The Tom Joyner Foundation, which is an institution that helps raise money for historically black colleges and universities, has chosen Florida A&M University as school of the month for January 2008. The foundation will solicit funds starting now until the end of January.
Many of FAMU’s faculty, students and staff said they are elated about the school’s honor.
DeSilver Cohen, an associate professor of English, said she is delighted that FAMU is being honored.
“We have some incredible and very hardworking students,” Cohen said. I am pleased and I know the more people find out about FAMU and our talented tenth, the more advantages and opportunities we will have. [Our] students are well deserving.”
Cohen also said that other funds are shrinking, and the school welcomes any opportunity to keep their students in school.
Willie T. Williams, an English professor, said it is an honor and a pleasure to be chosen.
“There are many other schools that could have been selected,” Williams said. “[FAMU] is known as a school that develops leaders. That is probably one of the real reasons [Tom Joyner] came to us.”
Throughout the month of January, the Tom Joyner Morning Show will promote the university and award scholarships to deserving students. All donations received will count towards the foundation’s efforts to help raise money for FAMU.
The foundation was formed by popular radio personality, Tom Joyner. Its goal is to help students continue their education at black colleges, according to http://blackamericaweb .com.
Over the past ten years, the Tom Joyner Foundation has raised more than $25 million to help thousands of students at over 80 colleges. Some of these schools include Tennessee State University, Howard University, Edward Waters University and Paul Quinn College.
FAMU’S public relations office said, “FAMU was chosen as part of [the foundation’s] ongoing effort to assist FAMU in broadening and strengthening its efforts to raise money to help keep students attending FAMU.”
In order to become a Tom Joyner Foundation School of the Month, a school must be considered a historically black college and university and have been established before 1964.
Teachers are not the only ones excited about FAMU being chosen as the Tom Joyner Foundation’s School of the Month. Daniel Murff, 21, a third year business administration student from Indianapolis, Ind. said, “[Being chosen as school of the month] is a good way for FAMU to get some good publicity,” Murff said. “Money that is raised can be put into areas that are lacking funds.”
Murff also said that getting chosen as school of the month can serve as a networking opportunity for students. Cassandra Jakes, 20, a third year business administration student from West Palm Beach agrees with Murff. “I think that this is an excellent opportunity for FAMU. We have been going through a transitional period for a while,” Jakes said. “It feels good to know that Mr. Joyner sees potential in our University.” Those interested in making donations to FAMU, make checks payable to the FAMU Foundation, Inc., Post Office Box 6562, Tallahassee, Florida, 32314. In the memo line, put Tom Joyner School of the Month.