N.C. A&T Alumni Give to General Scholarship Fund in Mangol’s Memory
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumni are donating nearly $8,000 to the General Scholarship Fund in memory of Anthony “Tony” Mangol during a homecoming tradition he is credited with helping to establish more than 40 years ago.
Mangol, known to his dearest friends as “Jamaica,” died suddenly May 8 at his home in Starke, Florida. He was 65 years old.
Mangol started tailgating in the old Student Union parking lot the Friday before the Aggies’ homecoming football game when he attended the university in the late ‘70s, longtime friend and fellow N.C. A&T graduate Pam Buncum said. It soon grew from a casual gathering of friends to a time-honored tradition that draws hundreds of people during the Greatest Homecoming on Earth (GHOE).
“Jamaica was the main motivator and it kept growing, especially in the era of social media,” Buncum said. “He became an unofficial ambassador for the university, making sure we alumni always gave back and did our part to recruit students.”
“Jamaica was instrumental in bringing AGGIES together – whether it’s homecoming, the Celebration Bowls in Atlanta or the Seabreeze Jazz festivals in Panama City Beach, Florida,” said Norman Jones, another longtime friend and fellow alumnus. “Jamaica ensured people knew the North Carolina A&T Aggies were in the HOUSE!”
The Aggie alumni family decided the best way to pay tribute to Mangol’s decades of dedication was to raise money for the General Scholarship Fund, ensuring that current and future students have the opportunity to make the most of their N.C. A&T experience. They have worked with P. Kevin Williamson, assistant vice chancellor major gifts and annual giving, to make their plan a reality.
“Jamaica was like a brother to me, always encouraging and full of laughter,” said Allen Anderson. “He exemplifies Aggie Pride but more importantly how we live our lives: loving and serving others.”
Jones created the memorial fundraiser via GoFundMe in August with a $5,000 goal. A total of $7,900 was raised by Oct. 19.
A brief program was held on Friday, Oct. 25, in the Parking Lot 39, at the end of North Luther Street behind the Student Health Center. It featured a balloon release, a banner depicting Mangol and his beloved kites, and a check presentation to Division of University Advancement staff member.
Donations can still be made online. Choose the General Scholarship Fund when prompted to give a designation and include “In memory of Jamaica Mangol” in the comments section.
“This will be our first homecoming without him. It will be bittersweet, but this is what Aggies do,” Buncum said. “We want to make sure his legacy lives on through this effort, which won’t end when homecoming is over.”
“Though our beloved Jamaica has gone on to glory, his Aggie spirit will continue to run deep through us all,” Jones said. “Now, we must pick up the baton and continue the tradition, which Jamaica helped establish, to extend and enhance our fellowship and togetherness during special occasions anytime, anywhere. But (it is) most important that we continue to express our love for each other as Jamaica so unselfishly showed it to us.”
Mangol, who was born to James Mangol and the late Lois Jackson Mangol in Jamaica, West Indies, graduated from N.C. A&T in December 1981 with a B.S. in child development. He began his career working as a drug counselor and retired as counselor manager for Job Corps in Little Rock, Arkansas.
In addition to being a nonstop Aggie ambassador, Mangol provided countless volunteer hours and donations to many nonprofits and community efforts including Special Olympics and the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County Youth Basketball League. He also served as precinct clerk poll worker for the Bradford County (Florida) Supervisor of Elections Office and was a board member for several professional organizations; City of Starke Fire and Police Pension Board, Santa Fe College Bradford County Initiative Committee, Santa Fe College Andrews Advisory Committee, and Communities In Schools/Take Stock in Children.
Mangol is also lovingly remembered for his artistic ability to make and fly kites. The kites could often be seen flying high throughout the city of Starke. He loved photography and captured many memorable moments with all who loved him. He had a passion for music as well and was a huge fan of smooth jazz.
Along with the members of his Aggie family and his father, Mangol is survived by his wife of 33 years, Shirley Fayson Mangol, daughters Mercilla Mangol Chambers and Gia Griggs, five grandchildren, five siblings, and a host of other relatives and friends.
