Following the death of Andre D. Green, who served as FAMU’s assistant dean of students and director of the Efferson Student Union, Senate President Loryn May and Attorney General Elijah Hooks joined forces to co-author a bill in honor of his leadership and service.
Green’s connection to Florida A&M University dates back 17 years. In his latest role, he presided over student organizations, including the Student Government Association, campus activities board, orientation leaders, royal court and presidential ambassadors.
On Aug. 1, Green, 41, was found dead in his north side apartment. This news took university officials and students by surprise.
A homegoing service was hosted by the university on Aug. 28, the first day of classes for the fall semester. The event took place in Lee Hall and featured student and faculty speakers.
Counseling resources and support were also provided by the university to those in need. Many students, however, have since urged for more to be done in his honor.
May and Hooks began drafting their bill in August.
“Over the summer, Elijah and I were looking over the documents and discussing how to improve them. During our conversation, he gave me the idea of writing the bill. After he brought up the idea, I was so excited because this was a way that we as a student government could honor Mr. Green because he has done so much and dedicated his life to helping students,” May said.
Hooks was also adamant about his inspiration for the bill.
“Me and Director Green, we’re both from the same area of the state. Understanding what it takes as an African-American man to make it out of rural North Florida gave me the passion to want to honor such a great figure in our FAMU community. I think it’s significant that we remember Director Green in this distinct way. Renaming a building or room in the student union after him will serve as an example for future generations of Rattlers and uphold his legacy of leadership and service to this institution,” Hooks said.
May proposed their bill titled, “Honoring the Life, Leadership, and Legacy of Andre D. Green,” during the Sept. 12 Student Senate meeting. Within it are three distinct proposals to further recognize Green’s service and impact on the university.
Section one of the bill states, “The Student Government Association 53rd Student Senate, on behalf of the student body of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, hereby advocate for the renaming of a building or room on the campus of Florida A&M in honor of the leadership and legacy that Director Green leaves behind.”
Section two of the bill states,
“The Student Government Association 53rd Student Senate, on behalf of the student body of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, hereby posthumously award Andre’ D Green with the Student Senate Medal of Service and officially rename the following: The Andre D Green Student Senator of the Year Award.”
Beyond his titles, Green was a friend and mentor to many. Kendall Johnson, a 2022-2023 orientation leader and the 117th Miss Florida A&M University, is one of many students impacted by his leadership.
“He loved us, he inspired us, he invested in us. There is little to nothing that Dre’ would not do for us, and we knew that not because he had to but because he wanted to. That’s the type of man he was. It brings me complete joy knowing that our students have decided to rename a building or room in his honor. He is so deserving, and he is truly missed, but I know that we, the students he loved and cared for, will continue to honor the legacy he left behind and continue to uphold the standards he instilled in us,” she said.
May and Hook’s bill has since passed (17-0 vote) and is now pending the signatures of SGA President Mondelus and Senate President May to be effective.