The week following Homecoming has been a busy one, filled with meaningful moments that reminded me why our work matters. I am grateful that our Homecoming events were positive, engaging, and successful from an alumni perspective—more to come on that later. On Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a production by the PVAMU Charles Gilpin Players. During the Q&A session, I asked several of the student performers about their academic majors and how they balance their passion for theater and the arts with demanding studies in fields such as Agriculture, Architecture, and Health Sciences. Their responses were thoughtful and inspiring, a reminder that our students continue to bring creativity, discipline, and excellence to everything they do. #StudentsBecomeAlumni On Friday, I traveled to Waco for the homegoing service of Prairie View A&M University alumna Minnie Patterson Cooper Washington ’64, followed by her burial in Austin. At 95 years old, Minnie had lived a remarkable life defined by perseverance, service, and educational excellence. Raised in the small rural community of Granger, Texas, Minnie excelled academically from an early age, graduating as valedictorian of her class at Crispus Attucks High School. She continued her education at the historic Mary Allen College in Crockett, Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Home Economics and distinguished herself as a standout basketball player. From 1962 to 1964, Minnie attended Prairie View A&M University and earned a Master of Education degree. Her journey to Prairie View was shaped by the realities of segregation. Although she lived just steps from the Baylor University campus, she was denied admission because of her race. Undeterred, she found opportunity at Prairie View, an institution that welcomed and empowered students whose aspirations were too often limited elsewhere. Minnie went on to serve as a fourth-grade teacher in Waco ISD for 34 years. Even after retirement, she continued as a substitute teacher and accepted long-term teaching assignments because of her unwavering love for education and her desire to help students succeed. Speaker after speaker at her service reflected on the countless lives she influenced throughout her teaching career. As I listened, I was reminded by how often Minnie credited her Prairie View education for shaping her approach to teaching and learning. She took great pride in her alma mater and marveled at the University's growth over the years. When the new football stadium opened in 2017, she was amazed by how far Prairie View had come. And whenever I saw her, she always asked the same question: "What is new at PV?" Her curiosity, Panther pride, and commitment to education never faded. Minnie Patterson Cooper Washington represented a generation whose sacrifices and determination opened doors for others. Her life stands as a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of Prairie View A&M University alumni who dedicate themselves to serving others. – at Jersey Village, TX