Bryan F. Smith is working to address hazing as the new special assistant to the presi-dent for anti-hazing. Previ-ously, Smith, who is a FAMU graduate, was the executive di-rector/co-founder of Destined for Success Educational Ser-vices, Inc. in Decatur, Ga.

“This position requires a high level of communication with various entities around campus, with the local community and with investiga-tive agencies,” Smith said. “I am very confident in my abilities and I vow to be organized, timely, fair, proactive, open and honest, ethical and hard-working. It will be my goal to change any culture of hazing through a variety of strategies, to maintain an efficient reporting process for any allegations of hazing, to facilitate tangible in-formational sessions regarding hazing, to ensure that the Student Code of Conduct is being adhered to and to help maintain the integrity of the university.”

Smith received his juris doctorate from John Mar-shall Law School, a master’s degree in public manage-ment from FAMU and a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina A&T State University. He encourages students and others to report hazing allega-tions at stophazingatfamu.com.

Professor receives patent to kill ‘superbug’

• RESEARCHERRECEIVESPATENT

• COMMUNITYCELEBRATEDFOOTBALLCOACH

• LIVINGWELL:DRUGSINOURH20?

• LYCEUMPRESENTED:‘ASKYOURMAMA’

Kinsey Collection gets anew home at Disney’s Epcot Center

For philanthropists and FAMU alumni Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, the African-American narrative is a part of the narrative of America. In March the Kinseys’ exhib-it, “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” went on display at Epcot’s American Adventure located at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

“All we ask people to take away from the exhibit is the saying, ‘I didn’t know that,’” Bernard Kinsey said at the official opening of the exhibit that welcomed more than 300 guests. “If we can do that, we know we are fill-ing that hole in your heart.”

The exhibit represents more than 400 years of Af-rican-American achievements and contributions. It has been displayed throughout the United States, including the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Approximately 40 pieces are on display for Epcot guests for a three-year run of the exhibit.

“Art is everything,” Bernard Kinsey said. “It con-nects the African-American story of accomplishment and achievement through a one and two-dimensional world.

Bryan F. Smith

FAMU is working with staff and key officials to address the concerns expressed by the Southern Asso-ciation on Colleges and Schools Commission on Col-leges (SACSCOC) that surfaced as a result of a Nov. 19, 2011, hazing incident. In addition, the university has

addressed issues highlighted in a Board of Governors report.

On Dec. 20, 2012, the university received official notification from the SACSCOC that while the universi-ty will remain accredited, it was placed on probation for a year. The areas of concern were: Principle 1.1 (Integ-rity), Comprehensive Standard 3.2.8 (Qualified admin-istrative/academic officers), Comprehensive Standard 3.10.3 (Control of finances), and Comprehensive Stand-ard 3.11.2 (Institutional environment) of the Principles of Accreditation.

Chancellor of the State University System of Flori-da Frank T. Brogan and the Florida Board of Governors’ Inspector General Derry Harper issued a report on Dec. 28, 2012, that reviewed how FAMU handled the Nov. 19, 2011, hazing death of a band student. In FAMU’s re-sponse to the report, the university outlined some of the sweeping changes that have occurred to enhance campus safety and address other concerns.

“It is important to emphasize that FAMU remains an accredited institution, even while under the probation sanction from SACSCOC,” said Interim President Larry Robinson. “We are committed to addressing the areas of concern, and ensuring that FAMU is compliant with all SACSCOC accreditation standards. Our students will continue to receive a first-class education from FAMU.”

The university has formed a team of outstanding faculty, staff and students to work on developing the response for SACS, which is scheduled to visit the uni-versity in the fall of 2013. In addition, FAMU has the support of the Florida Board of Governors in its efforts.

FAMU addresses SACS’ concerns

The university remains committed to addressing the areas of concern, and ensuring that FAMU is compli-ant with all SACSCOC accreditation standards. Stu-dents will continue to receive a first-class education from FAMU.

Professor Seth Y. Ablordeppey is having great suc-cess with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Al-exandria, Va. His latest invention: 3-Substituted Qui-nolinium and 7H-Indolo[2,3-C]quinolinium Salts as New Anti-infectives seems immediately essential to health-care everywhere. Ablordeppey’s recent patent was cre-ated to develop a compound that is not so expensive in combating Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), which is a staph infection that is resistant to common antibiotics. He is developing drug compounds using plants he found in Ghana, West Africa.

