Pictured: (l-r) Jeff Shaw, vice president for University Advancement; Whitlowe R. Green College of Education Dean Dr. RoSusan D. Bartee; Lorie Proctor ‘04, director of the Annual Fund
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 2025) — Homecoming at Prairie View A&M University is more than a time of celebration; it’s a cherished Panther tradition that unites alumni, students, faculty, and staff in shared pride, legacy, and purpose. This year, that spirit of unity and giving was once again amplified through the Homecoming Giving Challenge, an annual university-wide fundraising initiative that transforms Panther pride into tangible impact for students and programs across “The Hill.”
A Tradition of Giving and Growth
The Homecoming Giving Challenge invites alumni and friends to contribute to the PVAMU causes closest to their hearts, from colleges and schools to designated funds supporting scholarships, academic enrichment, and student emergency needs.
Designed to highlight both participation and philanthropy, the Challenge honors not only the academic unit or fundraising the most dollars, but also the one engaging the highest number of donors. The emphasis is clear: every gift and every donor counts.
“This challenge isn’t just about raising funds; it’s about pride, unity, and showing up for the place that shaped us,” said Lorie Proctor ’04, Director of the PVAMU Annual Fund.
Over the years, the Challenge has evolved into a hallmark of the PVAMU Homecoming experience, an event that merges celebration with purpose. As Proctor reflected, “The Homecoming Giving Challenge continues to evolve, becoming a significant part of the PVAMU Homecoming experience. It’s an opportunity for alumni to celebrate the past, reflect on our time as students here on ‘The Hill,’ and give for the future. We are to be the exemplars of giving to this 149-year-old institution, a place that has, and will continue to, produce productive people.”
Whitlowe R. Green College of Education: A Model of Purpose-Driven Giving
Among this year’s participants, the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education distinguished itself with unprecedented fundraising outcomes and alumni engagement. The College’s success stemmed from intentional strategy, unified messaging, and strong community connections.
“Homecoming is more than a celebration—it’s a reminder of what connects us as Panthers. The incredible success of the College of Education during this year’s Giving Challenge shows what’s possible when alumni, faculty, and friends come together to invest in Prairie View’s legacy. Giving during Homecoming keeps that spirit of pride and progress alive all year long,” said Jeff Shaw, Vice President for University Advancement.
“Strategic efforts toward accessing both small and large donors as well as cohesive messaging and connected messengers contributed to the advancement of student success in a holistic manner,” said the College’s dean, Dr. RoSusan D. Bartee. “Understanding the return on investment involved with an inside-out, outside-in transformational approach for fundraising as well as friendraising propelled us.”
This approach, one that integrates both institutional insight and personal connection, helped the College reach donors of every level, inspiring collective action around the shared goal of advancing education and leadership development.
The Challenge recognition, according to Dr. Bartee, carries significance far beyond a single campaign. “The distinctive recognition shines light upon the untapped and underutilized talents of faculty and staff within the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education and the broader implications it holds for PVAMU and beyond,” Dr. Bartee said. “Our College simply remains committed to upholding excellence and the legacy upon which the name of our College stands. And, in effect, being able to reinvigorate those talents into fruition for the cause of giving resonated with both alumni and non-alumni alike.”
This victory is just one part of a broader vision. The College recently launched the Lead Innovation for Future Transformation (LIFT) initiative: a four-phased, $100K “Coming Home Giving Campaign” introduced during Dr. Bartee’s first 100 days in office and concluding in April 2026.
The campaign is designed to support short-term funding needs that empower undergraduate and graduate students on their journeys toward degree completion.
“The momentum is infectious and inspiring, given the authentic belief in who we have been, who we are, and who we will be as the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education,” the dean added.
A Culture of Giving, A Legacy of Leadership
As PVAMU approaches its 150th anniversary, the Homecoming Giving Challenge underscores the enduring power of alumni generosity and institutional pride. What began as a spirited competition among colleges and funds has evolved into a defining expression of the PVAMU community’s shared values: excellence, legacy, and collective impact.
Through efforts like these, the PVAMU family continues to model what it means to be “productive people,” advancing the University’s mission while investing in the leaders, educators, and changemakers of tomorrow.
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