Ten thousand students by 2009.
That is the goal set by President Keith McFarland for the number of students enrolled at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated is taking the initiative to help in this feat.
“We are hosting our 2nd Annual Cold War Step Show and our 1st Annual ‘Senior Day with the Alphas’ this Saturday,” Rodney Baker, president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, said.
According to the fraternity, the step show is a highly anticipated cultural unity event and they’ve used the success of last year’s show as the foundation for this year’s theme.
“Our main focus is recruitment and retention,” Baker said. “We are bringing in 50 students from the Dallas area for our senior day program and our goal is to show them that Commerce has just as much to offer as the larger schools in our area.”
Baker said it would not be possible to bring the students to the event without the help of sponsors.
Baker also said that Dr. Brian Nichols, the Interim Dean of Students, paid for the transportation and Dr. Murph and the Enrollment Office made sure that food will be provided for the students.
“We are excited to be making this happen. We as an organization think it is imperative to leave a lasting legacy on our campus,” Baker said. “And we think this weekend’s events can get going in the right direction to meeting Dr. McFarland’s goal of 10,000 students.”
Along with the step show and senior day activities, the Alphas also have up-and-coming R&B artist Pretty Willie and Rapper Rasheeda coming to perform. BET “Comic View” comedian Arvin Mitchell will be hosting the show.
“We thought that it was crucial in planning this events to bring in performers that are appealing to our campus. Many people know about both of these artists, and they are providing so much publicity for the university through word-of-mouth and their personal myspace.com pages,” Baker said.
Anthony Cullins, an undergraduate student and member of Alpha Phi Alpha, said that he has looked through statistics provided to him from administration and noticed that more students are applying to A&M-Commerce, but they are not enrolled when the semester begins.
“We think that A&M-Commerce has just as much to offer as the larger schools around the DFW area. And we just want to show our campus and the students participating in senior day a good time,” Cullins said.
Many offices and administrators throughout campus have co-sponsored the event. Sponsors include Vice President of Business and Administration, College of Education and Human Services, the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, McDonald’s, College of Business and Technology, Campus Recreation Center, Guaranty Bond Bank, the Athletic Department, the President’s Office, Admissions Office and the Provost’s Office.
“Breakout Entertainment paid for the host of the show. We are grateful for our sponsors. We know that they support us so much, and we are thankful to have them behind us,” Baker said.
“The Alphas have a legitimate plan. I believe in the program because it’s a part of one of our national programs, ‘Go to High School, Go to College,'” Robert Dotson, Director of the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs, said.
Dotson added, “I applaud their efforts to take on the responsibility of making themselves a part of the holistic university team and not relying on administration to get to the ideal 10,000 students by engaging themselves in this effort,”
The Alphas will also be hosting a pep rally Saturday at 12 p.m. on the East Lawn. Free food will be served and everyone is welcome.
The Cold War Step Show will start at 6 p.m. in the Ferguson Auditorium and tickets are available for $20 at the Candy Corner on the second floor of the Sam