Progressive Black Men (PGM), an organization proud of its community service, has organized a three-part series that geared toward freshmen called the Freshman Chronicles.
A new school year is here, which means new students. Fortunately for the many freshmen whom are venturing away from home for the first time, PGM has agreed to take on the big brother role.
No longer do wide-eyed freshmen have to walk around feeling totally lost, while everyone else moves at lightening speeds around her/him.
The upperclassmen members of PBM are giving back to FAMU by helping the next generation get off to a good start.
PBM’s main goal for the series is to inform interested freshmen about the activities and programs FAMU has to offer.
Maynard Yates, 22, is the Community Service Chair of PBM.
“I want this freshman class to be as informed as I was,” Yates said.
Yates, a senior computer information science student from Dallas, Texas, was the host of the first installment of the three part series held on Sept.14.
The first session was devoted entirely to explaining how the Student Government Association (SGA) works. The timing coincides with the freshmen fall elections.
Yates said he believed it would be an informative experience for those freshmen who were possibly interested in running. “They could ask questions to the people,” Yates said.
Among the list of SGA officials who spoke at the event, were SGA president Ramon Alexander, Miss FAMU, Kimberly Brown; and Mr. FAMU, Hasan Flake.
“Phillip (SGA vice president) and I have a responsibility to embrace the student body.” Alexander, a 21-year-old political science student from Tallahassee said.
Alexander said there is a need to “instill basic fundamentals” into FAMU’s freshmen because they are the future of this University.
“This is what responsibility is all about,” Alexander said speaking of the attempts that he and others are making to educate the freshmen on the internal workings of the student government. “We owe them that.”
Brown a 20-year-old junior public relations student from Montgomery, Ala., said she also saw the program as a way to give back.
“Anytime a campus organization asks something (of me), I try to do anything I can do to help” Brown said.
She said she believes it is part of her job as Miss FAMU to make the freshmen “feel more at home.”
Indeed, there are some freshmen looking for an atmosphere more reminiscent of home life.
Freshman Nicole Thomas, an 18-year-old nursing student from Fayetteville, Ga., said, “It’s taking some time (to adjust to FAMU).”
The next two sessions of the Freshmen Chronicles are to cover issues such as time management, adapting to new environments, and developing and maintaining good credit.
The organization has planned quite a few events geared towards freshmen in September. A freshman debate is scheduled for Sept.26, and a freshman seminar will be held on Sept. 28.
Evident by the service events they have held, the Progressive Black Men value community service.
Yates summed up this belief when he said, “Our actions will speak louder than our words.”
Contact Kamaria Hopkins at Kamaria_Hopkins@yahoo.com.