Years have passed, yet the diploma hangs perfectly centered behind my chair and the graduation ring sits proudly atop my finger…constant reminders of the formative years I spent as an undergraduate. For the record, I did not attend Prairie View A&M University but I did attend an HBCU that provided me with a hefty dose of the black experience and more importantly, a better understanding of the giving-back concept. Ordinarily, one would consider these lessons to be indicative of an HBCU education, but my epiphany occurred during a freshman-week session called “Students Now, Alumni Forever.” Alumni as defined by Webster are graduates, former students or old pupils. My college said, “Anyone can matriculate through college, earn a degree, and become a graduate, but our alumni do that and much more. They are individuals that completely embrace the uniqueness and importance of an HBCU education by beginning their support now and continuing their support forever. Which kind do you want to be?”
It doesn’t take a lot to make a difference: If half of the PVAMU student body (or approximately 4000 students) were to contribute a one-time gift of $25 (that’s $2.78 a month for 9 months), we would raise $100,000 that could be used in various student related areas.
FYI, the university is currently involved in its first ever Capital Campaign, “Extend The View: Shape Tomorrow Today”. The goal is $30 million. $2 million of that is designated for student support services which would provide advisors, counselors and tutors to support, encourage, and motivate students to succeed. Also, programs like Panther Advisor Leaders (PALS) could be greatly enhanced.
As a development officer for the university, I am constantly mentioning the outstanding young men and women that Prairie View A&M University produces. Going forward in my efforts to garner philanthropic support, I would love being able to share the fact that our students believe so much in the mission that they contributed $100,000 (Wow!!!). Typically, the giving community is always inclined to offer a greater level of support to institutions that demonstrate a support of themselves.
By the way, when I graduated I started supporting my HBCU because I am an “alumni forever.” If you would like to learn more about getting involved, go to the website www.pvamu.edu and click on Giving@PVAMU or contact me via e-mail, nebowman@pvamu.edu