Photo courtesy: Famu_1887 on Instagram
Florida A&M University focused its Giving Tuesday initiative last week to support a campaign to build a statue of former President Frederick S. Humphries, Sr.
Tuesday’s Day of Giving was an opportunity for FAMU alumni and friends to show their appreciation and donate to the university in order for FAMU to invest in new initiatives.
This year, FAMU’s initiative focused primarily on raising donations for a commemorative bronze statue honoring the life of Humphries, FAMU’s late eighth president. Humphries died on June 24. He was 85.
Humphries was devoted to bettering Florida A&M. He led the university through its “golden age” during his presidency from 1985 to 2001.
Humphries recruited high-achieving high school students who today are prominent alumni during his time as president.
Laurence Humphries, Humphries’ second son, supports the effort to build a statue in commemoration of his father.
“It’s important that Florida A&M remembers the rich legacy of this great university. That’s why I am proud to support this effort to raise money for a statue of my father, Dr. Frederick S. Humphries,” he told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Humphries’ legacy and leadership continue to strike throughout FAMU today.
This past Tuesday, hundreds of alumni made pledges for this year’s initiative. Andrew Skerritt, assistant director for FAMU’s Office of Communications, said many of the gifts were designated specifically for a statue of Humphries.
“The Day of Giving is an international philanthropic day of giving,” Skerritt said. “It is significant to FAMU because it is one of our four major annual giving campaigns. We raised over $125,000 on Giving Tuesday, with approximately $20,000 for the statue.”
The university has said that it will need approximately $350,000 to commission a statue of Humphries.
“We are so thankful and appreciative of our alumni and friends that donated on Day of Giving and throughout the year,” Skerritt added.
Donors were asked to visit www.FAMURising.com to give toward the Humphries statue.
Shawnta Friday-Stroud, vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation, expressed appreciation to those who donated on Tuesday.
“We appreciate the generosity of our alumni and corporate supporters in this time of great need,” Friday-Stroud said in a release. “Giving Tuesday offers another opportunity to stand with us as we raise funds toward a statue for Dr. Humphries and other initiatives on campus.”
To give to Florida A&M at any time, text FAMURISING to 41444 to donate.