Engineering Professor Turner is Men's Prayer Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis

Mr. Vewiser “VJ” Turner, an adjunct Professor of Senior Design and Professionalism in the Electrical Engineering Department of the Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View A&M University is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church on April 27, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall the church on 204 Dooley Street, Prairie View.

Turner is a native Houstonian and holds the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas-Austin.  Following graduation, Turner accepted a position with ExxonMobil and after for 35
years of service, he retired in March 2017. During his tenure with ExxonMobil, he held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in Gas Production, Refining, Planning, and Information Technology business segments. 


VJ has served on the NSBE Region V advisory board, Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering advisory board, and the Board of Directors for the Houston A+ Foundation. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas.  He has been recognized with the Distinguished NACME Alumni award and Texas-Ex Distinguished African-American award. VJ always knew he would return to his Alma Mater and to give back to the younger students.  His live has been guided by the God's promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 St. Francis of Assisi will also host the Houston Foodbank/Kraft Mobile Food distribution at the church on 204 Dooley Street on Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free fruits and vegetables distribution is available to anyone in need in Waller County Area. No qualifications required. Patrons are asked to bring bags, boxes or carts to carry the food items. Persons will be also able to sign up for other social services, i.e. SNAPS.

Members of the community are also invited to attend the weekly Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

204 Dooley Street

Prairie View, TX 77445

936-857-3272

stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net

Luther V. Francis is Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Mr. Luther V. Francis is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, is set for Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall the church on 204 Dooley Street.  Mr. Francis is a former administrator and educator with Prairie View A&M University, former Council member for the City of Prairie View. Patrons are asked to confirm attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Mr. Francis is a native of Paris, Texas and the only son of Ethel and I. V. Francis. He grew up and attended high school in the East Texas towns and upon graduation enrolled at Prairie View A&M University.

Mr. Francis holds the Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and a Masters from Texas A&M University.  His professional experiences include serving as a professor of Electrical Engineering and Director of Physical Plant and Planning at Prairie View A&M University.  After some 45 years of service, Mr. Francis retired from the university.  He also served in the United States Army on the mainland and in Europe.  He also completed two terms as a member of the Prairie View City Council and Business owner in the city.

He is a member for the First United Methodist Church Prairie View and the Prairie View Athletic Club. “Part of Mr. Francis’ contribution to the Prairie View was involvement of design and building of several residential homes, along with his business partner, Austin E. Greaux, former dean of the College of Engineering.  Francis was also involved in the design and rerouting of FM 1098 around the campus as we have it today.  Previously the street ran through the campus.

You are cordially invited to  participate in the St. Francis of Assisi will also host the Houston Foodbank/Kraft Mobile Food distribution at the church on 204 Dooley Street on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free fruits and vegetables distribution is available to anyone in need in Waller County Area. No qualifications required.   Patrons are asked to bring bags, boxes or carts to carry the food items. Persons will be also able to sign up for other social services, i.e. SNAPS.

Members of the community are also invited to attend the weekly Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m. 

Olympian Fred Newhouse is speaker for Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi

The men of St. Francis of Assisi will host its Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall the church on 204 Dooley Street. The speaker is Frederick ‘Fred’ Newhouse, retired Director of Public Affairs for Valero Energy’s regional refining operations and current as the Assistant Treasurer of the Prairie View A&M University Foundation.

Fred is a native of Hallsville and is a graduate of Galilee High School in Hallsville.  After high school, he attended Prairie View A&M University and the University of Washington, earning the Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Masters of International Business, respectively.  Between undergraduate and graduate school, he served two years in the United States Army.  Following his services in the army, he joined Exxon Mobil where he served in a variety of engineering, human resources, and public affairs positions at operations in Texas, California, and Louisiana.  He later joined Valero Energy.

