Fall 2009 / 2010 Newsletter - Welcome to Alabama A&M University

Diversity Rules in Grad SchoolHow prestigious it is to travel half way across the galaxy to attend any GraduateSchool program at Alabama A&M University. Stories by three students from threedifferent continents attesting to this idea.North AmericaMy name is Mariana Simpson. While attending Alabama A&M University Ireceived my Bachelors in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD),graduated Summa Cum Laude, and I am currently getting my Masters degree inthe same field. Upon receipt of my Masters I would like to work with childrenwho have Autism. I love children and God has blessed me with the patience andability to work with them in a fun, innovative, and therapeutic manner. There isa special place in my heart for children with special needs. The CSD department,here at AAMU, is one of the best in the nation. The professors are extremelyknowledgeable and the program has a university-based, student-run clinic, whichenhances the student’s learning experience. AAMU has and continues to provideme with the opportunity and tools to excel both personally and professionally.AfricaI am from Ghana, which is located in the Western part of Africa. I am a graduatestudent majoring in Plant Science. Studying at Alabama A&M is verychallenging and it requires hard work and dedication. The school provides anenabling environment for studies and it’s a joy to see that I am learning newthings, and marching towards my goal with each passing day. The faculty andstaff are always ready to offer assistance to students. Henceforth, I am happy andproud to be part of the Alabama A&M family.Eric Obeng, GhanaCentral AsiaMy name is Lev Li and I am a citizen of Uzbekistan. I came to A&M to pursuemy Master of Business Administration. I have easily managed to adapt in thisenvironment through reading, communication with local people, and advice frommy fellow classmates. Additionally, it was easy for me to get through thisadaptation period because I was born in a multicultural country. Due to thisreason, I learnt much about the US, Alabama, Huntsville, and definitely A&M. Ithink A&M is located in a very nice city, which provides rich culturalexperiences and allows an individual to fully concentrate on academics. Eventhough A&M is not one of the top Alabama's schools, the program (particularlyMBA) is challenging enough and it is comparable to any such degree offered byuniversities elsewhere. I believe that my MBA degree from AAMU will fullyprepare me for my future career.2

STUDENT INVOLVEMENTMiss Grad Studies2009Brandi Lashell Broughton is anative of Alexander City,Alabama. She is the daughter ofMr. & Mrs. Calvin Broughton.Brandi received herundergraduate degree inAgricultural Economics fromAlabama A&M University. She graduated with honors, magna cumlaude. Currently she is pursuing her masters degree in AgribusinessManagement. She is doing her thesis on the Economic Evaluationsof Agroforestry Systems for Limited Resource Farmers in Alabama.Grad Council Members 2009As Miss Graduate Studies her platform is to “Bridge the Gapbetween A&M Undergraduate and Graduate Students on Campus”.She enjoyed all the activities she participated in so far includingMiss Alabama A&M Coronation and Downtown HomecomingParade. She also served on Miss Alabama A&M University RoyalCourt for the Homecoming and Classic game. Thus far, Brandi hasenjoyed her time while serving as Miss Graduate Studies. In herspare time, she enjoys reading, shopping, and spending time withher nieces and nephews.Upon graduation she plans to enter into a PhD program in AppliedEconomics. As well as enter into the workforce with USDA FarmService Agency as a Farm Loan Officer or Monsanto Corporation,which is a fortune five hundred company.Important Dates to RememberDatesEventsName Position Major Email AddressJan 7Jan 8Jan 9Jan 15Jan 22Feb 15 - 19Last day to complete financial arrangements beforepurging of spring scheduleLATE REGISTRATION BEGINSClasses begin, Oral Thesis Examination beginsLast day to register or add coursesGraduate Students: Deadline for submitting applicationsfor May 2010 Graduation and Spring 2010Comprehensive ExamsLast day to change credit to audit and audit to creditFinancial Aid WeekWashannaCrittendonKrystalReynoldsTracieBradfordYazminJacksonShingirayiNyaguraObechiEbbis(Ada)Brandi LBroughtonPresident Biology washananc@gmail.comVice President AgribusinessManagementSecretaryTreasurerEditor/Reporter MBAInternationalStudent Rep.Miss GraduateStudieskw_reynolds@yahoo.comArt Education tracie.bradford@hotmail.comMaterialEngineeringyabbo2007@aol.comshingy.academy@yahoo.comCommunicatio oebbis1@yahoo.comn DisordersAgriculturalEconomicsCharlene ParliamentarianMBATsangamwebrandi.broughton@gmail.comCharlz_t@yahoo.comFeb 22 - 26 Registration for Summer Session 2010March 6 - 12March 8 - 13March 22Mid-term ExaminationsGraduate Comprehensive ExaminationGraduate Students: Begin submitting applications forJuly 2010 Degree Completion and Summer 2010Comprehensive ExamMar 29-Apr 23 Academic Advisement for Fall 2010Registration for Fall 2010April 1April 14May 8 - 14Deadline for removal of Incomplete Grades, Transcriptsfrom other schools and Course Substitutions for May2010 Graduating StudentsOral Thesis Examination endsFINAL EXAMINATIONSMay 14May 2010 GraduationLouis Crews Stadium - 6:00 p.m.3

