Florida A and M University - Rattler Yearbook (Tallahassee, FL)

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UNIVTRSITY RELIGIOUS , ACTIVITY CENTER I CHL' ul Juiflu 'wmiooisv wllsm REFLECTIONS OF THE RELIGIOUS SCENE AT FAMU By Rev. Fletcher Bryant, Director of FAMU Reli- gious Activities Center The old timers can be heard crying What happened to the good old days when we went to Vesper every Sunday evening and Religious Em- phasis Week was one of the highlights of the year! What about all of those singing groups we use to have and special religous programs. Could it be that Black Colleges and Universities are de- emphasizing religion, which has historically been the very corner-stone, strength, and substaining power of these institutions. A simple answer is, nothing has happened to religion on our campuses. It is alive and well . However, it must be acknowledged that we have just emerged from twenty years of sweeping changes and revolutionary times in which tradi- tional manifestations and forms of religious pro- grams have not been in the forefront, A part of this demise can be attributed to the religion in the school debates in our State and Federal courts and an identity crisis among young black people in the sixties and early seventies, which very seriously questioned the relevancy of the church and particularly the relationship of the Black Church to white theology, worship, and organization. In the mist of this searching and struggling by black students, there has always been a deep religious consciousness rooted in their black church upbringing. Today, black college students still raise the hard questions and struggle with their new freedom of choice to go to church, or not to go to church, but beneath this struggle is a genuine desire to find God and religious meaning in the college setting. The success of Religious Programming on the college campus will, in the future, depend on the willingness of college administrations to provide the openess and climate for students to find meaning in a complex world much different than twenty years ago. The religious message, spiritu- al principles, and high morals remain unchanged, but the form and the style of Religious Programs must be altered to meet the religious needs of students in the contemporary college setting. In the words of a student, we do not want exactly the same religious stuff we got back home. We want to be free to grow, to explore, and find new answers which speak to where we are present- ly. The scene at FAMU details this new thrust. A recent survey of religious affiliation and concerns QI , 1 L L L of FAMU students reveals the following data: I. Religious Affiliation - CBased on 1000 stu- dentsj AGNOSTIC - .1270 ATHEIST - .1270 CHARISMATIC - .1270 CHURCH OF GOD - .2470 HOLINESS - .8370 LUTHERAN - .9571 ANGLICAN - .1270 BAHAI - .1270 METHODIST - 2.770 PRESBYTERIAN - 2.070 BAPTIST - 57.171 CHRISTIAN - .8376 METHODIST QAMEJ - 14.470 CONGREGATIONALIST - .1270 MUSLIM -- .4770 SEVEN DAY ADVENTIST - .1270 ASPOTALIC -- .1270 CATHOLIC - 7.970 CHURCH OF CHRIST - .6070 JEHOVAH WITNESS - .3570 UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST - .24 ll. 10 registered religious groups representing ATI about 200 students on campus attend church regularly. IV. The majority of students live off campus, and there is no data concerning frequency with which these students attend church. However, consultations with ministers in the area, indicates that the churches are not reaching a significant number of FAMU students. V. There is no Sunday Chapel. A number of students attend one of the churches tem- porarily housed on campus. VI. On campus organized weekly religious ac- tivities have been limited in recent years. While the data does not appear encouraging, there are some exciting developments evolving at FAMU which should greatly impact our reli- gious programming in the future. The University for the first time since 1974, has engaged a full time Director of Religious Activi- ties through the office of the Vice President of Student Affairs. This new office was made possi- ble through the cooperative efforts of the United Methodist Church and other denominations. A new religious center has been opened in the Uni- versity Union Complex Csetj. This center includes a reading room, counseling office, a small group meeting room, and the office of the director, an ordain United Methodist Clergyman. A university wide calendar was established this year to bring such outstanding scholars as Dr. Eric Lincoln, Professor of Sociology of Religion, Duke Univer- sity, Dr. Jefferson Cleveland, Black Sacred Music Specialist, and lman W.D. Muhammed, world leader of American Muslims. The center pro- grams also includes bible studies, forums, and rap sessions. Other musical and creative pro- grams are developed in consultation with other organizations on campus. Finally, Florida A 8t M University, inspite of cer- tain limitation as a state institution in relating to religious programs has expressed interest in the total student by virtue of its openess regarding the importance of religion to a student. Every major event from an invocation at a convocation, to a music selection of the Marching 100, or a prayer in the football lockeroom reminds the FAMU student that the University is not only committed to academic programs, but the spiri- tual and religious well being of its students. Venom '83!113

