Contacts:
Jacqueline Carlisle, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Science
Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Celebrating its namesake’s commitment to generosity and helping others by providing resources specifically to ۿ۴ý and the community, the George Washington Carver Society held its 25th anniversary luncheon on Friday, Jan. 31, at which time it presented more than a dozen student scholarships.
The society, a program of the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences, is comprised of more than 110 alumni, university employees and supporters. Since its inception, it has funded scholarships totaling over $120,000.
Luncheon speaker and environmental health regulator, Norma Jarrett illustrated the event’s “doing things in an uncommon manner” theme — a sentiment frequently attributed to both Carver and Booker T. Washington.
“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world,” she quoted. “It is important to find ways to do everything we can in an uncommon manner – it’s not just important to complete a task, but try to do it above the requirement.”
The event also served as the induction ceremony for new members to the society. This year’s inductees included Dr. Clairmont David and Dr. Pauline David. The membership drive starting in late October and is open to alumni, faculty, staff and friends from the departments of Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Food and Nutritional Sciences.
In addition, the society holds an annual eXert Oratorical Workshop and Competition, which helps middle and high school ۿ۴ý in Alabama’s underserved Black Belt counties strengthen their public speaking skills. Activities allow ۿ۴ý to build their communication and leadership skills, as well as sharpen their principles of listening, thinking and speaking using theory, practice sessions and interactive activities in everyday life.
This year’s competition winners shared their speeches during the event. They included Division I middle schoolers Ja’Kiya Pickens (ۿ۴ýInstitute Middle School), who won first place; Kiersten Copeland (ۿ۴ýPublic School), second place; and Tyliyah Ware (South Highland Middle School), third place. Division II high schoolers included JaHunna Neston (Loachapoka High School), who won first place; Ontrel Tate (SEEDS, Inc.), second place; and Sir Ligon (Booker T. Washington High School), third place.
The College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences Alumni Association (formerly the Agriculture and Home Economics Alumni Association) established the George Washington Carver Society in 1995.
The Agriculture and Home Economics Alumni Association held a banquet to raise funds to provide scholarships for ۿ۴ý demonstrating financial need and academic, merit and majoring in agriculture and home economics disciplines.
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