Page 23 - Florida Sentinel 4-7-17

State News
2017 Legacy Banquet Surpasses Fundraising Goal For FAMU
TALLAHASSEE --- The Florida A&M University Law- son Recreational Center was bursting with pride from 700 patrons who poured into the arena to make history and buoy efforts to raise money for the athletics department.
The 2017 Annual Legacy Banquet rolled out its second event more than doubling its fundraising commitment by handing over a check for $225,000 to address the needed renovation of Bragg Memorial Stadium. FAMU athletics needed just over $450,000 to repair the sta- dium.
The faith-based effort led by The Reverend Dr. R. B. Holmes, of Bethel Mission- ary Baptist Church said, "We are highly appreciative of those we are honoring, the men and women who played a significant part in strength- ening, giving and sustaining Florida A&M University. Without them, there would not be a legacy or heritage."
The honorees were sere- naded by the Marching 100 and praised by prominent leaders including Congress- man Al Lawson, Tallahas- see Mayor Andrew Gillum, and many others. The honorees:
Former faculty Senate Presidents: Narayan Per- saud, Ph.D., and Mary Di- allo, Ph.D.; former Student Government Association Presidents: Monique Gillum, Tonnette Gra- ham, James Mathews and Larry O. Rivers, Ph.D.; former National Alumni Pres- idents: Tommy Mitchell, Sr. and Carolyn Collins, Ph.D.; former Board of Trustee members: Rufus Montgomery, and Dr. Spurgeon McWilliams; avid supporters: Eddie Jackson, Elaine Bryant Ph.D. and Stephanie L. Clark; and former “Miss FAMU” Denise Barrett, Ph.D., and former “Miss
Rev. Dr. R. B. Holmes, FAMU Interim President Larry Robin- son, Ph.D., and Rev. Dr. Julius McAllister thanked honorees dur- ing a press conference prior to the Legacy Banquet.
FAMU Vice President for Advancement, George Cotton, Rev. R. B. Holmes, Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Athletic Director Milton Overton proudly hold the Legacy Banquet check for $225,000.
Honorees of the 2017 Legacy Banquet.
FAMU” Treniece Seniors.
“We want to thank the faith community for their kind and willing hearts be- cause we wouldn’t be here if it were not for you. And to the honorees, you all deserve to be standing where you are. If we could only do more. I can’t say enough about how much we appreciate you,” said FAMU Interim Presi- dent Larry Robinson, Ph.D.
The Reverend Dr. Julius H. McAllister and his congregation at Bethel AME Church played a promi- nent role in the success of the event said, “This is a signa- ture moment in the life of FAMU, a university that has
given so much to so many persons. Its academic influ- ence shines worldwide.”
emphasize its generosity of a giving spirit, "We are making history because we came to- gether to raise $225,000 and
people are still giving. Once we have that giving spirit it tells us that FAMU's going to be alright."
Holmes continued
to
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13-A