Spring 2023 A&M Magazine

Behind the Cover

Nevaeh Palmer

Major: Graphic Design

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Class of 2024

Being a Rattler means embracing every aspect of yourself and daring to take on the challenges of being the greatest at what you do. Having the opportunity to be in “The Strike Zone” is an honor. I am so blessed to have been picked for the opportunity. Being able to represent the University is always a gift in its own. Florida A&M University has poured so much into me. I am proud to serve the school in anyway possible.

Isaiah Bleu Lysse

Major: Biology Pre-dental

Hometown: Miami, FL Class of 2025

Being a Rattler means “excellence.” Excellence is not optional; it is the expectation given our notable status and rich history. Being a rattler means being 100 percent yourself while furthering yourself in life. I am extremely honored to be in this year’s magazine titled “The Strike Zone.” Florida A&M University has had a unique way of developing the next future leaders, doctors, mentors, and presidents. Being able to give back to such an illustrious institution is a blessing.

Miranda Milton

Major: Pre Physical Therapy

Hometown: Prince George’s County, MD Class of 2025

I’m very proud to be a Rattler. Being a Rattler provides me an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of alumni and faculty that have made Florida A&M University an outstanding institution of higher learning and academic excellence. Being in “The Strike Zone” means to never stop striving to meet your goals and always aim for your fullest potential so that you are ready and in your best position to “strike” when opportunities present themselves.

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

DIRECTOR OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Keith Miles

EDITORS

Jessica Swanson

Andrew J. Skerritt

Sabrina Thompson

COPY EDITOR

Paul Jerome

ART DIRECTION/LAYOUT DESIGN

Perry Albrigo

Brion Eason

WRITERS

Kara Irby-Payne

Megan Trussdell

Christina Compere-Minor

Vaughn Wilson

Lawana Clark

Andrew J. Skerritt

PHOTOGRAPHY

Glenn Beil

ADVERTISING

25 A Record Fundraising Year: FAMU Receives $1.35 Million From BP to Invest in Future Talent with HBCU Fellowship Program

28 “Lead From the Seat You’re In” Two-Time HBCU Grad and First Female Director Takes Helm for FAMU Athletics

30 Paying It Forward: FAMU Student Body Vice President Makira Burns Launched a Nonprofit to Help Students Succeed

32 Two Legendary Assistant Coaches Added to Gaither Statue

Adam Ramgeet

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Andrew J. Skerritt, associate director

Adam Ramgeet, marketing coordinator

Glenn Beil, photographer

Vernon Bryant, special events

Brion Eason, art director

Javonni Hampton, media coordinator

Christina Compere-Minor, digital media manager/social media coordinator

Lawana Clark, administrative assistant

Christian Aristilde, social media intern

Shonary Woods, graphics intern

Tawanda Finley, executive assistant

Jefferson Walker, videographer FOR MORE INFORMATION

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35 Athletic Accomplishments: FAMU ’22 Hall of Fame Weekend Featured Major Refresh WANT TO ADVERTISE IN A&M MAGAZINE? Please contact Adam Ramgeet at 850.412.7937 or email at adam.ramgeet@famu.edu.

Welcome to the Strike Zone President

era of greater accountability and operational efficiency. Readers will also get to know FAMU’s first female Vice President/Athletics Director, Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, who is fulfilling her lifelong dream of leading the Rattlers’ athletic program.

The FAMU National Alumni Association (NAA) has new leadership. This issue introduces readers to the new NAA President Curtis E. Johnson, Jr. The New Faces/ New Places section provides an informative snapshot of key personnel changes and appointments we have made over the past year.

Our new strategic plan, “Boldly Striking,” builds on the accomplishments of the previous five years. Student Success, Academic Excellence, Leverage the Brand, Long-term Health and Fiscal Sustainability, and Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation are the pillars on which our sustained success rests. The strategic priorities and anticipated outcomes encompass our vision of being recognized as a leader within the State University System (SUS) of Florida in performance-based funding outcomes; a Top 100 National Public University; a Top 10 national university in social mobility; a Carnegie Research 1 institution; and a top talent producer in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), health, and business.

The University received $75.5 million in total research and development funds in 2021-2022 and expended $59.3 million. Both are records as we push toward Carnegie R-1 status. The expenditure amount is $10 million more than the previous year, making FAMU No. 1 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for non-medical schools’ R&D funding, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Equally pleasing is our fundraising outcomes. We are on pace for another record year of corporate and private donations and expect to surpass last year’s $24.3 million total.

To accomplish our ambitious goals, we must have the right talent and leadership in place. This issue of A&M Magazine offers a closer look at our new Chief Operating Officer (COO), Maurice Edington, Ph.D., who was named to the position as part of our administrative restructuring. A first-generation college student, Edington explains how his personal experience shapes his view as an HBCU administrator and how he will help guide FAMU into a new

Among the other highlights, is the Marching “100” Band’s trip to Paris for the Louis Vuitton men’s fashion show in June 2022. Student Government Association Vice President Makira Burns also spent last summer across the Atlantic as an intern at the U.S. Embassy in London. Her remarkable story of activism and service is chronicled on these pages.

All these stories of success and accomplishment are a blueprint of what’s ahead for our esteemed University. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Larry Robinson, Ph.D. PRESIDENT

This is an exciting time at Florida A&M University. As we move into our 136th year of “Excellence with Caring,” we do so with the full recognition of all of those who came before us, and with the humility of knowing that the future is now in our hands.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

Florida A&M University’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS) provides an opportunity to work in the food and agriculture industry. Our education system equips students with tools necessary to compete in their field. The 1890 Scholarship Program demonstrates our commitment to cultivating and graduating more diverse leaders, who will be well equipped to address and solve future emerging challenges in food and agricultural sciences. We have already started to see the fruits of the land grant working and benefiting our great institution.

LETTER FROM THE

Editor

In this issue, readers will get to know the University’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maurice Edington, Ph.D., who in his quarter century at FAMU has filled many different roles, from junior faculty member to provost. A first-generation college student, Edington explains how his personal experience shapes his view as an academic administrator.

Readers will also get to know FAMU’s first female Vice President/Athletic Director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, who is fulfilling her lifelong dream of leading the Rattlers’ athletics. This issue also provides an introduction to

Among the other highlights are the Marching “100” Band’s trip to Paris to perform at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2023 Show in June 2022. That trip marked the band’s triumphant return to the City of Lights for the first time since 1989, when the Marching “100” performed in the 200th Bastille Day celebrations.

This issue of A&M Magazine was completed with contributions of new team members. Jess Swanson, a veteran of the American Airlines magazines, served as the managing editor. Christina Compere-Minor, the social media coordinator for the University and a FAMU alum, lends her writing skills. Veteran photographer Glenn Beil’s camera lens adds to the visual acuity of this issue. We hope you enjoy A&M Magazine. Email us with story ideas and suggestions for future issues.

Andrew J. Skerritt

“Boldly Striking” captures the theme of the University’s new five-year strategic plan. It reiterates FAMU’s academic ambitions of being a top 100 national public university and a Carnegie R1 research university.

BOLDLY STRIKING

FAMU ANNOUNCES ITS NEW STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]

In September 2022, the Florida Board of Governors unanimously approved Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) new strategic plan, “Boldy Striking,” which has been crafted to chart the University’s course for the next five years.

The five strategic priorities in the 2022-2027 plan are Student Success, Academic Excellence, Leveraging the Brand, Long-term Health and Fiscal Sustainability, and Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation.

“We have set some fairly lofty goals — moving into the top 100 national public universities, going to Carnegie R1 status. The strategic plan lays the blueprint for us getting there,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who reiterated that student success is the cornerstone of the plan. “All the other priorities support that primary outcome. We are anxious to continue the work we have kicked off on campus to get it implemented.”

Now that FAMU has achieved the status as a Carnegie R1 research institution, the strategic plan calls for reconfiguring faculty workloads to enhance research productivity. Also, the University plans to implement initiatives to encourage faculty to join forces and write collaborative grants.

The success of the previous five-year strategic plan set the stage for even greater success in the coming years, Robinson said.

“We didn’t get to where we are as the highest-ranked public HBCU by happenstance. We got there by adhering strictly to the tenets of that plan,” Robinson said. “If we do the same with the new plan, we will then get to the other lofty goals we have set.”

The plan is the result of 14 months of deliberations and collaborations among the University’s stakeholders, including faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and supporters. The FAMU Board of Trustees approved the 20222027 Strategic Plan last July.

Under Strategic Priority No. 4: Long-term Health and Fiscal Sustainability, the main goal is to implement a planning and budgeting process that identifies, secures, and allocates existing and new educational and general (E&G), contracts and grants (C&G), and auxiliary funding. This calls for exploring ways to expand additional federal and state advocacy. The University is also committed to invest in capacity building for sponsored research.

Strategic Priority No. 5: Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation calls for enhancing a culture that intentionally fosters building and engaging a high-performing workforce and fortifies FAMU’s status as an employer of choice. One way is to develop a compensation framework that aligns market

competitiveness and internal equity with attracting and retaining qualified employees.

FAMU Trustee Kristin Harper, who chairs the Strategic Planning & Performance Measures Committee, said the “Boldly Striking” strategic plan is about sustaining and improving the University’s performance in terms of student success, finances, operations, and other areas.

“The new strategic plan builds on our rich legacy heritage and the outcomes that we’ve achieved to take us even higher. It’s called ‘Boldly Striking’ because we are very clear about our history and our legacy, and we will continue to strike out,” said Harper, who attended the Florida Board of Governor’s meeting in Pensacola. “We are moving into a new era of even greater performance, outcomes, and transformation for students and their families and for the generations that will follow.”

A RECORD YEAR FOR FACULTY RESEARCH

THE TOP 10 RESEARCH GRANTS

FAMU RECEIVED IN 2021-2022

$5,500,000

On September 14, 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of the Environment $5.5 million. FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled “NOAA Cooperative Science Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems-II.”

$3,410,450

On August 6, 2021, the Florida Department of Health awarded FAMU’s administration nearly $3.5 million. Medical Marijuana

Education and Research Initiative

Executive Director Patricia GreenPowell, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “Medical Marijuana Public Service Education.” The vision of the Center for Medical Marijuana Education and Research is to become the preeminent source of information regarding marijuana’s impact on minority communities.

$2,901,753

On March 8, 2022, the National Institutes of Health awarded FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences nearly $3 million. Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Karam F. A. Soliman, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “FAMU Center for Health Disparities Research.” The overarching goal of the FAMU’s Research Center in Minority Institutions is to establish the Center for Health Disparities Research, which will enhance

basic biomedical and behavioral research at FAMU while also improving upon investigators’ research skills.

