PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 20, 2020) – Staying connected amid the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be one of the most important things people can do. To further this goal, Prairie View A&M University’s Office of Development will kick off its Virtual Speaker Series this week to stay engaged with donors and keep them abreast of the many educational opportunities and programs available to students at PVAMU.

“Our goal is to keep our donors engaged with the university even when we do not have the opportunity to have face-to-face meetings during these uncertain times,” said Carme Williams, vice president for Development.  “Supporters of PVAMU are very important to us, and we want to bring a portion of the university talent to them, making them aware of faculty research and our high-impact programs.”

The series, which runs from May 21-July 16, includes:

  • Melanye Price, endowed professor of political science: Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘[I’ve Been to the] Mountaintop’ Speech and How it Speaks to the Rise of [President] Trump;
  • Professor of Finance and Director of PVAMU’s Financial Planning Program Danny Harvey: Demand is High of Financial Planning and Education, Where is the Supply;
  • Fred A. Bonner II, endowed chair of educational leadership and counseling: Building on Resilience: Academically Gifted Black Males across the P-20 Pipeline;
  • Quincy C. Moore III, director of PVAMU’s Honors Program: High Impact Practices (HIPs) in Undergraduate Education: Perspectives from an Honors Program; and
  • Dennis E. Daniels, director of the Texas Undergraduate Medical Academy: Advanced Development of the Texas Undergraduate Medical Academy Research Laboratory into a Biomedical Level II Research Unit.

Each speaker will present for up to 30 minutes, reserving 15-20 minutes for a question-and-answer period.

“Our goal is to provide another level of cultivation that has not previously been afforded to our constituents,” said Major Gift Officer Bea Emanuel-Sims. “In this current climate of COVID-19, this may become a continued program offering for the Office of Development. We will be carefully gauging the participation rate of our selected audience. Ultimately, we want to continue to build on relationships with our supporters and grow our philanthropic footprint.”

According to Emanuel-Sims, PVAMU donors have already received an email invitation to participate in the series.

“This type of programming helps to build stronger connections,” said Williams. “In addition, it helps to build on their affinity towards the institution and allows them to be proud of the institution they support as a donor.”

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