Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends:
Fellow alumni and friends of Prairie View A&M University National Alumni (PVAMU NAA) I would like to thank the University for inviting me to participate in their Inaugural Alumni Day on the Hill on March 27, 2013. This month is a special issue dedicated to the Convention, the new NAA Annual Scholarship, a special topic, and the NAA Membership.
Countdown to Convention 2013
The Atlanta Chapter has developed a website for this Year’s Convention. We are now less than 3 months away from the start of the convention. The convention will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from June 26-30, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Centennial Park. Discounted room reservations will end on May 27, 2013. The team is working hard to make your visit enjoyable and informative. Convention registration cost remains at $300 for NAA members and $350 for Non-members. New this year is the introduction of Day Passes, which provide an option for alumni to choose a particular day(s) to participate in convention activities/events instead of the entire convention. Please note that this year’s convention is in June instead of July as in the past years. For details and to register please visit the NAA website at www.pvualumni.org and click on the Convention 2013 link.
NAA Annual Scholarship Initiated
The NAA is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for its new Annual Scholarship. A separate introductory paragraph has been prepared by the Scholarship Committee. You may ask why the NAA is introducing a new Scholarship when there are two Endowments initiated by the NAA at the University. The reason for the Annual Scholarships is to reestablish the direct link between the student body and the NAA. The plan is to grow such that each College or Department will have a NAA scholarship students that will help keep the NAA in contact with the student body. Scholarship Guidelines and Application Forms may be found on the NAA website.
I was initially approached by university students and informed of the proposal to build a landfill within a few miles of our campus. As a concerned alumnus of Prairie View A&M University and as a citizen of the State of Texas, I have followed the discussions on the proposal and have asked myself, “Would there even be a discussion if there was a proposal for a landfill near one of the other two ‘First Class Institutions’ in our state?” I was recently made aware of the Citizens Against the Landfill in Hempstead (CALH), a non-profit unincorporated association, which has a website that all alumni should visit at http://www.stophwy6landfill.com/. Last week during my participation in the Alumni Day on the Hill panel discussion, it was confirmed that the students are firmly against this proposed landfill. Donations to CALH are not tax income deductible, I urge alumni and friends to do the research and get involved. We must do what we can to maintain our legacy and a healthy and safe environment for future PVAMU students.
Mail Payments to:
CALH
P. O. Box 871
Hempstead, Texas, 77445
Or give online at:
http://www.stophwy6landfill.com/
NAA Membership
Finally, during a presentation at the Alumni Day on the Hill, it was noted that a very small percentage of alumni actually support their Alma Mater across the nation. Last January, a Division I graduate that worked in his Alumni Office as a student, asked “What percentage of Alumni supports the NAA?” At the time, I gave a conservative number of 10%. In an effort to increase alumni giving, for over three years as your NAA President, I have concentrated on increasing membership. The NAA Annual Membership dues are only $60.00 which is less than a good night out to dinner. It is always said that you can count on two things, Death and Taxes must be paid. I would also like to add support of your Alma Mater as a third must. With each paid $60.00 annual membership you will receive a free NAA t-shirt while supplies last (Shipping is extra). The PVAMU NAA represents the only independently chartered, alumni membership based organization with a mission to help perpetuate our great university. Please Join Today.
Always Panther Proud,
Lynn Morris
35th NAA President
