2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Spotlight: Men of Honor President Jammie Jelks
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Features
Over the years, the Men of Honor organization has allowed African-American men to solidify their identity in a predominately white community.
"For me, Men of Honor was what made Chico feel like home," President Jammie Jelks said. "I, like most black males here at CSU, Chico, am not from Chico. At times I walked around school feeling lonely, as though there was no one like me (who) understood exactly what it was I was going through."
Men of Honor serves as a support group for African-American men at the university and in the community, he said. Its members put on programs and perform community service to help build an inclusive environment for all students.
For many students, Men of Honor provides an opportunity for brotherhood and commonality, Jelks said. This helps create bridges between the black community and other student populations and student organizations on campus.
As president of the organization and A.S. director of legislative affairs, Jelks works as a role model for students, proving that anything they set their minds to can be achieved - not only in the campus community but in the Chico community overall, he said.
"This organization gives me room to exercise my leadership abilities, while still working to improve other ones," he said. "I get to better serve the underrepresented students here at CSU, Chico - something I am extremely passionate about doing."
Through community service activities, Men of Honor strives to provide a positive image for African-American men on campus, Jelks said. In doing this, they also provide a shared space for African Americans to feel more comfortable on campus.
"With that comfortability, students are more likely to step out and take risks and get involved in other aspects of the university, thus serving students," he said.
For students, the organization has provided African-American men a community of like-minded individuals set out to make a positive change, he said.
"In Men of Honor, I found other black men that I felt related to me and had been through similar experiences as myself," Jelks said.
Jelks recalls being able to talk with students about their issues and develop methods for overcoming them, he said. He gives credit to past members, saying the organization wouldn't be possible without them and the constant support he receives.
"The one thing that I would have to say is that Men of Honor is only standing here today because of those dedicated individuals that came before," he said. "They were willing to put all personal issues aside and address a cultural issue. We have great faculty and staff members that continuously support us in all that we do."
The organization meets at 5 p.m. Mondays in the Cross Cultural Leadership Center.
- Sasha Knox
"For me, Men of Honor was what made Chico feel like home," President Jammie Jelks said. "I, like most black males here at CSU, Chico, am not from Chico. At times I walked around school feeling lonely, as though there was no one like me (who) understood exactly what it was I was going through."
Men of Honor serves as a support group for African-American men at the university and in the community, he said. Its members put on programs and perform community service to help build an inclusive environment for all students.
For many students, Men of Honor provides an opportunity for brotherhood and commonality, Jelks said. This helps create bridges between the black community and other student populations and student organizations on campus.
As president of the organization and A.S. director of legislative affairs, Jelks works as a role model for students, proving that anything they set their minds to can be achieved - not only in the campus community but in the Chico community overall, he said.
"This organization gives me room to exercise my leadership abilities, while still working to improve other ones," he said. "I get to better serve the underrepresented students here at CSU, Chico - something I am extremely passionate about doing."
Through community service activities, Men of Honor strives to provide a positive image for African-American men on campus, Jelks said. In doing this, they also provide a shared space for African Americans to feel more comfortable on campus.
"With that comfortability, students are more likely to step out and take risks and get involved in other aspects of the university, thus serving students," he said.
For students, the organization has provided African-American men a community of like-minded individuals set out to make a positive change, he said.
"In Men of Honor, I found other black men that I felt related to me and had been through similar experiences as myself," Jelks said.
Jelks recalls being able to talk with students about their issues and develop methods for overcoming them, he said. He gives credit to past members, saying the organization wouldn't be possible without them and the constant support he receives.
"The one thing that I would have to say is that Men of Honor is only standing here today because of those dedicated individuals that came before," he said. "They were willing to put all personal issues aside and address a cultural issue. We have great faculty and staff members that continuously support us in all that we do."
The organization meets at 5 p.m. Mondays in the Cross Cultural Leadership Center.
- Sasha Knox
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