The Student Voice of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM
VOL. 114 ISSUE 1
Winnie Moime Lifestyles Editor
Tyrone Law Staff Writer
Thomas Nelson’s mother remembers her only child as a good son who was always positive despite a long heart condition. The 21-year-old graphic design student from Jacksonville reportedly died at a hospital over the weekend. According to SJGC Dean James Hawkins, Nelson had become ill and was hospitalized for some time. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Henry Kirby spoke to the mother of Nelson. “I hear of the passing of a FAMU student and my heart sinks, because I know that he is so young, and had so m uch to look forward to,” said Kirby. Nelson had open heart surgery when he was 8 months old. He has had two heart surgeries since then, according to his mother, Mitzy Jackson. Nelson has always had a heart condition. “He didn’t really want anybody to know, he didn’t like to tell people about his condition because he didn’t want people feeling sorry for him,” said Jackson. Jackson was told at the time of Nelson’s birth that his condition would be a disadvantage. Doctors informed her that he would be behind his peers physically and academically. “He was told he could not play sports, but he found a way around,
The university community is still in shock over the death of Florida A&M women’s basketball shooting guard, Shannon Washington, who died Sunday morning after being stabbed in the neck. Tallahassee Police arrived at 3025 South Adams St. in response to a stabbing and found Washington in her University Courtyard apartment. She was treated on the scene by police and was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police reported 20-year-old Starquineshia Palmer, who was visiting Washington, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder. The two were arguing, which escalated and resulted in the violence. A vigil was held Sunday night in Lee Hall Auditorium. Local athletes and the FAMU student body gathered in great numbers to show respect and commemorate the life of Washington. FAMU’s women’s basketball coach, LeDawn Gibson, was one of many in attendance who showed great sadness and expressed her love and admiration for the young star. “It is truly a trying situation to lose a student-athlete that has come to us to further her education and excel at her sport. She came to us with a
Sade Hooks The Famuan Susan Washington joins the student body to mourn the loss of her sister Shannon Washington at a vigil in Lee Hall.
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Florida Board of Governors Chair, Ava L. Parker has appointed Richard A. Beard, III, chair of the Facilities Committee which handles the maintenance and construction funding for the 11-member Florida State University system. Beard recognizes that “this area is one of the most critical issues affecting the success of public higher education.”
FAMU SGA is hosting a Town Hall Meeting. The meeting, called Rattler Survival 101, will be held at the Grand Ball Room on Sep. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This meeting will offer students an opportunity to speak with some of the administrators that have a significant impact on student life.
TALLAHASSEE- Gov. Rick Scott said that he could potentially support “cautious” oil drilling in Florida’s Everglades during a question and answer session Sep. 6 in front of The Economic Club of Florida. Amy Graham, spokeswoman for Scott, verified that there has been no talk of expanding the drilling in the Everglades.
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Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez Deputy News Editor Q: How is student life going to change under the new structure of the university? A: We are going to have more programing. We are going to consolidate services and have people cross trained so that if you go to any office they will be able to give you information instead of sending you all over campus. We want to have a universitywide program where everyone is knowledgeable about the basic rope knowledge of the campus. You might not be specific to financial aid but you
designed to help students with the transition between high school and college. The dos and don’ts, time management, stress management and money management. When people think money management, they just think financial aid. We want to show you how to manage you money and how to live in your means. You have to budget and do things so you don’t come out of college owing a lot of money. So those are some of the activities. There are a plethora of organizations that students can be involved in from NAACP to dance organizations to fraternities and sororities. I don’t particularly like
can say, “Have you completed your FASFA?” and know the timeline that everything is done. Also, we will be utilizing technology more. We are going to leverage technology so they do not have to go to the offices and the students will have everything at their fingertips. Eventually, one of the things I want to do is create a network where students will have a FAMU app on their phones. Q: What programs and clubs are available to help incoming freshmen adjust to college life? A: Well, we have just initiated the First Year Experience class. This class is
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freshmen getting involved in too many organizations their freshmen year because they are making that transition, and trying to do it successfully. We have seen many students that join too many organizations freshmen year and it hurts their academics. Q: What activities have been planned for the students for this school year? A: Well, we are still in the process of planning for a lot of the activities. Some of the same events such as the Hudson 6