FAMU among land-grant HBCUs affected by USDA's suspended 1890 Scholars Program
FAMU among land-grant HBCUs affected by USDA's suspended 1890 Scholars Program
Show Caption
Hide Caption
White House Black History Month comes during DEI roll backs
President Trump hosted a Black History Month event at the White House as his administration rolls back diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The USDA has suspended a scholarship program for students at historically Black land-grant universities, including FAMU.
The suspension is part of a review of federal programs to ensure they align with President Trump's executive orders, including ending DEI programs.
The program, established in 1992, provides scholarships to students from underserved communities to study agriculture and related fields.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended a scholarship program designed to increase the number of agriculture students at the nation's historically Black land-grant universities – a decision that hits home for Florida A&M University.
If the scholarships are not reinstated, FAMU and 18 other land-grant HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) will not have future cohorts of students through the decades-old program.
According to the announcement made on the USDA's website last week for the 1890 National Scholars Program, the scholarships have "been suspended pending further review."
'As a result, Florida A&M University may not have an incoming class of USDA 1890 Scholars for the 2025 academic year,' Garlen Dale Wesson, dean of FAMU's College of Agriculture & Food Sciences, said in a statement sent to the Tallahassee Democrat Monday.
'However, this decision does not affect the 20 current scholars enrolled in the program, who will continue to receive their scholarship benefits and assistance as previously awarded. Additionally, other agriculture scholarships awarded to FAMU remain unaffected.'
The 1890 land-grant institutions are HBCUs that were established with federal land grants under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, which required states to establish those colleges and universities for Black students.
Through the scholarship program, established in 1992, students from underserved communities are given scholarship money to attend land-grant HBCUs for a full four years for specific training related to agriculture as well as animal science, botany, forestry and more.
But the program's suspension comes as part of President Donald Trump's directives during efforts to cut all federal assistance that may conflict with his recent executive orders, including ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
With Trump's executive orders underway, the scholarship program was suspended while it is being reviewed to ensure that it aligns with the president's new rules since Jan. 20, which include 'Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.'
Related news: FSU, FAMU give campus communities guidance after Trump's orders on DEI funds, immigration
The USDA scholars program gave $19.2 million to scholarships for HBCU students in the 2024 fiscal year to provide them with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. FAMU gets $39,000 per student each year for scholarships through the program, according to a spokesperson.
It's unclear whether the majority of the university's scholarship recipients are from Florida or from out of state. Also, while 50 to 60 students usually apply to FAMU through the 1890 Scholars Program each year, it is unclear how many prospective students have applied for the upcoming school year before the suspension.
'While this suspension presents a challenge for prospective students who would have benefited from the scholarship, we remain committed to supporting scholars in the program,' Wesson said. 'We will continue collaborating with our supporters and corporate partners to ensure students have access to opportunities in agriculture and food science.'
The University of Florida is the only other land-grant university in the state, but it was established under the Morrill Act of 1862. Besides FAMU, here are all the other 1890 land-grant HBCUs that are part of the program:
Alabama A&M University
Alcorn State University
Central State University
Delaware State University
Fort Valley State University
Kentucky State University
Langston University
Lincoln University
North Carolina A&T State University
Prairie View A&M University
South Carolina State University
Southern University System
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Virginia State University
West Virginia State University
Tarah Jean is a reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can reached at tjean@tallahassee.com and follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
6 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Elon Musk's public dispute sparks interest in Tesla from short sellers
Last week, a social media post from Elon Musk caused many people to stop what they were doing and look down at their phones. Even for the Tesla (TSLA) CEO, known for his controversial and bold opinions, what they saw seemed surprising. Musk had previously announced plans to cease his political spending. But only a few days later, he accused Trump of having direct ties to notorious criminal Jeffrey Epstein and alleged that without his help, the Republican president would not have won last year's election. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Since then, Tesla has been in the spotlight, as the dispute between two of the world's most powerful men continues. While TSLA stock initially plunged on news of the argument, it has since regained some of its momentum. Even as shares slowly trend upward, though, experts speculate that short sellers may regard the Musk-Trump fallout as an opportunity to bet against the stock. Over the past few months, Musk's behavior has sparked a global backlash against Tesla's brand, causing sales to fall across the U.S. and Europe. This clear indication of consumer sentiment toward him has caused some financial experts, including Tesla shareholder and fund manager Ross Gerber, to call for him to step down. Related: Elon Musk company reveals major leap forward When Musk announced that he would be stepping back from his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), TSLA stock surged, and some investors speculated that the company's troubles were over. But now his falling out with Trump has generated further uncertainty. When a prominent company starts showing signs of weakness or instability, short sellers are likely to start closing in. So far, Tesla's recent declines have been highly profitable for those