Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 5-15-18

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Florida A&M University National Alumni Association Tampa Chapter Hosts 2nd Endowed Scholarship Gala
BY QUINETRA J. CROMUEL, MBA
A ballroom filled with more than 350 Florida A&M University Alumni, friends, and supporters gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton Westshore on April 21st to celebrate the annual giving to Florida A&M University (FAMU) through the Tampa Chapter’s En- dowed Scholarship.
The theme for this year’s gala was “Forever Rattlin’, Striking a New Season of Excellence with Caring” and the attendees were pierced with the words of the guest speaker, Dr. Larry Robin- son, FAMU’s 12th President.
Dr. Robinson highlighted some of the greatness and achievements that FAMU is doing domestically and globally in the areas of S.T.E.M., Agricultural Sciences, Business, Journalism, International Studies, Computer Sciences, and establishing global corporate partnerships, along with the outstanding invitation of The Marching 100 to perform in the 2019 Roses Parade: Tourna- ment of Roses in Pasadena, CA.
Dr. Robinson drove home the importance of financial sup- port to FAMU and its continuance to produce scholars, record num- bers of Baccalaureate Degrees earned by African-Americans, and that FAMU is a “World Class” in- stitution of higher education. Dr. Robinson thanked the Tampa Chapter along with the FAMU Na- tional Alumni Association and Chapters world-wide for keeping the legacy of giving in the form of endowed scholarships and deemed that this is a “New Era of Excellence with Caring.”
As that old Rattler spirit and glow of school pride filled the room, students from Jefferson High School stood before Dr. Larry Robinson and shared their excitement of being accepted into Florida A&M University [their first choice] and entering the campus in the Fall of 2018. One student in particular, Leyliana Greer [Suncoast Credit Union Scholarship Winner] stated that she has received a scholar- ship and is counting down the days for her high school gradua- tion, so that she can embark on a long awaited desire to attend FAMU.
“I’m overjoyed by the Rattler presence in here tonight. Most im- portantly, the support of so many who have given of their financial resources, time, and expertise to the educational legacy of Florida A& M University,” said Rosalyn McIntosh, Gala Chairman.
The Tampa Chapter’s En- dowed Scholarship reached a milestone of giving, as Wendell Duggins, Tampa Chapter Presi- dent, presented a whopping $30,000 of scholarship money to Dr. Larry Robinson, making a total of $120,000 from the Tampa Chapter.
“The Tampa Chapter has been on a campaign journey to raise $250,000 within five years and this is year four. I’m pleased with the efforts of our fundraising to reaching this goal and I thank all that have given thus far. However, we encourage the giving to con- tinue and for all FAMUans to join the team and local news publica- tion: The Florida Sentinel News- paper,” said Duggins.
The Tampa Chapter recog- nized Suncoast Credit Union [Green Sponsor] at this year’s gala along with presenting Presidential Awards to Maryse Dixon and Quinetra “Netra” Cromuel for their outstanding service to the Endowed Scholarship and Gala for 2 years.
This year’s gala was truly a Tampa Bay “Rattler Star Studded” event with Rod Carter, WFLA News Channel 8 anchor, as the Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Wal- ter Smith, FAMU’s 7th Presi- dent, former State Representative Arthenia Joyner, Les Miller [Honorary FAMUan], Hillsbor- ough County Commissioner, Gwendolyn Miller, First Black female to win a citywide election for the Tampa City Council, also served on and chaired the Tampa City Council, Melva McKay- Bass, Sr. VP of Business, Sun- coast Credit Union, Dr. Carolyn Collins, First Female Past Presi- dent of FAMU NAA and current Chairman of Governmental Af- fairs, Live musical entertainment by NJ Lady Fingers, along with other notable Tampa community leaders.
To close out the gala, profound words were spoken at the gala by Debra Duggins, Gala Co-Chair- man that tugged on the hearts and minds of each attendee: “I have a little quote that I see every morn- ing and night. It says, ‘Faith is not knowing that God can, it’s believ- ing that God will.’ When the idea of the Endowed Scholarship for $250,000 was first brought to the Tampa Chapter, it seemed a little much for my mind to conceive; but now I see how far we’ve come. I know that this is an attainable goal. The Endowed Scholarship was started on faith, and just be- cause I couldn’t see it, didn’t mean that it wouldn’t happen. It was never my responsibility to know how and when we would reach our goal; it was and is my respon- sibility to believe that we WILL reach the set goal. That said, the challenge and responsibility for eachofusistodoourpartand allow God to handle the rest.”
Tampa Bay, mark April, 2019 on your calendars for the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association Tampa Chapter Gala. This is a must attend event that you would not want to miss!
To learn more about the FAMU National Alumni Associa- tion Tampa Chapter visit www.Fa- muAlumniTampaBay.org. (Photos by Ricky Roberts)
Dr. and Mrs. Walter Smith, with Dr. and Mrs. Larry Robinson.
Wendell Duggins, President, FAMU Alumni Tampa Chapter, Melva Bass, and Dr. Larry Robinson, FAMU’s 12th President.
Rod Carter, WFLA News Channel 8 anchor, was the Master of Ceremonies.
County Commissioner Les and Mrs. Gwen Miller.
Mr. and Mrs Joe Reed were among those in attendance.
Mr. and Mrs. JaDee Davis, FAMUans who attended the gala.
Mr. and Mrs. Guy (Melva) Bass.
Dr. Walter Smith and Atty. Arthenia Joyner.
Francis Norma Reese.
Mr. and Mrs. Dayle (Patsy) Greene, alumni supporters.
Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth Fleming attended the gala.
Dr. and Mrs. John (Mol- bert) Scriven.
Jennings and
Staunch FAMU supporters and alumni, Mrs. Mary White-Darby and James Green.
Dr. Robinson with Jefferson High students.
PAGE 12 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018