Prairie View A&M University’s class of 1957 celebrated its golden anniversary Saturday during a banquet in honor of the alumni and their continued contributions to their alma mater.
This Homecoming, the class of 1957 presented the university with a scholarship endowment of $200,000, the highest mark achieved by any class so far. The class members raised all contributions and donations during previous years. The donor levels ranged from patron, which denoted a contribution of $250 to $499, to platinum, which denoted the highest contribution of $5,000 plus.
The banquet was held at the Willie Albert Tempton Memorial Student Center ballroom and was presided over by university president Dr. George Wright who gave a warm welcome and extended his gratitude toward the alumni.
An invocation was given by the class assistant treasurer, Rev. Richard D. Hayes, followed by greetings from Clem Daniels, president of the PVAMU Alumni Association and Clemon Wesley, president of the class of 1957.
“The most enjoyable thing about this journey is to look back and see everybody smiling,” stated Wesley. “We hope the next class surpasses our goal because it would be something that everyone would be able to benefit from.”
Edie Charlot, community relations specialist, helped coordinate the banquet, which was among many of the recognitions the alumni were presented with during Homecoming.
“There is a lot of background work involved that many people don’t see but the outcome is always worth it,” stated Charlot.
After the luncheon the donors in attendance were presented with golden class pens and the celebration was concluded with the singing of the alma mater.