Florida A&M University
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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU (Pronounced Fam-U), is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida and is one of eleven institutions in Florida's State University System.
Florida A&M University student enrollment population consists primarily of undergraduates (students enrolled at the lower division). The University offers 62 bachelor’s degrees in 103 majors/tracks. 36 master’s degrees with 56 majors/tracks are offered within eleven of the University’s 13 schools and colleges. Two professional degrees and eleven PhD degree programs are offered.
History
On October 3, 1887, the State Normal College for Colored Students began classes, and became a Land grant university four years later when it received $7,500 under the Second Morrill Act, and its name was change to State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students. However, it was not an official institution of higher learning until the 1905 Buckman Act, which transferred control from the Board of Education to the Board of Control, creating what is the foundation for the modern Florida A&M University. This same act is responsible for the creation of the University of Florida and Florida State University from their previous institutions. In 1909, the name of the college was once again changed to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, and in 1953 the name was finally changed to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. FAMU is noted for its College of Pharmacy. Also the Journalism, and School of Business and Industry are highly acclaimed. The university marching band, the Marching "100", has become the standard for marching band programs around the world.The FAMU Rattlers football team was a powerhouse in the middle of the 20th Century. From 1938 to 1961 it won the Black College National Championship eight times, including six times under head coach Jake Gaither, in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1957, 1959 and 1961. When Gaither retired after 25 years of coaching in 1969, his FAMU teams had a 203-36-4 (wins-losses-ties) record, for a .844 winning percentage. Thirty-six players from Gaither's teams were All-Americans, and 42 went on to play in the National Football League. During his 25 years as head coach, FAMU won 22 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships. Gaither was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1975.
Notable alumni
- Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Jazz Legend
- Nat Adderley, Jazz Legend
- Kimberlee Borland, Miss Black Universe 2006
- Corrine Brown, Congresswoman from Florida
- Vince Coleman, former Major League Baseball player
- Common, Entertainer
- Andre Dawson, former Major League Baseball player
- Willie Galimore, former NFL player
- Althea Gibson, Tennis Player
- Marquis Grissom, Major League Baseball player
- Bob Hayes, Football Player, Olympic Gold Medalist
- Earl Holmes, former National Football League player
- T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Actress
- Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor of Detroit
- Hal McRae, former Major League Baseball player and manager
- Ken Riley, former National Football League player
- Anika Noni Rose, Tony Award winning Actress
- Sticman and M-1, members of Hip-Hop Group Dead Prez
- John W. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Symantec Corp
- Roy Wood, Jr., comedian and disc jockey
References
- [Rattler Foorball - A. S. "Jake" Gaither] - URL retrieved June 25 2006
- [Black College National Champions] - URL retrieved June 25 2006
- [Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference History] - URL retrieved June 25 2006
External links
- [Official website]
- [Official athletics webiste]
- [Official alumni website]
- [Marching 100] Video clip. From the State Library & Archives of Florida.
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