Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., welcomes students, faculty and staff during the Virtual 2020 President’s Convocation 10:10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
The ceremony will be aired on Famcast, FAMU YouTube channel as well as the FAMU Facebook page.
During his address, Robinson will highlight the university’s efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of the opening plan to welcome back more than 1,300 students in on-campus housing. As of Tuesday, 9,034 students are enrolled for the fall, according the Division of Academic Affairs.
“You are entering FAMU during a historic pandemic,” Robinson tells the Class of 2024 as he references the digital nature of the ceremony. “Whether in person or virtual, the Rattler spirit is not virtual; it is real, and it touches you wherever you might be. Our commitment to our students is real not virtual. We will get beyond this pandemic and be stronger for it.”
Robinson also recalls the role of FAMU students during the Tallahassee boycott and 1960s civil rights struggle and saluted alumni, such as Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and St. Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Melvin Carter, for their leadership during the ongoing unrest following the deaths of George Floyd and other Black men at the hands of police.
“FAMU has been on the forefront of the struggle for social and racial justice throughout its history. We must remain in the struggle,” Robinson says. “FAMU is a leader not a follower. We expect you to be as well.”
The half-hour broadcast features greetings from current student leaders and musical performances from previous President’s Convocations.
