Yesterday, the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend the contract of Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.
The contract is effective September 15, 2017 through September 14, 2018.
“The unanimous vote is not only another signal of our confidence in the current leadership of Dr. Robinson and his team, but it is also a continuation of our journey toward making a good and thoughtful decision on selecting the next permanent president of Florida A&M University,” said Board of Trustees Chair Kelvin Lawson. “Extending Dr. Robinson’s contract gives us time to weigh our options, post the next Board of Governors’ meeting, to determine if we will conduct a national search or ask Dr. Robinson to continue his work as the permanent president. The Board is committed to making the best decision for our university.”
Dr. Robinson expressed his appreciation for the confidence and support of the trustees and reiterated his commitment to serving the University.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve this great institution as interim president and humbled by the vote of the Board of Trustees,” said Robinson. “I remain dedicated to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to ensure that the goals of the University are successfully accomplished.”
Dr. Robinson has served as the interim president since September 15, 2016, and previously served in the capacity from July 2012 to April 2014 and in 2007.
Florida A&M University
FAMU Receives Grant from Intel to Promote Diversity in Technology
Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced today that it is receiving a grant from Intel Corporation to expand pathways for more women and underrepresented minorities to enter and succeed in tech fields.
The partnership is a part of the Intel Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Grant Program, which was developed to increase the number of African Americans who pursue degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering and computer science. FAMU will be awarded $550,000 over a three-year period to offer two-year scholarships. Up to 26 junior to doctorate level students majoring in these areas will reap the benefits.
In addition, the partnership will help to support student tutoring and mentoring programs, labs, research experiences and workshops that will encourage collaboration between academia and the technology industry to equip students with the relevant skills needed to succeed in the technology sector.
The partnership will also encourage professional development, including consideration for an internship or full-time job at Intel upon graduation.
“We are thrilled to partner with Intel to expand scholarship opportunities for our computer science and engineering students,” said George Cotton, FAMU’s vice president for University Advancement. “This FAMU grant will not only help our talented students to excel academically without the burden of debt but also paves the way for the University to produce more women and underrepresented minorities working in STEM.”
Intel developed the concept for the HBCU Grant Program in 2015 after the corporation set a bold goal of reaching full representation of women and underrepresented minorities in the U.S. workforce by 2020. As a result, Intel committed $300 million to support diversity in technology initiatives, investing in education pathway programs, university partnerships, diverse entrepreneurs, anti-online harassment initiatives and spending with diverse suppliers.
Nearly $5 million was earmarked to encourage students to remain in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pathways at HBCUs. FAMU was among only six universities to be selected for the program.
“As we work to build a more diverse, inclusive workplace, it’s vital that we continue developing pathways for exceptional, diverse STEM talent – not only to encourage them to pursue STEM, but to ensure they’re supported with the best possible resources,” said Barbara Whye, chief diversity and inclusion officer and vice president of Human Resources at Intel Corporation. “Our work with HBCUs will give students the tools they need to excel in STEM careers, and we hope they will bring their great minds to Intel.”
Florida A&M University Football Legend Bob Hayes Honored at Super Bowl LI
Interim President Robinson, Hayes Family Attend Game, Events Honoring 29 HBCU Greats
Just minutes before Super Bowl LI kicked off in Houston, Texas, fans cheered during an emotional pregame, on-field tribute to 29 NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame players, including Florida A&M University (FAMU) legend Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes. The late two-sport Rattler is the only athlete to win a Super Bowl ring and Olympic gold medals.
At the invitation of the NFL, FAMU’s Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Hayes’ family members attended the game and a weekend of special events dedicated to trailblazers who attended historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Hayes died in 2002 at the age of 59. He was enshrined posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in July 2009.
“The crowd showed tremendous respect for Bob Hayes and all of the HBCU honorees,” Robinson said. “It touched me deeply. Bob’s family, as well as all Rattlers, should be extremely proud.”
Hayes’ sisters, Lucille Hester of Washington, D.C., and Georgette Sanders of Jacksonville, Florida, reflected on their brother’s legacy and the perseverance of HBCU athletes who succeeded without sophisticated equipment.
