President George Wright’s slogan, “The Best is Yet to Come,” was the theme for the 2011 Founder’s Day and Honor’s Recognition Convocation Wednesday, in which alumni Ernest B. Collins delivered the keynote address.
Collins said, “The first thing I did in preparing the address was to understand the audience I tried to address and speak in a positive way about some experiences I’ve had that may be helpful to the experience.”
Collins said he enjoys every opportunity to come back to Prairie View. He says that he knows Prairie View isn’t perfect and feels he and the Prairie View Foundation have to lead efforts that assist in bettering Prairie View. New facilities are among his top priorities to improve Prairie View, so that students’ experiences can be enhanced.
During his address, Collins spoke on giving back as alumni, the importance of being a scholar, and professionalism.
Presiding over this year’s ceremony was sophomore agriculture major Timothy Bryant. Bryant said he was honored to represent his college and felt it was a great honor and responsibility to preside over this year’s ceremony.
Among notable attendees was Texas A&M University Student Regent Cresencio Davila, a graduate student studying business administration at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. A graduate of Texas A&M University-Kingsville with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree, he was appointed student regent by Governor Rick Perry, a position he will serve in until May 31.
Davila said, “To represent PVAMU and all the schools within the system is a great honor of daunting responsibilities that has provided me tremendous opportunities. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to my University President, Dr. Maria Hernandez-Ferrier, Chancellor McKinney, and Governor Perry believed in me enough to grant me this honor. Of all my leadership roles I have held as a student, this has undoubtedly been the most rewarding.”