How to become a member of the Graduate Student CouncilThe graduate student council executive board is in need of Spring 2010 members. There are vacant positions on thecouncil due to the fact that some valuable members recently graduated on the 11th of December, 2009. We understandhow hectic the schedules become at the graduate level. However, it is quite a prestige and a great experience to serve onthe council. Each semester the council grows spreading into the community. And to maintain and escalate such growth thecouncil needs more dedicated, determined, and well disciplined members.The application forms are located in the Graduate Office in Patton Hall, Room 300. Any graduate student is welcome toapply. If more than one person applies for a position the graduate student body gets to do the voting. In addition to theexecutive board, the graduate student council will also need departmental representatives. Students from each departmentwill serve as representatives and participate in on and off campus activities, functions, and graduate recruitment fairs. Thegraduate student council advocates for all graduate students, and its president serves on the University Graduate Council.Individuals who do not qualify for any executive board position are more than welcome to become graduate studentcouncil department representatives.2009 Graduate School RecruitmentThe graduate school participated in four recruitment fairs in the Fall semester of 2009. The first recruitment took place inthe Ernest Knight center at our lovely campus. The other three were at Athens State University, Alabama State University,and Martin Methodist College. The honor of taking part in these trips was absolutely phenomenal. Plenty of studentssigned up to receive information about our programs. This interaction was awesome and something to do over and overagain.Volunteers needed for future recruitment tripsEach semester the graduate school requires graduate students to travel for recruitment trips with one or two facultymembers. Some of the trips are overnight depending on the location. Graduate students have the opportunity to interactwith prospective students from all over the country, and the experience itself is very rewarding. Therefore, any graduatestudent who is interested in recruiting students for any graduate program at our beloved university, can request thedetailed information about the trips from the graduate office.Message to the Graduates: From the DeanDr. Michael OrokWhen a bird is young the mother nurtures it until its wings strengthen. By the time the birdmatures, it is ready to fly into the great unknown and conquer new lands. As you look behind andreminisce through the years you have been nurtured by the graduate school, I hope you feel sad toleave, but mostly humbled. It is your responsibility, as well as every student who has graduatedfrom any graduate program to depart knowing that their academic experiences from AlabamaA&M University is sufficient to support any of their chosen professional careers. All we ask is thatyou serve as our ambassadors, represent us well wherever you go and encourage others to seekopportunities at your alma mater: of course, sending resources to us to be used to support ourprograms is always welcome.I know that given the current economic situation in the world, the light at the end of the tunnel may not seem so bright;however, I am convinced that the light shines as bright as it will ever be because you have a strong foundation to build on.Congratulations and Godspeed graduating class of 2009!!!Contact UsGraduate Student Council256-372-5266gradschool.council@mailserver.aamu.edu4