Alabama A&M crafting plan to address SACS probation

Huntsville, Ala. - During the recent annual meeting of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in San Antonio, Tex., the accrediting body placed Alabama A&M University on probationary status.

AAMU Interim President Beverly Edmond said today that the 133-year-old historically black institution was placed on probation for non-compliance with several of SACS’ “Principles of Accreditation.” 

She added, however, that the specifics of the probationary action “are not yet available” and that she expects to soon receive details in future correspondence.

“While this is not good news for AAMU,” Edmond commented, “it must be emphasized that we remain a fully accredited institution and none of the degrees we award are in jeopardy.”  Edmond also noted that AAMU is already working on a plan to address the identified areas of concern. 

“We are very confident that these issues will be quickly resolved,” said Edmond.  “AAMU remains an outstanding place to receive an education, and none of the concerns deal with the quality of our academic programs.”

Also during the annual meeting, SACS lifted from probation the 28,000-student Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tex.   In Alabama, within the past five years, Auburn University was placed on probation in 2003 and was removed a year later.

AAMU professor’s efforts net more than $2 million in funding

Huntsville, Ala. - An Alabama A&M University agronomist has received more than $2 million in research funding for three major projects from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Weather Service (NOAA-NWS).  Dr. Teferi Tsegaye (suh-GUY), head, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, has been awarded $521,222 through the USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) to study the cumulative effects of drought and urbanization on the Flint River watershed ecosystem.  Read more

AAMU Represented Well in Ebony’s Young “Top 30″

Huntsville, Ala. —- The recently released issue of Ebony magazine features 30 African-American men and women “who find success and fulfillment in uplifting their communities.”  Of that number, at least two are affiliated with Alabama A&M University.

In its “30 on the Rise” article by Lynn Norment, Ebony highlights the 2008 Young Leaders of the Future.  Among the distinguished group of professionals from all over United States are two daughters of AAMU:  Chauncee Lundy of Dallas, Tex., and Penny Koger-Thomas of Madison, Ala.

Chauncee Lundy, a 2002 graduate, is an air compliance specialist for Texas Instruments and was the 2008 national co-chairwoman for Black Youth Vote!, an organization committed to boosting the civic engagement of African American young adults.  Co-owner of the online Feet of Faith retail shoe store, Lundy volunteers with Big Brother Big Sisters of North Texas, is a mentor with MentorNet, and was in the inaugural class of Gates Millennium Scholars.
[Read more]