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

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BIO: AL L WSON FAMU UPSTART GOES FROM LOCAL INSURANCEMAN TO STATE LAWMAKER ini- 2- 2- :-: ga gag: -2 -:-:- - .2 -2 55-:5 :iz :1 -5- 221 5' if-22225 -5 5--2--5-'E212'5 2'.-, Er! 2512: .2 ..- .. : 2'I2E IE:-:I ::: T ia' 5:b:5r1- - :2f:2:.s. M .... F ' T :5:5i.:. -5:- ., M-M e vm:-mms -.s.:.::.E...:tE.E,gf.- -W ke: :-jg... aim?-4 - QExzi5 QW-: - -: :5 5E ES3? Anyone who thinks a person from a small town has to remain a small town person did not know Al Lawson, Jr.. Law- son, a native of Midway, Florida fits this description as well as a lot of added at- tractions. He attended Florida A 81 M University and graduated with a Political Science Degree. Throughout his college years he continued to strive for a career in Politi- cal Science and professional basketball, he said. After college he landed a coach- ing job at Florida State University at which he stayed for five years and opened a private insurance business that has been very successful for him. He is also a family man. His wife, De- lores, is on the FAMU School of Nursing staff. He also has a 12 year old son, Alfred Lawson lll and a daughter Shani age six. Politics has always been in his mind, Lawson said his plans were to try his hand at a city level position and then venture out into the state legislature. He said his plans were interrupted by the rezoning of the city's districts so he de- cided to wait for another opportunity, it finally came and now Al Lawson, Jr. is one of 10 blacks in Florida's House of Representatives. This is not an easy job because of the people's livelyhood. lt is a rewarding ex- perience to some, yet it is hard because you have to deal with the poor people being left out on major breaks. Lawson said. Like all jobs, being in the House of Re- presentatives has its good and bad points. Lawson said, A feeling of work- ing with the people is the most satisfy- ing in his job. Knowing that many peo- ple try to manipulate the system is the most dissatisfying of the job. His major goal while maintaining his po- sition inthe state legislature is to stimu- late economic development to form jobs, he said. He is trying to do just that because he serves on the Tourism, Judi- ciary, Economic Development and High- er Education committees. He is also working on the Cable Television, Regis- tration by Mail and the Alcohol Educa- tion Bills. Like many of his counterparts, the house member is a very well known citi- zen and has served on many of the city's major committees. His record includes being the past chairman of the board and president of the Tallahassee Urban League, past president and chairman, FAMU Boosters, directer and advisor, the United Way Council, vice president, for the Lincoln Neighborhood Center, past board member, FSUEEO Advisory Council, past chairman, FSU Graduate and State Public Administration. He is also a Little League baseball coach. In the insurance business he has won many of the most prestigious awards given. He is affliated with the Northwes- tern Mutual Life Insurance Company. They are a disability and retirement pen- sion corporation. Throughout his career he has won Agent of the Year in 1979 for the best sales in the state of Florida, the Mike Gish Award which is given to the lst and 2nd year outstanding agent, the Bronze Gold and Silver award in sales and the Million Dollar Round Table Award which is given to the most presti- gious insurance salesman. How does he feel about his accomplish- ments? He said, When you get in- volved, the people want you. And get- ting involved is what he did! But it's not stopping there for Lawson. He plans to get a Master's Degree in insurance fi- nance and within five years he plans to produce S10 milliona year in insurance and finally get his own office building. Al Lawson is what many blacks in Talla- hassee considers as their hope, said one source. He continued, This out- standing, young black businessman has not only made another seat in the Flor- ida House of Representatives a little more colorful, he has also inspired hope for Tallahassee's black achievement. 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.

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THE YEAR IN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC 3i WW?WfWff'f.?'5Lff'l' W-WW' rpm f' ,qw , ,W f 5, 1, M , U. , .. W MM. , ,.,,i,., ,. . . www QW fi W , . ,. NM fic, ,. ,,,W,f,,ft4.,tw..i 7,,,,,,.,y1, .ify.,iq,,f ,.ff:.,w,, ffiifwwwff t ff'f www: Mffymz .wma ,W 'Lyi5g.'1-'g 5 'Nfg.c.::eMjww.erye:..v555,Eigggggmes:..11:.wW??f,eiww,,s,,Mmm,ULNN.NmmL,,.M.amy,w,wmm.....,,,,,,,LMW,..N,m,, .,c,,,,, ,,N,s..,- . . .., .. ,.. ,W .. ,, , .W ,., W.. M, . ,MW M . , , . , . ,, . , , Wmasuwe 1. Prince Prince, the unquestionable monarch of erotic music is one ofthe biggest musical accomplishments of the year. His new wave rock album, 1999 takes an altered approach to listening. The title track takes a live for today message. Tunes include Let's get delirious , Automatic, and International Lover. Two of the album's most controversial cuts are Little Red Corvett and Lady Cab Driver. Both have one evasive surface meanings, but sex is the undertone. Much of Prince's finacial success is due to capture both R Bt B and rock audiences. Most significant is the fact that Prince has few pockets to fill other that his own. He continues to produce, arrange, compose and perform all of his music. In addition to his own acclaim two of Prince's prodisy groups The Time and Vanity 6 are doing trumendously well. gnidlliif- ' ? Cold Blooded Rick Some say he nasty rude and coarse. Local civic groups say he has a negative influence on today's youth, but Rick James could care less because he's doing his own thing and enjoying every minute and every dollar of it! Rick James puts on no fronts. His music is about his life street life. Like his prior releases, Throwdown, which featured Dance With Me, and Standing On The Top, ' ffeaturing the return of the Temptations on background vocalsj and Street Songs which featured Getto Life and Pass The Joint his music is symbolic of the street . . . Coldblooded and the title of his current lp. Coldblooded is a countinuation of Slick Rick's musical point of view. The title cut is a celebration of the old boy meets girl, girl plays hard to get routine, getto style. The aIbum's top ballad is Ebony Eyes and features a duo with Rick and Smokey Robinson. This year Rick has also introduced his answer to Prince's Vanity 6, The Mary Jane Girls. They're Candi, Cheri, JoJo and Maxi four sexy ladies with a great sound. Their hits include: All Night Long , Boys, and Candyman . ... U V 1 5- L I il .s-s...LiI., Truly Lionel Truly Lionel 1983 has been a year of transitions, modifications and branching out for many artists. Commodore lead singer, Lionel Richie has taken a break from his career pals and tried his hand at going solo. One thing that hasn't changed is his style music and its effect on women! When Richie sings his lyrics take on special meaning to all femine ears with respect for a love song. His latest effort, Truly is loaded with mellow tunes that hang tough with the leading pop tunes on the charts. Do it Roger Do it. Roger Troutman is also making it out on his own. Former lead singer of the group Zapp , Roger is making remarkable waves with tunes like Dolt Roger Do lt, and Do Wa Diddy . Zapp is not exactly suffering over the lost of Roger. They are continuing to make upward bounds with hits like I Can Make You Dance.