In order to encourage academic excellence and ensure that exceptional students are honored for their achievements, the Florida A&M University Honors Program presented Honors Week 2005.
This year’s theme is “Challenges and Commitments: Necessary Prerequisites for Success.”
Throughout the week students from all majors take part in the Graduate School Preparation Seminar, dine at an Honors Banquet as well as present collegiate research at the Bernard Hendricks Undergraduate Honors Conference.
Thursday’s honors banquet will recognize juniors and seniors that have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better throughout college.
“We want to pay tribute to the University’s outstanding students, in all academic areas, and we encourage them to continue their good work,” said Ivy Mitchell, Director of the Honors Program.
The highlight of Honors Week is Thursday’s Honors Convocation. The convocation’s speaker is Rep. Arthenia L. Joyner of District 59, which covers Tampa and Hillsborough County.
Joyner was elected to the Florida Legislature in 2000 and re-elected to her district in 2002.
As a founding partner in the law firm of Joyner & Jordan-Holmes, P.A., Joyner has been a leader in her profession. She received her Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degrees from FAMU. She was also a member of the last class to graduate from FAMU’s original law school. Joyner was the first black female attorney in Polk and Hillsborough Counties, and she has been in private practice for 35 years – longer than any other black woman in Florida.
“I look forward to hearing and meeting Rep. Joyner,” said Talaimoana Hagan, a senior business administration student. ” She has been a trailblazer in the Legislature and in law and all FAMU students should welcome back a fellow Rattler that has been so successful.”
Joyner has dedicated her life to fighting for civil rights and the judicial system.
In 1985, her commitment was demonstrated again while serving as President of the National Bar Association as she protested apartheid outside the South African Embassy in Washington, DC.
Among Joyner’s most prestigious awards were her appointments by President Clinton to the U.S. Delegation to the Population Conference in Cairo, Egypt (1994), the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China (1995), the Management Advisory Commission of the Federal Aviation Authority (1999), and she served as President of the National Bar Association.
During the current legislative session, Joyner serves on the Civil Justice Committee, Ethics & Elections Committee, Justice Appropriations Committee, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee, and the Justice Council.
“This convocation will be beneficial to all students, not just honor students,” said Jenese Fuller, a sophomore majoring in psychology. “The speaker will be talking about the importance of academic excellence and community involvement… a message that I know will benefit all FAMU students.”
The Honors Convocation will start at 10:10 a.m. and will be held in Lee Hall Auditorium.
Students are asked to dress professionally, and all honorees should assemble at the Eternal Flame no later than 9:30 a.m. because the processional will start at 9:45a.m. All students are encouraged to attend.
Contact Malcolm Glover at malcolm2001g@hotmail.com