Dear FAMUly!

This is my last edition of “Striking From the Top” as the 12th president of Florida A&M University (FAMU), and I must use this opportunity to express my thanks and gratitude for your support of our ascension to one of the Top 100 public universities in the nation. In fact, the 2024 U.S. News & World Report ranked FAMU among the Top 100 National Public Universities, rising 12 places from No. 103 to No. 91. This would not have happened without your dedication, commitment, and generosity.

Over the last seven years, we have accomplished much. U.S. News & World Report also has ranked FAMU the top Public Historically Black College and University for the last five years.  In fact, during the past year we moved up to one of the top three HBCUs in the nation, public and private. Certainly, this is another “proud point” that we all should celebrate. However, most important to me is that FAMU is ranked No. 21 in social mobility among national public universities, a measure of the University’s ability to transform the economic trajectory of our students, alumni, and their families. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal ranked FAMU sixth among its Top 10 universities for career preparation of students. It has been known for generations that FAMU is an institution that focuses on student success and the record number of students applying with their high academic profiles, indicates that the University’s brand is as strong as ever.

Our faculty and staff have increased research funding and expenditures to record levels. We will mark it down that in 2023-2024, research funding exceeded $100 million for the first time in our history and that the attainment of Research 1 status is coming closer and closer into view.

The effectiveness of our fund-raising team and the stewardship of the assets in the FAMU Foundation are reflected in the nearly $27 million raised this year alone and the record value of our endowment overall. We are preparing for the next generation of Rattlers.

For current students, we responded to the demand for on-campus student housing by building the 700-bed FAMU Towers in 2020 and acquiring two 120-bed apartment complexes adjacent to campus in 2023. Earlier this spring we broke ground on the next 700-bed residence hall scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025.

We completed the Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) building on campus, bringing most student services under one roof. The iconic bronze Rattler statue outside welcomes Rattlers, friends, and visitors alike to take their “best shot.” We complemented “Set Friday” with the addition of the Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater and the Knight Foundation Plaza, which serves students, faculty, staff, and the community.

I am very proud of the University’s COVID-19 community response. The longest operating testing and vaccination site in the area was located on the main campus and we established an additional certified testing laboratory at the FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research. Nearly 700,000 tests were provided at the community-based test site with individuals coming from surrounding states, cities, and counties.

I must pause and give thanks to Leon County/City of Tallahassee Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency for the $10 million provided for the Bragg Memorial Stadium renaissance.  We will “pay it forward” through exciting athletic and community events and the economic impacts every time the Rattlers take the field and the stadium rocks with the mesmerizing performances of the Marching "100" Band.

We are pleased to house the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) established by the Florida Legislature to "educate Florida's multi-cultural populations about marijuana for medical use and the impact of the unlawful use of marijuana on Florida's multi-cultural populations." 

While we celebrate the successes above, I know that there have been times when some goals were not achieved, and some outcomes were not expected. Yet, I am convinced that with our collective efforts and unwavering support of this institution’s mission, the next 136 years will be our best years.

It is with this in mind that I encourage you to support wholeheartedly Interim President Timothy Beard, Ph.D. I do so knowing that he inherits a university team and stakeholders committed to “Excellence with Caring,” and building on the brand that demonstrates every day that, “You can get anywhere from FAMU.”

Let me close by saying thank you to my family, particularly to my wife, Sharon, who has stood beside me in every effort to elevate excellence at FAMU. It has been a true partnership, and I am thankful for this journey.

While I may be stepping down from the presidency, this is not a farewell to my FAMUly. Following a sabbatical, I will return to my role as a Distinguished Service Professor in the School of the Environment. I look forward to continuing to contribute to our students’ lives and shaping their ability to address the complex problems confronting our world.

Please remember, we need you as mentors, advocates, and donors. Work just as hard for FAMU in the future as you do right now, for FAMU’s future success depends on it. Together we must all Keep “Striking from the Top!”

Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

President

#FAMU Short - President Robinson Slideshow