FAMU community honors 139 years during Founders’ Day ceremony
Tallahassee, Fl. - Florida A&M University brought together students, university leaders, alumni, faculty and members of the local community around the Eternal Flame to celebrate 139 years of the university’s history, legacy and accomplishments through its Founders Day wreath-laying ceremony on Thursday.
Founded in 1887 as the State Normal College for Colored Students, with just 15 students, FAMU has grown into a nationally recognized public historically Black university with more than 90 academic programs.
“Our founders did more than establish a school; they established a pathway. A pathway to opportunity, a pathway to economic mobility, a pathway to leadership, and a pathway to a better future,” said FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. “Generation after generation Rattlers have walked through that pathway and widened it so others can come behind them.”
Florida A&M University President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., participates in the University’s
Founders Day wreath-laying ceremony at the Eternal Flame, commemorating FAMU’s history
and legacy. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams)
Johnson went on to highlight the university’s accomplishments and growth during her remarks.
She noted more than 32,000 admission applications were submitted this year and about 8,000 students admitted. Johnson also acknowledged that the incoming fall 2026 first-year class of 1,900 students have an average GPA of 3.9.
The President also recognized various anniversaries throughout the university, like thethe 90th anniversary of FAMU’s baccalaureate nursing program, the first in Florida and the oldest continuously operating program of its kind at a historically Black institution.
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences celebrated its 75th anniversary, highlighting its contributions to minority healthcare research. Johnson also recognized the 31st anniversary of the Institute of Public Health, the only university in the country with a fully accredited Institute of Public Health.
“With every graduating class we continue that original mission; preparing scholars to think critically address global concerns and challenges for our times, and to develop solutions to make out community stronger and world better.,” Johnson said.
Florida A&M University leaders, students and members of the FAMU community gather at the Eternal Flame during the University’s Founders Day celebration, commemorating FAMU’s legacy and history. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams)
The President also shared that WANM 90.5 The Flava Station marked its 50th anniversary
as the only HBCU station in the division and was named the best college radio station
in the country, under 10,000 students, by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System
Media Awards, with founding alumni in attendance.
The milestones highlight the continued development of FAMU’s programs and the impact that the university’s legacy has on students’ lives, research and the institution as a whole.
“As Florida’s only public HBCU, FAMU continues to people the economic trajectory for our graduates, strengthening families, strengthening family, and strengthening communities, and strengthening generations of African American people,” Johnson said.
She went on to highlight recent national rankings, showing FAMU at its highest placement on the 2027 U.S. News & World Report college rankings list, coveting the 79th spot among public universities in the U.S., while coming in at No. 2 for social mobility among Florida colleges. Niche also ranked FAMU as the No. 1 HBCU nationwide in its 2027 Best HBCU Schools in America list.
The ceremony was led by Student Government Association President Kennedy Williams, who also serves on the university’s Board of Trustees and SGA Vice President Caitlin Smith.
FAMU student leaders and members of the University community gather at the Eternal
Flame following the Founders Day wreath-laying ceremony, commemorating Florida A&M
University’s legacy and founding. (Photo courtesy: Jeff Adams)“Founders day reminds us that we are something much bigger than ourselves,” said Williams, a senior history pre-law student from West Palm Beach. “We are beneficiaries of the sacrifices of those who came before us, and we have a responsibility to honor their legacy by continuing to lead, serve, achieve, create opportunities for those before us and those who come after us.
The wreath was presented by the 120th Miss Florida A&M University Jordyn Anderson and the 27th Mister Florida A&M University Evan Lesure.
For Anderson, a fourth-year business administration student from Tampa, the anniversary represents the university’s strength and progress.
“It is a very special moment to be able to witness the number of years FAMU has stood and stood strong,” she said. “I am appreciative that we’ve been continuing to push, develop and grow as an institution.”
Anderson said the university’s progress also gives current students an opportunity to recognize the impact they will have on FAMU.
“It is important for us to be aware of the legacy and impact we can leave behind on the institution because that’s what the people before us have done and we should continue that,” she said.
As FAMU continues to evolve, students also play a part in how that legacy is represented and carried forward.
Smith, a generational Rattler, reflected on her role at the university and said stepping into a student leadership role allows her to contribute to the legacy FAMU is building for future generations.
“You can really go anywhere from FAMU, but then also make sure that we are bringing people back to FAMU and creating future Rattlers,” she said. “We are always looking forward, and we are never looking back. We can honor the giants we stand on and make new giants for future Rattlers to stand on.”
FAMU’s impact extends beyond students’ time on campus, as the experiences and connections they build continue to shape their lives after graduation.
Maya Saunderson, a third-year public relations student from Orlando, said her experience at FAMU has shown her that being part of the university means becoming part of something larger than her personal college experience.
“FAMU isn’t only for four years. FAMU is forever,” she said. “We will all leave a legacy here; there is no such thing as a small legacy.”
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
