Florida A&M University held its second annual Founder’s Day Brain Bowl Wednesday night in Lee Hall. The event’s sponsors included the Student Government Association, the Department of Academic Affairs and the Department of Student Welfare.
The purpose of the event was to show how much students know about the University and its history.
“You cannot go anywhere if you do not know where you came from,” said DeAndre Etherly, 22, a senior industrial engineering student from Dallas.
Participants in the competition included Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National Council of Negro Women, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the Strike Team, Progressive Black Men, the Presidential Ambassadors and the Physical Therapy Club. Kappa Kappa Psi, the band fraternity, also participated. The organizations competed against each other in teams of four.
Contestants were asked questions about the campus, the University’s founders and the marching band.
The competition, which consisted of four rounds, contained more than 50 questions. The teams had 30 seconds to answer each question completely.
The Presidential Ambassadors, Progressive Black Men and the Strike Team were winners in the first round.
The Presidential Ambassadors and the Strike Team went on to win the second and third rounds.
One member of the Strike Team said he participated in the event because he wanted to learn more about the University and show his love.
“I wanted to learn more about the school’s history because everybody should know the history of the University that they attend,” said Brandon Donaldson, 19, a sophomore participant for the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences from Dallas.
Donaldson said his love for the University is quite extensive.
“I love FAMU, not just the school itself but the letters. We did not start out as Florida A&M University,” he explained.
“We had to earn the name through blood, sweat and tears,” he said.
Some students participated in the event because they wanted to test their own knowledge of the University.
“I am a graduating senior, and this was an opportunity for me to see how much information I have picked up throughout the years,” said Benae McFarland, 22, a public relations student from Killeen, Texas. McFarland is member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Toni Buford, 20, an English education student from Mobile, Ala. said she competed for the comradery and to test her knowledge.
“I thought it would be a good experience and a good way to interact with different people,” Buford said.
“Plus, I wanted to see how much I really know about my school,” the presidential ambassador added.
Students who did not participate in the event came out to support their friends.
“I like learning about the school, and some of my friends are on the Strike Team so, I wanted to show my support,” said Christen McDowell, 18, a sophomore biology pre-med student from Jacksonville.
The Strike Team took on the Presidential Ambassadors in the final round and won with a total of 54 points.
The Strike Team was awarded with a trophy as well as FAMU paraphernalia.
Donaldson was ecstatic about the win.
“I feel great. This shows who really should be the recruiters at the University,” Donaldson said.
“The Presidential Ambassadors showed up and did well. We just came out better.”
Contact Mika Cooper at thefamuannews@hotmail.com.