Four stand out as leaders on, off campus

First Runner-up:

Malcolm Glover is a senior Broadcast Journalism Student from Bowie, Md. He is a member of Honor Student Association, Golden Key Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, FAMU-TV 20, Progressive Black Men Inc., FAMU College Democrats, and a news reporter for WANM-90.5.

Famuan: How have you contributed to the improvement of student life on campus?

Glover: Seeing a need for issue-based discussion, I started College Democrats to get people thinking about how the world around them is moving. What I’ve been able to do with student media is write and report about what’s going on around campus and what’s happening around campus. My failed run for SGA (president in the spring of 2003) was a gift to the campus because it showed students that they could choose a third way, and it showed students that someone cared about what was going on with them. Being on FAMU’s Commission on the Status of Women helped the campus because I had the opportunity to address and develop solutions for a lot of issues women face that don’t get discussed.

Famuan: What will be your legacy when you leave FAMU?

Glover:My work is speaking for itself; whether it’s the starting of the FAMU College Democrats or helping start the Honor Student Association. I think I’ll be remembered for being the unconventional guy who didn’t need to belong to the group to feel important. I’m the guy who was sick and tired of being sick and tired and took action through writing, starting organizations and working with other organizations and running for office. I challenged the powers that be by stepping up to plate and making a real effort to change things.

Famuan: What are some of your hobbies outside of campus involvement?

Glover:Making my professional loves my two major hobbies: journalism and politics. Now that I’m a senior, it helps gear me toward what I want to do after graduation, and that gets me engaged. I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a student diplomat to China as a part of the International Mission on Diplomacy. While in China, I met with Chinese students as well as elected officials in Beijing to further strengthen China’s relationship with the United States through debate and asking thought-provoking questions. It also gave me an opportunity to fully exemplify our motto of “Excellence with Caring” by working with citizens in impoverished areas of Xi’an and Shanghai, China. I worked at MSNBC on its top-rated show, “Hardball” with Chris Matthews for two summers and tried to set a great example of how hardworking a FAMU student can be and stressed how important it is that young blacks from HBCUs be able to receive internship opportunities with major media networks. I love good music, good movies and getting on the phone and talking with friends. I love time to relax and to drive around and get out and get away. We don’t take stock of how important life really is. I also enjoy going to church and being with my family.

Second Runner-up:

Ramon Alexander is a junior political science student from Tallahassee and is a member of the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., president of the 34th Student Senate, founder of the Big Bend Area Club, co-founder of Prominent Young Gentlemen of Tallahassee and is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Common Link Consulting Services.

Famuan: Do you consider yourself influential? Why?

Alexander: I think I’m a very straightforward person. A lot of people will tell you what you want to hear. I’m going to tell you what you need to hear. People get caught up in the politics of the situation and say you should try not to offend somebody, but you want to not offend somebody but still be tactful and honest. God has blessed me with the ability to interact with a mixture of people.

Famuan: What separates you from other men on campus?

Alexander: I wouldn’t say what separates me from other men on campus. I don’t think I’m separate from them. I just know that I am the master of my faith and the captain of my soul. If you go around trying to please everybody, you’ll never be satisfied. A lot of people get caught up in the title. But, FAMU has given so much to me before I got in college so I’m in debt. I have no choice but to reach out to people and help them because someone helped me.

Famuan: What are some of your hobbies outside of campus involvement?

Alexander: I love golf. I play a little piano and the trumpet. I like to read books like self-empowerment and politics books. I also play video games. I play Madden and Live (NBA Live 2005). I spend a lot of time with my family. I’m a momma’s boy. When I stayed in Gibbs Hall my freshmen year, I would leave to go stay with my mom because she had to stay alone because my father would go out of town for work. I love going to FAMU football games. I have been to every FAMU home football game since I was 3. I am a baby Rattler. FAMU is me.

Third Runner-up:

Gregg Bishop is a senior business administration student from Brooklyn, N.Y. He is a member of Progressive Black Men Inc., Golden Key Honor Society, and WANM-90.5.

Famuan: What separates you from other men on campus?

Bishop: I don’t know what separates me because that would make me higher than someone else. But I will say experience; I’m a returning student, and I look at things in a different light. I don’t think you need to be part of an organization to be influential. I’m a very spiritual person, and I interact with people on a daily basis because I want them to see the Christ in me.

Famuan: How have you contributed to the improvement of student life on campus?

Bishop: Because of my position at the radio station (program director), I am responsible for the type of music and quality of music (that is played). I would like to think the quality has increased. I would like people to see that hip hop transcends one type. Music is important and allowing students to experience music they probably wouldn’t listen to. One thing I do with PBM is mentoring, and I mentor a 6-year-old. And I hope I make a difference in his life and in turn impact the community.

Famuan: If you met someone who did not want to attend FAMU because of negative things he or she has heard about the University, how would you convince him or her to attend?

Bishop: I would tell them my story and FAMU was the only University that gave me the opportunity to prove myself. Nothing is more beautiful than being in a class with black people who are excelling.

Fourth Runner-up:

Tony Pearson is a senior biology student from Jacksonville. He is the university service chairman of the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., deputy surgeon general of the Student Government Association, and the communications chairman of the Florida Georgia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

Famuan: Do you consider yourself influential? Why?

Pearson: I guess yes. It seems funny … it seems interesting that I could be able to shape what someone would do or think. But I think it’s because I’m outgoing, friendly and pretty sociable. I have the opportunity through SGA and the different programs and events we put on to reach people. Through the executive branch of the student government, I have a direct connection with students. I love to serve people. I love community service. It’s almost being selfless. It’s really not about me.

Famuan: What will your legacy be when you leave FAMU?

Pearson: I think people are going to think that I was a stern individual with integrity. I would hope that people would still try to serve people. As far as Alpha is concerned, I hope they will still try to make better men.

Famuan: If you met someone who did not want to attend FAMU because of negative things he or she has heard about the University, how would you convince him or her to attend?

Pearson: First, I would bring them to campus so they can experience the FAMU experience. You can’t really say how something is until you’ve experienced it. I would challenge them to investigate and not go for the surface of things. I transferred here from Troy State (University) after my freshman year. I didn’t know what to expect. After a week, I loved it, and I was like, “This is where I should have been all along.” What really makes people want to come here is academics. But our social life is what makes people want to stay.

Contact Alexia R. Robinson and Diamond Washington at copyeditors@hotmail.com and famuanlifestyles@hotmail.com