$2,835,767

On October 1, 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences $2.8 million. Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs for the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Robert W. Taylor, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “FY 2022 Evans-Allen Research Program.” The research programs have a particular focus to the needs of small-to mediumscale, limited-resource farmers and industry stakeholders. Ninety percent of Florida’s farms fit the definition of a small farm, which makes our mission particularly crucial in enhancing the overall economy of the state.

$2,603,835

On October 1, 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDANIFA) awarded FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences $2.6 million. Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs for the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Robert W. Taylor, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “FY 2022 Cooperative Extension Program.” The Cooperative Extension Program is an ongoing informal educational program funded through annual federal 1890 Extension Formula appropriations by USDA-NIFA.

$2,401,440

On February 24, 2022, the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences $2.4 million. Assistant Professor in the Institute of Public Health and Director of the 2nd Alarm Project Kellie O’Dare, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “First Responder ToolKit.” The purpose of this grant is intended to provide first responders and their families with information and referral services, access to resources, and first responder peer supports designed to mitigate the behavioral health impacts of workplace trauma and the incidence of suicide or attempted suicide, substance abuse, depression, and associated disorders.

$1,960,461

On December 16, 2021, the Florida Department of Education awarded FAMU’s College of Education $1.9 million. FAMU Developmental Research School Superintendent, Michael D. Johnson, is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “ARP ESSER III Formula Grants to LEA’s.”

$1,600,000

On November 2, 2021, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services awarded FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences $1.6 million. Former FAMU President Fred Gainous is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “Infrastructure and Capacity Enhancements.”

$1,350,000

On September 7, 2021, the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) awarded FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Food Sciences $1.35 million. College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Cooperative Extension & Outreach Leadership Director Vonda Richardson is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “USDA AMS Grant Applicant Technical Assistance with Underserved Community Focus.” The USDA AMS Grant Programs are designed to support the economic development for communities and commodities by funding projects that enhance the marketability and competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products.

$1,091,906

On July 26, 2021, the National Science Foundation awarded FAMU’s College of Science and Technology more than $1 million. FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maurice Edington, Ph.D., is the principal investigator on the grant titled, “Implementation Project: STEM Center for the Advancement of Learning, Achievement and Research (SCALAR III).” The successful implementation of the SCALAR II project will result in improved academic support services, teaching, and learning in STEM areas.

CURTIS JOHNSON JR.’S BIG PLANS

MEET THE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE FAMU NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

BY [ Megan TRUSDELL ]

Most people don’t contemplate joining their alumni association until long after graduation. But Curtis Johnson Jr. isn’t like most people. Upon graduating with his MBA in 1992, Johnson immediately set his sights on the Florida A&M University (FAMU) National Alumni Association (NAA) and becoming a financially supporting member of his beloved alma mater. He became a lifetime member four years later.

“It’s just what I saw people doing,” said Johnson, explaining that his mother was a proud FAMU alumna herself. “I knew it was the right thing to do. Wherever I have lived, I have been around Rattlers. I was still immersed in FAMU. I would go to the Classic, take my family, enjoy the band, hang out with my classmates.”

Johnson was elected as the 19th FAMU National Alumni Association (NAA) president last year, after serving as the executive board’s sergeant-at-arms for two and a half years. He succeeded Col. (Ret.) Gregory L. Clark, who served six and a half years.

Johnson is a Fort Pierce City Commissioner and owner/founder of The CUVEY Group, a Port St. Lucie-based professional development training firm.

In his new role, Johnson has prioritized doubling paid membership to 10,000 members, handing out scholarships, and raising money for the NAA’s “Save Our Students” Scholarship Retention Campaign, which launched in February 2016 after the association learned there was a significant number of documented students, who could not register for classes because of debt.

FAMU Board of Trustees Chairman Kelvin Lawson and FAMU NAA President Curtis Johnson, Jr. enjoy festivities at a Rattler home football game. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

Johnson gives fall 2022 graduates their marching orders to make a difference and give back to the University. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

“I’m talking openly about our drive to get to 10,000,” Johnson said. “Certainly, we’re going to be doing things differently when it comes to our national conference, then of course trying to always raise money.”

The alumni association’s budget is derived from membership dues, fundraising, and sponsorships. To become a member, the annual dues are $50 plus local chapter and regional dues. The one-time lifetime membership fee is $750, and the only dues that you will pay over your lifetime are local chapter and regional dues.

The alumni association is a volunteer organization and a majority of the association’s work is geared towards student recruitment and raising funds for scholarships. The alumni association collaborates with the FAMU Foundation Board of Directors, the FAMU Board of Trustees, the University President, and even state legislators.

“We are a team that works together,” Johnson said. “No matter what it may be, we are here to support FAMU!”

The NAA is a crucial direct support organization (DSO), said Carmen Cummings, assistant vice president of Alumni Affairs/ University Advancement.

“One of the key elements in terms of responsibilities of DSOs is to support students, to help them matriculate and graduate, and then as alums to connect them to various entities that may be able to help open the door to either a springboard of their career or a landing space,” she said. “We are grateful that we are the No. 1 public HBCU (historically black college or university) as indicated by U.S. News & World Report for the fourth consecutive year. We have to protect that.”

Advocacy is at the forefront of the NAA’s mission, encouraging members to call reps and senators in the months leading up to a session. Members advocated for and received more funding from the State Legislature to complete the $40 million, 73,000-square-foot Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) building, which houses various Division of Student Affairs offices.

Under Clark’s leadership, the NAA petitioned the Governor and the Legislature to change the Performance Based Funding Model, which relies on a series of metrics, such as four-year graduation rates, freshman retention, and salaries of recent graduates, to determine performance-based funding for state schools. The system denied extra funding to the “bottom three” universities. FAMU was consistently in the bottom three.

Rep. Ramon Alexander, a FAMU graduate who lobbied for the change, said the ranking system was unfair because it pitted vastly different

institutions, such as the University of Florida, a major research university, against New College, a small liberal arts school. He also said in interviews it was unfair to withhold money from the bottom three if they were improving yet still trailed the top schools.

“We put together a plan to start petitioning the Governor and the Legislature to increase those funding dollars,” said Clark, who is now the vice president for Institutional Advancement at Alabama State University in Montgomery. “We worked with the Congressional Black Caucus and other legislative bodies in the Florida State

Johnson and Clark said the key to recruiting members is to meet them where they are — whether it’s on Facebook or Instagram — and to start early. In fact, half of the freshman class is recruited to the NAA at orientation, Clark said.

“You are going to see an increase in communications from me going out to alums who are not part of the NAA about what we do, how their lifetime membership gift helps to support current students,” Johnson said. “A lot of it is being present at Homecoming, other games on the road, membership calls, and an active membership chair.”

Legislature to abolish the bottom three. Now you’re talking about another $18 million that came back to FAMU’s budget.”

Moreover, alumni donations are the leading source of charitable support for the school. Alumni support was critical to securing funding for the $750,000 renovations to GalimorePowell Field House — the first phase of the “ALL IN” campaign under the Rattler Athletic Fund. (Phase 2 is to renovate Bragg Memorial Stadium, and Phase 3 will be the construction of a new stadium complex by 2030.)

The key to making change is to work with leadership in “lockstep,” Clark said.

“When you see me, you will see the president of the university, the president of the Board of Trustees, and the president of the (FAMU) Foundation,” he said. “We made a lot of decisions that made FAMU what it is today. We moved in tandem.”

Clark’s advice to Johnson? “Put good people around you, move out of the way, let them work, and they will help make you successful.”

FAMU NAA President Curtis Johnson and FAMU President Larry Robinson celebrate a donation from Lockheed Martin.

LEGAL LEGACY FAMU COLLEGE OF LAW UNVEILS JUDGES GALLERY TO CELEBRATE SCHOOL’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN ORLANDO

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]

Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law unveiled portraits of 16 past and present judges, all graduates of the school, in its Judges Gallery. It was unveiled on May 7, 2022, on the first floor of the law school’s downtown Orlando campus. It was one of several events to celebrate the school’s 20th anniversary in Orlando.

To signify the importance of the event, FAMU College of Law Dean Deidré Keller used the words of retired Judge Perker L. Meeks, a 1968 graduate of the original College of Law, who served on the bench in California for 26 years. Meeks served on the Superior Court of San Francisco County for eight years before he retired in 2006. Meeks, who was represented by his relatives, sent remarks about the important relationship between law school students and alumni judges.

“Judges are as informed by their colleagues on the bench as those who aspire to the bench,” Meeks said. “So, it’s important for students to know who the judges were who once stood where they did, because therein lies an opportunity for both the student and the judge to exchange thoughts, ideas, opinions, and perspectives with one another. And both are better for it.”

Dean Keller said the event was far more than ceremonial.

“Our purpose tonight is to not only honor the alumni judges but to also take action that serves to educate and inspire the next generation of lawyers and leaders,” Keller said. “We are confident that this gallery of judges’ photographs will do just that, for many years to come.”

The ceremony was also attended by FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and FAMU

Trustees, Otis Cliatt II, and Ann Marie Cavazos, a member of the College of Law faculty and president of the FAMU Faculty Senate.

President Robinson spoke about the diversity of the group of judges present, and reminded the gathering that 80 percent of African American judges attended a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), including FAMU.

“Justice is a core value of the America in which we live. The work you do is always invaluable and cannot be replaced,” Robinson told the judges. “It’s wonderful to see Rattlers in these places.”

ALCEE HASTINGS (class of 1963) was a federal judge before he was elected to the U.S. Congress. He died in 2021 at age 84.

EDWARD RODGERS (1963) was a Palm Beach County judge. He died in 2018 at age 91.

RALPH FLOWERS (1968) served as a municipal judge in Fort Pierce, Fla., during the mid-1970s. He died in 2014 at age 78.

PERKER MEEKS (1968) served on the Superior Court of San Francisco County.

JANINE VAN DUSEN (2007), associate judge at Tulalip Tribal Court, Camano Island, Washington.

AMY CARTER (2008), Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Fla.

KELLY INGRAM (2008), Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Brevard County, Fla.

HAUSBROUCK JACOBS (2008), Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Columbia, Missouri.

VICTORIA JOHNSON (2008), Magistrate Court, Dougherty County, Ga.

STACIE KAYLOR (2008), Tenth Judicial Circuit, Polk County, Fla.

GABRIELLE SANDERS-MORENCY (2009), Ninth Judicial Circuit Osceola County, Fla.

Though the present law school was reestablished in 2002, Robinson said, the FAMU College of Law has an even longer history.

“The Law School started with its first class in 1951. There have been Rattlers doing wonderful things for generations,” Robinson added. “The whole idea of this gallery is having them be acknowledged so that every visitor can see what this institution is doing in 2022. That has tremendous value.”

The Judges Gallery will be updated to include portraits of additional College of Law graduates who served or are serving in the judiciary as the information is confirmed.

MIKAELA NIX-WALKER (2009), Ninth Judicial Circuit, Osceola County, Fla.

