FAMU Homecoming Convocation Celebrates Rattler Legacy, Alumni Impact and Future Generations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus and entrepreneur Thomas ‘Tommy’ Duncan announced a $1 million commitment to FAMU and an additional $100,000 for student scholarships during the 2026 Homecoming Convocation on Friday, Oct. 23. Longtime supporters Bernard and Shirley Kinsey also pledged $2 million to the Marching ‘100’.
Held at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center under the Homecoming theme "There's No Place Like The Hill," the convocation brought together students, alumni and university leaders for a celebration of Rattler pride and tradition.
FAMU attendees capture a special moment during the university's 2026 Homecoming Convocation,
celebrating the connections and traditions that unite the Rattler community. (Photo
by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
The event featured Thomas "Tommy" Duncan, a 2003 FAMU graduate, serial entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Ponos Care, as the keynote speaker. Duncan announced financial commitments to the university, while longtime supporters Bernard and Shirley Kinsey gifted $2 million to FAMU's Marching "100."
FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., emphasized the importance of the university community in preserving its legacy and creating opportunities for future generations.
FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., presents keynote speaker and alumnus Thomas
“Tommy” Duncan with the President's Award during the university's 2026 Homecoming
Convocation on Friday, Oct. 23. (Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
"This is what FAMUly looks like," Johnson said, describing the collective contributions of students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters as central to FAMU's continued success.
Johnson highlighted the university's enrollment and student success efforts, noting that more than 32,000 students applied to join the fall 2026 incoming freshman class. She also cited a second-year retention rate of 88.1%, underscoring the university's commitment to student achievement.
She encouraged students to take ownership of their educational journeys by attending class, completing their degrees and returning to support future Rattlers through mentorship, professional connections and continued engagement with the university.
Duncan Encourages Students to Embrace Risk and Opportunity
Justin Thomas Fowler, a second-year business administration student, introduced Duncan, whose career spans more than two decades of building and growing businesses, particularly in health care and technology.
In 2013, Duncan founded Trusted Health Plan, a Medicaid managed care organization that expanded beyond its initial market. He sold the organization to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in 2020. His entrepreneurial accomplishments earned him the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Mid-Atlantic health care category in 2019.
FAMU alumnus and healthcare entrepreneur Thomas “Tommy” Duncan delivers the keynote
address during Florida A&M University's 2026 Homecoming Convocation on Friday, Oct.
23, sharing insights on leadership, entrepreneurship and the importance of taking
risks to achieve success. (Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
During his keynote address, Duncan reflected on the challenges he faced while building his career, emphasizing that setbacks do not have to determine a person's future. Drawing from his early business ventures, he encouraged students to embrace uncertainty, remain persistent and recognize opportunities for growth.
"Risk is where the money's at," Duncan said, urging students to recognize the opportunities that can come with taking calculated risks.
He also stressed the importance of competence and confidence, encouraging students to develop the knowledge, discipline and determination needed to turn their ideas into successful ventures.
Duncan credited his family and mentors, including the late Sybil Mobley, Ph.D., dean emeritus of the School of Business and Industry, with helping shape his professional journey. He recalled the support he received while earning his MBA at FAMU and emphasized the lasting influence of those who invest in students' potential.
Continuing his commitment to the university, Duncan announced a $1 million financial commitment to FAMU and an additional $100,000 for student scholarships, reinforcing the importance of investing in educational opportunities for future generations of Rattlers.
FAMU students, alumni and supporters erupt in celebration during the university's
2026 Homecoming Convocation on Friday, Oct. 23, at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose
Center. The annual gathering celebrated the spirit, unity and traditions that bring
generations of Rattlers together. (Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
Kinseys Gift $2 Million to Support Marching "100"
Longtime FAMU supporters Bernard and Shirley Kinsey announced a $2 million gift to support the university's Marching "100," marking another significant investment in one of FAMU's most celebrated traditions.
Bernard and Shirley Kinsey pose for a photo during Florida A&M University's 2026 Homecoming
Convocation on Friday, Oct. 23, where the couple was recognized for their $2 million
gift to the university's Marching “100.” (Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
"The $2 million is a down payment," Bernard Kinsey said, signaling the couple's intention
to continue supporting the university.
Kinsey also shared a personal philosophy that has guided the couple's philanthropy.
"God grant me a gift to give it to someone else that needs it more than me," he said.
University leaders also recognized donors and supporters whose contributions strengthen academic programs, student opportunities and campus traditions. The university reported $7.2 million in giving for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
Homecoming Connects Generations of Rattlers
Beyond the keynote address and philanthropic announcements, the convocation provided an opportunity for students and alumni to reflect on the traditions, relationships and shared experiences that define the FAMU community.
Trinity McKithen, a third-year biology student on the premedical track, described the gathering as a reminder of the university's commitment to excellence, perseverance and service. Seeing alumni return to campus reinforced the importance of supporting one another and carrying FAMU's legacy forward.
For Destiny Jessie, a sophomore business administration major who transferred to FAMU, the convocation offered an opportunity to embrace the university's traditions and experience the sense of family that makes the institution distinctive. Seeing generations of alumni return in orange and green demonstrated the lasting pride and connection many graduates maintain with their alma mater.
Alumni Stephanie Brown and Olivia Jones also reflected on the relationships, mentorship and experiences that continue to bring them back to the Hill. Both emphasized the importance of reconnecting with fellow Rattlers, celebrating alumni accomplishments and supporting future generations of students.
The 2026-27 King and Queen of Orange and Green, Deshawn Kirklin and Neikisha Francois, welcomed alumni, students, faculty and staff to the celebration, emphasizing the importance of honoring FAMU's history while looking toward its future.
FAMU's Miss and King of Orange and Green greet the audience during the university's
2026 Homecoming Convocation on Friday, Oct. 23, celebrating Rattler pride, tradition
and school spirit. (Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
"To our alumni, you are the proof of a legacy. To our students, you are the promise
of what happens today. To our faculty and staff, you are the reason why both of these
are possible," shared the King and Queen of Orange and Green.
Their message encouraged returning alumni and current students to celebrate their
connection to the university while embracing their responsibility to uphold its traditions
and values.
FAMU alumni and supporters celebrate Rattler pride during the university's 2026 Homecoming
Convocation at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center. The annual gathering brought
together generations of Rattlers under the theme “There's No Place Like The Hill.”
(Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
The convocation concluded with remarks from university leadership and a reminder that the spirit of homecoming extends beyond a week of festivities. It represents a lifelong connection to the university and a shared responsibility to support those who follow.
"This is your legacy. This is your inheritance," Johnson told students, challenging them to carry FAMU's mission forward.
Six-year-old Ashlyn Lekay, known as the “Affirmation Princess,” captivates the audience
as she leads the Rattler FAMUly in a powerful morning affirmation during Florida A&M
University's 2026 Homecoming Convocation on Friday, Oct. 23. (Photo by Jeff Adams/FAMU)
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