While at Prairie View A&M, Fred was a three time All-American and National Champion in Track and Field.  In 1971 he earned a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia and in 1976, he won Gold and Silver Medals in the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada.  In 2000, he was appointed Team Leader for the United States Men’s Track and Field squad to the Olympic Games in Sydney, Austria.  He continues to serve as the Referee for the Texas Relays and the Texas State UIL Track and Field Championships.  He was also one of the organizers of the Northwest Flyers Track Club in Houston.  Newhouse was inducted into the Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame, Class of 2014 and the Prairie View Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

In his civic life, Fred has volunteered in many capacities including the Boards of Directors for United States Olympic Committee and USA Track and Field.  He is past Chairman of the Board of the Texas City/ LaMarque Chamber of Commerce, Chair-elect for the Houston East End Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Houston’s Community Family Center, and Vice-chair of the Black Heritage Committee – Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Fred also serves on the Capital Campaign Committee for Prairie View A&M University and is an avid supporter of the United Way and Boy Scouts of America.

Fred is a member of the Fallbrook Church.  He and his wife Rhonda, have 2 daughters - Vonda and Benecia; a son-in-law, Pele’ Nunley (Vonda’s husband); and two wonderful grandsons, Andre’ and Bryce.  His hobbies are gardening, ranching, and volunteering in youth oriented programs.

St. Francis of Assisi will also host the Houston Foodbank/Kraft Mobile Food distribution at the church on 204 Dooley Street on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free fruits and vegetables distribution is available to anyone in need in Waller County Area. No qualifications required. Patrons are asked to bring bags, boxes or carts to carry the food items. Persons will be also able to sign up for other social services, i.e. SNAPS.

Members of the community are also invited to attend the weekly Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

204 Dooley Street

Prairie View, TX 77445

936-857-3272

stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net

Prairie View Postmaster Braun Bryant is Men's Breakfast Speaker

Braun Bryant is the Postmaster for the United States Post Office in Prairie View is the speaker for the  monthly Men's Prayer Breakfast at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, set for Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall the church on 204 Dooley Street.  The free breakfast is open to the men of the community, who are asked to confirm their attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

Mr. Bryant became the first man named Postmaster for the United States Post Office in Prairie View in spring 2018.  He is a native Houstonian and is a graduate of James Madison High School and earned an Associate Degree in Business from the University of Houston.  He is a Licensed Worker's Comp Adjuster and a Licensed Real Estate Agent.   Prior to joining the Postal Service, Mr. Bryant worked as a Worker's Compensation Insurance Adjuster for The University of Texas. In this position he was responsible for ensuring that the employee’s rights were respected and the employer’s rights were protected, and that the employee received appropriate and adequate compensation for claims against the company’s insurance. 

Mr. Bryant has more than twenty-seven years of service with the United States Postal Service.  He began his employment with the Post Office in 1997, and over the years has served as a Postal Supervisor and a Manager at various stations throughout the Houston District from east to west and north to south, and whatever area in between that need his service.

The public is also reminded that the next Houston Food-Bank KRAFT Mobile Pantry distribution is on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We appreciate all the support and participation.  Please share this information and remind the patrons to bring their bags and boxes for the free items.

We also invite you to participate in our Christian Education and Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.  Our worship service is at 11:00 a.m. Come learn the word and share in the fellowship.

Fred Bonner is Men's Breakfast Speaker at St. Francis of Assisi

Dr. Fred A. Bonner, II, is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, May 19, 2018 hosted by the men of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Prairie View, Texas at 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View. Patrons are asked to confirm attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net so that we may adequately provide for you.

Dr. Bonner is a professor and Endowed Chair in Educational Leadership and Counseling, in the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University, a position he has held since 2014.  Bonner previously held the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education at Rutgers’ Graduate School of Education; Professor of Education and Associate Dean of Faculties, Texas A&M University, College Station, Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Adjunct Professor, Owens Community College-Ohio, Assistant Professor, Bowling Green State University-Ohio and a Fellow with the American Council on Education (ACE), Norfolk, Virginia.

Bonner holds the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and College Teaching from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Baylor University, Waco, Texas and the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas and the Certification of Educators in Texas.

