Prairie View A&M University celebrated the “Legacy of Education,” Saturday as ESPN’s Jay Harris joined alumni, administrators, and students to honor the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education during the annual gala.
This year’s black-tie fundraising event ushered in many familiar and historical faces as former Texas State Representative Wilhelmina F. Delco, Board of Education member Lawrence Allen, Jr., Roy G. Perry, president of the Prairie View Foundation, Chancellor Michael D. McKinney, and the 2011 President’s View and Vision Award recipient, Board of Education member Kevin Hoffman.
A 1989 graduate of Prairie View, Hoffman served two terms on the Houston Independent School District Board of Education while creating the Barbara Jean Hoffman Foundation, which generated more than $100,000 in scholarships including a $25,000 donation to Prairie View’s Capital Campaign in 2009.
Hoffman said, “Of all the honors I’ve received in my career, this is arguably the biggest. It means the most to me in light of my life experiences, which were impacted so deeply by Prairie View A&M University. When I was here I had a lot of support and encouragement, and the ability to give back was normal, but to get recognized for it is simply amazing.
Among other awards given was the Cluster Company of the Year, which was received by ACCENTURE. Delco, Lucian Yates, dean of the College of Education, and former U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick Paige also offered special remarks.
Harris, co-host of the Emmy-award winning Sports Center (6 p.m. Edition), described his visit to Prairie View as a memorable one.
Throughout the ceremony, he used his down-to-earth and urbane dialect to develop a connection with the PVAMU audience. Many PVAMU patrons reminded Harris that the university was considered by many, “a hidden jewel,” a trend, in Harris’s opinion, that should be reversed.
Harris said: “When I first arrived, I was amazed at the sight of the campus. With us being in Texas, I anticipated everything being spread out, but the campus is beautiful. I appreciated the invitation and I enjoyed it immensely. If there’s anything dealing with education, I’m in. Either we can educate people now, or put them behind bars later. I choose education, the easy way.”
Along with special remarks from President George C. Wright, Perry, Delco, and testimonials from several graduate students from the College of Education, this year’s ceremony also featured a performance from the University Concert Chorale.
As the ceremony came to an end, the Prairie View Foundation received an unexpected gift, when Chancellor McKinney made a donation to the organization.