Five years ago, I took the helm as President with the goal of leading Prairie View A&M University toward a new level of excellence while upholding its rich legacy. This would be achieved by staying focused on the mission of excellence in teaching, research and service.

Since 1876, PVAMU has emerged as a fine academic institution with noted programs in engineering, education, agriculture, nursing, juvenile justice and the natural sciences. Over the last five years we have charted a new path with increased enrollment, introduced cutting-edge technology, developed new course offerings and expanded our campus with several state-of-the-art buildings. Indeed, it has been the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, alumni and students that can be witnessed in the progress of our teaching, the determination of the University’s research, the growth in your giving, the purpose of our service and the pride in our traditions.

Tradition – For nearly 132 years, PVAMU has stood as a beacon of light and refuge for thousands of men and women in their pursuit of knowledge and self-affirmation. With this in mind, the University has developed a rich heritage of traditions that have helped to create leaders among students and graduates.

Service – Our mission has been focused on providing educational opportunities to traditionally underserved students, but the University’s reach surpasses that goal. Undergraduate and graduate students learn the value of working with their communities through service opportunities that are woven into class curricula and student life. Additionally, with nearly 1,800 commissioned officers and nine flag rank officers to its credit, military service represents the fabric of PVAMU as well as its proud service to the United States of America.

Giving – The generosity in giving has ensured that we will continue to see our mission come to fruition in the educational experiences of our current and future students. In 2003, the University embarked on its first major fundraising capital campaign. The capital campaign, Extend the View: Shape Tomorrow Today, had a five-year, $30 million fundraising benchmark. Today, those funds are being used to improve the quality of programs, which are essential for students to compete successfully around the world.

Research – Prairie View A&M University ranks f in research among all Texas A&M University System member schools These research programs are significant because they demonstrate a commitment to progressing society.

Teaching – As a public university we have an obligation to strengthen the quality of academic programs offered to our students. In line with this goal, we have expanded our advanced educational offerings to include multiple doctoral programs, including the nation’s first PhD in juvenile justice. Through nine colleges and schools, we address state and national needs to produce more qualified engineers, teachers, counselors, nurses and corporate leaders.

The Five Points of Excellence featured in this report are small snapshots of the many achievements and milestones reached by the University over the last five years. I encourage you to learn more about PVAMU by visiting our campus facilities and our website at www.pvamu.edu.

Sincerely,

George C. Wright
President