In 2001, at the age of 41, I returned to college. It had been 24 years since I attended any school. PVAMU provided me with a second chance to finish school. I graduated August 7, 2004 with a degree in political science and a minor in history. I am currently a history teacher at Hempstead Middle School and head girl’s varsity basketball coach at the high school. I also am the coordinator of the Waller County Hooper Basketball organization, a non-profit group that teaches potential student athletes about the effect(s) of No Pass, No Play. Over 200 area kids participate in this program on the weekends.
My wife and I are PVAMU graduates, along with a host of relatives and friends. We are now in the graduate program. My oldest son, Aaron, played football and graduated from PVAMU in 2001. My son (Mark Jr.) is a sophomore and quarterback of the Panther football team. My stepson, Gary, is a freshman. We are grateful for the opportunities that PVAMU has given us.
I would like to encourage those individuals who have doubts about the greatness of our university to just give PVAMU a try.
Our success is because of what PVAMU has given us. Now, we are sharing that with hundreds of Waller County students, staff members, administrators, and friends. There’s a fire on the hill…come and check it out.
Mark Anthony Spivey (Class of ’04)