Fort Valley State University
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- Agriculture, of course. This is Georgia, the epicenter of farming. Nobody does it better than the Peach State.
- Mathematics. A study has recently ranked me number one for most African American math graduates in the country.
- Engineering. My Cooperative Development Energy Program (CDEP) is the only one of its kind in the country. CDEP prepares its students for jobs in engineering, many of the students in this program receive internships and jobs at top companies such as Toyota and BP. It's so good that its founder, Isaac Crumbly, was honored by President Obama.
- Sports, sports, and oh, did I say sports? I did? Well, let me just say it one more time. Sports. I excel in football, basketball, and tennis.
- The Blue Machine Marching Band may be small, but we can stack up to bands twice our size.
- The Baptist Student Union Choir (BSU) could give Mariah Carey a serious run for her money.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- Thick skin and a great sense of humor. I can be a handful at times.
- Oh, the humidity. Don't bother bringing your thermal underwear. Instead, stock up on lightweight clothes and conditioner—this humid heat is no joke.
- Focus. It's okay to have fun, but I'm no slacker. I'll fail you just like the Ivy Leagues will if you don't bring your A-game to class.
- A water bottle. Staying hydrated in Georgia doesn't have to be a challenge.
- School spirit. Nothing trumps football in the South. Nothing.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- The CDEP isn't just unique, it's effective. My engineering grads enjoy great internships with industry leaders.
- My biology program is the state leader in preparing African American students for careers in medicine. All those other schools just can't keep up.
- I have the only certified veterinary technician program in Georgia. Someone's got to think of all those puppies and kittens.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
At the party of my choice—and I have lots of choices. If I'm not in a dorm, I'm in a fraternity or sorority house, an off-campus house, or a local club or bar. Everywhere you go, someone's hosting a great time.
Favorite Hangouts:
- In the caf. The food isn't that bad, and it's a great place to catch up with friends.
- I'm so sociable, I've got two student centers. I like to chill in both the new and the old one—shooting pool, playing ping pong, or chowing down on one of the many delicious fast food options they offer. Do I want Chik-Fil-A or Simply To Go? Papa John's or The Georgia Room? Choices, choices.
- If you need to get something off your chest, head over to the student center for spoken word performances and let it rip.
- At the gym, working on that hot bod. In Georgia, warm all year round. I want to show off what I've got.
Quirks:
- My professors really care about their students—so much so that they won't give any special treatment to anyone. A little tough love goes a long way.
- The weather changes constantly around here, going from hot to cold and back in a split second. It's not unusual to go into class sweating and come out freezing.
- Some campuses have squirrels. Some have pigeons. Me, I've got ants. During the summer, the buildings can become overrun by ants, so don't leave any food lying around.
Famous Alumni:
- Rayfield Wright, former offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys and member of the pro football Hall of Fame.
- John Wesley Blassingame, former chairman of the African American Studies program at Yale
- Calvin Smyre, member of the Georgia House of Representatives
- Horace Mann Bond, first FVSU president and father of famous activist Julian Bond