Serving as Prairie View’s Black History Month activity and the university’s open house, Pantherland Day showcased the campus to more than 3,500 high school students, their parents, and teachers. The event held last Saturday was sponsored by the Office of Recruitment. It was jointly organized by Murphy Crawford, director of recruitment and Gwendolyn Owens, recruiter. Owens and Chris Dudley served as the event’s mistress and master of ceremony.”This activity is the school’s opportunity to showcase the university academically, physically, and all of its extracurricular areas,” said Crawford.
Pantherland Day consisted of presentations on scholarships, THEA, admissions, housing, academic programs, a college fair, mini step show, and dynamic performances by Prairie View’s Marching Storm band, and Clifton J. Ozen High School choir of Beaumont. All colleges and departments on campus provided information on their respective areas. This year a financial aid seminar was the primary informative addition to the activity.
Prospective student Ashlee McDow said, “It was all a good experience, but the financial aid seminar was really good. It gave a lot of information, and answered many questions.”
The Charles Gilpin Players performed an academic theatrical presentation that was amusing yet full of truths. “This activity is the university’s opportunity to share our campus but also dispel myths about the university,” said Owens. Many student organizations assisted in campus tours for the day.
“When planning this event we made provisions for everyone,” said Crawford. The event was appealing to all ethnic groups. Amparo Navarette, the university’s special population coordinator, welcomed all in attendance in Spanish.
Attendees were provided with a free lunch, hosted by Sodexho, in the parking lot of the MSC.
Although it rained and temperatures were low, the event was a huge success and applauded by volunteers and prospective students.
” I found it to be well organized and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” said sophomore criminal justice club member Krystal Jackson.