In 1993, two students-activists in the National Association of Graduate Professionals wanted to find a way to show their support and appreciation for graduate students.
Their efforts led to an initiative called National Graduate & Student Professional Week. The week is celebrated on campuses throughout the United States.
FAMUs’ School of Graduate Studies and Research kicked off its Graduate Student Appreciation week April 2.
Specifically, the graduate appreciation week seeks to emphasize the contributions and impact and value of graduate students.
The week featured a host of events that included meeting the dean, professional development workshops and a networking and reception awards ceremony for students and graduate faculty.
Sarah Price, chair and associate professor of health and physical education, served as the keynote speaker for the Graduate Reception Awards where she spoke about the opportunities graduate school can bring. She also urged students to always be prepared and to go the extra mile outside of the classroom.
Jakevlvis Lockart, sports management graduate student, attended the reception awards ceremony and said “it is important and quite vital to be prepared while in graduate school. When opportunity meets preparation, that is when the door to success opens.”
FAMU President Larry Robinson encouraged students that the world needed them and that graduate school is an important stage in becoming the life changers in the world.
Lockhart added, “Hearing Dr. Price and the iconic Robinson speak, definitely put me back in the shoes of a freshmen student. I felt I had heard it all in college but after hearing both speakers, it was another eye opener and the advice was nonetheless a necessity for my ears.”
David H. Jackson, Jr., associate provost for graduate education and dean of Graduate
Studies and Research, thanked the students for their hard work but encouraged them to seek out others who may be interested in grad school.
Graduation Appreciation Week concluded with a graduate recruitment fair where undergraduate students got the opportunity to get more information about graduate programs offered at Florida A&M as well as insight from graduate students and faculty.
“I think this week gives us a little sunshine. Graduate school can be difficult, but to know that we are appreciated is something I’m grateful for,” said Lamark Jones, a physical therapy graduate student.
For more information on graduate school at Florida A&M, visit Famu.edu/gradautestudies