In a room full of Rattlers, the FAMUly prevails. Faculty and staff as well as student organizations gathered Friday in the Lawson Center to attend the annual President’s Convocation.
Campus organizations attending, donning professional attire. Some sat with banners and others in their colors. A few of these organizations included SISTUHS Inc., Progressive Black Men, The Divine Nine, and FAMU Presidential Ambassadors. Florida A&M alumni and freshmen also attended.
The ceremony kicked off with a live performance from the Marching 100. The program then transitioned into an opening prayer, followed by a warm welcome from SGA vice president Jeffery Francis.
“The President’s Convocation serves as a timed honor tradition,” Francis said. “A symbolic gathering where our academic community comes together to celebrate shared commitments of excellence, learning and pursuit of knowledge.”
Shortly after, Mr. and Miss FAMU approached the podium, welcoming incoming Rattlers and acknowledging the Royal Court in its entirety.
Malachi Gibbs, the King of Orange and Green, was humbled to be amongst so many of FAMU’s influential leaders being that this was his first convocation on the royal court, but last as a graduating senior.
“I’ve been going to convocations ever since I’ve been at FAMU, and I never thought I would be sitting in that front row,” Gibbs said. “It was a moment that I could look at and say wow, I accomplished one of my goals in life.
Several musical selections from the Marching 100 were performed throughout the entire event. Traditional songs like “Do Whatcha Wanna” and “SOS” served as the entertainment portion between public speakers and their introductions.
Allyson Walker, the provost and vice president of the division of student affairs, went into depth on the president’s achievements, having the honor to introduce him before the student body.
With students and staff around the whole gymnasium standing up in applause, President Larry Robinson made his way to the front of the room for his “Welcome to the Hill” speech.
He began by acknowledging the faculty and commending their work ethic. He went on to discuss new housing locations and involvement opportunities, expectations for the upcoming football season, and reassured fellow Rattlers that it was the faculty’s duty to make this year one of the best student experiences for all classifications.
Robinson used the slogan, “It’s our time” as he reflected on FAMU’s accomplishments and its progression. Implying that as a student body, we have to continue to strike boldly, strike forward, and strike together.
He acknowledged the Wall Street Journal ranking FAMU as one of the top 10 schools in career preparation, while also mentioning FAMU received over 22,000 intake applications. That was a tremendous increase in relation to the 2020 intake numbers when the university was strictly virtual, Robinson said while comparing the two.
As the program came to a close, Dr. Shelby Chipman, band instructor, spoke on behalf of the band. President Robinson appeared one more time for closing remarks, and afterwards Rev. Jones gave the benediction. The convocation concluded with the alma mater and the postlude.
Dakhaiyah Davis, an incoming freshman, shared her experience attending her first convocation. She expressed gratitude for being apart of the number of applicants admitted to the university last year.
“I really enjoyed it,” Davis said. “Knowing that only 1600 students got in and I’m one of them made me feel special.”
The university will celebrate its 136th birthday on October 3 and will host its next convocation during Homecoming Week on Friday, October 27.