Congratulations 2023-2024 Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to Christian Maxwell and Jeremiah Washington on being awarded our 2023-2024 alumni chapter scholarships! Christian Maxwell is our “Live Your Dream” scholarship recipient that represents the legacy of the late, FVSC alumna, Dr. Genevieve Knight, Ph.D that recognizes students that who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue an education in Mathematics, the Sciences and Education. Christian is an incoming freshmen from Bowie, Maryland. Christian understand the meaning of this scholarship to overcome significant obstacles. Christian has a disability that he no longer has vision in his left eye. Instead of, finding the easy way out, his family recognized his struggles and sought help. Through the support of his family, he didn’t allow his disability to limit him and continue to succeed academically. Christian’s quote, “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.”

Jeremiah Washington is our General Scholarship recipient. Jeremiah is a rising senior from Fort Washington, Maryland. Jeremiah is becoming the next Wildcat success story by setting his path in the classroom. He is proudly serving as a leader in various programs at Fort Valley State University. As Jeremiah quoted, “As I enter my senior year and prepare to enter the workforce, I am convinced that Fort Valley State University is providing the instruction, extracurricular programs and culture needed to prepare me for unlimited success in the future. While my experience at Fort Valley State has helped me grow as a student and as a young man in life, I believe that my presence and contributions on campus have had a positive impact on my fellow students and in the surrounding community. As I live out my own professional dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, I will always give back by striving to improve the collective well-being and economic destiny of my HBCU and my community overall. As I enter my senior year and prepare to enter the workforce, I am convinced that Fort Valley State University is providing the instruction, extracurricular programs and culture needed to prepare me for unlimited success in the future. While my experience at Fort Valley State has helped me grow as a student and as a young man in life, I believe that my presence and contributions on campus have had a positive impact on my fellow students and in the surrounding community. As I live out my own professional dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, I will always give back by striving to improve the collective well-being and economic destiny of my HBCU and my community overall.”

On behalf our president, Terry Love and the many alumni and supporters of the alumni chapter, we want to again congratulate our 2023-2024 scholarship recipients!

Go Wildcats!

FVSU Virtual Coaches Caravan

Mark Your Calendar! The FVSU Washington DC Metro Area Alumni will be joined by the FVSU Athletic Director and Head Coaches on their VIRTUAL Coaches Caravan. The event is Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 7PM-8PM. Alumni will get the opportunity to meet the new Athletic Director, Dr. Renae Myles Payne and all of the head coaches to fellowship with the Wildcats and experience the new and improved FVSU Athletic Association, Inc. We hope that you will participate in this event.

ZOOM MEETING INFO:

MEETING ID: 4930897059
PASSCODE: 645697

Celebrating Our DMV Wildcat of the Month Ms. Laura Grier

The Fort Valley State University Washington DC Metro Area Alumni Chapter wishes to recognize our very own, past president, Ms. Laura Grier on her professional accomplishment.

Laura is an executive Senior Level Information Technology Expert at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Virginia. She serves as the IT Product Line Lead for the Patents business organization, with over 22 years years of experience at the USPTO.

She currently oversees IT initiatives in the interest of Patents, and ensures alignment with overall business unit objectives and technical strategies.

Laura has over 15 years of IT experience, with an exceptional track record in change management and stakeholder engagement. She has successfully led numerous patent IT initiatives that have provided landmark impacts, and enabled improvements and efficiencies to the patent application process. In her career, Laura also served as a Patent Examiner for six years.

Prior to joining the USPTO, Laura was a Research Associate for the America Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington, DC. Her focus was in Mathematics and Technology Education research.

Laura’s career and experience represent an ideal example of women and minorities in leadership in STEM.

Laura acquired a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in Tuskegee University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Fort Valley State University.

We are Wildcat PROUD!

FVSU Mourns the Loss of Maleek Carter

FVSU is deeply saddened to share that Maleek Carter, a sophomore business administration student from Valdosta, Georgia passed away. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and others who knew and loved him. We know many of you are grieving, and we share in that loss.

Morning classes was suspended on March 22, to allow students/campus community to seek counseling. Any students in need of additional support or counseling are encouraged to contact Outreach Services by calling our 24/7 support line at 833-855-0085.

