PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 3, 2020) – Prairie View A&M University’s Office of Development hosted its Inaugural Scholarship Donor Luncheon, Saturday, February 22, 2020. The purpose of the event was to celebrate philanthropic support for scholarship endowments and unveil the impact of gifts. Donors were also given the opportunity to meet their scholarship recipients. The program included students sharing their journey to PVAMU and how their scholarship impacted not only their lives but also their families.
Graduating Senior Clarence Williams ’20 told his compelling story of triumph and realizing his dream of becoming a first-generation college graduate after many of his teachers in K-12 attempted to stifle his development.
“Receiving scholarships has taught me the significance of those who have provided a foundation for me to accomplish my goals. The Dream Award has not only released a financial burden from my family but has also reminded me to dream and to act upon that dream. One day, I will become the clinical community psychologist because you invested in my future,” Williams said.
The inaugural keynote speaker was Assistant Vice Chancellor for State Relations Frank Jackson ’73.
Jackson provided insight into the history of PVAMU and how receiving a Naval Science scholarship changed his life. The Luling, Texas native was a first-generation college student whose education took him further than he ever imagined. He attributes countless professional and community accomplishments, as well as world travels, to PVAMU, which established a transformational foundation.
There were many donors who created endowments in attendance, however, the Nathelyne Archie Kennedy and Dream Fund Scholarships had the largest number of student attendees. Kennedy was surprised when she was seated at a table surrounded by her scholarship recipients. Both her scholarship recipients and other students in attendance were excited to meet the woman for whom the PVAMU School of Architecture was named. Her presence was appreciated as students formed a line to take photos with the living legend.
Women’s Track and Field team member Jaida Payen is one of the several recipients of the Dream Fund Scholarship. The team participated in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship in Birmingham, Alabama, February 20- 21, 2020. Payen was uncertain if she would be able to attend luncheon because of the travel schedule. Determined to meet the donors from the Dream Fund, upon arrival to campus, she joined them for the luncheon. Payen is a High School Olympian from San Diego, California.
“All of the students we met were very excitedly grateful for the scholarships and help from the Dream Fund. I [even] met a young man who graduated in 2013 who said he was a donor and had started his own scholarship,” said Odie McGowen ’67. She and her husband, William “Billy” McGowen ‘66, took photos with scholarship students.
PVAMU’s Purple Jackets and Jazz Ensemble contributed to enhancing both the donors’ and students’ experience. The Purple Jackets assisted the Office of Development with hosting, as well as participating in photos with donors. Providing exceptional entertainment, the Jazz Ensemble’s compilation of tunes was comparable to a concert performance.
“My excitement for the event had been building for days. I didn’t know what to expect. Imagine my surprise being seated with NAA [National Alumni Association] scholarship recipients! It was a joy speaking with the students, learning of their backgrounds, sharing my own and imparting a little wisdom about my college experiences,” said National Alumni Association President Kimberly Runnels ’93.
“We are grateful for those who traveled from as far away as Washington, DC, Maryland, and Georgia to meet their scholarship recipients. The students who were able to attend made the event extremely special for the donors. This is the beginning of a new tradition,” said Director of Annual Fund LaShonda Williams ’97.
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