Hello FAMUly,

This is the Homecoming edition of “Striking from the Top,” as the University is a buzz in preparation for “The Experience 2022.” As I always like to say, “Great things are happening at FAMU every day.” That is especially true during Homecoming. “The Experience” kicks off this weekend, with a drive-in movie on Saturday and a gospel experience and Coronation Ball on Sunday.

You may have heard that a universally acclaimed morning television show, Good Morning America, better known as GMA, is on its way to the Highest of Seven Hills. Well, it’s official. GMA will broadcast live from Homecoming to show the world how the Rattlers “Strike.” It doesn’t hurt that ABC News President, Kim Godwin, is a graduate of our School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC). Of course, she’ll be here too, to celebrate with us. We’re excited about them coming to help share with the world that FAMU spirit.

(See #FAMU Shorts Video Story)

Our new Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes will be here to experience her first FAMU Homecoming as an official Rattler. Sykes is currently the executive senior associate athletic director for varsity sports and senior woman administrator (SWA) at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. I am happy to welcome her into the FAMUly.

This will also be the first FAMU Homecoming for new Assistant Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer Ella Kiselyuk. Kiselyuk, who will also serve as chief of staff for Finance and Administration, started work earlier this month. I welcome her to the FAMUly as well.

Thanks to the Blueprint Governmental Agency (City of Tallahassee and Leon County elected officials), Bragg Memorial Stadium looks amazing and is ready to welcome a capacity crowd of Rattler fans for Homecoming.

(See #FAMU Shorts Video Story)

It’s been a great fall semester for FAMU athletics. The Rattler football team has a 13-game home winning streak, second longest in the nation among the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The volleyball team, I like to call the “Sweep Sisters,” are undefeated in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) competition. The golf team has won multiple tournaments, and the bowling team produced the SWAC bowler of the week. SJGC student Taylor Adams reports.

(See #FAMU Shorts Athletics Video)

We just acquired a 118-bed apartment complex on the northwest perimeter of campus that is currently home to some FAMU students, including Trustee and Student Government Association President Zachary Bell. The property was purchased based on two appraisals, which were less than the original asking price.

(See #FAMU Shorts Video Story)

Finally, I am looking forward to the Homecoming Convocation during which our own alumna Tiffany Greene will deliver the keynote address. The event, a highlight of The Experience/FAMU Homecoming 2022, will begin at 10:10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Of course, there will be a donor roll call, a major fund-raising activity for the University.

There’s been a lot of debate about which HBCU has the best Homecoming, but you know what time it is and how we do the things we do on the “Hill.”

Welcome home and “Keep Striking from the Top!”

LET'S GO RATTLERS!

Larry Robinson, Ph.D.

12th President of Florida A&M University

University Spotlight:

FAMU Awarded $320K for Research on

Adaptive Distributed Learning of Data Science

Florida A&M University (FAMU) has been awarded $320,000 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a collaborative research project that aims to improve undergraduate data science education using adaptive distributed learning methods. The project involves faculty and students at three other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Student Spotlight:

FAMU Announces 2022-2023

David E. and Mary J. Pollard Scholarship Recipient

Zaire Johnson

David E. and Mary J. Pollard vowed future generations would not experience the financial burdens they endured as students in the 1960’s at Florida A&M University. Accordingly, the Pollards made a gift agreement with FAMU to financially support students in the STEM and Teacher Education Programs.

It was their desire to help senior students with great potential, yet substantial financial need in paying in-state tuition. As a student, Mary J. Pollard juggled several jobs just to earn enough money for tuition. Unable to buy her own books, she relied on friends for access to books and tutoring. David E. Pollard became her favorite tutor. Together, this determined couple graduated from FAMU and decades later, retired as beloved and honored South Florida educators.

Researchers Get $1 Million from NSF to

Train the Next Generation of Minority STEM Scientists in Multifunctional Materials

Florida A&M University and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering received a $1 million, three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the training of underrepresented minority scientists in multifunctional materials. The grant is part of the national HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering (RISE) program.

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