SPORTS
LIFESTYLES
Tenisha Dixson found herself a single mother. Can this softball player get back into top form?
Where were you when these fabulous celebrities visited FAMU’s campus? Page 6
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Fewer graduates commence
Page 8
WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM
When will we see ‘100’ march again?
VOL. 114 ISSUE 17
Bouyer returns after arbitration
Shalaunda Bacon and Angel Neal Correspondents
Jeremy Davis Correspondent
Florida A&M is expecting 1,346 graduates in the class of spring 2012; a decrease from last semester. Agatha Onwunli of the University Registrar said she is very proud of the candidates for this semester. “I am always proud of students who graduate, especially the way the economy is. These graduates deserve to graduate because they overcame such great obstacles.” The university has lined up three political leaders to speak at the university’s spring commencement next week. Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, will lead as the first speaker at the ceremony on Saturday, April 28, at 9 a.m. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to have inspirational speakers for our graduation,” said Phillip Washington, 23, a prephysical therapy graduating senior from Miami. “This is the moment my peers and I have worked hard for. I think all the speakers will bring a unique perspective to us given
A Florida A&M University professor has been reinstated after he was terminated more than two years ago. After several months, James H. Bouyer’s termination was overturned March 30. After 30 days, he will be fully reimbursed for all earnings for the two years of his unemployment and will retain his former position of associate professor of chemistry. Bouyer was dismissed for misconduct by improper use of grant funds from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, a philanthropic
See Ceremony, Page 4
INDEX
Calendar Classifieds Lifestyles News Opinions Sports
2 2 6,7 1,3,4 5 8
TODAY’S FORECAST
Mostly Cloudy
64
61
Thursday 82
63
Friday 82
63
See Bouyer, Page 4
Study looks at black male student ed Antonio Hairston Correspondent Keenan Doanes The Famuan Rows of empty benches at the band practice field, also known as the “Patch,” symbolize the silence heard across campus from the absence of the Marching ‘100.’
Roscoe Thompson Staff Writer On the hills of Florida A&M University, located in the heart of the FosterTanner Music Building, sits a room that was once filled with the rhythmic and melodic sounds of the Marching “100.” FAMU’s famed band performed at countless Super Bowl games and Grammy Awards shows, received national and international accolades for its talent and even performed for President Barack Obama. Now, it is silent.
President James H. Ammons suspended the band late last semester following the Nov. 19 death of drum major Robert Champion, which authorities linked to hazing. Things have changed for FAMU’s music program including a temporary new chair of music. “Our main focus is the students,” said Valencia Matthews, the assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and recent appointee as interim music department chair. “As we move forward, we
need to focus on making sure that we do what we came here to do, which is to focus on students’ matriculation and well being.” As a result of the hazing incident, which garnered both national and international attention, many members of the band have walked away. Other members are experiencing life firsthand without the “100.” A former member of the band who wished to remain anonymous in fear of retaliation said, See 100 P. 3
A national study of black male student success in higher education shows a different side to black men that is rarely discussed. The study by Professor Shaun R. Harper, director at the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education, suggests those interested in black male student success in post-secondary education must learn from black men who have become successful. Harper interviewed 219 black male students from 42 college and university campuses across the United States. “I have argued that those who are interested in black male student success have much to learn from black men who have actually been successful,” Harper said.
See Males P. 3
of Homecoming
FAMU named top ‘green’ HBCU
Assad’s wife urged to intervene
Religious leader apologizes for remark
Florida A&M has pushed its Homecoming back to Nov. 10, 2012, to ensure that alumni and other supporters will be able to secure hotel accommodations as the University celebrates its 125th Anniversary.
Florida A&M has been selected by The Princeton Review for its list of the 322 top green campuses in the United States and Canada. FAMU is the only HBCU to be selected for the second straight year.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The wives of the British and German ambassadors to the United Nations released a video Tuesday urging the wife of Syrian President Bashar Assad to stop being a bystander and speak out to demand that her husband stop the violence.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Southern Baptist leader apologized this week for any hurt caused by explosive remarks accusing President Barack Obama and other black leaders of exploiting Trayvon Martin’s death for political gain.
FAMU changes date