'A critical economic engine': FAMU celebrates its impact at the Florida Capitol
Orange and green filled the Florida Capitol courtyard Wednesday as Florida A&M University celebrated its annual Day at the Capitol.
The event drew a crowd of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and local officials. The Marching 100 and FAMU cheerleaders filled the space with booming brass and rhythm as they played a few crowd favorites that had alumni singing along as they performed.
Following their performance, interim FAMU President Timothy Beard took the podium to a standing ovation. He reflected on his own time as a student, connecting the university's past to its present momentum.
'When I was a student in the early '80s, I heard (FAMU President) Walter Smith many times use the saying, 'FAMU means more than athletics and music.' That was 45 years ago,' Beard said.
'FAMU has produced remarkable results—strengthening the workforce, building the talent pipeline, and fueling economic growth. FAMU is a critical economic engine in our community, generating substantial returns year after year.'
Florida State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues also took to the stage, praising the university's far-reaching impact.
'You attract students from all over the country,' Rodrigues said. 'With over 20,000 applicants, and 61% of your bachelor's degree graduates staying right here in Florida, FAMU plays a vital role in strengthening our economy.'
The celebration extended indoors on the second and third floors of the Capitol rotunda. Various colleges and programs within FAMU showcased exhibits that highlighted student research and innovation.
While FAMU's annual celebration at the Capitol takes place during the legislative session for stakeholders to advocate on behalf of the university's needs, FAMU National Alumni Association President Curtis Johnson does not think efforts should stop there.
'My charge to alumni is that we extend beyond just FAMU Day at the Capitol and that for us, it's a 365-day charge of developing, growing and nurturing relationships with our electees in our respective communities so that they are familiar with who we are and what we represent,' Johnson told the Tallahassee Democrat Wednesday.
'We're working lockstep with FAMU Government Relations since our advocacy is directly aligned with the university and what its legislative priorities are in the state and nationally.'
FAMU's $55.5 million legislative request this year includes $35.5 million for academic excellence efforts such as 'leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to revolutionize teaching, learning and research,' recruitment and retention for the College of Law, and renovations for the FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research at the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences.
The remaining $20 million in FAMU's request would go toward student success initiatives such as recruitment scholarships and academic support for transfer students.
While the main purpose of FAMU Day at the Capitol is to tout university achievements while individuals such as alumni, students and faculty seek support from lawmakers, this year it all comes during a time where FAMU is also seeking a new president.
The university's presidential search committee is in the process of holding closed-door sessions, where it recently reviewed candidate applications and is expected to conduct first-round interviews Monday and Tuesday.
But Johnson says there is 'not at all' an urge for lobbying to take place during the Wednesday event at the Capitol regarding FAMU's search for a new leader.
'Our main focus today is to go and make sure the legislators in the state of Florida are aware of our legislative budget request. Our theme today is laser-focused on that, making sure they are aware of that, and making sure those critical components are funded because they are essential to the existence of Florida A&M.'
Tallahassee City Commissioners Dianne Williams-Cox and Curtis Richardson were among the dignitaries present, along with members of FAMU's Board of Trustees, including Chair Kristin Harper, Kelvin Lawson, and Student Government Association President Loryn May.
Higher Education Reporter Tarah Jean contributed to this report. Mishalynn Brown can be reached at MBrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @mishalynnb
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU celebrates its impact at the Capitol as state Legislature meets
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