Homecoming is a day away and alumni will be back to see old friends andreminisce on their years on the hill. “I enjoy seeing what new things they have added since my youth. … It’s likestarting school again,” said Bernice Carey, 70, from Miami, who graduated in1960 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Carey, who lived at Polkinghorne Village as a student, attends FAMU’shomecoming every year and gets a rush of excitement. “Words can’t tell how it feels,” she said. Other alumni focus on homecoming as a family tradition. Ted Taylor, 50, has hadmany family members attend FAMU, and has been attending homecoming since he wasa child. “FAMU homecoming means just that,” said Taylor, a ’75 graduate from Ocala. “Ienjoy going back to think about the good times.” Some band alumni, like Stephen Miller III, who played the tenor and tom tomdrums in the Marching 100, consider homecoming a “can’t miss” event. “I haven’t missed a homecoming since I [was] enrolled,” said Miller, 33, ofPompano Beach, who graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in criminaljustice. “It brings a feeling of excitement to see the brothers and sisters youwere in the band with.”
Miller said he believes students who are involved with activities at FAMU willhave a special bond with the school that may be different than the bond that astudent who was not involved with extra curricular activities would have.
“Being a part of the 100 added more flavor because you were a part of somethingspecial at FAMU,” Miller said.
When Taylor attends homecoming he said he notices some people who probably havenever attended the university, but are excited about being in the midst ofRattlers.
“They seem to be so thrilled to be on the legendary FAMU campus,” Taylor said.”It’s like an annual family reunion.”