willing to bet against it. The Wall Street Journal reports that as TSLA stock plunged last week, short sellers pocketed up to $4 billion, noting: Betting against an industry-leading company like Tesla will always carry some risk, regardless of how bleak its prospects may appear. But experts see a case for shorting TSLA stock, provided investors understand its volatile nature, which includes surging unexpectedly. "I think Musk dragged Tesla into a political spectacle," Galileo FX CEO David Materazzi tells TheStreet. "That creates perceived instability. Short sellers don't need real damage, just the illusion of it. Volatility invites them in. When the CEO becomes the story, the stock turns into a target." Financial education platform First Information's CEO Vince Stanzione holds a short position in TSLA. He says his reasons are "business not personal," however, citing the company's high valuation and questionable market share over the feud between Musk and Trump. More Tesla News: The 'anti-Tesla' gives American buyers more good newsAnalyst sets eye-popping Tesla stock price targetElon Musk's feud with Trump is hurting an unexpected investment "The P/E ratio is over 100 and growth the last few years has been near zero," he says of Tesla. "The bulls will say you're paying for the future and Elon Musk's brilliance, and I am not disputing that Tesla could have some future hits in the pipeline, but Elon Must is very good at promising "jam tomorrow" which never seems to materialize, or if and when it does, it's not the flavour he promised." Stanzione also raises a concern regarding Tesla's foray into robotics, something on which Musk has hinged a lot of the company's prospects. This part of Tesla's business just became more complicated due to the abrupt departure of one of its leaders. Related: Heavily shorted AI stock is rapidly climbing the Fortune 500 "Unless robotaxis start showing up en masse by the end of this year, then investors will keep selling," states Stanzione. "I am very bullish on robotics. It's something I have been investing in for over a decade, especially in medical and military uses, however, Tesla is not the only game in town." He names rivals such as Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics, both of which are making notable advances in the robotics field that could threaten Tesla's progress. Chief Analyst Dan Buckley also highlights the potential valuation problem, stating "Tesla short sellers may see their edge in the long-term mismatch between its ~$1 trillion valuation and the current reality of its business – i.e., nearly all auto-based revenue – and the uncertain viability of its highly speculative emerging tech bets." That said, Buckley advises investors considering a Tesla short to "treat political feuds as a volatility amplifier rather than a directional signal" and highlights the importance of caution when betting against such an unpredictable stock. Related: Billionaire fund manager, skeptical of AI, backs shocking stock The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
USA Today
10 minutes ago
- USA Today
'Do YOUR job': Newsom clashes with JD Vance, other GOP officials over LA protests
'Do YOUR job': Newsom clashes with JD Vance, other GOP officials over LA protests Show Caption Hide Caption Demonstrations critical of ICE near Twentynine Palms Marine base The protesters gathered along Highway 64 along the route between the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and Los Angeles. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is not holding back as top Republican officials criticize his handling of the increasingly hostile protests over President Donald Trump's immigration policies. In addition to his ongoing feud with Trump, who suggested the Democrat be arrested, Newsom has responded to sweeping criticism by Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas and other GOP officials. The tension between the Golden State and federal regulators comes after the Trump Administration deployed National Guard troops to crack down on violent protests against immigration raids in LA. Around 700 U.S. Marines and 2,000 National Guardsmen have been ordered to mobilize protestors in the area after the president already authorized the deployment of 2,000 guardsmen. The San Francisco native criticized the president's comment Monday, June 9 that "it would be a great thing" for border czar Tom Homan to arrest him. "The President of the United States just called for the arrest of a sitting Governor. This is a day I hoped I would never see in America," he wrote on X. "I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican this is a line we cannot cross as a nation — this is an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism." Newsom for most of the day fired back with all tools in his arsenal, including 800 additional police officers, a lawsuit and invectives warning Trump is acting like a 'dictator.' 'Los Angeles: don't take Trump's bait. Trump wants chaos and he's instigated violence,' Newsom said in a post on X. 'Stay peaceful. Stay focused. Don't give him the excuse he's looking for.' White House Communications director Stephen Cheung took to social media to accuse Newsom of being "the biggest cuck in American politics," a centuries-old insult that the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines in a few different ways, none of them flattering. Cheung accused Newsom of allowing "domestic terrorists to desecrate and defile communities across CA." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the Marines are being sent "due to increased threats to federal law enforcement officers and federal buildings, approximately 700 active-duty... are being deployed to Los Angeles to restore order." "We have an obligation to defend federal law enforcement officers - even if Gavin Newsom will not," Hegseth said. The post was viewed more than 3 million times within four hours. Trump and Newsom have often clashed but the showdown over Los Angeles marks a new low in their heated relationship. In a lawsuit, Newsom says the Trump administration is violating California's sovereignty. 