Bonner is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Association for Higher Education Black Caucus Dissertation Award, the Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundation's Dissertation of the Year Award from the University Of Arkansas College Of Education, the Extraordinary Service Award from the Texas A&M University College of Education and Human Development, the Faculty Member of the Year and the Texas A&M University Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education (SAAHE) Cohort.  He is the author several books including "Diverse Millennial Students in College" and “Building on Resilience: Models and Frameworks of Black Male Success Across the P-20 Pipeline,” which highlights the experiences of postsecondary gifted African American male undergraduates in predominantly white and Historically Black college contexts (Academically Gifted African American Male College Students) and his research, manuscripts, monographs and journal articles have been featured in both national and international publications.  Bonner is regularly called on to serve as lecturer, speaker, and presenter to share his research and knowledge at various workshops, seminars and conferences throughout the country.

Bonner has completed three summers as a research fellow with the Yale University Psychology Department (PACE Center) focusing on issues that impact academically gifted African American male college students. He spent several years as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow in the Office of the President at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Bonner holds and has held membership in several civic, social and professional organizations to include the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, American College Personnel Association, Association for the Study of Higher Education, Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., to name a few.

Bonner is well respected in the educational community for his in depth research studies and collaboration to improve the achievement and professional and educational development gap of African American males in the society.

St. Francis of Assisi will also host the Houston Foodbank/Kraft Mobile Food distribution at the church on 204 Dooley Street on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free fruits and vegetables distribution is available to anyone in need in Waller County Area. No qualifications required. Patrons are asked to bring bags, boxes or carts to carry the food items. Persons will be also able to sign up for other social services, i.e. SNAPS.

Members of the community are also invited to attend the weekly Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m.

Corey S. Bradford is Men's Breakfast Speaker for February

Dr. Corey S. Bradford, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Prairie View A&M University is the speaker for the Men's Prayer Breakfast on February 17 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 204 Dooley Street in Prairie View. Patrons are asked to confirm attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net so that we may adequately provide for you.

Bradford, who joined the university in July 2011 will share his experiences and provide vital information to the current projects and future development underway at the university. As part of his duties Bradford ensures PVAMU’s fiscal responsibility through cultivating revenue sources through new, innovative ways with an interest in research.

Since his appointment, Dr. Bradford is credited with constructing a very impressive portfolio that has reached various facets of the university. Some of his accomplishments include:  Increasing the financial health of PVAMU; established fiscally sound practices that have resulted in increasing cash reserve balances totaling over $170 million (record high);  Led initiatives to bring about greater economic development activities and job creations such as the construction of the Panther Plaza Retail Center, increased minority contractors/firms doing business with the University; and worked closely with the Waller County Economic Development Council and Texas HWY 36A project to spur on local development; PVAMU’s total annual economic impact on the state of Texas was estimated around $700 million per year; Helped to secure $30 million in additional research funding from TAMUS Chancellor Research Initiative and Research Development Fund; Supported new campus initiatives from internal reallocations of annual cost savings; examples include: Leadership PVAMU, COMPASS retention program, Chinese Confucius Institute, additional summer bridge programs, increased scholarships, increased minimum wage, and student withdrawal insurance, etc.; Oversaw a successful HUB vendor program, which ranked in the top 10 in Texas among all state agencies in doing business with minority vendors; and Provided executive leadership in updating the new University Strategic Plan for 2016-2021.

The St. Louis native has an established career in higher education. Prior to PVAMU he served as assistant vice president for financial and administrative affairs and ethics officer at the Southern Illinois University System. Prior to that post, Bradford was the assistant to the vice president for planning and budget and budget analyst for the SIU System. During his time with the SIU System, he played a role in securing $3 billion in state appropriations.

Bradford earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Studies and a master’s in Applied Math and Statistics from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He received an educational certificate from the Harvard Institute for Management Development and earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Bradford is a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, the Central Association of College and University Business Officers, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the American Mathematical Society, the SIU Alumni Association and the SIUE Alumni Association.

St. Francis of Assisi will also host the Houston Foodbank/Kraft Mobile Food distribution at the church on 204 Dooley Street on Thursday, March 15, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The free fruits and vegetables distribution is available to anyone in need in Waller County Area. No qualifications required. Patrons are asked to bring bags, boxes or carts to carry the food items. Persons will be also able to sign up for other social services, i.e. SNAPS.

Members of the community are also invited to attend the weekly Bible Study on Sundays at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m.