Florrida A&M University’s newly constructed Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) complex was officially christened at 11 a.m. today with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey, who called this ribbon cutting “a momentous occasion,” sat among members of the FAMU Board of Trustees, the vice president of Student Affairs, the SGA resident, Mr. and Miss. FAMU and university President Larry Robinson, to cut the ribbon.
The building, which is also the new home for Student Health Services, has been open since the start of the spring semester. Thanks to an impressive statue of a rattlesnake in front of the building, it has become a popular place for students and others to take pictures.
Robinson thanked a lengthy list of people during his presentation of the greeting at the ceremony, which included the Florida’s Black Caucus at the Capitol, the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Senate, as well as Governor Ron DeSantis for their contributions to the construction of the new complex.
“This ribbon cutting actually symbolizes the contribution of this university’s commitment to excellence with caring,” Robinson said. “But let us not forget the struggle for it will have us to appreciate this facility.”
FAMU Trustee Nicole Washington opened the remarks at the ceremony by saying, “The Center for Access and Student Success building is a product of and will continue to contribute to FAMU’s students’ success. It’s really not the walls, it really is what this represents as far as our students being able to have access to registration, financial aid and student services in one centralized location,” Washington said.
Vice President of Student Affairs William Hudson Jr. spoke during the acknowledgements part of the ceremony: “All current students, prior students and future students is why this building is important,” Hudson said.
“The services we provide to our students is to help them find who they can be and where they can go throughout life and prepare them for this global economy.” Hudson added.
During the ceremony, Robinson also awarded Blake Simpson, a linebacker on FAMU’s football team, with the President’s Student Leadership Award for his tireless work in organizing peaceful protests against racial injustice this past summer.
Toward the end of the ceremony, Hudson said he is excited about the renovations underway at Bragg Memorial Stadium in partnership with Mayor Dailey and community leaders.