30 years of ‘Aggie Excellence’: N.C. A&T MANRRS chapter celebrates its founding, future

Past met present as three generations of N.C. A&T MANRRS members gathered to commemorate 30 years of the chapter’s history this month.

The university chapter of MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences), a club in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, celebrated its   anniversary this month at the University Farm Pavilion.

A national organization founded in 1985, the MANRRS mission across all national and collegiate entities has been to promote academic and professional advancement, achievement and inclusion for members of all racial and ethnic groups in agricultural and related sciences.

In 1994, N.C. A&T began its own MANRRS chapter led by then-student president and now CAES associate dean of academics Antoine Alston, Ph.D.

“The MANRRS chapter of North Carolina A&T has not wasted time – it has made so much of its time,” said Alston, who currently serves on the national advisory board. “Through this chapter, we have produced doctors of veterinary medicine, medical doctors, lawyers, teachers, administrators, scientists, leaders in the field of food and environmental sciences. I’m so proud to look around and see the ‘Aggie Excellence’ in this room.”

Miles Lee, 1890s Scholar and current MANRRS chapter president, called the event “a reunification of our original purpose”.

 “This is 30 years of empowering students and professionals to have a grander stance in their career and to have more autonomy and choices in what they do,” said Lee. “We have three generations of MANRRS members in this room who’ve gone on to have master’s degrees, Ph.Ds., professors, teachers, community leaders. That’s what tonight’s event is about.”

During the course of the evening, which included live music, a formal dinner and awards presented to former chapter presidents, national MANRRS representatives commemorated the chapter’s three decades.

In the keynote address, Derris Burnett, Ph.D., associate professor of Mississippi State University and current MANRRS national president, congratulated Alston and the chapter members for their continued endurance and growth in the program.

Antoine Alston, Ph.D., associate dean of academic studies, speaks during the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) 30th anniversary program.

“Dr. Alston has, and you all have, put in 30 years of intentional effort, and I use that word deliberately,” said Burnett. “It’s intentional because you have not just gone through the motions to have sustained a chapter and built a chapter of this caliber. When you talk about ‘Aggie Excellence’, you feel that when you walk on campus, walk through the halls, and I certainly feel that in this room today.”

Marcus Bernard, Ph.D., former MANRRS national president and a 2008 N.C. A&T alum, provided an overview of both the national organization’s history and the university’s chapter, as well as emphasized MANRRS’ role in training not only students and industry professionals, but youth as well through its Junior MANRRS program.

“Know that you have an organization that’s strong, and is on the same stage, as our national president just said, with all of your other youth development and professional organizations,” Bernard said. “Folks had said ‘it ain’t over’, and said that we will be on the same stage as all of the other youth organizations to make sure that our youth, our children, and our students have the same opportunities and more.”

Stephon Fitzpatrick , MANRRS national president-elect and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s executive director for the Commission of Agricultural Education Excellence, said the current and incoming members encouraged him about the future of the organization.

“When I look at the generation that’s in this room today, to my collegiate members and my Junior MANRRS members, your participation is not just an internship,” said Fitzpatrick. “I don’t want to just bring you in a room, say you have a job, say you have MANRRS on your resume and then, boom, success. I want you to get into those organizations, get that sense of belonging and make sure that you’re supported. You have so many national presidents, chapter presidents, ambassadors here in this room, and I hope that you see being a part of this chapter can change your life.”

In closing remarks, animal science major and Region II Undergraduate Vice President Janaia Madden thanked Alston for his contributions to the chapter.

“This is a memorable moment for me because the person who started our MANRRS chapter 30 years ago is the same person who introduced me to it,” said Madden of Alston. “Thank you for keeping your MANRRS passion and allowing us to be a part of your journey as well as cultivating our paths.”