Distinguished Visiting Professor Sylvester Murray (in left picture) and six PPAD students attended the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Conference, held in Tampa, FL, from April 22 – 26, 2015. Their trip was a great success. Our student panel was very well received. Kafond Wilder, Ashley Caples, Alonzo Hutchins and Prisca Patrick each gave a well prepared power point presentation that Dr. Billingsley reviewed in advance. Michael Spann gave a poster presentation. The proof of being well received: the audience engaged all of the students in extended question and answer sessions. Prisca Patrick received a $5,000 scholarship for an essay she wrote on health care. Antron McKay received a $2,500 scholarship for an essay he wrote on community involvement. And Mike Spann received a $1,000 scholarship for a poster he did on The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander. The PPAD faculty members and students are very proud of all of them, and appreciate professort Murray's efforts to make it happen!
(pic in left: a main event in the ballroom; pic in right: Attending students: Alonzo Hutchins, Ashley Caples, Kafond Wilder, Prisca Patrick,Antron Mckay,and Mike Spann)
(pic in left: with Mayor Tony Yarber of City of Jackson, MS; pic in right: Ms. Prisca Patrick with the award)
(pics showing presenting students from left: Alonzo Hutchins, Ashley Caples, Prisca Patrick, and Kafond Wilder)
