BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
For decades, there has been a rivalry between two historically Black institutions of higher learning. The rivalry has pitted family members and friends against each other when the two schools meet in competition.
However, recently, the two institutions, Bethune-Cookman University, Hillsborough County Alumni Chapter and Florida A & M University, Tampa Alumni Chapter, recently set the rivalry aside to work together. The schools have entered into a partnership to participate in the HBCU Round-Up.
Alumni members from both schools will host the “First Annual College Fun Day In The Park.” The event will take place on Saturday, April 6th, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. It will be held at MacFarlane Park, Shelter #405, 1700 N. MacDill Avenue.
A graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, Mrs. Regina Lock-DePass said, “This is the first time these two HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have come together to make history and create a family atmosphere while promoting community development.”
Mrs. Lock-DePass also said the event is historical because this is the first time the two groups have united to accomplish a common goal. She further stated that the last time the schools jointly worked together was several years ago when Tampa hosted the Florida Classic.
“The two HBCUs realize the missed opportunity in the Tampa Bay Area since the Florida Classic Football game no longer occurs in Tampa. This game was a sincere loss to the local community. Both universities have a long standing history together so the alumni in the Tampa Bay Area decided to sponsors an event to bring the two history making schools together for the first time…
“The Florida Classic Football game in some cases can be life changing… I decided that after my first game in Tampa I wanted to attend a HBCU for my future and as a result I graduated from BC-U in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology,” she said.
Some of the planned activities include a Health Fair and College Awareness. Designed as a family event, the event will also offer food, games, and a wide variety of family-oriented events.
For more information, contact Jackie Hearns, (FAMU Alumni) at (813) 453-2871; Mrs. Lock-DePass, (BC-U Alumni) at (813) 814-3958; or visit the website at HYPERLINK “http://www.alumnitampabay.org” www.alumnitampabay.org.