He found antibacterial activity in the plants that heals wounds. He is examining their extracts to see if one will kill MRSA.

“We wanted some simple compounds that we can synthesize in a very short period of time and we are look-ing toward getting compounds which are not that expen-sive so that people can afford them,” said Ablordeppey, a professor of medicinal chemistry in the College of Phar-macy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

MRSA is typically more problematic for the elderly, for people with weakened immune systems, including cancer patients on chemotherapy and for patients under-going kidney dialysis or using venous catheters or pros-thetics. Just about anyone, however, can be infected by MRSA.

According to Ablordeppey, the major problem of hospital-acquired and community-acquired MRSA is that we may be on the last lines of defense against this resistant microorganism, sometimes referred to as the “superbug.” Hence, the need to develop new and novel entities that can overcome this dreaded bug cannot be over-emphasized.

“These agents are not currently available for public use, but are undergoing the usual pre-clinical studies that would move them toward the clinic,” Ablordeppey said. “This patent would enable us to work more arduously to achieve that objective to get the drug to healthcare facili-ties everywhere.”

Smith brings passionto anti-hazing position

KINSEY, PAGE 4

Ablordeppey’s recent patent was created to develop a compound that is not so expensive in com-bating Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

FAMUINSIDE APRIL 2013 n VOL. 02

Bernard Kinsey looks on as his wife, Shirley Kinsey (far right), discusses the Kinsey Collection exhibit at Epcot. The Kinseys were joined by actors Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr.

FAMU has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide an online transcript-ordering service for current FAMU students and alumni. Individuals can order and track tran-scripts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other options include picking up transcripts in person with photo identification or by submitting a letter to authorize the release of transcript(s) to a third party for pick up. Students and alumni may upload documents (in PDF only) to accompany their transcript. This option is available when placing an order. Examples include admission ap-plication forms for law, nursing, medical or graduate schools and scholarship application forms. Transcripts can be ordered online using any major credit card. For more information, contact the Registrar’s Office at (850) 599-3115.

Matthews appointed dean of the new College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities

Valencia E. Matthews, a long-time faculty member at the university, will serve as dean of the Col-lege of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.

“I believe that she is the best person for this job as we start this new college,” said Rodner Wright, interim provost and vice resident for Academic Affairs. “She has served in a leadership role in this col-lege for years and will be able to continue our efforts to develop a strong academic foundation for our students. As a new college, this is a great opportunity for us to create a legacy…own the challenges and own the solutions.”

Matthews has served as interim dean of the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities since July 1, 2012, and has served as interim chair of the Department of Music from December 2011 - June 2012. In addition, she has served as assistant dean in the College of Arts and Science from 2002-2012 before the college was split in 2012 to form the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and the College of Science and Technology.

“I am a collaborative, team-oriented servant-leader, and as such, I am excited about the opportunity to work with the diverse disciplines that comprise the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities,”

Students, alumni may now order and track transcripts online

Antibiotics, analgesics (pain killers), lipid regulators and antidepressants are commonly found inside of home medi-cine cabinets. Until recently, few would think to examine the presence of these

drugs in our drink-ing water. Yet, these pharmaceuticals and personal care prod-ucts (PPCPs) are among a variety of organic chemicals that the U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency now refers

to as “contaminants of emerging concern” (CECs). While CECs are not necessarily new pollutants, their presence in the envi-ronment and significance are only now be-ing evaluated. The occurrence of PPCPs in sewage treatment plant run off, surface waters, seawaters, ground water, and some drinking waters has led to an increasing concern about the impact of these chemi-cals on the aquatic environment.

In fact, the aforementioned drugs were evaluated in two bays on the gulf coast of Florida, namely, Apalachicola Bay and Tampa Bay. The compounds selected were chosen based on a national survey of the number of prescriptions, persistence in the environment, the possibility of envi-ronmental impact, and the availability of analytical standards for testing. Scientists detected two chemicals out of the 40 ana-lyzed. Sulfamethoxazole (SMZ), a common drug used in animals and humans, exists in both bays; however, it appears to be more concentrated and dispersed throughout Apalachicola Bay than Tampa Bay. Car-bamazepine (CBZ), an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug, was also detected in Tampa Bay.