'One of the cornerstones of our Nation and our democracy is that our people are governed by civil, not military, rule,' the lawsuit says. Trump 'used a protest that local authorities had under control to make another unprecedented power grab." Newsom used the official governor of California website to skewer the president over sending federal troops to the state without the governor's consent, saying he would send 800 state and police officers "to clean up President Trump's mess." Here's a breakdown of who Newsom has clashed with on social media. Vice President Vance urged the California governor control the chaos that escalated in the state himself before blaming Trump or the White House's action. "Do your job. That's all we're asking," Vance wrote. Less than two hours later Newsom replied "Do YOUR job. We didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. Rescind the order. Return control to California." Vance later responded to a video shared by Homeland Security's official X account of a masked demonstrator holding a Mexico flag while standing on top of a graffitied vehicle as burning cars line the street. "This administration will not be intimidated by lawlessness," he wrote. "We will stand by the FBI agents tracking down violent criminals, by the guardsmen, local police, and Marines restoring order, and by the ICE agents enforcing our immigration laws. President Trump will not back down." Tom Cotton Senator Cotton blamed the Democratic party for violence that escalated in LA Sunday. "They demand open borders, or they will riot. And Dem politicians like Newsom will back them," the U.S. Senator from Arkansas wrote on X. "It won't work. We must never tolerate this lawlessness." Newsom replied on X writing: "The only one supporting lawlessness is you and every one of Trump's minions who are allowing him to illegally militarize our city and incite violence." Cotton replied with a photo of the demonstrator holding the Mexico flag writing "What kind of governor blames police officers and the National Guard for 'inciting' this violence? Your policies created this mess. And California deserves a lot better." Jim Jordan Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio indirectly addressed LA protestors waving flags for Mexico or other countries writing: "We fly the American flag in America. Newsom later quoted the X post with pictures rioters from the Jan. 6 insurrection storming the US Capitol in 2021 holding American flags. "Like this?" Newsom quipped. While Jordan did not reply to the governor's comment, he continued to address the situation in LA writing "President Trump is deporting CRIMINAL illegal aliens. And the Left is burning down Los Angeles." "Republicans back law enforcement. Leftist rioters throw rocks at them," he later wrote. Tommy Tuberville Newsom later responded to a Florida's Voice report of U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama echoing Trump's call to arrest the California governor. "Lock him up," Tuberville told Florida's Voice. "LA looks like a third world country — anarchists are in charge, law enforcement is being attacked, and the rule of law is nonexistent." Newsom replied to the retired college football coach citing that Alabama has three times the higher homicide rate of California. According to most recent CDC data, in 2022 Alabama had a homicide rate of 14.9 with over 700 deaths while California had a rate of 5.9% with over 2,300 deaths. "Its murder rate is ranked third in the entire country," Newsom wrote. "Stick to football, bro." Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver
New York Post
11 minutes ago
- New York Post
China chows on US fast food at London trade talks
China's trade negotiators surrendered at the end of the second day of US trade talks in London — by feasting on American fast food, The Post has learned. The famished Chinese delegation ordered a delivery of McDonald's, Burger King and KFC after the day-long negotiations at just after 7:30 p.m. local time, sources said. Team Trump — featuring Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer — also turned to a fast-food option. However, they dined on takeout from Pizza Express, a British chain specializing in handmade pizzas, the sources told The Post. 4 Chinese officials were left humiliated at the end of trade talks against Trump's team by ordering takeout made up entirely of US fast food. The president, seen above during the campaign last year, is a known aficionado of McDonald's meals. Getty Images One insider branded Beijing's gastronomic choices as 'a total cultural victory' for the United States, even though there was no deal announced on ending the tariff trade spat in sight. 4 The Trump administration team dined out on handmade pizzas from the British restaurant chain Pizza Express, sources said. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images A spokesman for China's embassy to the UK did not respond to The Post's request for comment. The US and China meting at Lancaster House to try and build on negotiations in Geneva last month that agreed to a 90-day suspension of most of the 100%-plus tariffs they had imposed on each other in an escalating global trade war. Lancaster House, an 18th-century mansion a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, is close to the upmarket neighborhood of Mayfair that is home to some of the British capital's best restaurants. The move by Chinese officials, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, may be seen as a blow to the host country, which has repeatedly seen its culinary capabilities derided by snooty foreigners throughout history. Insiders refused to be drawn in on whether the meals of choice for Beijing's top brass could raise the chances of success for a possible agreement with Washington. 4 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called the talks 'productive', has left London to appear in Congress on Wednesday. REUTERS Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is on the way back to DC and will debrief Congress on Wednesday, called the meeting 'productive.' On Monday, President Trump told reporters: 'We are doing well with China. China's not easy.' The commander-in-chief is known to be a fast food aficionado and even served diners at a McDonald's drive-thru during a campaign stop in the swing state of Pennsylvania in October. 4 Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and his team snubbed some of London's finest restaurants on Tuesday. REUTERS His preferred order at the Chicago-based fast food chain is two Big Macs, two Filet-o-Fish sandwiches, and a chocolate milkshake, according to a 2017 book written by two former campaign staffers. The 'Let Trump Be Trump: The Inside Story of His Rise to the Presidency' tome was penned by Corey Lewandowski and David Bossi. On the table for trade talks, aside from the fast food, are the levies slapped on semiconductors that power artificial intelligence, visas for Chinese students at American universities, and rare earth minerals that are vital to carmakers and other industries. The negotiations were sparked by the threat of Trump's so-called Liberation Day reciprocal tariffs, which he threatened to slap on countries that he believed had been treating the US unfairly.