“They will inspire so many of the young ones to look up and say ‘this could be me,'” Hester said. “For Bob to be a part of the 29 is remarkable. We thank the FAMU family for their support and participation.”
Hayes enjoyed a successful career with the Dallas Cowboys and a stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Many credit the legendary Rattler with revolutionizing professional football with his world-class sprinter’s speed.
The names and photos of six late HBCU greats, including Hayes and Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, were shown along with a video presentation at NRG Stadium before the other Hall of Fame players walked onto the field as an announcer called each of their names.
In December 2016, the NFL joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) at the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia to kick off an enhanced partnership initiative titled, “Strength of HBCUs: Impacting Pro Football Since 1948.”
The goal of the partnership is to honor the history and impact of HBCUs and their players and increase career opportunities for students and athletic administrators at these institutions.
Photo (Left to right: Lucille Hester, Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Georgette Sanders): On Sunday, Feb. 5, FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Bob Hayes’ sisters Lucille Hester and Georgette Sanders celebrated his legacy and impact at NRG Stadium.
Charter Communications Joins BTNC-FAMU Collaboration to Establish First Black News Network
Florida A&M University (FAMU), the state’s only public historically Black university, has moved another step closer to serving as the headquarters for the nation’s only African-American news network.
The Black Television News Channel (BTNC) announced yesterday that it signed a multi-year agreement with Charter Communications to premiere the news network in 14 of the digital cable television service’s top African American markets in the United States. BTNC programming will be shown in Charter markets that include New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Boston, Tampa, Orlando, Cleveland, Charlotte, Birmingham, Norfolk, Raleigh-Durham, and New Orleans.
In 2014, FAMU entered into an 11-year agreement with BTNC to house its 24-hour, multi-platform news network in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC). On Feb. 24, 2017, FAMU, BTNC, and Charter will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on FAMU’s campus to announce the African-American news network’s official launch date.
The addition of Charter Communications to the project represents a milestone for BTNC, as it now has carriage or distribution agreements with three of the nation’s four major subscription television providers.
“As we get closer to the launch date of this groundbreaking network, the University remains excited about the opportunity to play a key role in bolstering the nation’s African-American news offerings, reporting the cultural achievements of the African-American community, and developing the next generation of minority journalists,” said FAMU’s Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.
According to a study by the Florida State University Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis, the network will serve as an economic powerhouse for the North Florida region. The center reports that BTNC will generate more than 100 jobs in Tallahassee and more than $30 million annually in economic stimulus for the region. FAMU’s journalism and graphic design majors, and other student groups and organizations, will benefit from the millions of dollars of equipment and other resources provided by BTNC.
“Our students will receive internship and job opportunities as a part of the BTNC collaboration,” said SJGC Dean Ann Wead Kimbrough, DBA. “This unique opportunity affords our students cutting-edge training experiences that will provide advantages in a competitive marketplace.”
According to BTNC, its network operation center will be the first 4K Ultra HD newsgathering and production infrastructure of its kind and will include a multi-million-dollar, media-training center for aspiring journalists. FAMU students will benefit from multiple courses of study in network broadcasting, digital media, virtual reality, and operations.
Kimbrough said locating BTNC’s headquarters on FAMU’s campus provides the network the opportunity to link with one of the nation’s most respected and award-winning schools of journalism. This location also affords BTNC direct access to the next generation of aspiring multimedia communicators and a rich pool of on-air contributing analysts including FAMU faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni.
Florida A&M University's Statement Regarding SGA's Electoral Commission Decision
The Florida Legislature has provided for university student governments to self-govern, and pursuant to the August 2016 opinion, the First District Court of Appeals upheld this autonomy.
Subsequently, on January 11, 2017, Florida A&M University’s Student Government Association (SGA) – through its Electoral Commission – issued an electoral resolution determining that Justin Bruno and Devin Harrison are the SGA President and Vice President, respectively. The SGA has the authority to self-govern pursuant to Florida Law and the Florida Board of Governors’ regulation.
The University’s administration looks forward to working with SGA’s representatives.