Based on these results, CBZ or SMZ do not appear to threaten the ecological health of Apalachicola Bay or Tampa Bay; however, the occurrence and threat from these chemicals and the ecological and eco-nomical ramifications in the future, particu-larly in Apalachicola Bay, cannot be ruled out. This is because it is a highly produc-tive fishing area generating $70-80 mil-lion dollar per year. If the concentrations of PPCPs in Apalachicola Bay continue to increase, the productivity of the bay would be adversely impacted. In addition, the po-tential for detrimental public health impacts caused by the consumption of seafood har-vested from the area will rise.

Furthermore, the majority of the waters in the Apalachicola Bay estuary are Class II waters, meaning they are used for shellfish propagation or harvesting. Reclassification of these waters could result in the termina-tion of the fishing industry in the bay, which will adversely affect Florida’s economy.

Municipal sewage, both treated and untreated, is the most common route for drugs used by humans to enter the envi-ronment. There are several simple ways to reduce our personal contribution to the emerging concern of PPCPs in the envi-ronment. For instance, using personal care products made of natural ingredients rather than synthetic materials. Also, liv-ing a healthier lifestyle will, in turn, reduce our dependence on drugs and consequently reduce the quantities of PPCPs entering our water bodies. Nonetheless, lifestyle changes take a major commitment and much devotion. An equally important habit that anyone can adapt is to properly dispose expired and/or unused medications, thereby reducing the amounts of the compounds in our water supply.

Zakiya Hoyett, Ph.D. is a recent gradu-ate of FAMU who worked as research assistant to the School of the Environment Interim Dean Michael Abazinge, Ph.D. on this project. Fol-low @ FAMU_LivingWell. Visit www.famu.edu/livingwell101.

By Denzel Willis

Rattler fans, friends and family celebrated the appointment of FA-MU’s new head football coach Earl Holmes during a community meet-and-greet rally. The Department of Athletics announced Holmes as FA-MU’s 16th head football coach in January. Athletic Director Derek Horne thanked the Rattler Boosters and Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor for putting together the event. Horne said he enjoyed the energy of the crowd, and called Holmes a diamond that has already been polished.

“You have a person that is a FAMU high school graduate, a FAMU graduate, a person that has come back and done a lot, and now is the time to put the jewel in the crown,” he said.

Holmes played linebacker in the National Football League for 10 years and since then has been working as FAMU’s defensive coordinator. Holmes has been having the team watch films about former FAMU football coach Jake Gaither. “It’s all about restoring pride,” said the new coach. “It’s about guys understanding that a lot of guys who have worn orange and green have been very successful through blood, sweat and tears, hard work, dedication and determination, and that’s what it’s going to take.” Holmes attributed his success on the field to the Rattler Boost-ers and fans — calling them the “12th man on the field.”

Community celebrated football coach Earl HolmesLiving Well:

Drugs in Our Drinking Water?

02// INSIDE FAMU

Earl Holmes

Zakiya Hoyett

FAMU showcased the Ron McCurdy Quartet featuring special guest artist Malcolm-Jamal Warner in late January as a part of the Lyce-um Series. The epic Langston Hughes poem, “Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods Of Jazz,” features different varieties of music from different cul-tures. The quartet played selections of blues, Afro-Cuban mambo mu-sic, West Indian calypso and African rhythms. The Quartet guided the audience through the different moods while Warner performed spoken word.

“I enjoyed how he read the poems,” said Jennifer Ramirez, who at-tended the event in Lee Hall Auditorium. “His voice was strong and he led the show having his tone right for each mood.”

The multi-talented Warner, one of the stars on the Black Entertain-ment Television sitcom, “Reed Between the Lines,” did not entertain the audience with his acting or musicianship, but instead he showed off his spoken word talent as he recited Hughes 12-part poem. In addition to the poetry and music, the show had multimedia images of the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement and images of Hughes’ life.

“The visuals with the poem and the music all together made a sto-ry; it was almost like a live movie going on,” said Robinson.

