U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III will address Florida A&M University (FAMU) graduates via live stream from the Pentagon in Washington, rather than in person 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Austin, the first African American to be named Defense Secretary, was originally scheduled to address graduates from the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities in person in Tallahassee. A retired Army general who grew up in nearby Thomasville, Georgia, Austin will also officiate at the commissioning ceremony for more than 20 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.
Austin is one of four speakers for the weekend ceremonies being held at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. The ceremonies will be streamed live on YouTube at FAMUTube1887.
Commencement ceremonies kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, when former state Senator Arthenia Joyner will address graduates from the School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Environment and the College of Education. Joyner, who received her bachelor’s and law degrees from FAMU, represented Tampa in the Florida Senate for a decade.
At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Board of Governors Vice Chair Brian Lamb will address students graduating from the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health and the School of Business and Industry. Lamb, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida, is the global head of Diversity & Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Keith Clinkscales, a FAMU graduate and founder of The Shadow League, will address students from the College of Science and Technology, the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology, the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, the College of Engineering and the School of Nursing.
FAMU College of Law graduates will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday, May 10 at the Frontyard at Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando.
Due to the pandemic, the ceremonies are ticketed events. Each graduating student is allowed up to four guests. Attendees are required to wear masks.
The University will continue to adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Board of Governors guidelines during commencement ceremonies to ensure the health and safety of all participants.
For more information, visit the Commencement website at www.famu.edu/commencement.
