Due to budget cuts, the annual Rattler Pride Awards have been canceled for the second year in a row.
According to Florida A&M University’s funding and finance committee, there was not enough money in Activities & Services fees to execute this event, which was scheduled for April 12 at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall.
The Rattler Pride Awards first began in the late 1980’s with Colonel Bernard Hendricks.
The then director of student activities wanted a way for students, faculty and everyone involved in making FAMU something to be proud of, to be honored.
Dean Henry Kirby said the event started out as a big deal.
“The awards were often compared to the Black Emmy’s,” explained Kirby, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. “Nominees received a letter informing them of their nomination and were told to come to the awards dressed in their finest.”
There were often five to ten people nominated for a category and the winner did not know in advance.
The categories ranged from awards for freshman to the janitors, and even acknowledged those in the community that exuded Rattler Pride.
Delaine Wingfield, 23, a senior political science student from Tampa said, “I think that this is very unfortunate. The Rattler Pride Awards is a part of FAMU history. I look forward to it each year.”
Katronda Myers, 21, a senior social work student from West Palm Beach said, “The budget cuts are having a greater impact on the University than I thought it would.” “It is basically lowering the student morale here which is dangerous. Happy students make a happy University.”