(Prairie View)—On Saturday, April 29, Prairie View A&M University hosted its second annual fundraiser gala at the George R. Brown Convention in downtown Houston.
The 2006 Gala theme was “Celebrating the View at 130 Years.” Special recognition was given to PVAMU’s significant contributions to the U.S. military and to music.
During the night’s festivities, nine flag-rank military officers and the more than 1,800 officers commissioned at PVAMU were honored, along with the life and legacy of rhythm and blues pioneer Charles Mose Brown, a 1942 graduate. Brown influenced the music of Ray Charles and Nat King Cole, but is most famous for his song “Merry Christmas Baby.” PVAMU was indeed proud to celebrate and honor its graduate’s accomplishments in the presence of his family and guests who attended the gala.
This year’s honorees are symbols of American bravery, courage and discipline. The annual fundraiser and recognition gala generated more than $620,000 to benefit the university’s capital campaign, “Extend the View. Shape Tomorrow Today.”
Proceeds from the Gala will also benefit the university’s endowed scholarships and endowed chairs, and those funds will be matched dollar for dollar by the State of Texas.
The black-tie gala host was famous DJ and talk show host, Tom Joyner. In addition to hosting the Gala, Joyner, on behalf of the Tom Joyner Foundation, donated $120,000 to PVAMU.
During his speech, Joyner mentioned the importance of supporting institutions of higher education and how his foundation helps support historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). His words resonated over the packed ballroom and received a standing ovation. The university will create an endowed lecture series in Joyner’s honor.
The program’s other keynote speaker was Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, U.S. Army Chief of Public Affairs. Brooks praised PVAMU for honoring its military history and gave the audience a perspective on how the military constantly provides stability and protection for the U.S. and its citizens.
At the start of the program, the night’s honorees entered the ballroom under a canopy of swords provided by PVAMU’s Navy ROTC students. With chairs draped in gold satin and fashioned with purple satin sashes the ballroom became a stunning lawn of purple and gold.
More than 1,000 supporters of the university filled the George Bush Grand Ballroom to celebrate the university’s 130-year history. President George C. Wright’s head table was positioned in the center of the ballroom and was adorned with tall candelabras filled with yellow roses, foliage and exotic flowers.
The emcee for the program was Majic 102 talk show host Carmen Watkins. To provide guests with a historical perspective of the university’s history, Tyra Metoyer presented a brief presentation of the university’s name changes, historical moments and a glimpse of how PVAMU has educated thousands of students from Texas and around the world. In addition to providing the night’s entertainment, Ms. Yvonne Washington and The Mix, performed a musical tribute to Charles Mose Brown.
Notable attendees included Former U.S. Congressman and PVAMU graduate Craig Washington; Texas A&M University Board of Regents Chairman John White and his wife Daisy; A&M System Chancellor Robert McTeer; ABC Channel 13 news anchor Melanie Lawson; John Guess; Terence H. Fontaine and his wife Diedra; Brookhollow Pastor Ralph D. West and his wife Sheretta; and Wheeler Avenue Pastor Marcus D. Cosby; and Moritz Craven and his wife Judith.
Thegala captured the spirit of PVAMU by honoring its own
and recognizing its 130-year history of educational excellence through
research, teaching and service. It was a time for the university’s
alumni, students and faculty, staff and guests to reflect on and be inspired
by the rich history of a university that was once the Alta Vista Slave
Plantation. 