Aggie Pride Is Nation Wide

“H-O-M-E-C-O-M-I-N-G it’s homecoming yall,” is the chant that is heard throughout the week. North Carolina A&T State University has become known as the school with the one of the biggest annual celebrations.

The homecoming celebration began Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 with the gospel show featuring James Fortune. Monday was the pep rally. During the pep rally Chancellor Dr. Harold Martin said a few words, school organizations showcased some of their talents and alumni also came back to begin the celebration.

Upcoming events include the fashion show, Mr. and Miss A&T Coronation and reception, homecoming parade and concert and the big football game. Tuesday, October 27, was the “Double Trouble” comedy show. The comedy show had a large turn out.

The show featured comics such as, Arnez J, Kevin Hart and Lil Duvale. Each gave a spectacular performance which received standing ovations. Altogether they packed Corbett gymnasium. Sophomore Lakoya Yarborough felt she “got her monies’ worth.”

Being that this was her first time attending a homecoming comedy show, she referred to it as the funniest comedy act she has ever seen. To say the least it was a memorable experience.

This year’s homecoming is even more special and significant because North Carolina Central University and Winston Salem State University are both celebrating their homecoming at the same time as well. It has been reported that in previous years A&T’s homecoming brings in millions of dollars in revenue. Homecoming is just like a big family reunion of Aggies.

Alumni come back to celebrate and participate in the festivities. Ken Bryant, a1 970 graduate, says school spirit has always played a major role in the school’s history. Even though he does not make it back to the homecomings, his spirit lives on through his daughter who currently attends the school.

“I couldn’t have made a better decision than the one I made to attend this HBCU,” says Mr. Bryant

Gabrielle McMillian is an NCCU student who is excited about both homecomings. She thought that it was very ironic that all the schools would plan their homecomings during the same week. While she is an Eagle at heart she says she plans to attend at least one event in Greensboro this week.

She jokingly admitted how some of her fellow Eagles have “abandoned” their own school pride to come party with the Aggies.

Alumni as well as current students should feel privileged to say they attend or attended a university that is considered to be a family based school. To have the best experience, you have to know when to party and when to hit the books.

N.C. A&T homecoming is definitely one of a kind. Every year brings new experiences and is one to remember.

As they say, “Aggie bred, Aggie dead!”

Campus Security and Online Social Networks

On October 8, 2009 an attempted robbery took place at a home on Bluford St. in Greensboro, N.C., across the street of North Carolina A&T State University.

Two masked men entered the home and tried to rob four A&T students who were in the home at the time. While no one was seriously injured, one, Justin Campbell was taken to the school’s health center for minor injuries. There have been no arrests in this case.

A&T sophomore Jasmine Wilson says this incident is a “wake up call.”

She describes the incident as an eye opener. It lets you know that anyone can fall victim to a crime. When talking about being safe on campus, she talks about how her dad always told her to watch her surroundings and never go anywhere alone.

“These days crimes aren’t just occurring at night, now people are becoming brave enough to attack people during broad daylight,” says Wilson. Crimes aren’t uncommon on college campuses.

In January, Dennis Hayle, an A&T senior, was murdered outside his apartment complex. His murder has yet to be solved as well.

The rising crime rate is becoming an issue to students, faculty and staff, school administrators, and Student Government Association. No one wants to fall victim to any crime. So college campuses, specifically, A&T are taking safety precautions. They are using online social networks to warn students, faculty and staff about criminals.

Online social networks are becoming apart of the plan to get the word out about crimes around the area and how to maintain personal safety. Courtney Evans, says she learned of the recent attempted robbery through facebook and her friends discussing the matter.

Facebook is not only a social media outlet used to build relationships it is now becoming another outlet for people to get educated about different things.

When on campus, it is important to stay alert and always know your surroundings. Never leave doors or windows unlocked, if possible, deadbolt doors. Be very cautious about who you let in your dormitory.

The most common way for criminals to enter a building is for them to walk in behind some who lives there. These are just a few safety tips that could help prevent someone from becoming a victim of a crime.

When asked how safe she felt on campus, Amanda Flemming, a junior from Maryland, responded by saying, “she felt semi-safe.” This is not her first time hearing about such incidents on or around campus.

“It is said to say but it is becoming very common.”

Flemming feels some crimes will happen regardless of the amount of security a school may have. You just have to go the extra mile to protect yourself.

To get the word out, A&T’s SGA is beginning to have more forums and meetings about campus safety. Parents don’t send their kids away to college just to hear their kids have become a victim to a crime that could have possibly been prevented. Now with the new technology there are more ways to get the information out about being safe.

So now if you want to stay informed with the current events going on around your campus it is just a click away.

Do not hesitate to use face book or any other online social network to see what the latest news events are. Take the initiative to see what the latest safety tips are or when the next safety meeting will take place.

Do not wait until you become the next victim.