Scene  from Spring 2012 Open House

Huntsville, Ala. ---- Alabama A&M University is motivating its, students, faculty, staff and alumni to play an even greater role in the recruitment of new Bulldogs.

AAMU is extending an invitation to high school seniors and transfer students from across the country to attend its second spring “Open House” Saturday, April 6, at the T.M. Elmore Building. Registration extends from 7-8:45 a.m. This year’s event is slated to share one of its activities—“The Student Finale”—with the well-established fun-day fest of the Youth Motivation Task Force (YMTF), according to Venita Clisby King, AAMU assistant vice president for enrollment management and director of admissions.

Not only are campus teams organizing statewide bus tours to take “The Hill” throughout Alabama, but they are also coordinating high school visits nationally, all while continuing to focus on local students, King says.

A brief program will start at 9 a.m., featuring greetings from AAMU President Andrew Hugine, Jr., as well as messages and performances from student leaders and organizations, respectively. Miss AAMU Monique Morris is slated to bring greetings, and the AAMU cheerleaders and band members will shore up a list of entertaining performances.

Academic exhibits of the University’s four large colleges will be set up at accessible locations around the gymnasium from 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m. “We are glad that the academic side of the campus is excited about the open house,” King adds. “There are new programs and enhanced programs, and this is a great time to showcase them.”

Meanwhile, the University Echoes, AAMU’s active student ambassadors, will conduct campus tours in 45-minute intervals from 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. from the front of the Elmore Building. The tours will be coordinated by admissions staff and local NASA volunteers.

Hourly ‘Mega Workshops’ will be held in the auditorium of the Elmore Building beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing through 1 p.m. on such topics as financial aid, student activities, residential life and what parents need to know, says King. She adds that onsite scholarships will also be available, and the University is making special appeals to local students.

Student participants also will have an opportunity to meet AAMU faculty, staff, students and alumni throughout a full day of activities. Additionally, admission counselors will be on hand to provide assistance for on-site acceptance, and financial aid representatives will facilitate and finalize financial-aid matters. The University will also award new Grant-In-Aid Packages.

Campus and special city tours will be available for all registered attendees. Interested persons may register individually or as a group. A special student-sponsored event will be presented by the Department of Student Activities and YMTF as the grand Student Finale on The Quad in the center of campus from 2-4 p.m.

Please contact the Office of Admissions at (256) 372-5250 or (800) 553-0816 or

e-mail admissions@aamu.edu for additional information.  

- Jerome Saintjones