DEVIN COLLIER (2011), Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Bay County, Fla.

CHRISTY COLLINS (2011), Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Fla.

SHALANDA WILLIAMS (2012), Magistrate Court, Henry County, Ga.

ANDREW BAIN, (2013) Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orange County, Fla.

Judges Featured in the College of Law Judges Gallery

For its 20th anniversary in Orlando, the College of Law celebrates alumni who have served or are serving on the bench.

MARCHING “100”

00” BAND

Thirty-three years after Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Marching “100” Band performed in the 1989 Bastille Day Parade, it returned to Paris to dazzle the crowds once again at the Louis Vuitton Men’s SpringSummer 2022 Show at the Louvre Museum.

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY // A&M MAGAZINE

Led by Drum Majors Jadon Roberts and Jarvis Rittman, the 35-member contingent of the band opened the show with “Mighty Rattler” followed by “Rattler to the Bone” and “Get Up.” Male models then strutted the runway wearing eye-catching suits, multi-colored outwear and gender-bending two-piece ensembles while American rapper Kendrick Lamar performed alongside the show. The Louis Vuitton Men’s Studio designed the runway to be “a giant toy racetrack as a yellow brick road for the imagination.” After the final model, the band returned to perform the standard “SOS.” Director of Bands Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., and some members of the Bands staff had front-row seats, only a few feet from the runway.

“I was super excited, super relieved and just so proud of the students and the level of their performance knowing all the changes we had to make from the initial concept of the show and what the expectations were going to be,” said Chipman, adding that the Louis Vuitton fashion show provided a different kind of venue to showcase the band’s repertoire. The trip marked a triumphant return of The Marching “100” Band to

Paris. Under the leadership of legendary founder, William P. Foster, Ph.D., it performed in the 1989 Bastille Day Parade to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution. Back then, the current Director of Bands, Chipman, had been a member of the Marching “100” as a student conductor and trumpeter. Though he graduated that spring, he was invited to travel to France for the parade. It was the last time Chipman performed as a member of the band.

A marching band performance at the menswear fashion show had been a long-held vision of Louis Vuitton Creative Director Virgil Abloh, who died in November 2021. He was 41 years old. After researching various bands online, the Louis Vuitton’s fashion show producers chose the Marching “100.” The invitation came at the end of May, and was followed by a frenetic three weeks of arrangingt music, practicing routines, and securing passports for the 35 students and 10 staff selected for the allexpenses-paid trip.

Following overnight flights from Tallahassee via Atlanta, students and staff arrived in two groups to Paris on Sunday, June 19. Rehearsals began that afternoon and continued daily — including a Wednesday evening session with Lamar — until the Thursday show.

Louis Vuitton held its Men’s Spring-Summer 2023 Show outdoors in the Cour Carrée, one of the main courtyards at the Louvre Museum. Before the event began, star soccer players Leroy Sané, Samuel Umtiti, Jérôme Boateng, and David Alaba mingled on the runway with fashion and entertainment celebrities.

After the performance, FAMU alumnus Jerry Lorenzo, a fashion and sneaker designer and founder of the Fear of God luxury streetwear label, met briefly with the band members. Crowds of spectators stood on the sidewalk cheering as band members left the venue. Soon afterward, the Marching “100” arrived at the Eiffel Tower, where they entertained an appreciative crowd, including tourists from Mexico, the United States, and across Europe.

Marvin Jean, a fourth-year music education student, said playing in Paris was a dream.

“We put in so much work, and I am just happy to see it pay off. We left it all out there on the stage,” said Jean, a euphonium player from Broward County, Florida. “It was incredible. We saw celebs. The energy was high. It was an honor and a privilege to be in Paris and to play music for people you see on TV all the time.”

LOGISTICAL HURDLES

In May 2022, Director Chipman received the first email from a representative: Would the Incomparable Marching ‘100’ Band be interested in traveling to Paris to perform live at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show in the legendary Louvre Museum?

Louis Vuitton offered an all-expenses trip for 35 students and 10 staff to fly to Paris to perform three weeks later at the opening of the Men’s Fashion Show at 2 p.m. on June 23 at the Louvre. The producers of the event wanted to include a live marching band. They had seen videos of the Marching “100” performances and wanted the best.

It marked a return to Paris for the band that performed in the 1989 Bastille Day Parade. But if the Marching “100” made its triumphant return to Paris look easy, getting there wasn’t. It required tremendous cooperation from administrators, staff, parents, alumni, and Louis Vuitton executives to overcome sizable logistical hurdles given the tight deadlines.

“You cannot do a major thing without teamwork,” said Assistant Director of Marching and Pep Bands Darryl L. Baker, who handled the arrangements after the Marching “100” received the invitation to

Marching “100” Drum Majors Jadon Roberts and Jarvis Rittman lead flag bearers and the 35-member contingent on the Louis Vuitton runaway at the Cour Carree at the Louvre Museum. (Credit: Andrew J. Skerritt)

The Marching “100” performed at the Eiffel Tower for tourists following the Louis Vuitton fashion show. (Credit: Andrew J. Skerritt)

perform. Baker credits the President’s Office, College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities’

Dean Valencia E. Matthews, Ph.D., University Advancement, the Office of International Education and Development, the Provost’s Office, alumni, and elected officials for ensuring that the trip took place.

Chipman commended Baker for doing an “amazing job coordinating various aspects of the trip with stakeholders in Tallahassee and Paris.”

Contracts and logistics would not be a problem. Director of Woods Nicholas Thomas, Ed.D., would work on the arrangements of the tunes the producers selected. Percussion Assistant and Choreographer Tova Lovely would work on the routines. But other paperwork could jeopardize the trip, Baker initially feared.

“I was worried about passports. I knew many of the students, and some of the staff didn’t have passports,” said Baker. Many first-generation college students, who have never traveled abroad and do not possess a passport, attend FAMU. The all-expenses-paid invitation was for 35 students and 10 staff members. Among those selected to travel, Baker said 24 lacked a valid passport, including 20 first-time travel documents.

Time was scarce. A routine passport application by mail takes eight to 11 weeks, while an expedited application by mail takes five to seven weeks, according to the U.S. State Department website. Students could obtain an expedited passport if international travel is within three business days, but they had to make an in-person appointment in a city such as Miami or Atlanta, which had a designated office Some of the students were in South Florida and Atlanta.

Beyond the expense of traveling to the appointment, there was the cost of the rushed passport application: $250 each. First-time passports cost $165, plus $60 for the expedited service fee. Same-day service was another $35. Louis Vuitton executives agreed to cover the expense of expediting the passports.

When Sebastien Zephir, a third-year elementary education student and trumpeter, first heard about the trip, he was “very afraid” that not possessing a passport would cost him the chance of a lifetime.

“No one had traveled outside the U.S. in my family, other than my mom. I am being a leader for my brother,” said Zephir, who is the son of a Haitian immigrant. During a break in rehearsal, Zephir described the experience as surreal. “Every time I lay down, I can’t believe I am in Paris. It’s amazing.”

AUTHENTIC BAND EXPERIENCE

The Marching “100” was selected to perform at the 2022 Louis Vuitton Men’s Paris Fashion Show because of the producers’ desire for an “authentic” marching band experience.

Benji B, music director at Louis Vuitton Men’s, said the creative vision for the show called for a marching band.

“In all the work we’ve done on shows here, authenticity is really at the center of everything we’re interested in. We don’t reference things or emulate things. We go to the top, and that’s why we came to you,” said Benji B, one of Britain’s most respected and well-known DJs. He is also a BBC Radio presenter, and record producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop.

Benji B and Abloh had worked closely for more than a decade on various projects and, since 2018, on the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fashion Show.

“I really wanted to reach out and see if there was any possibility that we could make it happen,” he said. “I am glad that we did.”

VIRAL VIDEO

Fans of the Marching “100” watched the performance live all over the world. A video of the performance has been viewed by millions. “Good Morning America” even aired a segment on the Marching “100” on the following Saturday morning.

“The opportunity to perform in this epic moment in Paris, France, during the Louis Vuitton Fashion Show was truly another major accomplishment and adds to our strong legacy of excellence. It speaks to the amazing talent

Fashionistas and stars lined the runaway as the Marching “100” performed on the Runway which appeared as the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz.

(credit: Andrew J. Skerritt)

FAMU alum Jerry Lorenzo, founder of The Fear of God luxury streetwear and sneaker label, connected with Marching “100” Director Shelby Chipman, Ph.D. following the band’s performance. (Credit: Andrew J. Skerritt)

A COO WITH A “UNIQUE AWARENESS” OF FAMU’S STRENGTHS, OPPORTUNITIES

Maurice Edington, Ph.D. was promoted to the second highest ranking position on campus in December 2022. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

Maurice Edington’s rise from junior untenured faculty to the university’s

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]

IIn 2013, when Florida A&M University (FAMU) completed a national search for a dean for the newly created College of Science and Technology, the University selected Maurice Edington, Ph.D.

In 2017, when Florida’s only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) needed a vice president to lead the newly created Division of Strategic Planning, Analysis & Institutional Effectiveness, the University again turned to Edington.

In 2018, following a national search, Edington was selected to serve in the powerful position of provost/vice president of Academic Affairs.

With the University now aiming to rank among the U.S. News & World Report Top Public 100 Colleges & Universities, President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., turned to Edington in December 2022 for the newly created role of executive vice president/chief operating officer (COO), the second highest ranking position on campus.

Edington is charged with providing direction and oversight for university leadership to implement strategies and systems that improve the quality and efficiency of services and operations while enhancing accountability.

“Dr. Edington is an example of a person who has worked his way through the ranks of higher education and has excelled at every stop along the way,” Robinson said. “His expertise by itself qualifies him for the role

of chief operations officer. However, Maurice’s commitment to our mission to promote student success, his compassion for our faculty and staff, his integrity, and his ability to develop a plan and inspire others to follow are among the reasons that he is my choice to serve as COO at FAMU.”

Edington assumed his new role with the unique perspective of having served the University at almost every academic and administrative level: from junior untenured faculty member to provost, from director to vice president.

“Serving in those varied administrative roles provided me with a broad set of professional experiences and expertise. I became very knowledgeable about most aspects of this University’s operational and administrative strengths,” Edington said. “This new role is a blessing. It perfectly aligns with the kinds of skill sets and abilities I have acquired and supports my desire to assist FAMU in achieving the ambitious goals outlined in the new strategic plan. It takes advantage of my unique awareness of this University from top to bottom.”

UNLIKELY PATH

Edington is driven by his commitment to helping students born out of his personal story and hard-fought path to success. He is the

youngest of three brothers. Because Edington’s mother and father had struggled with substance abuse, he was raised by his grandparents in Berkeley, California.

“My family was one where education was not a big thing. In my family, if you graduated from high school, that was considered a major accomplishment,” said Edington, for whom education was a beacon. “I always had an affinity for learning, reading, math, and science. That’s what got me through life.”

