The College of Engineering hosted this year’s Founder’s Day and Honors Recognition Convocation, March 26 in the William “Billy” J. Nicks Fieldhouse.
This event is a celebration of university legacy and recognizes students who continue building upon that legacy by meeting the challenges of their future.
“Transitioning to New Heights,” was the theme for this year’s ceremony.
The program featured a timeline of the institution’s former principals and presidents, leading to current president Dr. George C. Wright. The program also included the history of Prairie View A&M University and how it has transitioned to new heights.
Mary Bolden, a sophomore early childhood education major, said, “After attending this year’s honors convocation, I realize that each student must possess tradition, legacy, and the academic standards of the university.”
One hundred years ago Prairie View was known mostly as an agricultural school and offered few majors.
The university had its beginning in the Texas Constitution of 1876 which, in separate articles, established an “Agricultural and Mechanical College” and pledged that “separate schools shall be provided for the white and colored children, and impartial provisions shall be made for both.”
As a consequence of these constitutional provisions, the 15th legislature established “Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youth” on August 14, 1876.
Now there are many majors for students to choose from, including communications, architecture, education and nursing.
“Today, to be well educated, you must be prepared to meet unprecedented challenges with a solid education,” said Lee McGriggs, professor of political science.
James C. Mitchell, CEO of SMP Enterprises, addressed the convocation. He encouraged students to be committed to the university and make financial contributions.
Mitchell also talked about the importance of giving back in terms of service, and informing the public about the university after graduation.
Mitchell said graduate students should recruit the best and the brightest.
He added that undergraduate students must live and perform according to the institution’s motto, “Prairie View Produces Productive People.”
“I believe attending the ceremony encouraged our potential as honor students to sustain our academic standing,” Kenneth Marshall, a sophomore computer engineering technology major, said.
Drawing on the theme of transition, the convocation focused attention on contributing to the university.
“The purpose of the convocation is to look back to greatness and look forward to our challenges,” McGriggs said.