Florida Memorial College - Arch Yearbook (Miami, FL)

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Paul V. Moore, Provost

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Jflariba Memorial (dallege 1SBOO NORTH WEST FORTY-SECOND AVENUE (LeJEUNE RO.) MIAMI. FLORIDA 33DS4 A MESSAGE FROM THE PROVOST CRISIS, CHANGE, AND CHOICES This had been a year of crisis and changes at Florida Memorial College. Those of you who have attended the school in 1 976-77 have been a part of this change. The college was in danger of bankruptcy as the last school year ended. With the suspension of federal aid; with the urgency from creditors for payment of bills totaling almost $600,000; with pressure fro m federal agencies and banks for overdue loan principal and interest payments; with the anxiety of faculty and staff for salary arrears of almost three months; there were grave doubts that Florida Memorial College would be able to open its doors in September, 1976. However, changes in the administration and the Board of Trustees brought new life into an almost hopeless situation. Since then, short-term financial stability has been achieved and disaster has been averted. This was not due to my efforts alone, but I have received accolades from students, faculty, staff, churches, and the community for saving the college. It is important to understand, however, that there are many others who contributed, during this past year, to bring about this immediate short-term financial stability. There will be many others who will build on whatever foundations we have laid. It has always been thus. Over the ninety-seven year history of the two schools which are now Florida Memorial College, hundreds of people have poured their energies and efforts into the task of educating young people in a Christian atmosphere. There are giants — men and women whose names come easily to the mind: Dr. Nathan W. Collier, Mrs. Sarah A. Blocker, Dr. Howard Thurman, Dr. Royal Puryear, the Rev- erend Edward T. Graham, The Reverend R. L. Holley and Dr. Susie C. Holley. Yes, these are some of the giants but there are hundreds of others who have made significant contributions. Many have names just as rec- ognizable, but there are many others whose names have not been noted by the historians. This does not mean that their lives and contributions were in vain. They, too, were invested in a worthy cause. They, too, helped the college through years of struggle with both failures and successes along the way. Crisis and changes have been always present. This has bee n a year of crisis and change for the United States of America. It was a time of looking back on our history and a time of appraising what has happened in the first two hundred years. It was a time of retrospect — but also a time of looking forward. It was a time of celebration and, yet, a time of self evaluation and candid admission that all things are not right in America. The Bicentennial we celebrated in 1976 was also a time when many choices were made. It was a time of assessing Watergate and Vietnam and a time of electing a new President and a search for new ideas in government. It was a time of recognizing that the work of our forefathers was not perfect but, also, a time of appreciating the values they established, the strength of our system of government, and the potential of the next century. This has been a year of crisis and change for Dorothy and I also — a crisis as we faced a decision to uproot our lives and take on a new assignment with a high degree of temporariness — change as we moved hundreds of miles into a strange and unusual situation. We felt the call of God as we made the choice and began to work together here at Florida Memorial College. We have learned anew to accept what Jesus said Do not be anxious about tomorrow (Matt 6:25 RSV). We believe he was not saying that we should give up planning, praying, and working toward future goals and objectives; but rather he was saying we should bend our minds and wills to the living of each day as it comes and that we should trust God for the future. This is living in the present to the fullest. As mortals, that is all we can work with at one time. We use the experiences of the past, the training and skills we have acquired as foundation for living in the present and making each day count to the maximum. We face the future with confi- dence when we have the inward assurance that God wants us working where we are in the present. This has been a year of crisis and change in your life also. For every college student, life in college is a period of constant change. New choices come frequently. As you make these choices, you are always building on the foundation of your past choices and experiences. William Shakespeare has said What ' s past is prologue . So we need to recognize that the past is but prologue to the future. Those who are young place their emphasis on the future, and rightly so in one respect. However, we live in the present, not in the future; and we live in the present, not divorced from the past but, indeed, influenced heavily by our prior decisions, by our past actions, and choices, and by the baggage accumulated during our past lives. This is why each choice is important; each new friendship is significant; and each day is a new opportunity. Crisis and change are factors in the life of each student regardless of the educational level achieved. Perhaps you haven ' t realized it completely — perhaps you have. To those who are graduating, the change is more apparent as you complete one phase of life and face the future. To those who are just completing your first year, the change from high school to college has brought its own crisis of adjustments to a new life. To those in their middle years, selecting major and minor subjects to study and choos- ing career directions; these, too present crises as the choices you make could set the pattern of your life. As you strive to live in the present and make choices for the future, you need to consider the way in which you want to invest yourself. Choose to serve others and you choose to serve God. This is the way to find true happiness. Choose on some other basis and, in my opinion, life will become less meaningful than it could be. The events of this past year have become history. Although they may remain vivid to all of us who participated, in the long sweep of history of Florida Memorial College, this year will probably be no more significant than many of the other ninety-seven. Our names and our events will be a part of the life of this college. Our crises, our choices, and changes in our lives will be important because other lives are affected through contact with ours. Each of us has affected the life of others, and all of us together have had our influence on Florida Memorial College and the future which lies ahead. May God bless each of you in the choices you have made this year and those you will make in the years ahead. Paul V. Moore, Provost

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JFloriba jiMemorial (Eollcgt MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE Members of the Class of 1 977 are to be commended because of the infinity of finest fortitude in the fixed and fearless, forward dedication in the pursuit of your first academic degree. Your parents and family are also to be commended for commitment and for the sacrefices un- doubtedly made during the past four years. The faculty and staff of the institution are to be remembered for the advice, counseling, and instruction provided to you in the pursuit of your dream. Yes, the four years you spent here were tumultuous times for Florida Memorial College. This institution, born out of the need to educate young Black men and women, the realization of the hopes and aspirations of so many, often teetered on the edge of a nightmare. In the nearly one hundred years of the institution ' s existence, you may be sure that there have been many trying times for Florida Memorial College. But the need for its continued existence has never been greater than now. And of course, for you, there is no better time to receive an education. It is my hope that you found at Florida Memorial an ambiance which aided and encouraged you in the pursuit of your education. It is my hope that this warm and friendly atmosphere made it easier for you to discover some things about yourself, and to share in and become a part of the Florida Memorial College family. I hope that you seized every opportunity to give of yourself in making this a meaningful experience for you and others. Further, as you leave these familiar halls and enter into new experiences, I hope you will carry with you fond memories of the friends made and experiences shared. Sincerely, Clarence L. Cryer, Dean Dean C. L. Cryer