Florida A&M University News May 2014 FAMU NAA Raise $100K During Annual Convention, Life Members Celebrated Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D., called for alumni support and action while mapping out her university priorities during the Annual FAMU National Alumni Association Convention in Louisville, Ky. In response, the energized group of more than 200 alumni from across the nation demonstrated their allegiance by raising more than $100,000 at the President's Fundraising Breakfast. Chapters, individual alumni, university staff, and even students, contributed checks and pledge cards for scholarships and unrestricted funds. "At FAMU, great things are happening every day and we want to continue that legacy of excellence with the support of our alumni," said Mangum. "Their contributions are critical to help us accomplish our goals to improve the student experience and enhance the university infrastructure." The weekend included several opportunities for Rattlers to engage and interact with FAMU leadership, including an intimate listening session where President Mangum answered questions ranging from athletics to increasing the university's research focus. In addition to making financial contributions, several alumni were recognized for making a lifelong commitment to the "college of love and charity" by becoming life members of the FAMU National Alumni Association. Both new and past life members alike were treated to the Doris Hicks Life Members Reception at the Muhammad Ali Center followed by the musical stylings of jazz trumpeter and FAMU alumnus Lin Rountree. "Life membership in the national alumni association strengthens our alma mater and is a tangible way to show school pride," said FAMU NAA President Tommy Mitchell, Sr. "Also, several ranking organizations use alumni engagement as a measure of the university's quality, so the more members we have on record, the more prestige FAMU can attain." During the convention, the Leon County Chapter based in Tallahassee, Fla., was recognized for having the most members and life members, a total of 154, for 2013. The Sarasota Chapter was recognized for the highest increase in membership at 165 percent. Those who missed the convention still have time to get in on the action. The FAMU Office of Communications has launched the Down for Life Rattler Challenge to encourage more FAMUans to become life members in the alumni association. All alumni who pay their one-time payment of $750 by July 31 will be entered into a drawing to receive a FAMU Swag Bag of paraphernalia. "We want to invite every alumnus who loves FAMU to make the commitment to be 'down for life' and support the university in a meaningful way." said Alonda Thomas, interim chief communications officer. "We look forward to highlighting the 2014 life members in the next issue of the A&M Magazine, just in time for homecoming." For more information on joining the FAMU National Alumni Association, visit www.FAMUNAA.org<http://www.FAMUNAA.org>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!