Musician and FAMU alumnus Ronald C. McCurdy, who is also a professor of music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and is past president of the International Associa-tion for Jazz Education, expressed on stage how much of an honor it was for him to be back at his alma mater performing. McCurdy is co-author of a vocal jazz improvisation series titled “Approaching the Standards” published by Warner Bros. He is the director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Combo, and also serves as director of the Walt Disney All-American College Band in Anaheim, Calif.

The Lyceum Series has been a part of the FAMU tradition since the University’s early beginnings. Throughout the history of the series, FAMU has enriched campus life and shared with the community the artists, performers and lecturers of the day.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner,Ron McCurdy

wow crowd with ‘Ask Your Mama’

Matthews said. “My vision is to create, cultivate and facilitate an environment where we do all

things well and by we, I mean faculty, staff, students, administrators, and people of goodwill and honest intent. The eight departments and 17 disciplines that are in the college will be a positive and engaging force at FAMU, in the community and beyond.”

Matthews said her goal is to ensure that students in the college have a positive aca-demic experience with relevant curriculum and experiences that meet the needs of the 21st century workforce. For faculty in the college, she would like to continue initiatives that foster opportunities for research and creative activities, professional development, while she ensures resources are available for faculty to do their jobs.

Matthews has more than 30 years of acting and directing experience in theatrical productions. Some of which include, “For Colored Girls,” “Flyin’ West,” and “Crowns.” She is very well known in her field for the work that she has done and continues to do to increase the presence and enhance the knowledge of history and the arts within the com-munity. She has taught more than 12 different courses in the theatre curriculum during the span of her career and has presented, coordinated and facilitated community forums, such as “HIV/AIDS and the Black Church: A Balm in Gilead” and “When AIDS Hits Home,” both were presented in Tallahassee, Fla. in February of 2002. Matthews has

given numerous research presentations around the country, which include, “Cape Town, South Africa: My View,” Stereotypes of African-American Women in the Media” and “Matthew 23:4: An African-American Dilemma.”

“I have worked to help students, faculty, and others appreciate the creative and critical-thinking skills that are enhanced by participating in the arts,” she said. “I am committed to using the arts as a vehicle for the promotion of social change in the com-munity.”

Actively involved in the theatre world, Matthews has served as director of theatre with the FAMU Essential Theatre since 1999; founder and artistic director of the Irene C. Edmonds Youth Theatre since 1997; member of the Board of Directors for the Coun-cil on Culture and Arts for seven years. Matthews is a graduate of South Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts. She earned a master’s degree from Ohio State University in theatre and a doctoral degree in theatre from Florida State Uni-versity. She has been a full-time faculty member since 1993.

“Through my work, I have introduced African-American theatre to a community that otherwise may not have been exposed to the field,” she said.

Matthews is a native of Lane, S.C. She is married to Joel B. White.

By Denzel Willis

INSIDE FAMU //03

Maulana Karenga delivers powerful message during Black History ConvocationBy Denzel Willis

During the 2013 Black History Convocation, Maula-

na Karenga, creator of the Pan-African holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principals), empowered more than 1,200 students, faculty and community mem-bers to “hold on to your heritage and never forget” where they came from.

Karenga, who served as this year’s keynote speaker, is a professor and chair of African Studies at California State University in Long Beach. Karenga touched on the cultural genocide of African-American ancestry and the immoral acts that they faced during enslavement.

He also brought attention to the words “holocaust,” “enslavement” and the morale issue of the slave trade, which he identified as genocide.

“Slavery is an act of genocide,” Karenga said. “(It is) a morally conscious act of genocide that is not only against the people targeted, but on humanity itself. Can we call what happened to the slaves, ‘a trade?’”

Karenga also spoke of the killings and the destruction of homes, towns and cultures.

“One of the things about us as a people is that no mat-ter how horrendous our holocaust was, it never seared into

our consciousness,” Karenga said. “Our history is too im-portant to leave in media hands. We must in fact hold our history sacred, for there is no history more holy than our people and no narrative more important to be taught than our own.”

