Zion M. B. Church in Miami. Everyone is invited to come and bring your family and friends. Rev. Terrell L. Blair, Sr., Pastor.

• Location Correction: New Covenant House of Worship invites the community to their Mortgage Burning Celebration Service on Sat., June 11, 2016 at 7 p.m. The church is located at 609 W. 9th St. in Sanford; Bishop Karl S. Redmond, Pastor. The guest church will be Providence M.B. Church of Lake Monroe; Rev. Elias G. Caffey, Pastor.

• Morning Glory M.B. Church, 2600 E. SR-46 in Midway, invites the community to their Education Day Service on Sun., June 12, 2016 at 11 a.m., to celebrate and encourage the youth. Guest speakers will be Quinnrecus Byrd and Purnell Bush.   Awards will be presented to the members of the Youth Department.
A special award will be presented to Maurice Kendrick. He is a 2016 graduate of Lake Mary High School and will be attending Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL on a scholarship. Bishop Jimmie L. Blake, Pastor.

• Shower Down of Blessings Church, 201 S. Elm Ave., Sanford, invites the community to their Vacation Bible School, Wed.-Fri., June 15-17, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. nightly. This year’s theme, “Don’t Forget Your Dream”.
There will be classes/projects for the youth. Workshop topics for adults include, “Staying Independent as We Age”, “Exercise/Balance and Muscle Strengthening”,  “How to Improve Brain Function”; “Pursuing a Winning Game Plan Financially”, and “God’s Plan for Financial Freedom”.  
Everyone is welcome. For additional information, contact Marie Benjamin, 407-492-¬8056.  Pastor Timothy D. Hudson, Sr.

• Providence M.B. Church, 4561 Douglas St. in Lake Monroe invites the community to their Revival Services, Wed-Fri., June 15-17, 2016, at 7 p.m. nightly. The Revival Messenger will be Rev. Michael Warren of Pleasant View M.B. Church in Apopka, FL. Come one, come all to Revival Services at Providence; Rev. Elias G. Caffey, Pastor.

• Distinguished Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin L. Crump is well-known for his legal representation and advocacy in the Trayvon Martin case, the Martin Lee Anderson Boot Camp case, and the Robbie Tolan U.S. Supreme Court Case. He has been recognized as one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers.  
Mr. Crump is a frequent speaker and author of articles, including his critically acclaimed article, “The Police Don’t Shoot White Man in the Back; Representing Minorities in Police Brutality Cases.” His work has been featured in documentaries such as BET’s “I am Trayvon Martin: A Family’s fight for Justice”; National Public Radio’s “How Lawyer Got America Talking About Trayvon Martin”, “Beating Justice: The Martin Lee Anderson Story”, and the soon to be released, “The Ferguson Cover-Up, the Tragedy Killing of Michael Brown”.  
Attorney Crump will be the keynote speaker at the Seminole County Branch of the NAACP’s 75th Annual Freedom Fund and Award Scholarship Banquet on Sat., June 18, 2016, 7 p.m. at the Sanford Civic Center in downtown Sanford. Tickets are still available; call 407-328-7496 or e-mail: naacp_seminole@aol.com.

Sheralyn Brinson can be reached at SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com.