Although no one in his immediate family had attended college, Edington spent many summers on the posh University of California, Berkeley campus and dreamed of one day attending college

That dream took shape after he saw the first episode of “A Different World,” the 1980s era “Cosby Show” spinoff that showed life at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU.

“I asked a classmate whose family had a history of attending HBCUs, if it was real,” Edington recalled. “I said, ‘I’ve got to go to one of those schools.’”

Soon afterward, Edington learned about Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and applied.

“I was poor. I didn’t know if I could afford it until they sent me the financial aid letter,” he recalled.

That summer, he boarded a Greyhound bus in Oakland for the three-day, 2,300-mile cross-country drive to campus with $400 in his pocket and a duffle bag.

“I’m thinking, I can’t fail. I was intimidated when I saw all those kids from middle-class families and two-parent households. I feared

second highest ranking administrator

Edington addresses a gathering as former School of Architecture & Engineering Technology Dean Rodner Wright looks on. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

that I wasn’t prepared,” Edington said. “But when I got into class, I quickly realized that I could handle the coursework and perform at a high level.”

Edington left for college without any expectation of money coming from home. Halfway through his first semester, he was in a panic. He feared he didn’t have enough money to finish his first year or even return to northern California.

In desperation, the first-year student did what many dedicated students do. He turned to his favorite faculty member, Professor Princilla Evans, Ph.D., for help. How could he earn a scholarship? When the chemistry professor learned Edington wasn’t on a scholarship, she jumped into action.

A week later, he received a call from the financial aid office. He had a scholarship.

“It was a tremendous blessing. That changed my whole life,” he said. “I ran to thank Dr. Evans.”

Initially, Edington thought he wanted to be a medical doctor. Influenced by Professor Evans’ work as a scientist, he changed his major from biology/pre-med to chemistry

“I started to model her habits and behaviors. I started tutoring. I fell in love with research. I wanted to go as far as I could go in the pursuit of knowledge,” Edington said. “She is still my mentor. She is the reason I am here.”

As graduation approached, Edington explored opportunities to pursue his doctorate. He settled on nearby Vanderbilt University, a campus where he could conduct research. In 1997, Edington earned a doctorate in physical chemistry. Edington then accepted a position at Duke University to serve as a postdoctoral research associate, where he continued to conduct research in the areas biophysical chemistry and chemical physics.

At that time, another physical chemist, Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D., occupied the FAMU presidential suite. Edington applied and was hired as a junior faculty member in what was then the College of Arts and Sciences. It was the beginning of a rise that would lead to tenure, department chair, and a series of increasingly senior administrative roles.

“I wanted to be in a place I could do research at a high level and give back to

“I started to model her habits and behaviors. I started tutoring. I fell in love with research.

I wanted to go as far as I could go in the pursuit of knowledge,”

Edington said. “She is still my mentor. She is the reason I am here.”

As COO, Edington’s profile is expected to increase. He was the keynote speaker for the Tallahassee Leadership Prayer Breakfast in January 2023. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

students like me the way I was helped. I didn’t want to go to a PWI [predominately White institution] as a faculty member.

I didn’t think I could have that kind of impact on students,” Edington said. “I wanted to be at an HBCU that was active in research. That’s how I found FAMU. I wanted to contribute to the culture and help students to reach their full potential. That’s still my motivation.”

Many of the FAMU students who conducted research in Edington’s laboratory under his supervision have gone on to earn advanced degrees in chemistry, medicine, and dentistry.

In more than two decades at FAMU, Edington served as chemistry department chair, a director of the Office of Engineering Science Support, and a director of the Quality Enhancement Program (QEP). He led efforts to prepare the University for Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation before being promoted to dean, then vice president for Strategic Planning Analysis & Institutional Effectiveness, and later

provost/vice president of Academic Affairs.

In his new role as executive vice president/chief operating officer, Edington is charged with operational and administrative oversight to bring more accountability to FAMU. His mandate is to ensure the University institutes industry best practices in its administrative and operating procedures, while maintaining a laser-like focus on improving performance.

“We’ve made tremendous strides as an institution over the past several years, but we also have some opportunities for improvement. We must better align some of our practices with industry best practices and ensure we have the right talent in place across the organization,” Edington said. “We are humming along, but we have more work to do to realize our vision of being recognized as a leading national public university.”

“I wanted to be in a place I could do research at a high level and give back to students like me the way I was helped. I didn’t want to go to a PWI [predominately White institution] as a faculty member. I didn’t think I could have that kind of impact on students.”

Leadership, direction, oversight, efficiency, and accountability are some of the key concepts for Edington’s new role.

(Credit: Glenn Beil)

FAMU Unveils the ‘New’ Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Center of Excellence (COE)

IN PARTNERSHIP with Aura Air, a leading global provider of smart air technology. The new indoor air quality center of excellence will serve as the authoritative center for studying, testing and analyzing indoor air quality in the state of Florida. The partnership combines FAMU’s prestigious science and environment faculty and programs with the technical knowhow and innovation. Through the Center of Excellence, FAMU and Aura Air will address the growing risks of polluted and poorly ventilated indoor spaces and climate-related changes to Indoor Air Quality on Floridians.

The Center of Excellence will facilitate workshops and training to educate the public on the importance of air quality monitoring and develop a state-wide indoor air quality management plan that includes:

■ Training the next generation of air quality professionals

■ Improving energy efficiency in buildings

■ Supporting a state-wide air monitoring program, and

■ Providing air filtration, purification, and monitoring solutions to government buildings, educational institutions, hospitals, and public transportation.

Center for Water and Air Quality

Director: Dr. Cassel Gardner

Address: Florida A&M University College of Agriculture and Food Sciences

6505 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32317

Telephone: (850) 561 - 2302

Email: Cassel.gardner@famu.edu

FAMU was chosen to partner with Aura Air to study indoor air quality in the state of Florida.

A RECORD FUNDRAISING YEAR

FAMU RECEIVES $1.35 MILLION FROM BP TO INVEST IN FUTURE TALENT WITH HBCU FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]

THE 6 HIGHEST CORPORATE DONATIONS IN 2022-23

Waverly Street: $2 million

HCA Management Service: $1.5 million

Amoco Oil/bp: $1.35 million

Disney: $1 million

JPMorgan Chase: $1 million

PGIM: $1 million

diversity, equity and inclusion for its workforce and customers. The company has taken steps in recent years to develop a global framework for action to guide its efforts in the areas of talent, accountability, and transparency. As a result, it has launched gender and minority ambitions and designed programs supporting the development of ethnic minority talent.

“Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion goes beyond just words,” said Dave Lawler, bp America chairman and president. “It’s our actions that define us, and this program will help us develop a consistent pipeline of talent for the future. This is another example of how we’re driving change across bp and building a culture that gives everyone an opportunity to succeed.”

Florida A&M University (FAMU) is one of three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who each received $1.35 million from bp to provide students with scholarship funding, exposure to the energy industry, and career development experience. The donation is part of approximately $22 million in corporate and private donations the University received as of February 2023 on the way to what is expected to be another record fundraising year.

As part of bp’s new HBCU Fellowship Program, FAMU, North Carolina A&T University, and Prairie View A&M University will each receive $1.35 million, covering five full scholarships per

year at each school for three years – a total of 45 full scholarships during that period. Students who successfully complete the program will be provided with opportunities for additional development, including internships.

“I want to commend bp for crafting a program that complements our goal to prepare the next generation of scientists, engineers, and business executives for this key industry,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “This partnership will provide Florida A&M University students with internships, scholarships and, ultimately career opportunities allowing them to prosper while addressing important challenges that we face as a society.”

The donation builds on bp’s aim for greater

The three universities are part of bp’s talent acquisition portfolio, and the company has successfully recruited talent from each school. Specific, consistent criteria for student selection was created and agreed upon by bp and the selected universities. Scholarships will be open to all U.S. students on each campus who have an interest in the energy sector, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and are in good standing. Applications for the program will open in the first quarter of 2023, with students notified in April of a final decision.

“The HBCU Fellowship Program reflects what a constructive partnership between a university and corporate America should look like,” said Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Ph.D., vice president for University Advancement, dean of the School of Business and Industry, and executive director of the FAMU Foundation. “This shows bp understands the needs, talents and aspirations of our students and graduates. We are very excited for our students.”

President Robinson, Vice President for University Advancement

Shawnta FridayStroud, Ph.D., (third from left) with bp employees during the presentation of a $1.35 million check at the Eternal Flame.

(Credit: Glenn Beil)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

IS LEGAL

What are the qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana in Florida?

◆ Cancer

◆ Epilepsy

◆ Glaucoma

◆ HIV/AIDS

◆ Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

◆ Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

◆ Crohn’s disease

◆ Parkinson’s disease

◆ Multiple sclerosis (MS)

◆ Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to the others listed

◆ A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician

◆ Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition

What steps should I take to get medical marijuana in Florida?*

Be a permanent or seasonal resident of Florida.

Be entered into the state’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

*Source:

Be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a qualified physician.

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

STEP 4 Obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card to make purchases at a state-licensed dispensary.

Knowing Florida’s Medical Marijuana Laws Can Keep You Out of Trouble

MMERI’s mission is “to educate, inform and engage Florida’s minority population about

and the impact of the unlawful use of marijuana.”

“LEAD FROM THE SEAT YOU’RE IN”

TWO-TIME HBCU GRAD AND FIRST FEMALE DIRECTOR TAKES HELM FOR FAMU ATHLETICS

BY [ Kara IRBY-PAYNE ]

Tiffani-Dawn Sykes can’t help but tear up when she recounts the moment she was offered her dream job as the vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics for Florida A&M University (FAMU). It was homecoming weekend in October 2022, and she was sitting on a small plane in Richmond, Virginia, en route to Virginia State University, her alma mater, when her phone suddenly pinged.

“I had two text messages from the search firm saying, ‘Call us,’” Sykes recalled. “It was surreal stepping foot on the campus where it all started knowing I had an offer from one of the premier HBCUs in the country. I had been offered my dream job.”

Sykes’ hiring came at the 50th anniversary of the 1972 passing of Title IX, the national civil-rights law that protects people from sex-based discrimination at any school or education program that receives funding from the federal government. Sykes is now the first woman to hold this position since the program’s inception at FAMU in 1899.

Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, President Robinson and Sharon Robinson give the Rattler Charge before the start of a football game at Bragg Memorial Stadium. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

After receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — Virginia State University and Grambling State University, respectively — Sykes is proud to honor FAMU’s reputation and history as an HBCU. She officially took the helm on January 4, 2023.

Her goals are simple: To empower not only her staff but every studentathlete at FAMU under her tenure. To allow every student athlete to participate in a championship before graduating. To foster a team that is comfortable asking questions and making decisions to make FAMU an ideal environment for its student-athletes.

