Sonya and Chawlie Robinson were among the parents in town for the weekend’s festivities.
“We’ve looked forward to this visit since the beginning of the semester,” Sonya said. “It’s our oldest daughter’s first semester of college, and we’ve been looking forward [to] seeing what her experience is like here on campus now that she lives here.”
Florida A&M celebrated its annual Parent and Family Weekend. This year’s theme was “FAMUly Affair: A Place Where Family Counts.”
The Office of Student Activities planned events on campus as students reunited with parents and loved ones.
Events included an all-school pregame tailgate brunch at Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday before the FAMU vs. South Carolina State University football game, a campus tour, an opportunity to visit students’ classes and a visit to the Black Archives Research Center.
During the brunch, Interim President Larry Robinson and other university officials greeted parents.
“As a parent, I appreciate the fact that the faculty and staff are heavily involved with the students,” Chawlie Robinson said.
Parents of future Rattlers also took advantage of the weekend’s events.
Felicia Mathews, a parent from Macon, Ga., said she wanted her son to get a head start.
“My family attends homecoming every year,” Mathews said. “But my son is a graduating senior in high school and wants to attend FAMU, so we decided this weekend would allow him the chance to really get to experience campus life.”
Ramon Tassile, a parent from Fort Myers, said that a trip to the Black Archives two years ago during parent weekend allowed him to see FAMU for so much more.
“I was hesitant about allowing my son to attend FAMU,” Tassile said “After our visit two years ago, my son has become a successful student here, and I couldn’t be more proud.”