The Panther

Miss Prairie View A&M University 2007-2008, Jamie Jackson, held her first event Thursday, Sept. 27, in the electrical engineering building.

Titled "Reality Awareness: Celebrating the Traditions of Prairie View A&M University," the program started at 7 p.m. and began with a prayer from Christiana Harris, first attendant of the Miss Prairie View A&M University Court.

The welcome and occasion duties were handled by Miss Prairie View and Mr. Prairie View A&M University 2007-2008, Mark A. Williams II.

The guest speaker for the evening was Frank Jackson, the university's governmental affairs officer and mayor of Prairie View.

Mayor Jackson's speech centered around three main objectives: the collective responsibility for everyone in the Prairie View school community, self determination to believe that students can do anything, and lifting the veil of society to reach true potential.

The mayor discussed how Prairie View was the first state school to allow women in 1879.

He also discussed how Wilhelmina Delco and Dr. Alvin Thomas fought for the university in Austin to get Prairie View the funding it rightfully deserved.

Mayor Jackson, who graduated from Prairie View in 1973, explained how during his college days there was no grass, no parking lots and how hard people fought generations before for the opportunities students enjoy today. The mayor then stressed the importance of keeping the campus beautiful.

He said, "I hope to motivate and inspire somebody even if it's just one person."

Students who attended the event like Brittany Terell, a junior biology major said they enjoyed the program.

"I liked the program and it is always good to obtain knowledge because knowledge is power," Terell said.

Robert McMillian, a sophomore pre-med biology major, said he was eager to come because, "I have heard Mayor Jackson speak before and you have to know your past to go forward."

Miss Prairie View said she hosted the event for the student body as part of her platform.

She stated, "Hearing Mayor Jackson speak is enlightening. Freshmen especially should know the history of the university to instill pride. Lots of people who missed it, missed a treat."

Miss Prairie View said that this is not her last event. In keeping with her platform, she promised to work with Dr. Dennis Daniels, director of the Medical Academy, to host an event related to HIV/AIDS.

The event concluded with a closing prayer from Angel Porter, second attendant, Miss Prairie View A&M University Court, and the singing of the university's alma mater.

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