A new Miss Florida A&M University will be seen at Thursday’s Black History Convocation.
Nicole Bowden, a senior pre-physical therapy student from Tallahassee, was called upon Tuesday to complete the academic year as the 107th Miss FAMU. Bowden was a runner up for the title in last spring’s election.
“While my dream of being Miss FAMU had faded away after the results of last year’s spring election, I was always taught to answer the call of FAMU,” Bowden said. “And I am humbled to do that now for the institution that I so deeply love.”
UPDATE: 9:50 p.m. Thursday
According to Alonda Thomas, interim executive assistant to the president for communications, there will not be a formal release.
However, an official statement from the university explained Bowden will serve as Miss FAMU for the remaining academic yea:.
“Effective immediately, the role of Miss Florida A&M University will be carried out by Nicole Bowden. Due to the rules outlined by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which protect students’ right to privacy, we cannot discuss any details surrounding the change in student leadership.”
Dannie Stewart, a junior psychology student from Jacksonville, said he feels like it is a responsible decision on behalf of the university to elevate Bowden into the position.
“It shows the integrity of the university is still intact, and it also supports the standard that Mr. and Miss FAMU are supposed to be students and ambassadors of Florida A&M University,” Stewart said.
Merissa Evans, a senior political science and pre-law student from Tallahassee, said she was happy for Nicole.
“Nicole Bowden will have an excellent impact on the university,” Evans said. “Her love for FAMU and its community is one that is unexplainable and will definitely shine through her as she carries the title of Miss FAMU. Recruiting is her specialty. I’m super excited to see her in action at Spring Preview.”
Bowden hopes her reign will be remembered in a way that makes people believe that she loves her university.
“I’m not certain what individuals will ultimately remember of me,” Bowden said. “I’ll leave that for them to decide. However, when those who care about the university look back over my short reign, it is my hope that they will see a young woman who cared deeply for this institution, represented it with all the attributes one would expect and held true to our hallmark of ‘Excellence with Caring.’ ”