“I tell people all the time you don’t have to be the head coach or the team captain,” Sykes said. “You can lead from the seat you’re in.”

FINDING HER PATH

Growing up, Sykes often accompanied her parents to Norfolk State University’s football and basketball games in Norfolk, Virginia. Her mother was an educator and school principal. Her father was an educator and school principal. Naturally, Sykes planned to work in education, too. She wanted to be an adaptive physical-education teacher and had her sights set on one day working for the Special Olympics.

However, as an undergraduate at Virginia State University (VSU) Sykes met the school’s athletic director, Alfreeda Goff. At the time, Sykes was a student-athlete competing in volleyball. But Goff saw potential in Sykes, and provided her valuable experience on the administrative side of college athletics by appointing her as an announcer for the men’s and women’s college basketball games.

“She put that mic in my hand at 17 years old,” Sykes said. The rest is history.

Sykes continued to announce other major sporting events. Upon graduating from Virginia State University (VSU) with her bachelor’s in health, physical education, recreation and dance, she did a brief stint as a graduate assistant volleyball coach at VSU. One year later, she was hired as the sports information director at Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, VA. Since then, Sykes has served in a number of roles, including sports Information Director/Senior Woman Administrator at Virginia Union University, Director of Compliance at Chowan University in North Carolina, NCAA Eligibility Specialist at Norfolk State University, and Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance at Grambling State University in Louisiana. Most recently, she was the Executive Senior

Associate Athletics Director for Varsity Sports at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Sykes said she is grateful for being surrounded by empowering women leaders in athletics and their mentorship.

“Even though we were in what is normally a male-dominated field, we never felt like we weren’t supposed to be there” Sykes said. “That has everything to do with the way I present myself, the way I show up, and the way I lead.”

On her first day on the job, Sykes said she sought out Sarah Hill-Yates, the first woman to act as FAMU’s associate athletic director in the 1980s.

“I spoke to her until the moment I sat foot in the building,” Sykes recalled. “I wanted her to know I was standing on her shoulders.”

Hill-Yates later told the Tallahassee Democrat that seeing Sykes lead the entire FAMU Athletics enterprise was a “dream come true.”

Meanwhile, Sykes is a current cohort member of the 2022-23 NCAA Pathway Program, which prepares senior-level athletics administrators for their next career step as directors of athletics or conference commissioners.

A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

Sykes is a travel enthusiast. During one of the search committee interviews, Sykes was abroad in Italy. It didn’t matter that she was called at 1:30 a.m. her time to schedule the interview. Eddie Jackson, FAMU Alumnus and President of the 220 Quarterback Club, was part of the national search committee for the new Athletic Director. He said Sykes was not only alert but full of spirit and energy during the call.

“I told another committee member, ‘I got my candidate,’” Jackson said.

When FAMU first announced Sykes’ hiring in October 2022, she hit the ground running. Before her official start date, Sykes made her way to the highest of the seven hills in Tallahassee to attend FAMU’s homecoming and team practices. Sykes had even woken up before dawn to greet the university’s football team before their big game.

“She operates at full speed,” Jackson said. “We won’t have any more compliance issues, but the department needs money. If she can make waves with fundraising, she could be one of the best things to happen to FAMU in a long time.”

Sykes is excited to lead FAMU to new heights. She understands having the proper resources is crucial to making that happen. For example, she’s especially concerned about team nutrition and travel.

“It will also be important to find out where the alumni network’s passions and the needs of the department align,” Sykes added.

Sykes is laser-focused on ensuring her compliance team and academic advisors have the education and resources they need to provide exemplary service to the future generations of FAMU student athletes.

“At the end of the day, the students are our clients,” Sykes said. “We’re here to work for them.”

Then interim Athletic Director Michael Smith introduces his successor at the 2022 Florida Classic kick off luncheon.

Before Makira Burns was elected Student Government Association vice president, she was making a difference through her nonprofit and other acts of service. (Credit: Glenn Beil)

PAYING IT FORWARD FAMU STUDENT BODY

VICE PRESIDENT MAKIRA BURNS LAUNCHED A NONPROFIT TO HELP STUDENTS SUCCEED

BY [ Kara IRBY-PAYNE ]

s soon as Makira Burns stepped foot on Florida A&M University’s campus in 2018, she could feel the potential energy radiating through her shoes. She wasn’t on a college tour but had been invited to perform at a concert with the Mahogany Dance Theatre with her highschool dance team from Central Florida.

“I didn’t know about HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and Universities] until I was a junior in high school!” Burns said. As a first-generation college student, Burns recalled not having anyone to turn to when it came time to submit applications. Though Burns knew FAMU was the institution for her, the road to acceptance wasn’t a smooth one: She wasn’t offered any scholarships or financial awards.

“I didn’t let the lack of financial aid stop me,” Burns said. “I knew FAMU was going to change my

Burns certainly hit the ground on campus running: Before classes had even started, she had already started following current student leaders on social media. As a first-year political science and prelaw student, Burns joined the FAMU basketball cheerleading team and ran for freshman class senator. She won her election and would continue serving as a class senator during her second year and senate internal development and select committee chairwoman during her third year on campus.

In 2021, Burns was selected as a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow, and worked with the Florida Department of Transportation to craft and propose new public safety policy measures for safer driving in the Sunshine State. In 2022, she was selected on behalf of the Biden-Harris administration as a White House HBCU Scholar, an ambassador for the White House Initiative on

Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for HBCUs. That same year Burns accepted an internship with the U.S. Embassy in London. She joined Mission London for ten weeks in the United Kingdom.

“My whole family is rooting for me and is so proud,” she said. “My life has completely changed.”

In 2021, Burns launched Igniting Scholars, a nonprofit which helps high school and college students obtain scholarships and internships through resume building, interview preparation, career readiness planning, and personalized scholarship lists. So far, one student she has helped received $40,000 in scholarships.

“I wanted to be able to give back to students who may be experiencing the same things I went through coming to college,” Burns said.

Burns wants her legacy on campus to be one of paying it forward and giving back. As a fourthyear student, she was elected Student Body Vice President in 2022. In her role, she worked alongside Student Body President Zachary Bell and assisted with student recruitment efforts, which involved traveling up and down the east coast to connect with prospective students. Her favorite project was the Home for the Holidays Initiative, in which the Bell-Burns Administration partnered with The HBCU Shuttle to transport students back to their families last December. As the Student Chair of the 2022 Homecoming Committee, Burns also assisted with planning homecoming.

“I want people to know although I went through many trials and didn’t have a ton of resources, I still did everything I could to be great and make a difference,” she said. “If I could make it here at FAMU, they can too.”

Upon graduating in May 2023, Burns intends to pursue fellowships at the White House or a renown law firm before attending law school, where she wants to focus on corporate law and litigation. Ultimately, she wants to use those skills to make a difference in the public sector.

“God put me on earth to do something huge,” she said. “I go to sleep and wake up thinking about it. It’s bigger than myself.”

“My whole family is rooting for me and is so proud,” she said. “My life has completely changed.”

TWO LEGENDARY ASSISTANT COACHES ADDED TO GAITHER STATUE

THE WIDOWS OF LONGTIME ASSISTANT COACHES BOBBY LANG AND ROBERT MUNGEN UNVEILED THE NEW BUSTS

BY [ VAUGHN WILSON ]

FAMU dedicates busts of

FAMU greats, Coach Bob Mungen and Coach Bobby Lang on Friday Sept 9, 2022 at the Lawson Center. From left to right, Orange jacket, President of the Rattle F Club Curtis Taylor, President Robinson, Interim Athletic Director Michael Smith and football coach Willie Simmons.

Dorothea “Peaches” Mungen reacts to seeing her late husband’s bust at the unveiling ceremony on September 9, 2022. Robert Mungen is a FAMU legendary football coach.

BOBBY LANG

Thanks to donations by the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Football Reunion, the depiction of former head football coach Alonzo Smith “Jake” Gaither was erected by former FAMU art professor Chester Williams in 2001. Two years later, the Football Reunion revisited the statue, adding busts of Gaither’s assistant coaches to adorn the structure. Former FAMU Sports Hall of Fame football player Rudy Givens developed the initiative and raised the funds to get the project completed.

For the last 20 years, the statue has been one of the most photographed areas on campus. Visiting fans, parents, and alumni all pose with the structure to capture the likeness of one of FAMU’s most legendary coaches and his assistants. But on September 9, 2022, the final additions were added to the Gaither statue, which include the busts of longtime assistant coaches Bobby Lang and Robert Mungen.

The widows of both coaches, Dr. Gladys Lang and Dorothea “Peaches” Mungen, attended the unveiling and pulled the tarps from the busts to a roaring applause. Scores of family members, friends, and relatives attended the ceremony, which was also acknowledged at the President’s Convocation by FAMU’s 12th President, Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

Once the project was approved, the challenge was finding an artist. The original artist had passed away. Approximately 18 years ago, the FAMU Football Reunion evolved into the National Rattler “F” Club. FAMU Sports Hall of Fame football player Curtis Taylor took the helm of the National Rattler “F” Club, which began supporting FAMU Athletics.

Taylor contacted Bradley Cooley, one of the nation’s best sculptors based roughly 30 miles from Tallahassee. Cooley has erected the Bobby Bowden statue at Doak Campbell Stadium, the Ray Charles statue at the museum in Greenville, Fla., and the giant Rattler

MUNGEN

that sits in front of the Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) building on FAMU’s campus. Cooley began working diligently in early 2022. He collaborated with both families and attained the photos necessary to make a 3-D model. From there, Cooley made his initial moldings. The families were then brought in to assist with establishing the final details and looks.

The additions of Bobby Lang and Robert Mungen were a long time coming, Taylor said. He felt he owed it to former FAMU coach Costa “Pop” Kittles, who had stated that the statue was not complete without Lang and Mungen when the original version of the statue had been announced.

“Pop told us we’d be back here over 20 years ago,” Taylor said. “When the coaches were originally chosen to be added to the statue, Pop said that this was just the beginning.”

ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH

ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH

FAMU ‘22 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

FEATURED MAJOR REFRESH

ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

BY [ Vaughn WILSON ]

Patrons who attended the 2022 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame (SHOF) Enshrinement on September 9, 2022, witnessed a major refresh of the festivities, which was highlighted by a change of venue to the newly refurbished and historic Lee Hall Auditorium. New Hall of Fame Board Chairman Marvin Green, Jr., made the official announcement regarding the annual event that celebrates FAMU’s legacy of sports excellence spanning over a century of competition.

THE 2022 SHOF CLASS

Last year’s group of inductees featured 10 former student-athletes, a coach, three financial contributors, and two supporters of athletics.

Power-running halfback Frank “Choo-Choo” Middleton (1979-82), baseball pitcher Willie Mitchell (1983-86), men’s track-and-field record-holders sprinter Javaro Sims (1979-82) and middle-distance ace Alphonso Williams (197680), and decorated golfer Ulric Francis (1993-97) were the male athletes who were honored.

