A Debt Free Road to New York City

Charles Magee, PhD

Professor
Biological and Agricultural
Systems Engineering (BASE)
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
University (FAMU)

New York City, one of the worlds greatest metropolis, and a city where
one can find love, joy, happiness, sadness, and all the material things the
world has to offer. At some point every man, woman, or child would
like to visit New York City. In this case, New York City is just a
metaphor for reaching ones goal in life. For many parents with children
getting ready to embark on a college education, New York City would
be for their child to graduate from college debt free. If one were to look
at a map of the United States you would see that there are many roads to
New York City; county roads (work & loans), state roads (parents pay),
US highways (federal financial aid), and interstate highways
(scholarships). The road you take to New York City will depend on
where you live. The road to a debt free college graduation for your child
will probably depend on financial aid and scholarships received.
It is a fact that financial aid will not cover all the expenses of a college
education, and only a hand full of students are able to travel the
interstate (full scholarships) route to a debt free college education.
However, just like traveling to New York City you must travel a
combination of roads to get there. If your child is unable to travel the
interstate to New York City, the Biological and Agricultural Systems
Engineering (BASE) program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
University (FAMU) would like to identify some other roads your child
can travel at FAMU and probably graduate from college debt free.
Out of State Students:
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Scenario 1: GPA 3.50/4.00; Test Score: ACT> 27 or SAT > 1800

The current estimated annual cost for an out of state student to attend
FAMU is around $32,000 dollars.
Financial Resources:
BASE Scholarship*
Out of State Tuition Waivers
University and College Scholarships

$17,000
$10,000
$5,000
Total

$32,000

*All students on BASE scholarships are eligible to compete for paid

summer internships with USDA agencies.
Scenario 2: GPA > 3.00/4.00; Score: ACT > 24 or SAT > 1600
Financial Resources:
BASE Scholarship*
Out of State Tuition Waivers
University and College Scholarships
Student Contributions

$16,000
$10,000
$5,000
$1,000
Total

$32,000

In State Students:
Scenario 1: GPA > 3.50/4.00; Test Score: ACT > 27 or SAT > 1800
The current estimated annual cost for an in state student to attend FAMU
is around $15,000 dollars.
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Financial Resources:
BASE Scholarship*
University and College Scholarships

$10,000
$5,000
Total

$15,000

Scenario 2: GPA > 3.00/4.00; Score: ACT > 24 or SAT > 1600
Financial Resources:
BASE Scholarship*
University and College Scholarships
Student Contributions
Parents Contributions

$8,000
$5,000
$1,000
$1,000
Total

$15,000

*All students on BASE scholarships are eligible to compete for paid

summer internships with USDA agencies.
Beyond the scholarships in BASE, there are some career and
philosophical reasons why your child should consider BASE as a major.
Some of the reasons are the following:
1. In 2009, the BASE program was identified by the Thurgood
Marshall College Fund (TMCF) as a STEM program of
excellence.
2. The BASE program is an ABET accredited engineering
program.

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3. Graduates of the BASE program have pursued graduate study

at 21 plus universities.
4. Seven of BASEs graduates have earned PhD degrees. The
degrees were earned in the following fields and universities:
Field

University

Agricultural Engineering

University of Florida

Biological Engineering

University of Arizona

Biological & Environmental

Engineering

Cornell University

Biomedical Engineering

University of Florida

Environmental Toxicology

FAMU

Molecular Biology

University of AlabamaBirmingham

Higher Ed. Administration

University of IllinoisChicago

5. More than 50% of BASEs graduates have pursued advanced

degrees.
6. The first African American female to earn a PhD degree in
Biological and Environmental Engineering from Cornell
University is a BASE graduate.

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7. All graduates of the BASE program have gained employment

within six months after graduation.
8. A sample of employers of BASE graduates is the following:
Archer Daniel Midland (ADM)
Cargill
Pepsico
Gator Ade
Kraft
Tyson
J.P. Morgan Chase
USDA/NRCS
EPA
Eli Lilly
United States Patent & Trademark Office
University of Florida
Oregon State University
Cornell University
U S Federal Highway Dept.
Chicago Public School System
Texas Dept. of Environmental Protection
Stetson University
Anderson Consulting
Now let me address the myth that if you send your child to a Historically
Black College or University (HBCU) they will receive an inferior
education. Yes, the majority institutions may have more money and
better facilities, but the question you should ask yourself is; do they have
a greater commitment to the education of your child, especially in the
STEM fields. It may appear to be the case. However, take the case of
the little old man named Joseph Buzzardbread. All of his life both
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adults and children in his community made fun of his name, so he finally
got fed up and petitioned the court to have his name changed. When his
case came before the judge, the judge asked the little old man what is the
nature of your case. The little old man said, your honor I would like to
change my name, and the judge said with the name Buzzardbread I can
understand your desire. The judge then granted the little old man his
request, and asked the little old man what would you like to change your
name to; the little old man paused, and said Henry. The point of this
anecdotal story is to demonstrate that things are not always as they
appear to be. I can tell you that your child will receive a great education
in BASE at FAMU and you may doubt it, but if your child experiences a
BASE education for himself or herself they cannot doubt it.
Further, it has been stated that the majority of the students at HBCUs are
chunks of coal, meaning that they are not college material. Well, the
last time I checked both coal and diamonds are carbon based elements
and with enough pressure and nurturing coal can be turned into
diamonds. We also know that coal is a form of energy and the first law
of thermodynamics states that energy can be neither created nor
destroyed but can be transformed from one form to another. This is
what we do at FAMU, include students that have been deemed to be
chunks of coal and transform them into diamonds. At FAMU we dont
give degrees, but we do give all students an opportunity to earn a degree.
Lastly, it has been said that in life we seldom get a second chance, under
the same circumstances, to make a life changing decision. And the great
difference between those individuals who succeed in life and those who
fail is how he or she uses his or her first chance. This is your childs
opportunity to select a college major that will provide a secure future,
career, and possibly a debt free college education.

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