The annual BET Black College Tour is coming back to “The Hill” on Oct. 31.
Once again, along with 13 other HBCUs, Florida A&M University students have been chosen to grace the airwaves of the nationally televised show.
“It should be fun,” said Sandra Inge, associate director of Office of Student Union Activites. “There will be giveaways, games, and a stage. This year’s college tour will be full of fun and will be very innovative.”
BET has designed the four-hour event to host activities with student interests in mind.
“The tour is from noon to 4p.m.,” said Melanie Calhoun, project manager for the BET college tour. “There will be many different events. Students can expect a lot of prizes and free giveaways.”
The tour’s events will provide students with an opportunity to be featured on BET.
Students will be given a chance to represent their school spirit and possibly leave with a free bag of samples provided by BET and sponsors.
Students who have already experienced this year’s tour at their University were happy with the events.
“FAMU students will have plenty to look forward to during the tour. BET really stepped it up this year,” said Perry Goins, 18, a sophomore recreational therapy student at Alabama State University.
On September 26, the college tour visited Goins’ school.
“They passed out free condoms, gave free AIDS tests, and Kia Shine performed,” Goins said.
Some other events that will be included in FAMU’s stop of the tour are a BET RAP-IT-UP health tent, an Air Force’2-on-2′ basketball competition, a game tent, a Playstation video game challenge, a Universal Records concert, and much more.
Michelle Garner, the vice president of consumer engagement at BET, promises students a good show.
“You won’t want to miss it,” Garner said. “We don’t like to publicize the guest artist too much because we don’t like to attract audiences outside of the school.”
Universal Records will feature an artist that won’t be announced until the concert begins, so students will have to show up in order to find out who the mystery artist is.
“I can’t wait,” said Latricia Donlow, 20, a third-year pre-pharmacy candidate from Milwaukee. “Who is better to support us than ourselves? We as African Americans need to be surrounded with more positive influences and events.”
Students can get more information on BET’s website at http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/blackcollegetour/default.htm.