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POP LAR MUS C IT SOUNDS GOOD B T THE LYRICS CA BE DEGRADING By Daisy Cherry Music Today has taken an interesting twist. Where as composition and arrangement accomplishments are dynamic, the lyrical content leaves its value to be questioned. Just turn on any popular Black radio station and you're likely to hear adult women boastfully singing about being nasty girls or that it doesn't matter that the man they want belongs to their best friend. Music, says Frank Laskley, a 22 year old senior at FAMU, is an art form that can touch the soul, manipulate emotions and have a profound and subconscious effect on the listener's mind. According to Laskey, Black music tends to degrade Blacks. Few musicians like Stevie Wonder, produce well-written, well- played and non-degrading music. What's disturbing says Prymus Brown, 23, of Jacksonville Florida, is the fact that a lot of highly creative musicians are artistically producing negative and questionable vibes. This trend in music is not an example of musicians trying to survive or giving the people what they want, but more of an example of the lack of thought, says Laskey. The music really reflects a trend in Black thought, says Phyllis Autry, a 21 year old senior at FAMU. This is very disturbing. To think that tunes like BARRY WHlTE'S Change and Cameo's Be Yourself, don't get as much airplay as PRlNCE'S international Lover and Dance, Music, Sex and Romance, is revolting says Brown. Joe Bullard WANM announcer and program director, says that people are buying what they want. Bullard, a graduate of FAMU, and native of Jacksonville, has been with WANM for nine years and has been program director for six of those years. Kids listen to Head Ca provocative song taken from PRlNCE'S 'Controversey' lpj, when it first came out, its up to the parent to explain the song to them. Parents should tell kids the significance of all of the songs, says Bullard. l'm not a parent, says Brown, 'ibut when I hear the lyrics of some song, I imagine teenagers and kids becoming intrigued by its newness and freekiness. They're popping their fingers, singing the lyrics by rote and taking them all very lightly, maybe, having their outlook or behavior affected by it significantly. lt still remains, says Bullard, that as did the saints, people will still go marching into the record shops. VENOM '83

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ROTC News Feature LT. COL. CHARLES HOLDSNAKEU HOBBS RETIRES After 20 years of Mlitary Service He lea ves behind a strong Philosophy on life and success . . . Hobbism By Daisy Terri September 1, 1983 is a day that will be remem- bered by many Army officers and Army ROTC cadets at Florida A and M University. On that day, Lieutenant Colonel Charles The Old Snake Hobbs will officially retire from the US Army after a very successful career of 20 years. Hobbs came to Florida A and M University in 1980 as Professor of Military Science for Army ROTC. Those who witnessed the transition agree that in less than three years, Hobbs and his team of dedicated cadre and staff turned what was a floundering program, into what is now an out- standing one. Now, the morale and motivation of the corps in high, and above all, the level of student achievement is high, The greatest factor attributing to Hobbs' success with the program is something called Hobb- sism. Hobbsism is, in fact, the basic personal philosophy of Hobbs. On any given day, one can walk over to Howard Hall and find Hobbs im- pressing upon his cadets to perform well, be con- fident and respect the rights and property of others. Black students should, first and fore- most, love themselves, prepare well for the struggle and then make a contribution in life, says Hobbs. Hobbs has carefully built an ROTC program that - is guided by the principle which emphasizes that there is no one in the world better than l am. Yes, there are some as good as I, but not bet- ter. A graduate of Florida A and M University and native of Miami, Florida, Hobbs was commis- sioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Infan- try in 1963. While at Florida A and M University as a student, he majored in Political Science, lettered 4 years in football, served as Army ROTC Battalion Commander and pledged Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. After assignment as Platoon Leader, Company Commander, administrationfpersonnel officer and operations officer, Hobbs was assigned as an instructor with the Florida A and M University Army ROTC detachment in 1969. In 1972 he was assigned to the Command and General Staff Col- lege as a student. From there he traveled to Texas where he received an M.A. Degree in Criminology. Among various other staff assignments during Venom '83!114 After building a strong ROTC Program Hobbs feels he's due a good rest. his 20 year career, Hobbs spent three months in Washington, D.C. as a special project officer on the committee designated to plan for the inaugu- ration of President Reagan. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. l love Florida A and M University and I love this program. My greatest challenge has been to in- crease the ability of our students to communi- cate effectively, says Hobbs. Last year, Hobbs instituted programs geared toward correcting deficiencies of Army ROTC students. We're do- ing more than just talking about it. Two of his key projects have been Assertive Skills Develop- ment conducted at Howard Hall by Dr. Juanita Williams of the Psychology Department, and a Reading Skills improvement Program coordinat- ed by Dr. Jennings at the FAMU Learning Re- sources Center. Hobbs sees his main purpose as that of produc- ing outstanding young people. lf our graduates are good, they will make good Army officers. The college one attends, or one's hometown, is not really important. The thing that is, is the quality of the individual. We must never forget that our finished product reflects the quality of FAMU.