Fort Valley State University

The lives of 14 phenomenal, but unsung heroes are chronicled in a new book written by several Fort Valley State University administrators and edited by President Larry E. Rivers and FVSU Executive Vice President, Canter Brown. “The Varieties of Women’s Experience: Portraits of Southern Women in the Post- Civil War Century” is a collection of essays that shed light on the lives of women such as Florence Johnson Hunt, Elizabeth Benton Moore and Jerenia Reid who made significant social contributions in the post-civil war era.

A Fort Valley State University associate professor is receiving praise from a national magazine focused on higher education. Diverse Issues in Higher Education named Dr. Said Sewell III a member of “Emerging Scholars: The Class of 2010.” Sewell is associate professor and executive director of FVSU’s Academic Success Center. In the magazine’s January issue, he was profiled for a program aimed at reaching African-American male students.

Dec. 16, 2009 - Commencement at Fort Valley State University is a special time when dreams become reality. Graduating Wildcats, sporting black caps and gowns, march with their heads held high, as they’re lead into the Health and Physical Education to receive their hard-earned academic prize: a college degree. During the fall 2009 commencement held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, the latest crop of grads listened to sage advice from Fort Valley’s newly re-elected mayor, Dr. John E. Stumbo.

Fort Valley State University professors are excited about a new facility that provides workshops about the best practices in teaching and research for instructors. Heavy rains caused by Hurricane Ida weren’t enough to halt the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Faculty Center for Improving Instruction and Leadership on Tuesday, Nov. 10 in the Hunt A. Memorial Library. “I’m glad to see so many people came out today however I didn’t invite Ida, she came on her own,” joked guest speaker Dr. David Padgett.

Nov. 5, 2009 - The coronation of Miss Fort Valley State University is the once-a-year opportunity that faculty, staff and students dress formally to salute royalty. The Health and Physical Education Complex was transformed into Cinderella’s castle for “An Enchanted Night of Autumn Splendor.” On the arms of escorts, queens representing campus organizations pranced into the venue in mustard hued, strapless gowns with mermaid skirts as President and Mrs. Rivers observed the proceedings with guests.

Good food that’s free and abundant is always a hit with students. So it’s no wonder that Wildcats were thrilled when Sodexo Food Services rolled out its mouthwatering food franchises to show its commitment to Fort Valley State University. With hip hop beats pulsating in the Lottie Lyons Food Service Center, a block party revved into high gear, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 15, in celebration of the campus’ new dining service provider.

Trailblazer M. Yvette Miller’s list of accomplishments is one few people can rival. As a young beauty contestant, she rose above the competition to become Miss Macon, Middle Georgia’s first African-American to earn the title. She graduated from Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Laws (L.L.M.) degree in litigation from Emory University; then, was hired as the first female prosecutorial assistant to the District Attorney in Fulton County. Miller even purchased a Ford and Lincoln car dealership.

Fort Valley State University’s Class of 2009 will get a special send off into the world by one of the country’s most influential and dynamic media personalities. Tom Joyner, known as the “hardest working man in radio” is the Spring commencement speaker. Joyner is an entrepreneur, entertainer and philanthropist. His non-profit organization, the Tom Joyner Foundation raises millions for African American students who attend historically black colleges and universities.

The new executive director of Fort Valley State University’s Academic Success Center is on a mission to move every student toward greatness. Dr. Said L. Sewell wants to strengthen the testing, academic advising and counseling services provided at the center, as well as solidify the learning support available outside of the classroom. In addition to operating the center, Dr. Sewell is an Associate Professor in the Department of History, Geography, Political Science, and Criminal Justice at FVSU.

Picture perfect, sunny days add texture to celebrations such as this week’s 59th Annual Honors Convocation. A Fort Valley State University native son made the event sweeter with shared memories and richer with a surprise announcement. The campus family and parents of student honorees settled into their Woodward Gym seats to hear a message filled with appreciation from FVSU graduate Dr. Robert J. Jones.

Fort Valley State University scholars who have made the grade will be showered with accolades during the 58th Annual Honors Convocation 11 a.m. Thursday, March 19 in the Woodward Gymnasium. Classes are suspended from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The keynote speaker is the University of Minnesota’s Senior Vice President for System Academic Administration, Dr. Robert J. Jones. Jones, a FVSU alum, served as a scientific consultant on Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s South African Education Program at the height of the anti-apartheid movement.

A premier program at Florida State University that trains students to understand the causes and effects of population shifts is now open to eligible Fort Valley State University students. FVSU President Larry E. Rivers, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Jehad Yasin, Director of FSU’s Center for Demography and Health Isaac Eberstein, and Dean of FSU’s College of Social Sciences David Rasmussen set into motion a partnership that allows FVSU students to pursue a Master of Science degree in Demography at Florida State. A Memo of Understanding was signed earlier this year.

The profile of a Fort Valley State University administrator debuts in a national publication this week. Diverse Issues in Higher Education featured Dr. Daniel K. Wims, FVSU’s executive vice president and vice president of academic affairs, in its “Spectrum” column. Wims, described as a “relatively young vice president,” is credited with returning to his alma mater and lifting the university’s reputation in academic circles. To read more, visit http://diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_12242.shtml

“My challenge to [graduates] is to make this great institution greater,” said Chairman Emeritus of 100 Black Men of America and keynote speaker Thomas Dortch to 150 graduates, parents, faculty and guests during Fort Valley State University’s fall commencement, held in the Health and Physical Education Complex on Saturday. “Don’t think that your degree makes you better than everyone else: your degree provides you with access to better opportunities and a way to help those less fortunate.

“It’s been a challenge meeting my goals for the past 20 years,” said Fort Valley State University senior Cesunica Ivey. “But I’m here and I’m telling my story for anyone coming behind me to let them know that they can make it too.”