There is good news to report coming out of the valley. Fort Valley State University has doubled the size of its incoming freshman class. Preliminary figures show 650 students have enrolled for the 2006-2007 school year. Last year the incoming class was just 317.
The credit for this upsurge in FVSU's popularity has to be given to its top salesperson and president Larry Rivers. After his appointment in February, Rivers has been on a non-stop trek of selling what his college has to offer to about anyone who will listen.
His personal story has to be attractive to potential students. Who should know the school better than someone who graduated from FVSC and went on to Villanova for his master's degree and earned doctorates from Carnegie Mellon University and Goldsmiths College at the University of London. Rivers comes to FVSU from the dean's chair of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
He started his tenure at FVSU in grand fashion, donating $100,000 to kick off the Challenge Fund, which has a $3 million goal. The school was recently awarded a $1 million grant to renovate Huntington Hall on campus, and with ongoing construction of six buildings, including five new dormitories that will house 650 students, the future looks bright.
FVSU has longed for a leader with vision, and Rivers has the potential to put the school on the map again in much the same manner that Dr. Frederick Humphries, former president at Florida A&M, did with that school. Humphries did it the old-fashioned way by recruiting good students. In 1992, FAMU recruited more National Achievement finalists than Stanford, Harvard or Yale. Rivers has already drawn a line in the academic sand. The increase in enrollment didn't come because admission standards were lowered. Besides, the Board of Regents sets admission standards and dictates how many students can be admitted on a provisional basis.
In the next few years, with the construction over and steadily rising academic achievement, FVSU can return to prominence, not just as a Historically Black College or University, but a school of choice for all top high school graduates.
(Macon Telegraph Editorial)
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7 comments:
The post above ought to be deleted and the poster's IP address should be permanently barred from this board. He/she posted a completely libelous accusation against Dr. Rivers without one shred of evidence. That is an outrage!
Such unsubstantiated claims are not protected by the First Amendment!
It's one thing to criticize a man's leadership and job performance. It is another thing to post false and malicious statements about him personally. This blog is supposed to be a positive and FAIR news source about HBCU's. Let's not permit the credibility of the blog be impaired by those who wish to viciously malign a person's character without any proof.
Please keep the insightful debate going on this blog (like on RN) and the criminal defamation off!
You are doing a great job President and Fist Lady Rivers! FVS needs a breath of fresh air, and you are that.
-FVS Student
Humphries to Speak at FVSU grant-writing workshop
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/states/georgia/counties/houston_peach/15444418.htm
FVSU welcomes nonprofits to grant writing workshop
By Ayanna McPhail
TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
FORT VALLEY - Representatives for nonprofit organizations can now sign up for the 2nd Annual Grantsmanship Institute Training Conference at Fort Valley State University this month.
On Sept. 21, several workshops will be held on campus that focus on a range of topics, from proposal writing to obtaining 501c3 status.
"A lot of people do not know that there are grants available for a variety of programming needs," said Keishon Thomas, conference coordinator, in a Fort Valley State University press release. "Non-profits should not hesitate to apply for grants because there are plenty of funding opportunities available. This conference will help non-profits expand current programs or implement new programs."
Frederick S. Humphries, former president of the Tallahassee-based Florida A&M University from 1985 to 2001, and now regent professor of this Florida university's College of Law in Orlando, Fla., will be the lunch speaker, according to the press release.
During his 30-year career, Humphries has raised about $25 million through corporate donations, the release states.
Also at the conference, attendees can meet with representatives from state agencies and various organizations who are knowledgeable about grant opportunities. Grant resource notebooks and information about funding opportunities will be provided.
WHEN: Sept. 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Fort Valley State University, C.W. Pettigrew Farm and Community
Life Center, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley
COST: $60 (after Sept. 15 it will be $75)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Keishon Thomas, conference coordinator,
822-1062 or thomask@fvsu.edu
Rivers is definitely following the Humphries roadmap. FVSU is on its way.
Say what you will, but folks in the know, know Rivers' character. There are indeed more than "shreds of evidence." Nothing the blogger said is an "accusation." If truth is an accusation, then so be it. Be outraged if you wish, but the man's credibility has not, I assure you, been "viciously maligned without any proof." Believe me, there's plenty proof. Stay tuned.
To 8:31 PM
Those in the know do know that Dr. Rivers is a man of impeccable character. You are a liar, a fraud, and a coward. If you really had any evidence to support the garbage you're posting, then you would have already presented it.
You won't come forward on-the-record with any of these accusations because you know you could be sued for libel like to true criminal you are.
Dr. Rivers is a black man working hard to help black people at black university. We won't let you tear him down with your false accusations and hatred.
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