PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 11, 2019) – The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity at Prairie View A&M University paused on Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) to say “Thank You” to our nation’s veterans, including veterans on “The Hill.” The office held its second annual “Veterans Day Recognition on the Hill” in the Julius W. Becton, Jr. Auditorium for students, faculty, and staff.

[LTG (Ret.) Becton ’60, the fifth president of PVAMU, has nearly 40 years of active commissioned service in the U.S. Army and was the first graduate of PVAMU to attain star rank in the military.]

Professor of Military Science LTC Ricarlos Caldwell, who served as the speaker for the program, said, “I used to think it was strange to hear people say to me ‘Thank you for your service,’ because serving was something I wanted to do. But my father later explained to me that these people were the same people who were giving their sons and daughters to the military to serve. So now I say ‘thank you’ back.”

The teaching of Military Tactics at PVAMU was initiated in 1878, and as PVAMU expanded, so did the teaching of Military Science. In 1943, the AROTC department was designated as a Senior Division Unit, Infantry Branch, the first such unit hosted at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Since then, more than 1,400 officers have been commissioned in the U.S. Army from the program.

In 1968, the NROTC program was established at PVAMU, making it the first HBCU to host a Naval ROTC Unit. With this establishment, college students no longer had to leave the Houston area for Navy and Marine Corps officer training.

“You have served our country, and you came here to Prairie View and are continuing to serve our students as faculty and staff members. So, on behalf of our faculty, staff, and students, thank you for your service,” said LTC Mark Pearson, Director of Recruitment at PVAMU, who also served as Professor of Military Science from 1997-2001.

More African American three-star flag officers, including seven Army generals and two Navy admirals, have attended PVAMU than any other school.

PVAMU’s Veterans Services Office supports the University’s mission through the Veterans Center, which offers programs and services for active duty service members, veterans, and military dependents. For more information, visit www.pvamu.edu/sa/departments/veteranaffairs.

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