Fort Valley State University

The “bad boy” of radio, Michael Baisden has a tour bus gassed up and heading to Fort Valley State University. The nationally syndicated radio personality, bestselling author and motivational speaker will host a national mentoring forum at the HPE Complex 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.

Baisden’s listeners are buzzing about radio commentator’s outreach program called, One Million Mentors Campaign to Save Our Kids since the official kick off in Dallas last month. The tour is scheduled to visit more than 72 markets affiliated with The Michael Baisden Show.

March 16, 2010 - A fun-filled Fort Valley State University day camp located at the Warner Robins Center is returning for a second year. At Summer Kids University, children played basketball, tennis and wrestled. Some sharpened math, science, computer and Spanish skills; while others expanded creative talents in art and drama courses. The day camp, held at the Osigian Boulevard location, is scheduled June 1 through July 16, at the cost of $99 each week.

March 16, 2010 - Whether it’s a small campus brawl or a life-threatening medical emergency, Fort Valley State University’s police and security officers are the first to respond to keep the peace and the campus community safe. While students and some faculty enjoyed Spring Break, the university’s police and security force received in-service training in Founders Hall to help them handle law enforcement issues.

March 12, 2010 - Fort Valley State University is getting young people “crunk” about college (means hyped for readers over 50). The university’s signature Spring Break Cultural Arts Tour kicked off Monday, March 15 in Americus, Ga. High school crowds went wild as President Larry E. Rivers, recruiters and a 12-member ensemble known as the Wildcat Force performed old-school hits such as “Outstanding” by the Gap Band and “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly.

March 10, 2010 - Car show competitors across Florida and Georgia are getting their machines in showroom condition for Middle Georgia’s premier car show. Fort Valley State University’s 4th annual Wheels in the Valley Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will be held 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, April 24 at the Health & Physical Education Complex. Hundreds of car lovers will pack the parking lot to show off their prized possessions sporting fresh paint jobs, shining chrome wheels, and complex machinery.

Feb. 4, 2010- Fort Valley State University’s president, Dr. Larry E. Rivers, is the keynote speaker at an event that explores the history of the black church Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the Galleria Mall’s Conference Center (formerly Goody’s) in Centerville. The program begins with a reception at 5:15 p.m., followed by a prayer meeting at 6 p.m. and the keynote address at 6:30 p.m.

The accomplishments of Fort Valley State University President Larry E. Rivers are recognized in the newest edition of a prestigious business publication with a statewide readership. Georgia Trend Magazine listed Rivers as a notable in its annual “100 Most Influential Georgians” issue.

Hot button issues such as perfecting professionalism, community engagement, and dating etiquette top the discussion agenda at a popular gabfest for women at Fort Valley State University. Wildcats will huddle to find solutions to challenges faced by female students at the eighth installment of Sip-n-Chat hosted by First Lady Betty Rivers and Friends. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 in the C.W. Pettigrew Center. Organizers expect a capacity crowd.

The artwork of a Kathleen, Ga. Illustrator, Kathleen Lawrence, is the featured exhibit at Fort Valley State University’s C.W. Pettigrew Center gallery.

At 25 years old, Lawrence began her artistic journey at Oakland Community College in Michigan. There, the artist majored in illustration and commercial art. She took classes in still art and sketching, using charcoals and pencils. After college, she reviewed videos and read books to perfect her skills.

November 20, 2009 - More than 500 runners and walkers of all ages got up early and headed to the Health and Physical Education Complex, in sweats and sneakers ready to break a sweat at Fort Valley State University’s 2nd Annual Presidential Road Race. More than 900 signed up to support the Department of Health and Physical Education’s mission to raise scholarship dollars and encourage healthy lifestyles.

The top five winners in each category were presented with medals and Wal-mart gift certificates after the race.

Top five women walkers:

1st: Brittany Anderson

The Fort Valley State University National Alumni Association, Inc.’s Hall of Fame has three new inductees. The honorees were nominated by fellow alums and selected by the Hall of Fame selection committee based on contributions to the university in three categories: community service, law and business. Asa Terrell Boynton Sr., Betty Hubbard Rivers and Charles Robinson Jr. join a distinguished list of FVSU alumni whose name are engraved on an plaque and displayed at the Henry A. Hunt Library.

Only a few Fort Valley State University alums have ascended to the highest office in academia as presidents of historically black institutions. At the Founders Day Convocation held on Nov. 5, the Wildcat family got to see two under the same roof. FVSU President Larry E. Rivers and former president of Morris Brown College, Dr. Samuel Jolley. Jolley, a 1962 FVSU alumnus, was the event’s keynote speaker. Dr. Berlethia Pitts, the event’s chairperson kept the program on schedule as host.

Sometimes, loving words of wisdom can mean the difference between academic success and failure for a middle school student. Recently, Fort Valley State University professors and students challenged Fort Valley Middle School students to excel during a Honors Program that celebrated and recognized the achievement of A and A+ Honor Roll students. FVSU alum Sharon Lewis, a FVMS Educator and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sponsored the event; Tracy Marshall, who oversees the university’s Office of Diversity and International Affairs, coordinated the event that reminded students to their best.

On a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon, August 29, Fort Valley State University students and fans crowded into Fort Valley’s downtown plaza to watch a parade, celebrating the opening of the brand-new Wildcat Stadium.

During the 1960s, Gwendolyn Williams and Tommy McMullins strolled Fort Valley State College’s small campus as lovebirds. They married after graduation and now reside in Altadena, Calif., but memories of FVSU still linger.