Prairie View A and M University - Pantherland Yearbook (Prairie View, TX)

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THE NEW LANDMARK ON CAMPUS C, IN pRoG !.Renaissance Oj Academic rE?(ce.W. r met PRAIRIE VIEW A M UNIVERSITY The Library under construction for 1989. Introduction 5

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 s N PRog ? £ vS 6s 3. A s cf cP Renaissance Of Academic Excellence 1878 -1988 110th ANNIVERSARY PRAIRIE VIEW A M UNIVERSITY AMMIVERSARY RENAISSANCE CELEBRATION November 10-13, 1988 The purpose of the Renaissance Celebration was to celebrate the outstanding contributions made by Prairie View A M University over the past I 10 years. All those who made a significant contribution to the university were recognized. The University celebration brought together all of the university's constituents to celebrate the renaissance , with significant events planned to incorporate all of those constituents in the celebration. The focus of the festivities was the dedication of the new $ 16 million library, where a new exhibition on the history of the black military was on display. The significance of the celebration was to increase the public awareness of Prairie View A M University's contributions, to encourage support, and to help the university fulfill its constitutional mandate of becoming an institution of the first class.

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Coleman Cuts Ribbons To Library s N PRog % Renaissance ‘ °f Academic ‘E?(ceuence 1878-1988 PRAIRIE VIEW A M UNIVERSITY ith a few brief words, Texas A M Regent John B. Coleman cut the ribbons to a new Library bearing his name before hundreds of guests at Prairie View A M University. The dedication of the five-story library concluded week-long ceremonies marking Prairie View’s 110th Anniversary. “You've given me the greatest honor anyone could have given to me by naming this library-after me,” Coleman said to members of the Texas board of Regents and to the administration of Prairie View. The day began with a homecoming convocation honoring students for service and Coleman for his contributions to Prairie View, Texas A M and to higher education. Texas state Senator Craig Washington, a 1966 PV graduate, praised the work of Coleman as he gave the convocation address. “The most gratifying thing for me is to drive up (U.S.) 290 from Waller and sec the John B. Coleman Library rising from the top of the hill, Washington said of the new building. “We know without your leadership. Prairie View would not be what it is today.” Other dignitaries applauding Coleman, the first black regent on the Texas A M Board of Regents, included Dr. Percy Pierre, president of Prairie View, former regent Joe Richardson and A M Chancellor Perry Adkisson. “Of all the buildings on the campus, the library is the core, Pierre said. “Prairie View has the honor of being the site of such a tribute to John Coleman and the contributions he has made to the state. “You can dream, aspire, be all you want to be. the sky’s the limit, Adkisson added. John Coleman has done that for higher education in the state of Texas.” The John B. Coleman Library will seat 1400 students. It contains 220,000 volumes and can hold more than 500,000. Among the other features are an archives and special collections section on the fifth floor, an art gallery, a lecture auditorium, a cultural events center and an accelerated learning center built from federal education funds. The library will also be the home of the works of LtCol (ret) Jesse Johnson on black contributions to the military and a collections of paintings from Hazel Biggers. presented by Coleman’s wife Gloria. Later, a portrait of Coleman will be commissioned and hung inside the main foyer. Coleman was very moved by the dedication and could only muster a few words of appreciation, but the words were more than enough. I’m here to pledge to you I intend to contribute the rest of my life to higher education and this institution in particular. Introduction