PVAMU Summer Graduates Get a House For Inspiration

Thursday, October 08, 2009

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas--Summer was indeed bright for graduates of Prairie View A&M University’s summer class of 2009.  President George C. Wright presided over the 99th Prairie View A&M summer commencement ceremony, where more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degrees were conferred in the university’s William “Billy” J. Nicks, Sr. Building.  Alumnus Jamie G. House returned to his alma mater to deliver the commencement address to a new class of PVAMU graduates. House is a partner, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Houston-based investment firm Smith Graham & Company Investment Advisors L.P.

In addition to dozens of family and friends, this year’s summer commencement ceremony was attended by the university’s faculty and staff and representatives from The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), which included TAMUS Board of Regents Chairman Morris E. Foster and TAMUS Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations Stanton C. Calvert.

A member of the PVAMU class of 1971, House delivered commencement remarks using his personal experience as a Prairie View student and encouraged graduates to follow their dreams and use their talents to improve the world as well as Prairie View A&M. House recognized his teachers and siblings as inspiration for him to matriculate to PVAMU and beamed when he was presented with the PVAMU Panther Award. The award is presented by the university’s president during each commencement ceremony.

During the commencement ceremony, seven doctoral degrees were awarded— three in educational leadership and four in juvenile justice.  These new PhDs continue the university’s development of its burgeoning doctoral programs.  Aligned with its deep military history, the university also added to the U.S. military’s leadership by conferring degrees to commissioned officers for the U.S. Army and Navy.

PVAMU 2009 Summer Commencement Ceremony. 2009
Photo: Roy Pace Photography

PVAMU President George C. Wright presents Commencement Speaker and alumnus Jamie G. House with the
university’s Panther Award during the 99th Summer Commencement Ceremony. 2009
Photo: Roy Pace Photography

About Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View A&M University was founded in 1876 and is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas.  With an established reputation for producing engineers, corporate leaders, nurses and educators, the university offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and schools. Prairie View A&M recently named its College of Engineering for alumnus Roy G. Perry and the university’s marching band, The Marching Storm, was featured as the lead band in the 2009 Rose Parade.  A member of The Texas A&M University System, the university is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service. During the university’s 132-year history, more than 51,500 academic degrees have been awarded.  For more information regarding PVAMU, visit www.pvamu.edu.