Photo credit: Aldernico Brioche
To encourage prospective students to attend Florida A&M University (FAMU), the Office of New Student Orientation (NSO) hosted its annual Spring Preview from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on March 24 in the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center.
NSO, which coordinates programs designed to facilitate students’ transition into FAMU, is also responsible for ensuring that prospective students receive vital information about services and organizations on campus.
Along with student reflections, FAMU’s very own President Dr. Larry Robinson gave a speech titled “Why Choose FAMU?” He stated several facts about the rate of African-American graduates that historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) produce within the fields of education, political science, and law.
Robinson emphasized the accolades for the university, including FAMU being ranked the No. 1 public HBCU in the nation.
“Not only are we the No. 1 public HBCU, we among other HBCUs produce the largest number of baccalaureate degree recipients,” Robinson said.
With the assistance of the Orange & Green Guides and Orientation Leaders, prospective students, parents, and guidance counselors learned about FAMU’s different programs and traditions. Along with the Royal Court, student leaders gave reflections about their student experience on “the Hill.”
Imani Jennings expressed that it was not until being in a similar recruitment fair in her hometown of Miami that she realized FAMU was the perfect fit for her. Jennings received the Presidential Distinguished scholarship and applied to FAMU following the recruitment fair.
She shared her experience in the School of Business & Industry. She explained that their teachings prepared her for her professional career.
Photo credit: Aldernico Brioche
“I am happy and blessed to say that because of their training and the grace of God, I have accepted an offer to work full time at Google in Silicon Valley upon my graduation,” Jennings said.
Jennings is a senior business administration student, who previously served as a 2015 Orientation Leader and as Miss Junior Attendant for the 2016-2017 academic school year.
To give the prospective students a taste of what is to come once they arrive on “the Hill” the Marching 100 performed with a selection of different tunes as Rattlers in the crowd sang and danced along with the band. Following the performance, band director Shelby R. Chipman announced that auditions for the band would be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Foster-Tanner music building.
Sophomore criminal justice student Janai Swain was one of the Orange & Green Guides who helped at the Spring Preview. She expressed the enjoyment of helping future Rattlers throughout the eventful day.
“The most exciting part of the day was when I got the chance to interact with our future Rattlers about their perspective of college and the goals they want to pursue,” Swain said.
In Rattler fashion, Director of NSO Andre Green gave closing remarks and FAMU alumna Carmen Cummings sang the alma mater a cappella.