Mr. Carter was an engaged student and attended a number of events on campus. The University will share information on funeral/memorial services for Carter when they become available.

Celebrating Our DMV Wildcat of the Month Ms. Kellie J. Walker!

The Fort Valley State University Washington DC Metro Area Alumni Chapter wishes to congratulate our very own Ms. Kellie J. Walker on her professional accomplishment.

Ms. Walker joined the EPA OIG in 2017 and became the Chief of Staff for the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in April of 2022. She served in the position as acting since 2020 early in the formation of the new Office of the Chief of Staff. Ms. Walker also serves as the OIG’s Senior Resource Officer and Deputy Civil Rights Official for the OIG. On behalf of the IG, Ms. Walker serves as the IG’s principal executive responsible for the IG’s mission support/internally focused work. As such, Ms. Walker oversees the development of the OIG strategic and annual oversight plans, top management challenges for EPA and CSB, the OIG’s compendiums, and spearheads resourcing the OIG’s IIJA and other Congressionally mandated operations. She is also responsible for other support functions such as the OIG’s data analytics, policy and performance management and the management integrity program. Additionally, she oversees the OIG’s budget execution and formulation, human resource operations, acquisitions, facilities, records and property management, as well as the IG’s office of information technology. In short, Ms. Walker is responsible for the OIG’s mission support elements encapsulated in the three offices led by Chiefs that report to her – the Office of Strategic Analysis and Results, the Office of Mission Support, and the Office of Information Technology. 

Ms. Walker has over 34 years of experience that spans private industry, military, and government service. Her portfolio includes a wide array of disciplines to include financial management, contracting, risk management, internal controls, human capital management, strategic planning, data analysis and visualization, business analytics and IT program management. She has managed billions of dollars for the Army, FBI, and the U.S. Treasury. Prior to joining EPA OIG, Ms. Walker served as the CFO of the Army’s Warrior Transition Command managing resources to support over 17,000 of the Army’s Wounded, Ill, and Injured Soldiers, and Veterans nationally and internationally.

Ms. Walker retired from the U.S. Army as a Finance Corps Lieutenant Colonel. She not only taught generals and future generals Congressional briefing techniques at the Army War College, Ms. Walker also spearheaded resource strategy and execution for both the Army and Air Force for the D.C. National Guard. Ms. Walker received numerous awards and accolades for her impactful results. She is certified in Strategic Planning from the National Defense University, Executive Leadership and High-Performance Teams from Cornell University, and Defense Finance Management with an Acquisitions specialty through the Association of Military Comptrollers Society. 

Ms. Walker has a B.B.A. in Accounting from Fort Valley State University, Master of Public Administration, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Management at Regent University.

We are Wildcat PROUD!

Scholarship Award Program Is Now OPEN! Apply NOW!

The Washington D.C. Metro Area Chapter awards scholarship to area students that have been accepted for attendance or are currently enrolled at Fort Valley State University. The scholarship are awarded based on academic excellence, community service participation and leadership potential. 

"LIVE YOUR DREAM" SCHOLARSHIP AWARD is, also, now available for any incoming freshmen and current Fort Valley State University students from the Washington DC Metro Area that meets the scholarship criteria in Mathematics, the Sciences and Education. Students who are not native of the Washington DC Metro area may also apply that meet the criteria. This scholarship is an initiative provided by alumna, Dr. Genevieve M. Knight, Ph.D (Class of 1961) and active member of the chapter. The scholarship amount awarded is for Fall Semester 2021. Only a limited number of students will be awarded. DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JUNE 30, 2023.

Nursing Is HERE!

Fort Valley State University received approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing to begin the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

The four-year pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is now accepting applications, and its first class of nursing students will start in August 2023.

FVSU’s Nursing department will be housed in Meyers Hall. The newly renovated facility will include simulation rooms, nursing skills labs, conference and computer rooms, a student lounge, and office space.

Potential applicants are encouraged to apply by March 1, 2023, at https://fortvalley.tfaforms.net/f/nursingapplication. For more information, visit www.FVSU.edu/Nursing or email nursing@fvsu.edu.