FAMU announces spring commencement speakers
Harry Williams 
Marcia Fudge 
Calvin Mackie
Special to the Outlook
Florida A&M University announces three speakers for its spring commencement ceremonies at Lawson Center. The ceremonies take place Friday and Saturday, when the university will confer more than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate degrees to students from 14 colleges and schools.
“We are fortunate to have three talented speakers to celebrate the accomplishments of our spring 2023 graduates. Calvin Mackie, Ph.D., Secretary Marcia Fudge and Harry Williams, Ph.D., all have a proven track record of commitment to education, public service and the common good,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.
At the 6 p.m. Friday ceremony, Mackie, president & chief executive officer (CEO) of STEM NOLA, will deliver the keynote address to graduates from the College of Education; College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health; School of Allied Health Sciences; and School of the Environment.
At the 9 a.m. Saturday ceremony, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Fudge will address graduates from the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and the School of Architecture & Engineering Technology. There will also be a Military Commissioning ceremony.
Fudge served as U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Ohio from 2008 to March 9, 2021. She is a past chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. As a member of Congress, Fudge earned a reputation of tackling the unique challenges of her district by working with her congressional delegation and across political ideologies.
During the 2 p.m. Saturday, ceremony, Williams, Thurgood Marshall College Fund CEO and president, will address graduates from the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences; FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; College of Law; College of Science and Technology; School of Business and Industry; School of Journalism & Graphic Communication; and School of Nursing.
Williams was president of Delaware State University for eight years. He previously held senior positions as the University of North Carolina General Administration, Appalachian State University, and North Carolina A&T University.
The Lawson Center will open two hours before each ceremony begins. Tickets are not required.
