C
RENEL “CJ” FRANCIS is
take my place. With all that, it kind of just
the other hand, is a little shy. We worked
known for his passionate
fitted me, so I just kept on going,” Francis
on him – ‘pulling him up, pulling him
continued.
up, pulling him up,’ and then one day,
approach to leadership. Also named as the Tallahassee Urban League Rising
As Mister FAMU, president of MANRRS
he came in and said I am running for Mr.
Star, Francis is determined to continue
and past president of the Collegiate
FAMU and I was like ‘Oh.’ I gave him his
his family’s legacy by becoming an
100, Francis has developed a skillset
first donation,” Dr. Thomas smiled. “So,
agriculturalist while leaving an impact on
from CAFS that has challenged the
it really makes you feel good to see that
campus.
development of his leadership skills.
they have grown up and become more
According to Francis, he has learned
mature."
“Of all the colleges and schools on campus, CAFS stood out to me because
how to use the power of his influence
As an agribusiness student with a
it offered the right mix of courses, plus
to make a change. “CAFS has definitely
minor in public relations, Francis wants
the many opportunities for professional
contributed to my journey as a student
to focus on communications as it relates
development that I believe that I would
leader. I remember being in Dr. Verian
to agriculture and continue to pass the
not have gotten in any other college,”
Thomas’ first-class learning about time
torch his father gave to him. “My dad
said Francis. “The opportunities that have
management and scheduling,” Francis
has been practicing agriculture for 30
been afforded to me has helped me to
recalled. “And then I've always had the
plus years, so this is something that I've
excel academically and professionally.”
support of Tommeron Timmons, co-
seen throughout my lifetime. And now
advisor for MANRRS and advisor for the
I’m sitting here as a graduating senior,
Collegiate 100.”
also majoring in public relations, which
For Francis, leadership didn’t call him as soon as he arrived on the “Hill.” After observing and learning the ropes, Francis
Tommeron Timmons remembers
is very different,” Francis explained. “I am
felt that it was time to begin leadership.
Francis beginning as an introvert and
trying to put journalism and agriculture
“But when I first came as a freshman, I
is proud to see that he has developed
together. I don’t know if I am going to
never thought I would be where I am
into a passionate student leader and
go into politics or not, but I see myself
today by a long shot. I was just a student.
advocate. “Crenel gives you that passive
out there dealing with communications
I mean, I was literally just a student,”
caring leader who is sympathetic as well
as it pertains to agriculture,” Francis
recalled Francis. “I started realizing
as empathetic,” Timmons described. “He is
concluded.
campaigns and CAFS – and being the
definitely a leader in his own right.”
president of MANRRS, well first being
According to Dr. Thomas, Crenel has
the vice president and a member of the
had a drive since his first-class with her.
Collegiate 100, like I said I waited my turn
With support and coaching, Francis was
and knew when it was the right time to
able to come out of his shell. “Crenel, on
CRENEL "CJ"
16
FRANCIS F LO R I DA A & M UNIV E R S ITY