The female athletes who were honored include former star tennis player and current tennis director Rochelle “Nikki” Goldthreate Houston (1998-2002) and a trio basketball standouts, including forward Angela McPhaul (1991-96) and guards Akita Heatly (1996-99) and Antonia Bennett (2009-12)

Tallahassee attorney Daryl Parks and Emmitt and Hattie Alexander were recognized for their financial contributions. Longtime Rattler Sports Network broadcaster Michael Thomas and Office and Event staff administrator Clarice Byrd were honored for their support.

Last year’s induction featured an Excellence in Sport Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards-style format with a post-ceremony reception in the University’s Grand Ballroom. The 2022 Class was recognized the following evening during the FAMU-Albany State University football game at the venerable Bragg Memorial Stadium.

This year’s Enshrinement Weekend was dedicated to the memory of Coach Bobby E. Lang, a highly decorated coach and educator who served on the Sports Hall of Fame Board until his death in January 2022.

The coaching honoree was Pamela E. Reilly, who served as coach from 1989 to 1996 and mentored the championship-winning women’s volleyball and tennis teams.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

The 2022 SHOF Weekend also paid tribute to some notable athletic legends and trailblazers, including James Ashcroft, Major Hazelton, Eugene Milton and Nathaniel James, who comprised the fabled quartet from the 1966-68 men’s 4×100 relay team that won for three consecutive years at the prestigious Penn Relays.

Harriett Adderley was given the inaugural FAMU Sports Hall of Fame Trailblazer Award for her service as a member of Rattler Baseball in the 1960s.

New Faces, NEW PLACES

FAMU Announces W. Rebecca Brown as CFO/VP Finance and Administration

Florida A&M University (FAMU)

FAMU Announces Athletics Compliance Team

Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced its Athletics Compliance team. The six team members are part of the Office of Compliance and Ethics and fulfill President Larry Robinson’s commitment to promote a culture of compliance at the University and provide additional support to student-athletes. “I am impressed with the quality and experience of the new staff additions to our Compliance team. This will go a long way toward ensuring that our student-athletes get the service and support they need to succeed on and off the playing field,” Robinson said.

The Office of Compliance and Ethics (OCE) built out the Athletics Compliance Office over several months after President Robinson’s approval of the expanded structure of the unit in July 2022. OCE is in the process of identifying a candidate to fill the remaining vacancy in the Athletics Compliance Office.

The new team members are: Brittney Johnson, senior associate athletic director for compliance/senior woman administrator; Lori Goodart, associate athletic director for compliance, financial aid, and benefits; Kelley Bickham, coordinator, athletics compliance, certification and eligibility; Jerry Goodson, coordinator, athletics compliance, general compliance; Tia Huie, coordinator, athletics compliance, financial aid and benefits; and Alexus Davenport, graduate assistant, athletics compliance.

Mary Simmons Appointed Interim Dean SOAHS

Mary Simmons, Ph.D., has been appointed interim dean for the School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS). Simmons’ appointment began on July 1, 2022, following the retirement of Cynthia Hughes-Harris, Ph.D.

“I am honored, humbled, and excited to be called to serve the School of Allied Health Sciences in this capacity,” Simmons said. “I am looking forward to working with our faculty and staff to build upon the foundation of success established by our previous administrators.”

Simmons currently serves as the director for the Division of Cardiopulmonary Science in the School of Allied Health Sciences. In this role, she provides administrative oversight, as well as instruction and evaluation of the program.

Simmons celebrated her 20th work anniversary at FAMU last year. She holds a bachelor’s degree in cardiopulmonary science and a master’s degree in Public Health from FAMU, as well as a doctorate in public health/community health from Walden University. Her practical background includes respiratory therapy in adult critical care, pediatrics, trauma, and chronically diseased patients, and she has additional experience in childhood obesity and community health.

President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., announced in January the appointment of W. Rebecca Brown as chief financial officer (CFO)/vice president for Finance and Administration. Brown succeeds Gloria Walker, Ed.D. “Rebecca Brown has the qualifications and commitment to serve FAMU in this important role. She ably demonstrated this as interim CFO/VP during those rugged early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are looking forward to her continued leadership as we forge a new era of excellence at Florida A&M University,” Robinson said.

A FAMU alumna, Brown has filled various senior roles during her 24-year tenure with the University. She served as interim CFO/ VP for Finance and Administration from July 2021 until June 2022. Brown has been assistant vice president for Finance and Administration in charge of Business & Auxiliary Services. In that role, Brown provides oversight of Dining, Bookstore, Rattler Card, Business Center, Snack Vending, Drink Vending, Laundry, and Commercial Solicitation. She is responsible for more than 150 staff and contracted personnel and a consolidated operating budget of about $33 million.

As CFO/VP for Finance and Administration, Brown oversees Human Resources, Facilities Planning and Construction, which includes Plant Operations and Maintenance, the Budget Office, Comptroller’s Office, Procurement Services, and Business and Auxiliary Services.

“I’m happy for the confidence placed in me,” said Brown, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from FAMU. “We will bond together and get the job done.”

Allyson L. Watson Named Interim Provost/VP Academic Affairs

Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., an innovator and an expert in urban education, has been named interim provost/vice president for Academic Affairs, as part of the University’s administrative restructuring in November 2022. Watson was named dean of the College of Education in July 2019. Before coming to FAMU, Watson has been the dean of the College of Education at the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg (USFSP) since July 2017. Previously, she served as assistant dean, professor, and the first-named endowed chair for Urban Education, Outreach and Research at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. After graduating from BethuneCookman University, Watson earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in educational administration, curriculum, and supervision from the University of Oklahoma. As a full professor and graduate faculty member, she taught courses on educational research, advanced educational measurements and statistics, public school relations and instructional strategies.

Dr. Allyson L. Waton visits the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering as part of her new role.

New Faces, NEW PLACES

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Names

Suvranu De as New Dean

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s new dean Suvrano De began his tenure on July ,15, 2022.

De was the J. Erik Jonsson ’22 Distinguished Professor of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he served as head of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering and director of the Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Imaging in Medicine.

Administration/Chief Human Resources & Diversity Officer

Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced Ella Kiselyuk as associate vice president for Finance and Administration/chief Human Resources & Diversity officer (AVP/CHRO). Kiselyuk, who will also serve as chief of staff for Finance and Administration, started work last October. She was chosen from three finalists and more than 20 applicants because of her experience in higher-education human resources (HR) and campus operations, and her model of HR excellence.

Kiselyuk’s certification from the National Institute on Labor Law and Labor Arbitration is also impressive. During her tenure at City University of New York (CUNY), Kiselyuk served on CUNY Labor-Management Committee, where she represented a diverse group of Human Resources directors from several senior CUNY schools.

Kiselyuk earned both a bachelor’s degree in human resources management and a master’s degree in public administration from Bernard Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY), and is a member of her alma mater Executive on Board mentoring program. For over a decade, Kiselyuk worked at CUNY, where she rose to assistant vice president for Campus Operations/executive director of Human Resources. Before that, Kiselyuk worked in HR at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Before coming to FAMU, she was human resources director for Complete Care Management in New Jersey.

“I focused on motivating the multiple teams by empowering the staff and engaging in cooperative guidance,” Kiselyuk said. “I strive to lead by example by emphasizing a sense of urgency and attention to detail for all services.”

“We welcome Suvranu De to the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, a unique partnership that is breaking new ground in scholarship, research, and technology innovation while successfully recruiting and educating engineers from underrepresented groups,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “Dean De’s impressive background makes him well suited to lead the way forward as we enter a new era of success at the college.”

De was one of three finalists chosen by a 14-member committee following a nationwide search. The presidents and provosts of both institutions jointly made the final selection of De.

As dean, De serves as the joint college’s chief academic and administrative officer, overseeing academic affairs and research, including all centers, institutes, and academic services. In this role, he works with both universities’ deans, faculty, and administrators to advance the college’s mission and strengthen the institution’s state, national and international reputation.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve as the dean of the FAMUFSU College of Engineering,” De said. “The college is on a steep upward trajectory with

exceptional faculty, students, and staff; dynamic educational and research programs; world-class research centers; and dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. I have been thrilled by the warmth and hospitality I received on campus. My wife, Nilanjana, and I are looking forward to being part of the FAMU-FSU family.”

De succeeds Murray Gibson, who has joined the faculty after five years as dean. Farrukh Alvi has served as interim dean since November 2021.

“Dean Gibson provided extraordinary leadership for the college over the past five years, resulting in significant increases in the college’s stature and national rankings,” said FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maurice Edington. “Dean De’s impressive record of success, ambitious vision and strong commitment to the college’s mission made him the ideal choice for this vital role.”

The dean is employed by FAMU but reports to the provosts of both institutions.

Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature appropriated $6.6 million in recurring funds to the college’s joint budget to improve student success, recruit the best students, attract, and retain outstanding faculty, introduce new courses and degrees, and provide state-of-theart facilities for current and future research endeavors. De will concentrate on bringing external resources and partnerships to the college.

De’s research interests include the development of novel, robust, and reliable computational technology to solve challenging and high-impact problems in engineering, medicine, and biology. He is the recipient of the ONR Young Investigator Award (2005), Rensselaer School of Engineering Research Excellence Award (2008), the James M. Tien ’66 Early Career Award for Faculty (2009), the Rensselaer School of Engineering Outstanding Research Team Award (2012), the J. Tinsley Oden Medal of the U.S. Association for Computational Mechanics (2019) and the Edwin F. Church Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2022).

De currently serves on the editorial boards of multiple journals as well as scientific committees of numerous national and international conferences. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and serves as vice-chair (awards) of the IEEE Technical Committee on Haptics and leads/ co-leads several committees of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). He is an elected fellow of four professional societies: the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American

Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the International Association for Computational Mechanics (IACM), and the United States Association for Computational Mechanics (USACM).

At the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, De leads more than 300 faculty and staff, along with 2,800 graduate and undergraduate students on the campus. Over the past several years, the institution has enjoyed a dramatic rise in rankings, record-breaking research expenditures and notable achievements in academic and research success. More than half of the patents (combined) at FAMU and FSU came out of the joint college. Master’s and doctoral engineering degrees accounted for half of the total advanced degrees produced at FAMU in the 2021-2022 academic year. The 11 doctoral degrees awarded to Black engineers is a record for the top ranked HBCU.

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is the only such shared college of engineering in the nation. The institution, based in Tallahassee, Florida, has five departments and offers nine areas of study. The college’s faculty run many prestigious research centers and is closely associated with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.

representation in education. Her research interests are adherence to physical activity, best health practices, and physical education, particularly within K-12 school settings and among college-age individuals.

