Florida A&M University held its seventh annual Coleman Library Showcase in Lee Hall Auditorium Tuesday night.
The Student Government Association’s 34th Student Senate sponsored the event.
According to a program distributed by the event’s organizers, two former senators, Stefan James and Dedra Mitchell, introduced the showcase to the campus of FAMU in 1997.
The purpose of the event was to raise money to increase the library’s resources.
“The showcase provides money for books, computers and new additions to the library,” said Dominique Drake, 20, a junior business administration student from Cleveland.
Drake is the press secretary for the student senate.
LaJoy Mercer, the senate chairwoman for the Student Relations Committee, said the event also allows students to showcase their creativity.
“We are excited to give students the opportunity to showcase their talents and enjoy themselves while doing something for the campus,” said the 22-year-old senior business administration student from Nashville, Tenn.
The showcase included a series of performances by Epicurean Fashion Experience, Essence Dance Theatre, Images Modeling Troupe, Girlz of Poison, House Arrest II and Life in the Melody.
House Arrest II is a group of student dancers from Chicago. Life in the Melody is a student-formed, gospel-singing group.
Some students participated in the event because they wanted to gain recognition.
“We just started last year, so we try to participate in any event that will make us known around campus. Plus, we love to dance and display our talents,” said Deseanette McDonald, 19, a freshman English student and a member of House Arrest II from Spartanburg, S.C.
Anthony Williams, a member of Life in the Melody, said his group wanted to minister to students as well as gain recognition.
“We take the chance to deliver a positive message whenever we can get in front of a large group of people. We are trying to promote ourselves and our music,” said the 19-year-old sophomore music education student from St. Petersburg.
Students who did not participate in the event came to support its organizers and the performers.
“I came to support my fellow sorority members. They were active in founding and organizing the event,” said Birdette Hughey, 23, a business administration graduate student from Dallas and member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Janni Buggs, a junior elementary education student, said she was interested in seeing some of the new talent.
“I enjoy coming every year to see what kinds of talents the freshmen have to offer,” said the 20-year-old from Jacksonville.
An official at the library said staff members are very appreciative of the hard work that was put into organizing the event.
“We would definitely like to thank the students for the efforts they made toward providing the library with additional resources,” said Carolyn Bivens, interim director of libraries for public services.
Bivens helps manage other branches of Coleman Library. These branches include the Journalism Resource Center, the library in the School of Architecture and the library located in the Frederick S. Humphries Science Research Building.
Mercer said student attendance of the event helped make it a success.
“The turnout was outstanding. We received great support from the student body,” she said. “The most awesome part about sponsoring the showcase is that all of the proceeds go to the library to enhance our learning experience. I am sure the event will continue to raise funds and bring enjoyment to students at the University.”
Contact Mika Cooper at mekachu21@aol.com.