FAMU Celebrates 510 Graduates During Summer 2026 Commencement
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University (FAMU) celebrated 510 candidates for graduation during its Summer Commencement Ceremony on Friday, July 31, at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
The class included 416 bachelors, 72 masters, 11 Doctor of Pharmacy, nine Doctor of Philosophy and two Juris Doctorates.
The College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities (CSSAH) led the University with 175 candidates for graduation, including 158 bachelor’s degree candidates and 17 master’s degree candidates.
Graduates celebrate during Florida A&M University's Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony
at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, where more than 500
students earned bachelor's, master's, doctoral, pharmacy and law degrees. (Photo courtesy
of Michael Cork.)
For Valencia E. Matthews, Ph.D., dean of CSSAH, professor and director of theatre, commencement is one of the most rewarding times of the academic year because she gets to witness students and their families experience the significance of the milestone together.
“When they cross that stage, the moment that is a milestone in their lives, it hits them in a way that they can’t even imagine,” Matthews said.
As graduates begin their next chapters, she encouraged them to enjoy the journey and remain connected to those who helped them reach the milestone.
“Always stay connected to FAMUly,” Matthews said. “FAMUly is important, and as you go forward, you will understand even more how important FAMUly will be in your life.”
Honoring a Legacy
During the ceremony, FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., recognized two longtime University leaders for their contributions to FAMU and higher education, bestowing the title of Dean Emerita upon Cynthia Hughes Harris, Ph.D., former dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences. Rodner Wright, former dean of the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology, was named Dean Emeritus.
Hughes Harris served as dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences from 2000 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2022. Johnson cited Hughes Harris' exemplary leadership and fiscal fortitude for securing more than $16 million in research funding.
“Your distinguished leadership ... strengthened the school’s academic profile, expanded educational opportunities, and positioned this unit for continued growth and excellence,” said Johnson about Hughes Harris.
Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson, J.D., addresses graduates during the
University's Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center
and Teaching Gymnasium. Johnson congratulated the Class of 2026 and encouraged graduates
to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. (Photo courtesy of Michael Cork.)
Johnson also praised Wright’s 26 years of service to FAMU, including his position as dean of the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology from 1996 to 2022, and his work advancing architectural education nationally.
The president recognized his “legacy of visionary leadership, exemplary service, and a lasting contribution to the advancement of this university and to higher education.”
Before honoring the former deans, Johnson welcomed graduates and their families and reflected on the reach of FAMU alumni.
“Today, this class joins more than 80,000 Rattlers in every state, on every continent, and every industry that matters,” she said.
Full Circle
Commencement speaker Tirrell D. Whittley delivered an address centered on “Full Circle Moments,” a theme with personal significance for the FAMU alumnus. His youngest daughter, Taylor Whittley, was among the graduates crossing the stage.
Taylor Whittley applauds during Florida A&M University's Summer 2026 Commencement
Ceremony at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Her father,
FAMU alumnus and commencement speaker Tirrell D. Whittley, delivered an address centered
on "Full Circle Moments," a theme made especially meaningful as he watched his youngest
daughter earn her degree. (Photo courtesy of Michael Cork.)
Whittley reflected on his family’s multigenerational connection to FAMU, which included his wife, twin sister and oldest daughter as graduates of the University, while his nephew is currently enrolled.
“Today I watched my youngest daughter graduate from the university that made her father, her mother, her sister, her auntie,” he said.
Throughout his address, Whittley offered graduates five principles to carry with them:
- Faith that works
- Originality
- Vision
- Gratitude and humility
- Attitude and effort.
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing the families, mentors and supporters who helped graduates reach commencement.
“When you win — WE win,” Whittley said. “Every one of your victories belongs to this whole room, this whole Hill, this whole lineage.”
Commencement speaker and Florida A&M University alumnus Tirrell D. Whittley delivers
the keynote address during the University's Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the
Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium. Whittley's speech, centered
on the theme "Full Circle Moments," took on added significance as his youngest daughter,
Taylor Whittley, graduated alongside the Class of 2026. (Photo courtesy of Michael
Cork.)
Drawing from his experiences as an entrepreneur and FAMU alumnus, Whittley challenged graduates to recognize the legacy that made their accomplishments possible while preparing to create opportunities for themselves and those who will follow them.
“Honor the world behind you, and build the one in front of you,” he said.
Perseverance and Persistence
For Master of Public Health graduate Meshalin Leon, commencement marked the end of a challenging journey shaped by personal loss and a serious health battle.
During her graduate studies, Leon lost her sister uterine cancer, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Functional Neurological Disorder, spent months hospitalized and nearly a year relearning how to walk, and earlier this year lost her father. Still, she continued working toward her degree with support from FAMU faculty and staff.
Florida A&M University graduate Meshalin Leon celebrates a milestone as she joins
the Class of 2026 during the University's Summer Commencement Ceremony. (Photo courtesy
of Meshalin Leon)
“There were days I wasn’t chasing a degree. I was just trying to survive,” she said. “This degree is proof that grief didn’t win, illness didn’t win, and loss didn’t win.”
Days before commencement, Leon successfully defended her graduate research focused on reproductive health outcomes among Black women. She plans to pursue medical education focused on fertility, reproductive health disparities and genetic issues disproportionately affecting Black women.
For families in attendance, commencement also represented years of encouragement and support.
Family members gather at Florida A&M University's Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony
to celebrate accounting graduate Hanif Harris. Reba Kelsey traveled from Atlanta for
the occasion, made even more meaningful as Harris' 101-year-old grandfather watched
him cross the commencement stage. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Flete)
Reba Kelsey traveled from Atlanta to celebrate her son, Hanif Harris, an accounting graduate. The moment was even more meaningful as Harris’ 101-year old grandfather watched him cross the stage.
“He has always worked hard, has always been driven and very disciplined in his work,” Kelsey said. “I’m very proud of him and look forward to the amazing things that he will do in life moving forward.”
For Rasheen Hill, earning his master’s degree in social work marked another milestone in his FAMU journey. After completing his undergraduate degree in social work, he continued his education through the advanced standing master’s program. In the future, Hill plans to become a clinical social work intern and work with at-risk youth.
“They are our future,” Hill said. “If we instill as many positive things into their lives as possible, help them and be consistent in their lives, it’ll help a lot more with their future.”
Master of Social Work graduate Rasheen Hill celebrates a milestone during Florida
A&M University's Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony. Hill completed both his bachelor's
and master's degrees at FAMU and aspires to work with at-risk youth as a clinical
social work intern. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Flete)
Building What Comes Next
Closing his address, Whittley returned to his “Full Circle” message, reminding graduates that each generation creates opportunities for the next.
“My parents’ ceiling became my floor. My ceiling, Taylor, is your floor, and your ceiling belongs to somebody who isn’t even here yet,” Whittley said, before leaving the class with a final charge:
“Honor the world that made you by building the world that’s waiting on you.”
A first-generation college graduate celebrates after receiving a diploma during Florida
A&M University's Summer 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose
Center and Teaching Gymnasium. (Photo courtesy of Michael Cork.)
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
