Jacques Purvis: Young and In Charge

It’s not everyday a sophomore comes on Howard’s campus and begins taking over, but that’s exactly how it happened with sophomore political science and psychology major, Jacques Purvis.

Purvis, from Houston, decided to step into the political scene of Howard at an early age. Along with a few friends, he decided he would bring a different perspective to the University.

Purvis is currently the president of the Arts and Sciences Student Council (ASSC). Along with Dan Blackmore and Jason Ravin, also sophomores, he decided to try and give the Student Council a new edge.

Ravin is the vice president of the ASSC and Blackmore is the treasurer. The three, who were freshman at the time, had a vision. Instead of just talking about things they wanted to change, they stepped up to the plate and put their words into action.

They ran for their positions last spring under the platform C.L.E.A.R., which stands for Continuing the Legacy of Excellence and Responsibility.

During the elections, Purvis says there was a huge controversy because the three men were freshmen. Jacques believes that classification doesn’t limit anyone’s leadership abilities. “The term leader is universal,” he said.

Purvis, Ravin and Blackmore ran for positions in the ASSC because they felt as freshman they had a fresh view about student government and how it should be ran.

This year the ASSC has many plans they feel will better Howard students. The Student Council firmly believes they are not only a programming body but also an actual student government in which they guarantee student voices will be heard.

Purvis, along with others in the council, has restructured the Arts & Sciences vision into four divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Fine Arts. Each division has a board to re-evaluate student concerns and department representatives. Students report to the representatives regarding problems and concerns in the department, and the representatives report the problems to Purvis.

He has planned many programs for the College of Arts and Sciences this year. According to Purvis, the student council will be hosting a “Best Lecture Series” where prominent black leaders will speak to Howard students.

He has also formed a public relations committee that will launch a new Arts and Sciences web site in the coming weeks, which will post a monthly news letter and yearly magazine and his community service branch will be adopting Meyer Elementary School.

Purvis ensures his staff of nine will always be available for their fellow students. He says he works tirelessly to make sure things are great for students.

“Some people think it is a skit but most people put in over 40 hours a week,” Purvis said. “It is not just about the money.”

Purvis is only a sophomore and yet he is already a big name on campus. He is dedicated to showing Howard that he is serious about his vision. He wants to accomplish big goals in his career, and plans to achieve all the goals he has set thus far.

By: Tamrya Byrd

October, 31, 2002