Jarius Lumpkin a third-year nursing student who at-

tended the event, said he enjoyed Karenga’s message. He was very appreciative that the university took time to cel-ebrate black history. “Black history for me is everything,” he said. “African Americans built the foundation of our country, and it’s important to me that black people are rec-ognized.”

Maulana Karenga, creator of the Pan-African holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principals), gives a riveting speech during the Black History Convocation.

It shows that our people not only mat-tered, they produced artifacts that changed America fundamentally.”

The exhibit, which features the themes of hope, belief, courage, imagination and heritage, provides optimistic and empow-ering stories from American history and from voices that are not commonly seen or heard. To enrich the interactive storytelling experience for the exhibit, guests can use touch screens placed around the exhibit to further explore the art, artifacts and his-tory.

Guest-activated lanterns help bring the story to life with narration provided by actors Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washing-ton, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Chandra Wil-son, James Pickens Jr. and others.

“When we were approached to be a part of something so historically signifi-cant, I felt it was required of me to do,” said Pickens, who stars on the television show Grey’s Anatomy. “To add a little pa-nache to it, I was proud to be a part of it.”

Wilson, Pickens’ co-star on the medi-cal drama, agreed.

“I’ve often gone through the parks,

whether it’s Disneyland or Disney World, and I’ve heard voices of different celebri-ties bringing things to life,” Wilson said of her voiceover work. “To know that my voice is a part of that legacy and with this collection, it’s an overwhelming honor.”

Shirley Kinsey, who was all smiles at the event, said she felt like the athletes after the Super Bowl when they shouted, “I’m going to Disney!”

“These two kids from Florida have come full circle; we have now come back home,” said Shirley Kinsey, who married her husband 46 years ago on the campus of FAMU. “Disney is clearly a place where magic happens. It’s a place where dreams come true even if you don’t know you have that dream.”

Overseeing the collection is the Kin-seys’ son, Kalil, who inspired his parents to initially build the collection.

“I’m proud of these two,” a tearful Kalil Kinsey said of his parents. “It’s an amazing thing to work with my family everyday.”

Jim MacPhee, senior vice president for Walt Disney World Parks, said the company is thrilled to bring the Kinsey Collection to Epcot guests.

Now open! Tree to Tree Adventures -- Tallahassee’s only zip line and high-flying adventure course!

850.575.8684treetotreeadventures.com

INTERIM PRESIDENTLarry Robinson

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

Sharon P. Saunders

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFSabrina P. Thompson

ASSOCIATE EDITORPamela Tolson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSStephanie LambertDeidre P. Williams

Denzel Willis

PHOTOGRAPHY Stephanie LambertLaGretta Johnson

Olivia Wilson

SPECIAL EVENTSVernon BryantKayana Lewis

COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Brian Lucas

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTTawanda Green

SECRETARYLawana King

For more information850. 599. 3413

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Inside FAMU is the official newspaper for the Office of Communications, and is de-signed to inform alumni, supporters, fac-ulty, staff and friends of FAMU about issues of importance regarding the university.

Kinsey Collection at Disney’s Epcot Khalil Kinsey discusses working with his parents

KINSEY FROM PAGE 1

April4 21st Annual Imhotep Interdisciplinary Student Research Conference New Pharmacy Building, Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium

4 Rattler Roundup The Moon 6 p.m.

5 Second Annual Athletics Golf Tournament Southwood Golf Club 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

5-7 Essential Theatre Presents the Color Purple Charles Winter Wood Theatre Friday at 8 p.m.

Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday at 3 p.m.

6 Orange and Green Spring Football Game 2 p.m.

6 Rattler Baseball v. Bethune-Cookman University Moore-Kittles Baseball Complex 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

6 Be Out Day Hansel Tookes Recreation Center 4 p.m.

10-11 Board of Trustees Meeting Grand Ballroom 8:30 a.m.

10 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Gore Education Center 11:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

11 FAMU Day at the Capitol Florida Capitol 5 - 6:30 p.m.

17-18 Lyceum Series Presents: Sellout!?! Lee Hall Auditorium 7:30 p.m.

26 Last Day of Classes Campuswide

29 Final Examination Week Begins Campuswide

*Upcoming Date: The 2013 Spring Commencement Ceremonies are scheduled for May 4 at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium*

FAMUINSIDE