She completed her Ph.D. at the University of Florida and her undergraduate studies at Johnson C. Smith University.

Vice President for Strategic Planning, Analysis and Institutional Effectiveness

Kelly McMurray, Ph.D., joined Florida A&M University (FAMU) as associate vice president Strategic Planning, Analysis and Institutional Effectiveness in June 2021. She has been instrumental in formulating and presenting the University’s new five-year strategic plan, Boldly Striking, for Board of Trustees’ and Board of Governors’ approval. She was promoted to vice president for Strategic Planning, Analysis and Institutional Effectiveness in November 2022 as part of the University’s Administrative Restructuring announced by President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

Before joining FAMU, McMurray worked at Albany State University and the College of Southern Maryland. She also worked at Gordon College in Barnesville, Georgia, and Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Sarah Price Named College of Education Interim Dean

Sarah Price, a tenured associate professor, was named interim dean of the College of Education in December 2022. Price has served as Department Chair for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation since 2014.

She has a strong interest in leadership, accreditation, assisting in overcoming minority health disparities, and improving minority

McMurray earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Clark Atlanta University before earning a master’s degree in applied mathematics from North Carolina A&T State University and her doctorate in educational policy studies, with a concentration in research, measurement, and statistics at Georgia State University, Atlanta in 2010.

Timothy Barber Named Director of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives

Florida A&M University (FAMU) alum

Timothy A. Barber began his role as new director of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum on July 1, 2022. Barber was the long-time executive director of the Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South FL, Inc. He is also the creator and founding director of the Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex.

A native of Miami, Barber earned an associate degree in electronic engineering technology, from Bauder College, in Oakland Park, Fla., and a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in history from FAMU. He received archival management certification from the Georgia Archives Consortium, Museum Management from the Jekyll Island Management Institute, and the Devos Cultural Arts Management Institute. Barber gained his first experience in the field of archives and museums as a research associate at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives. Incorporated in 1977, the Black Archives in Miami houses more than 40,000 collections and objects of enduring value that tells the story of the African American experience in South Florida. The organization shares exhibits, loans objects, and supports educational programming throughout South Florida. Barber began working at the Black Archives in Miami in 2003 as an intern in charge of cataloging the collections before rising to assistant archivist, archivist, curator, historian, and, finally, director, a role he filled for the last 13 years.

ALUMNI APPLAUSE

BY [ Christina COMPERE-MINOR ]

Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting Awarded to HBCU Grad for the First Time

Two decades after Corey G. Johnson graduated from Florida A&M University (FAMU), he took home the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting in October 2022 for a Tampa Bay Times series revealing how a lead factory overexposed Black workers, their children, and surrounding community to dangerous amounts of lead and cancer-causing toxins. Johnson was part of a three-person team.

The recognition made Johnson the first Historically Black College or University

announcement. “It’s an honor to be a part of a long-running tradition of celebrating those members of the media, who work so hard to uncover the truth and hold our government accountable.”

Knight Foundation’s New Vice President and Chief DEI Officer

(HBCU) graduate to receive this award since the Pulitzer launched the investigative category in 1964. Johnson also became the sixth Black journalist ever to win the award.

At FAMU, Johnson studied psychology and African American History, earning a bachelor’s degree from what was then the College of Arts and Sciences. The Atlanta native praised the guidance from his professors in the psychology, history, humanities, and criminal justice departments for his recent achievement.

Administration and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Rinkins had been serving as Knight’s senior director for grants administration.

join an executive team committed to turning great ideas into smart investments to help build informed and engaged communities that make the dream of democracy accessible to all.”

The Son Also Rises

Before Roy Wood Jr. was known for his comedy on The Daily Show, he studied broadcast journalism and earned his bachelor’s degree at FAMU in 2001. Now it has been announced that Wood will be the featured entertainer at the 2023 annual White House Correspondents’ dinner.

Wood is the son of a pioneer radio and television journalist Roy Wood Sr., who earned a lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists after covering the Civil Rights Movement and the South African Soweto race riots.

“It will be a great night that will go down in the history books, or not, depending on which state you live in,” Wood Jr. said in the

After earning an MBA at FAMU in 2005, Roshell R. Rinkins has been appointed vice president for Grants

“Roshell brings organizational leadership experience to help drive Knight’s core belief to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion into every aspect of our work,” said Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation president.

In October 2021, the Knight Foundation donated $1.5 million to FAMU to add multimedia functionality to the University’s new Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater. This new public space, which includes the Amphitheater, is known as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Plaza.

“The work we do at the Knight Foundation is more critical than ever,” Rinkins said. “I am thrilled to

Central State University’s New Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Central State University (CSU)

President Jack Thomas, Ph.D., has announced that Kevicia Brown — who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at FAMU in pre-occupational therapy and sport management, respectively — has been selected to serve as the CSU’s new director of Intercollegiate Athletics in Wilberforce, Ohio.

“I am thrilled to join an executive team committed to turning great ideas into smart investments to help build informed and engaged communities that make the dream of democracy accessible to all.” — Roshell R. Rinkins

He now works for ProPublica, and has been a staff writer for the Marshall Project and the Center for Investigative Reporting. He co-founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting with Nikole Hannah-Jones, Ron Nixon, and Topher Sanders.

“FAMU first stoked the fire of public service in me,” Johnson said. “If not for the experiences and the urging to seek advanced knowledge, none of this would have happened.”

Since October 2021, Brown served as associate athletic director for internal operations and senior women administrator at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. She was also the NCAA Athletic Diversity and Inclusion Designee and worked with the Chief Title IX Coordinator on NCAA requirements for Title IX. She served on the The Citadel’s QEP Advising Practices Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, and a CitListen Facilitator for the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center. As a member of The Citadel’s senior executive team, Brown played a crucial role in launching the Bulldog Nutrition Program.

“I am very appreciative for this opportunity to serve and guide the Central State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. I thank President Thomas and the CSU community for entrusting me to lead our athletic programs,” Brown said. “Our focus continues to be graduating and providing a quality collegiate experience for our student-athletes while building and maintaining competitive programs, both regionally and nationally.”

101-Year-Old Marine Receives a Legendary Honor

Nearly 50 years after he graduated from FAMU in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration, Corporal (Ret.) George J. Johnson was honored with a bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal. He was honored as one of the first Black U.S. Marines, many of whom served in World War II.

According to his cousin Grace King, Johnson found the ceremony, which was held on February 6, 2023, at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, “very moving,”

“It’s hard to believe. It’s very incredible,” Johnson told a local ABC affiliate. “Those that gave it to me and those who made it possible for me to have it.”

Former FAMU Athlete Named ASU’s New Head Football Coach

Quinn Gray, Sr. has been named the 14th head football coach for the Golden Rams at Albany State University (ASU) in Albany, Georgia.

“It’s an honor to lead the football program and move the needle,” Gray said. “I look forward to taking the tradition here and continuing to move it forward.”

As a student-athlete at FAMU, Gray became the all-time leader

in passing yards (7,378), pass attempts (1,113), pass completions (562), and touchdown passes (57). He holds the single-game record for most pass attempts (65 vs. North Carolina A&T in ’01).

After graduating with bachelor’s degree in health and physical education in 2006, Gray played six seasons as the quarterback for the National Football League’s Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas

City Chiefs. Gray also played for the New York Sentinels in the United Football League, and led the Frankfurt Galaxy in the Europe Football League to the World Bowl Championship in 2003.

Gray is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and married to FAMU alumna Shemeka Gray. They have six children, Quine, Destiny, David, Quinn Jr., Ashton, and Londyn.

“FAMU first stoked the fire of public service in me,” Johnson said.

“If not for the experiences and the urging to seek advanced knowledge, none of this would have happened.”

BY [ Andrew J. SKERRITT ]

On theHill

FAMU Prepares to Open Chevron Innovation Fab Lab to Promote STEAM Discovery

On December 1, 2022, the FAMU Chevron STR2EAM Innovation Fab Lab held its first Design Studio, a significant step toward the launch of its initiative to enrich and expose students, parents, and educators through exhilarating learning experiences tied to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) discovery. “R2,” for reading and research, allows the unit and team members to incorporate literacy, literacy practices, and research-based practices within programmed events.

FAMU Acquires Two Apartment Complexes Near Campus

Florida A&M University announced the purchase of the 116-bed Citivue at Railroad Square to expand students’ on-campus housing options. The $12.7 million acquisition is located at 600 Eugenia Street on the northwest perimeter of the Tallahassee campus. It sits a short distance east from the 118-bed Light House at Brooklyn Yard apartment complex, acquired by the University in October 2022. The two apartment complexes will be called Rattler Pointe East and Rattler Pointe West, respectively.

Federal funding paid for the acquisition. The U.S. Department of Education approved the proposal to use Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds grants to purchase the 57-unit, seven-building complex.

“This is another significant step in the life of our University. Providing quality housing for our students is in keeping with our mission and strategic priorities,” said President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who thanked the members of the administrative staff including, Executive Director of Title III Programs Erick Akins, Ph.D., and Title III Programs Special Projects Coordinator Delores Glover, who worked closely with our Student Housing, Finance, Facilities and Legal teams to make this happen. “We also extend our gratitude to the U.S Department of Education. Without their financial support, this acquisition would not have occurred.”

The new acquisition enables the University to provide more on-campus housing for first-time-incollege and returning students at a time when skyrocketing rents in Tallahassee have driven up the cost of attending the University. Rents at Citivue range from $590 to 674 monthly.

As part of the University’s master plan, the goal is to add 2,000 more on-campus housing units in the coming years.

“This gives us the opportunity to continue enhancing our housing portfolio,” said Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson, Jr., Ph.D. “We have other plans to continue to increase our on-campus housing. We began this process years ago. This is the fruit of our labor.”

The half-day event was designed to gather information from stakeholders in the community and academia to ascertain how they wanted the lab to work for them. Several team-building activities and exercises provided strategic initiatives to further the lab’s mission and provide guiding design principles. Among the stakeholders were representatives from FAMU DRS, the College of Education, Tallahassee Community College, Lively Tech, Florida State University, Southern Regional Technical College of Georgia, and Jefferson County Schools.

FAMU Chevron STR2EAM Innovation Fab Lab

The 116-bed Citivue at Railroad Square is located at 1600 Eugenia Street.

“This reality of innovation drives our institution. We can’t get where we want to go without new ideas and the resources to get there,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who spoke at the event. “We want to make things better, but we don’t always have the resources that are necessary to make it happen. I dreamed of many things growing up on the south side of Memphis. But I didn’t have a Fab Lab to turn those ideas into reality. Just imagine the importance of having the tools available here at FAMU and FAMU DRS.”

