Welcome back to The Hill class of 1959

In August of 2005, PVAMU graduates of the class of 1959 greeted freshmen during Panthercamp and promised them they'd serve as mentors and supporters to them during their experience at Prairie View. Since then, the alumni have collected more than $300,000 in endowments, have given gifts, as well as scholarships to the students, and served as a networking tool to several recent graduates.

Ret. Lt. Gen. Marvin Brailsford said, "Prairie View has been educating, preparing and making generations ready to meet the challenges of the state, the nation and the world. For the past fifty years we have worked to make the world a better place. We are now passing the torch to you with great confidence that you are prepared and ready to meet the enormous challenges of tomorrow."

Three goals were set in place by the alumni for their commitment to the graduates of 2009. They were to adopt the freshmen of 2005 and follow them through their graduation in 2009, establish a legacy endowment fund to present to the university during Homecoming 2009 and reconnect the members of the class of 1959 for their golden anniversary during the May 2009 commencement and Homecoming 2009.

All of their goals have been met.

"The outstanding support and involvement of members have far exceeded the early expectations of the leadership team and initial participants," said Celestine Tisdale-Barnes, former Miss Prairie View A&M University and class president. "Annual Homecoming gatherings with the adopted class of 2009 provided a wonderful exchange of gifts, scholarships, booklets and words of wisdom that will long be remembered by both groups because each group learned something valuable from the other."

During the May 2009 commencement the mentoring class gave five $59 gift certificates, 25 booklets on social etiquette to the first students who arrived, plus more than 400 small engraved address books and congratulations cards and university paraphernalia.

"We tried to give gift certificates every Homecoming along with gift bags with supplies with whatever we thought the students would want," said Barnes.

During the May commencement, alumnus Lee Winslett, Jr. received the 2009 Humanitarian Award from the university. Winslett has also sponsored a scholarship in honor of his wife Ernestine B. Winslett and has given five scholarships in the amount of $1,959 every year since May of 2006.

Winslett spearheaded the endowment campaign and the class plans to present the university with their contribution during halftime of the Homecoming game.

Dr. Hortense Kilpatrick, director of Alumni Relations and liaison to the class of 1959, said, "All of us in the university community join the class of 1959 in celebrating their 50th year as graduates of Prairie View A&M University. This alumni class has been integrally involved with the university since 2005 in nurturing and building alumni-student interaction and fostering goodwill. We are proud that every member of the class has been successful professionally and represents their alma mater with distinction."

Recognizing that many students in their adopted class will graduate during December, Barnes anticipates her classmates supporting those students on their academic achievements as well.

"Of course we will help," Barnes said. "We don't want to neglect them."

Barnes encourages students to develop and maintain relationships with her classmates because it could be an excellent opportunity for students to get involved with obtaining a career during the economic strain. Barnes stresses that there are Prairie View graduates in positions where they can and are willing to help young alumni.

"We need to know who [the graduates] are and they need to know they can reach out to us," said Barnes.

Barnes pushes students, current and recently graduated to keep the Prairie View spirit alive.

"We share the events and excitement of this journey to encourage current students to enjoy your time together now and anticipate your future as alumni of Prairie View. Enjoy your university experiences and know they will be equally as enjoyable in the future," Barnes said.