Florida A&M President Elmira Mangum on Friday urged students to recommit themselves to education and help the university retain its position among top-rated HBCUs.
In her first State of the University address, Mangum called on the campus population to do well and strive for better.
“Rattlers, this morning I ask you to rededicate yourselves to the pursuit of excellence in everything that you do,” said Mangum to an audience of students, faculty and others in Gaither Gymnasium.
It was Mangum's first President's Convocation. She started her term at the head of the university in May.
Dominique James, Ms. FAMU 2014-2015, said FAMU supporters should “surround in welcoming our president to our illustrious university.”
Touting recent accolades of which FAMU received, Mangum said she believed the university was in a good position. The Princeton Review again ranked FAMU among the best in the southeast.
“We have a lot to be proud of,” Mangum said.
Mangum said she planned to increase focus in science and research, and also art. She said these most could better position the university to be a global power among its peers.
“I have set a course that is designed to make our university a brand that matters in the 21st century,” Mangum said.
She again pledged to ensure that students and others using administrative will get the best attention, adding that service “will be emphasized and given the high level attention it requires on a regular basis.”
Mangum also said that she was working with attorney Linda Barge Miles, along with students and others, to streamline university policies to “eliminate waste and excessiveness, so the university runs in an efficient and effective manner.”
Others plans have already culminated in this semester's launch of the university's Sustainability Institute and the upcoming launch of Black Television News Channel, a collaboration with FAMU's School of Journalism & Graphic Communication.
“With these initiatives underway, I challenge the students and faculty to exceed standards already established through study, research and teaching,” Mangum said.
Magnum encouraged students to take on roles as FAMU's ambassadors and champions.
“Nothing at stop us from achieving our goal but us…we must be the change agents that we want to see at FAMU,” Mangum said. “By working together, FAMU will expand its reach as one of the highest regarded institutions in America and a school of choice for the best and the brightest students, faculty and staff.”