Fort Valley State University

A seasoned Peach County politician, named among the outstanding small town mayors in the country, is Fort Valley State University’s commencement speaker. Fort Valley mayor, Dr. John E. Stumbo, who recently won a re-election bid, will deliver the keynote address 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 in the Health and Physical Education Complex.

Nov. 24, 2009 - Celebrating diversity is a catch phrase used by some institutions but seldom practiced. That’s not the case at Fort Valley State University where embracing the nuances of race and culture occurs each semester. This week, the sweet sounds of reggae music and African drums filled the halls of the Pettigrew Center during International Students’ Day. The university and the Fort Valley chapter of The Links, Inc.

October 28, 2009 - The Fort Valley State University family got a real thriller at the Homecoming Kick-off to start a weeklong celebration. President Larry E. Rivers, sporting a wig and a red leather jacket, high-water black pants and a sparkling jeweled glove hit the stage for an eye-opening dance performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. First Lady Betty Rivers, dressed in a FVSU letter jacket, played the part of Ola Ray. The president strutted across the floor as FVSU’s Dancing Dolls backed him up.

October 23, 2009 - The streets will fill with blue and gold as Wildcat fans assemble on State University Drive for Fort Valley State University’s annual homecoming day parade. The pre-game festivities begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 in downtown Fort Valley.

According to the parade committee, spectators can expect the usual crowd favorites ¬¬- colorful floats, dozens of dazzling band performances and campus and community figures showing Wildcat pride. But this year, onlookers are in for some unusual treats.

October 21, 2009 - Fort Valley State University’s homecoming week kicks off at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 with an explosion of song and praise at the annual Homecoming Gospel Concert in the C.W. Pettigrew Center. In light of the theme, “It’s a Valley Reunion”, FVSU welcomes back generations of gospel performers including one of this year’s featured acts – The Baptist Student Union Alumni Choir.

“This concert is going to be special to our hearts,” said Eunice Jones, chair of the concert committee. “We have alumni from all over the country coming back to perform.”

October 2, 2009-Increasing FVSU’s graduation rate among black males is at the top of President Larry Rivers’s list of priorities. He addressed the issue on Monday, Sept. 28 during a “Man-to-Man” forum held in the W.W.E. Blanchet CTM auditorium. Rivers challenged members of the audience to take a proactive stance and help solve the problem.

Ladies Only Affair Gets A Thumbs Up

Fort Valley State University students expect to have a good time at the event known as Sip-N-Chat. The fall program held Monday, Sept. 28th at the Pettigrew Center did not disappoint. A student forum, poetic recitations and a series of health, self-esteem and social awareness presentations engaged the audience and kept attendees talking long after the soiree’s conclusion.

September 25, 2009—Jerico Anderson rushed to the Lottie B. Lyons Student Center immediately after class, eager to donate a double unit of blood to the American Red Cross. The sophomore business administration student, familiar with the process filled out paperwork, leaned back into a reclining chair at the donation station and assured his friends that giving blood was nothing to be afraid of. “I’ve been doing this twice a year since the 11th grade,” said Anderson, who has a slight fear of needles.

September 24, 2009—A branding expert and motivational speaker will connect with Fort Valley State University men next week. Known simply as Hotep, the author, filmmaker, and educator will headline the Man-to-Man Forum 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28 in the W.W.E. Blanchet CTM auditorium.

Touting two award winning documentaries, four books, a published quarterly newspaper, his own clothing line, and Web site, the Morehouse graduate preaches a do-for-self mentality by promoting entrepreneurship and leadership through the teachings of proven business and personal success models.

September 23, 2009—Ten high school students will experience campus life in The Valley thanks to a longstanding program at Fort Valley State University. The University Today Scholars’ Program accepted new, high achievers to its impressive roster for the 2009-2010 academic year.

September 23, 2009—Singing is a passion for Fort Valley State University senior Justin Lambert. For four years, Lambert sang his heart out with the university’s Baptist Student Union choir and as its 2008-2009 president. This spring, the psychology major graduates but don’t expect him to rest his vocal chords. “When you’re in Baptist Student Union, it’s never your last performance,” he said, with pride. Lambert will perform with choir and alumni members at the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation’s Gospel Competition at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept.

August 26, 2009—Three Fort Valley State University students will join singers from the country’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities for a concert celebrating the musical genius of African-American composers. The 2nd Annual 105 Voices of History presentation will take place 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 at the John F. Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. Students will perform from a repertoire of Mozart, Dr. Uzee Brown, William Dawson and John Rutter.

August 20, 2009—Fort Valley State University earned the #21 spot among historically black colleges and universities in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News Media Group. FVSU is listed among first tier schools such as Spelman College, Howard University and Morehouse College who earned the top three spots, respectively.

“I’ve got to recognize the hard work of our faculty and staff. This dramatic rise in our ranking reflects real progress on the campus,” said FVSU President Larry E. Rivers.

Fort Valley State University

August 20, 2009

TO ALL STUDENTS LIVING IN FVSU RESIDENCE HALLS UNDER A

TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSIGNMENT:

August 19, 2009—Whether it’s the struggles of freed slaves like Frederick Douglass, the influential political thought of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., or the soulful artistry of jazz greats like Miles Davis, the African-American experience has left its indelible mark on American culture. A new program track is available this fall on Fort Valley State University’s campus that explores the richness of Black heritage: the African-American and African Diaspora Studies program. The new program track is assembled out of existing courses and will be multidisciplinary.