Hello FAMUly!

I want to thank the FAMU team for hosting an outstanding Board of Governors meeting on campus, March 28 and 29. The meeting was well attended, and the planning and execution were exceptional. In fact, the security measures we put in place will become the template for future meetings, according to Chief Terence Calloway. The University’s presentation was also well received, including the video introducing three of our outstanding student leaders.

#FAMU Shorts

Additionally, last week two new members of the FAMU Board of Trustees were appointed. College of Law alumnus Deveron Gibbons and Attorney Natlie G. Figgers appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate. I am delighted to welcome Trustee Figgers and Trustee Gibbons to the Board of Trustees. Their appointments come at an exciting time for FAMU. We look forward to their contributions as we continue our focus on student success and push toward becoming one of the Top 100 public national universities and Carnegie Research 1 status. I also want to thank Dr. Kimberly Moore and Dave Lawrence for their service on the board and the many contributions they made for the betterment of FAMU. 

Our annual Spring Preview saw more than 3,000 prospective students and parents come to the “Highest of Seven Hills” to learn more and experience FAMU in person. Many thanks to the Division of Student Affairs for hosting an outstanding event. Needless to say, the Marching “100” performance during the “Preview” program was a major hit.

#FAMU Shorts

#FAMU Shorts (Marching "100" Performance Clip)

As we closed out the month of March and Women’s History Month, First Lady Sharon Robinson welcomed more than 20 community partners in health and wellness to campus to celebrate Women’s History Month. During the event, hundreds of attendees engaged in activities that focused on empowering women in the community and on campus. Students, faculty, and staff could receive free HIV testing, sickle cell, and health screenings.

#FAMU Shorts

#FAMU Shorts (A profile of Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Ph.D.)

Thank you to the Rattler Battalion for their consistent and continued support of the University. A special shout-out to Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Rick Kinsey for his call to action and making this effort happen. Each contributor to the FAMU Army ROTC Leadership Legacy Scholarship is making an annual gift for the Cadets of the Rattler Battalion.

#FAMU Shorts

Hats off to the Office of Communications and Graphic Designer Brion Eason. FAMU won the Bronze Award for the design of College of Love and Charity Umbrella, a Gold Award for Special Events for the Harambee Festival design, and a Gold Award for the Harambee logo in the Logos/Trademarks/Mascots category.

Finally, “The Dark Cloud Challenge” is for anyone who feels they have what it takes to successfully convey the “Rattler Charge.” We are asking students, alumni and friends to upload a “Dark Cloud Challenge” video to their social media account and send it to 1887strikes@famu.edu to be uploaded to FAMU’s YouTube channel. The Challenge will launch after April 3 and end April 17. The top 3 videos with the most likes on the FAMUTUBE1887 YouTube channel will be featured on the “1887 Strikes” Day of Giving website. The categories to enter include: Students, Alumni, Friends of FAMU, Faculty/Staff or Group. The top 3 videos will be posted on www.1887strikes.com by 9 a.m., on Thursday, April 20 and will remain until 4:27 p.m., Friday, April 21. The video with the most votes on www.1887strikes.com during the 1,887 minutes will be the winner. The Grand Prize is a $250 Barnes & Noble gift card. The winning video will air at the 2023 Homecoming Convocation ceremony. 

Keep “Striking from the Top!”

Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

President