Prairie View A&M University will recognize outstanding undergraduate students during its annual Founder’s Day and Honors Convocation from 10 a.m to noon on Wednesday, March 30, at the William “Billy” J. Nicks Field House. The College of Arts and Sciences will host this year’s honors convocation. In keeping with Prairie View’s tradition of producing productive people, the theme for this year’s convocation is “Empowering Minds As We Honor Our Traditions of Excellence.”
The speaker for this year’s convocation is Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II who is currently serving his first term representing the Fifth District of Missouri in the House of Representatives.
Cleaver, who is from Waxahachie, Texas, attended Prairie View A & M University, and earned a B.S. in Sociology. He has served as Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilman in Kansas City. Cleaver’s exemplary leadership earned him a two-term position as President of the National Conference of Black Mayors and he is also an ordained Methodist Minister.
The honors convocation symbolizes and recognizes students’ outstanding academic achievements and the pursuit of scholarly success. At this year’s ceremony, a total of about 1100 students will be recognized for their academic achievements during the 2004 school year.
Dr. Danny Kelley, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, enthusiastically states, “We want to dramatize the whole concept of recognizing student academic achievement here at Prairie View. We are proud of this entire body of students and always want to emphasize the importance of setting high standards and achieving them.”
As a show of pride, support, and appreciation for students’ excellence, the College of Arts and Sciences has planned a special celebration reception to congratulate all students who attained 3.5 – 4.0 GPA and are listed on the school’s honor roll. The reception will be held Monday, March 28 at the Memorial Student Center Ballroom from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. At this reception, the students will receive pins and buttons that they can proudly wear throughout the week. After the convocation, all honor roll and dean’s list students will also receive certificates from their respective colleges.
Participants in the convocation program will be honor students from the College of Arts and Sciences. There will also be special performances of music by the University Symphonic Band, the Concert Chorale, and the Brass Ensemble.
On March 30, classes will be dismissed from 9:30 until noon for this program.
This is a special way for the University community to celebrate the accomplishments of students.