As the bulldozers destroy what’s left of the old dorms and office buildings, do you ever just stop and think, what Prairie View was like in times past? Alumnus Cleophus Sharp attended the University from 1970 to 1974. He and others were probably sporting tall Afros, big bell bottom pants and a whole host of other funkadelic assortments. Sharp plainly pointed out the distinct differences between the two generations and also the surprising similarities.
“One difference is that we, for the most part, respected the authority figures. We were brought up in the fear that if we got out of line at school not only would the teacher chastise us, but our parents were waiting at home with belt in hand.”
However, Sharp also said, “I attribute the recent disrespect of the new generation, not to the young adult, but to my generation who let the child get away with the disrespect.”
“Networking,” said Sedrick Scott, another Prairie View alumnus, “is the key to success in college.” Out of all the Prairie View alumni this was perhaps the most recurring theme.
A major criticism of Prairie View now is the lack of a boisterous school spirit. Sharp said, “We didn’t always win the game, but that really was not the point. We all, collectively, came together for one specific purpose.
The purpose was to enjoy being Panthers and not to allow any opposition to tear the school spirit asunder.”
In a quest to find out what Prairie View was like in the past, it was easy to conclude that there was a family type atmosphere on the campus. Yes, of course, they had bad apples who tried very hard to portray Prairie View in a negative light. However, the overall spirit of unity, and the feeling of determination kept the university strong.
The students of Prairie View A&M University are challenged, not only to stand tall and remember the road that has been paved for them, but to emulate the ones who paved it.