May 2026

Special Edition: FAMU Commencement and 21st FAMU Law Hooding Ceremony


Florida A&M University (FAMU) recognized students graduating from its College of Law during an afternoon commencement ceremony in the Lawson Center on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The nearly 40 attending law graduates continued a streak of those who elect to participate in the commencement exercises on main campus. Less than a week later, a majority of our graduates and candidates of Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 celebrated with family and loved ones during the 21st Annual Hooding Ceremony held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Orlando on Thursday, May 7, 2026.


Be sure to view the Graduate Spotlights featured in this edition!

 

FAMU Spring 2026 Commencement

FAMU Law’s Spring 2026 Juris Doctor Graduates Participate in Commencement on Main Campus

 

FAMU Law 21st Hooding Ceremony

FAMU Law Honored Class of 2026 at Annual Hooding Ceremony in Orlando - By Sabrina Childress

 

Spring 2026 Valedictorian

Congratulations to Kayla Carestia

Class of 2026 Valedictorian

 

21st Hooding Ceremony Video

Click here to view the FAMU College of Law 21st Hooding Ceremony

FAMU College of Law 21st Annual Hooding Ceremony Video

The FAMU College of Law worked with DunbarWalker Productions to create a memorable event for the 21st Hooding candidates and graduates. The team at DunbarWalker Productions also provided a live-stream through University and College of Law social media channels for family members and revelers who were not among the event attendees. Re-live key moments from the event by clicking the above video produced by DunbarWalker.

21st Hooding Ceremony Program


In-step with the University, the College of Law printed a smaller amount of physical programs than in prior years. The Hooding Ceremony committee provided a QR-code to attendees who could access the program online.


The program includes the official program order, the listing of graduates and candidates with honors denotation, the listing of 2025-2026 teaching faculty, featured speaker bio, and acknowledgements with committee and volunteer listings. To view the digital program, please click the image below.

Annual Hooding Video Showcases College of Law Composite Photos


The Composite Video features graduates and candidates from the Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 semesters. The images were captured by photographer Tracy Turner with Royalme Photography, who also created the professional composite. The final, framed composite was revealed at the Hooding Reception the evening before, and later affixed in the Hall of Students at the College of Law, a Student Bar Association tradition since the 5th Hooding Class. The video depicts graduates who participated in the composite shoot, and features honors, veteran/military, law review and SBA graduates. Click the image below to view the video.

 

21st Hooding Ceremony Reception

Student Bar Association Honors Graduates and Departments During Hooding Reception

 

Graduate Spotlights

A Rattler Legacy: Two Sisters. Two Doctorates. Five FAMU Degrees

The Dynamic Duo: Making Magic and Leaving a Lasting Impact

Spotlight: Bengy Baptiste

Spotlight: Richelle De Jesus

Spotlight: Destiny Ford

Spotlight: Juhli Ann Francis-Singh

Spotlight: Adriana Griffin

Spotlight: Jossie Louis

Spotlight: Stefania Grillo Quintero

 

FAMU College of Law

Originally established on December 21, 1949, the division of law at Florida A&M College admitted its first class in 1951. Between 1954 and 1968, the law school graduated 57 students, as the Florida Board of Control (Regents) withdrew its permission for the institution to admit law students in 1966. The doors were closed in 1968. 


The 2000 Florida Legislature unanimously passed legislation establishing a law school at Florida A&M University, and on June 14, 2000, Governor Jeb Bush signed the bill into law. At a temporary location, the FAMU College of Law admitted its first class in the fall of 2002. Members of the first class of the reestablished law school had the degree of Juris Doctor conferred on April 30, 2005, in Tallahassee, Florida. In January 2006, the College of Law opened at its state-of-the-art permanent location in Orlando, Florida.

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