With graduate school as an alternative for most students upon graduation, some on-campus organizations have come together to sponsor a seminar to better prepare the University’s undergraduate students for graduate school.
The Graduate Student Association and the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity are hosting “Graduate School: Getting In and Getting Out” Thursday at 6 p.m. in Perry Paige Auditorium.
The seminar will serve as an opportunity for undergraduates to gain knowledge on any questions and concerns they need addressed in making a decision to attend graduate school.
“A lot of students are not aware of the many options available to them,” said Faith Clarke, an environmental sciences doctoral candidate from Jamaica and organizer of the event.
“We want to make sure FAMU students know how to get out on time with the degree they initially came for.”
Topics of discussion include the benefits of graduate school, standardized tests, and the difference between fellowships and assistantships. Some graduate students will also share their experiences with students.
“It will be very informative for all students,” said Alvin Benton, 23, a history and political science graduate student and president of GSA.
Benton, who will attend law school upon graduation, said the graduate school experience has better prepared him for the task ahead.
“I was unsure of going to law school, so I went to grad school first,” Benton said. “Now, I am more prepared for law school.”
Pizza Hut, Educaid and Kaplan are also sponsoring the event and will give out information packets and food to all those attending the seminar.
Marvin Wilmoth, 23, graduate class presstrong programs that helped the students here with the CLAST.”
Former deans of the College of Arts and Sciences Aubrey M. Perry and Arthur Washington were present, along with current Dean Larry E. Rivers and Eva C. Wanton, retired associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
They all shared a memory that had those in attendance either in tears or holding their stomachs with laughter.
Attendees described her as a strong spirit, one who would argue her point until “all hell freezes over.”
Perry said he recalled a time when Fenceroy, or “Fence” as he affectionately called her, argued with him on a program she wanted implemented within the department. At the end of their debate, he said Fence called him ” a real man.”
“She really cared about each student as if he or she was her own child,” Perry said. “Any success of students here in the math department could be attributed to Fence.”
Besides reflections from some of Fenceroy’s colleagues, some students took time to reflect on their beloved professor.
“She was a strong-minded person. She was a complete sweetheart with students, but she had the faculty scared,” said Frederic Douglas, 23, a senior actuary math student from Lake City. “Her bark was much louder than her bite, but all she really wanted was to help students.”
Douglas said the memorial was needed for the campus to say goodbye.
Wanton said Fenceroy is leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten.
“She was truly a blessing to the university,” Wanton said.
“She will definitely be missed, but she will always have a place in our hearts forever.”
Contact Deanna L Carpenter at deannalynette@hotmail.com.