President Robinson Announces Administrative Restructuring to Foster Operational Excellence

FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., announced an administrative restructuring to foster operational excellence. These changes include the establishment of a new chief operating officer (COO), who will guide strategy for vice presidents and other senior administrators to improve outcomes on key performance indicators and achieve operational excellence

The FAMU Chevron STR2EAM Fab Lab was made possible through a partnerships with Chevron, which provided $550,000 in funding for equipment and staffing. Further, the Fab Foundation will provide $150,000 for Fab Lab development, management techniques, curriculum, research initiatives, and upgrades. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has contributed $50,000 to upgrade the facility infrastructure and has pledged further funding for STR2EAM initiatives, said David White, Ph.D, director of the FAMU Chevron Fab Lab and a distinguished professor in the FAMU College of Education.

“We believe that when students are exposed to opportunities through STEAM and given the option to explore through engaging learning activities, it will promulgate their pathway into successful and innovating STEM careers,” he said.

The next step is updating the Fab Lab facilities with new ventilation and electrical systems. The initial labs will be located in the Gore Educational Complex and another at the FAMU DRS campus. The goal is to have the Fab Lab operating by the middle of the spring semester. Eventually, Fab Labs will expand to elementary, middle, and high schools throughout south Tallahassee.

“This is not an indictment of anyone, but an opportunity for us to move the entire University forward. We are pushing to more effectively align our administrative talent with our strategic mission and operational needs,” Robinson said. “This new structure better serves our students, faculty and staff, and promotes our core values of accountability, inclusion, innovation and integrity. This is in the best interest of Florida A&M University and will define the next chapter in our great institution.”

President Robinson’s direct reports will include the COO, vice president for finance and administration, vice president for audit, chief compliance officer, vice president for advancement, vice president for legal affairs/general counsel, vice president for athletics/athletics director, vice president for information technology, chief of staff, and director of government relations.

Maurice Edington, Ph.D., who had served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will move to the number two role as executive vice president and COO. In this role, Edington will serve as second-in-command and provide direction and oversight for university leadership to implement strategies and systems that improve the quality and efficiency of services and operations, and enhance accountability.

As part of the plan, Allyson Watson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Education, assumed the role of interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. She will be responsible for overseeing all matters pertaining to the University’s academic programs, activities, and support services. Sarah Price, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Education, assumed the role of interim dean of the College of Education. Kelly McMurray, Ph.D., will be promoted from associate vice president to vice president for Strategic Planning, Analysis, and Institutional Effectiveness.

A national search will be launched to identify the next vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation. Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Ph.D. will continue serving in this role until the search is completed and will resume her role as dean of the School of Business and Industry (SBI). Friday-Stroud, who led the University’s record $24.6 million fundraising campaign in 2021-2022, has juggled multiple roles for the past five years and is looking forward to focusing full-time on the needs of SBI students, faculty, and staff after a successor is hired.

“I look forward to passing on the baton to my successor when the time comes,” Friday-Stroud said.

“Serving as vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation is an honor and an invaluable education in understanding how much student success is tied not just to academics but to fundraising and advancing the University.”

On theHill

FAMU Student Wins $250K Grand Prize in Pharrell Williams Black Ambition Initiative

FAMU senior engineering student Zac Gilchrist won this year’s Black Ambition Initiative, sponsored by Grammy Awardwinning musician/entrepreneur Pharrell Williams. Gilchrist won $250,000 to go toward launching his product, The Move, a social media app for parties, events, and cool local areas built for college students. The app allows students to vote on which events they want to attend each day. It also has group chats for each event with danger alert buttons, so students can notify each other of any potential danger signs at parties.

“We are so incredibly proud of Zachary Gilchrist and the hard work that he put into this project,” said professor Jason Black of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. He has been very active in multiple ideation and product pitch competitions, and this experience has only better prepared him to excel when the time came for him to pitch his product idea.”

The third-place winner was recent FAMU MBA student Nicki Ekhomu, who won $50,000 for her HBCU Award Product Idea, the EQ1: Powerful Pain Relief in the Palm of Your Hand. The EQ1 is an all-inclusive physical rehabilitation device that provides athletes with every treatment needed for a speedy and effective recovery without the need for an icepack or bulky equipment. It gives users six treatments in one wireless portable handheld device, including temperature therapy, cold and hot massage, electrical stimulation (TENS and EMS), and infused padding.

“We are also very proud of Nicki Ekhomu,” Black said. “As a recent School of Business and Industry MBA Candidate, she has definitely demonstrated the ability and skills instilled in SBI students, and help further the legacy of Dr. Sybil Mobley and the current faculty and staff of this esteemed department.”

FAMU Unveils Indoor Air Quality Center of Excellence

FAMU has unveiled the new Indoor Air Quality (“IAQ”) Center of Excellence (COE). The Center is being established in partnership with Aura Air, a leading global provider of smart-air technology. Led by Professor Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D., dean of the FAMU School of the Environment, the facility will serve as the authoritative center for studying, testing, and analyzing indoor air quality in the State of Florida.

“The global pandemic raised the awareness of the role of contaminants such as COVID,” Ibeanusi said. “We have researchers; we have the capability of training students. Our goal is to secure grants. There are zero professionals in this area. We don’t have students who are trained to do the research who understand the role of COVID particulate matter and how they travel. That’s the role of engineering. We also aim to reach out to low-income communities to raise awareness. The good news is that this Center is in the School of the Environment and we can do all of this.”

The COE will facilitate workshops and training to educate the public on the importance of air quality monitoring and develop a statewide IAQ management plan that includes:

■ Training the next generation of air quality professionals

■ Improving energy efficiency in buildings

■ Supporting a statewide air monitoring program

■ Providing air filtration, purification, and monitoring solutions to government buildings, educational institutions, hospitals, and public transportation.

Dean of the FAMU School of the Environment Victor Ibeanusi is surrounded by students as they unveil the new Indoor Air Quality Center of Excellence.

FAMU unveiled the new Knight Foundation Plaza and digital technology board that will become the centerpiece of the students’ vaunted weekly “Set Friday” tradition of student entrepreneurship, Greek fraternities and sororities stepping, and musical performances.

“The Plaza will be the location for many memorable events for our students and the community,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “The Knight Foundation Plaza symbolizes a further cementing of the relationship between our University and this great philanthropy.”

The Foundation’s first investment in FAMU dates back to 1971. Since then, Knight has

invested more than $7 million in the University. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Plaza is a 25,000-square-foot plaza that includes the Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater. The Miami-based foundation first announced the $1.5 million donation during Homecoming 2021 that included funding for the video screen, which debuted during the opening ceremony moderated by Student Government Association President Zachary Bell and attended by FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

Roshell Rosemond Rinkins, a FAMU alumna, is now the chief Diversity and Equity and Inclusion officer and vice president of Grants

Administration for the Knight Foundation. She spoke on behalf of the organization at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Over the last year, the team has worked tirelessly to bring this digital public space to life with the installation of the video wall that you see right behind me at the Amphitheater and other theatrical equipment that will come online in the coming months,” Rinkins said. “This latest investment of $1.5 million builds on a 51-year relationship between Knight and the University and ensures that there is a safe and vibrant gathering place for future generations of Rattlers, Tallahassee residents, and visitors.”

President Robinson joins Knight Foundation VP Roshell Rinkins, SGA President Zachary Bell, VP for University Advancement and FAMU Foundation Executive Director Shawnta Friday-Stroud and others at the unveiling.

(Credit: AJ Shorter Photography)

FAMU Unveils Knight Foundation Plaza, New Home for “Set Friday”

THE FALLEN RATTLERS

Conchita M. Owens

JANUARY 2022

Dolores C. Leffall,

JANUARY 2022

Mrs. Essie M. N. Helper-Morgan

JANUARY 2022

Dr. Clyde E. Alderman, Jr.

JANUARY 2022.

Malcolm Quincy Barnes

JANUARY 2022

Treceda A. Cobbs-Christy

JANUARY 2022

Richard Ricardo Napier, Sr.

FEBRUARY 2022

Ada Puryear Burnette

FEBRUARY 2022

Coach Jimmie Alphonso “Tab” Johnson

FEBRUARY 2022

Lynette Edmonds Johnson, Ed.D.

FEBRUARY 2022

Gloria Gant

FEBRUARY 2022

Patricia Frances Mosley Lee

FEBRUARY 2022

Mattie W. Bryant

FEBRUARY 2022

Dorothy Raines Parker

FEBRUARY 2022

Coach James Day

FEBRUARY 2022

Elizabeth Louise Isom Calhoun

MARCH 2022

Carolyn Burnette Richardson

Frazier

MARCH 2022

Alvin Leroy Lee

APRIL 2022

Isaac “Ike” Williams

APRIL 2022

Curtis A. Ford, Jr.

APRIL 2022

Shatanya Clarke

APRIL 2022

Delmas Thomas Barber

APRIL 2022

Lawrence “Larry”

James Alexander

MAY 2022

Rev. Louis M. Murphy, Sr.

MAY 2022

Laura Michele Branker

MAY 2022

Willie B. Jacobs

MAY 2022

Michael Joseph Harris, Ph.D.

MAY 2022

William “Bill” H. Ravenell, Esquire

MAY 2022

George Leon Johnson, Sr.

JUNE 2022

La’Tolan Vashaun Barrington

JUNE 2022

Mother Janet McCray

JULY 2022

Jinrard Dean “Hayward”

“JD” Barge

JULY 2022

Dorothy Speed Eason

JULY 2022

Evelyn Janice Mordica

JULY 2022

Dolores Mildred Robinson

AUGUST 2022

Ruby Lee “Baby Mae”

Williams Caswell

AUGUST 2022

Deacon L.C. Bradley

AUGUST 2022

Michael Terry Thomas

AUGUST 2022

Buenita Ann Lee

AUGUST 2022

Sharon Elaine Branton Wade

AUGUST 2022

Ralph G. Coleman, Jr.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Frances Jannette Morrow James

SEPTEMBER 2022

Barbara Jean Lindsey

Oguntade, Ph.D.

SEPTEMBER 2022

Mary “Jeanette” Jones-Clayton

SEPTEMBER 2022

Eartha L. White Gallon

OCTOBER 2022

Margaret Elizabeth Lewis

OCTOBER 2022

THE FALLEN RATTLERS

Janie Gooden Greenleaf, Ph.D.

OCTOBER 2022

Demetrius Burkes

NOVEMBER 2022

Alphonso Benjamin Varner

NOVEMBER 2022

Lady Paula Annette Graham

NOVEMBER 2022

Reva Dale Baldwin Myer, Ph.D.

NOVEMBER 2022

Trustee Thomas “Tommy” Dortch, Jr.

FEBRUARY 2023

Nikitria Rotashia Groomes

Joshua

FEBRUARY 2023

Sandra Carolyn

McMillan Kelly

FEBRUARY 2023

Alexander Boyd

MARCH 2023

Clara B. Floyd-Gaymon

MARCH 2023

Kofi Hemingway

MARCH 2023