FAMU president re-appointed by Florida Board of Governors
FAMU Office of Communications
Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson was re-appointed to a one-year extension last Thursday by the Florida Board of Governor’s during its meeting at Florida Atlantic University.
In an expected move, FAMU Board of Trustees Chairman Kelvin Lawson highlighted many of the university’s accomplishments over the past year under Robinson’s leadership, including.
Some of the highlights include opening of the Center for Access and Student Success (CASS building), which houses essential student services in one facility.
Additionally: The new 700-bed residence hall (FAMU Towers) and dining hub were opened.
This past weekend, the Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheatre was unveiled.
Under Robinson’s leadership, FAMU also emerged as a national leader on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by appearing on several national, regional and local television programs aired on MSNBC, Cox Media Group, Yahoo News, and the Black News Channel. He was also interviewed and quoted by the Washington Post, The New York Times and Politico.
FAMU also had the best year ever in fundraising and donations to the university, while also reaching historic records in research funds garnered in each of the past two years, including receiving its largest grant ever, a $30 million, five-year federal allocation from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support the Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CCME) and its mission to find and train the next generation of scientists from under-represented groups.
“We are very proud of these accomplishments and of our leader, President Larry Robinson,” Lawson said. “On September 16, 2021, the FAMU Board of Trustees unanimously approved a one-year extension of President Robinson’s contract and today we’re asking you to do the same.”
FAMU’s ascension has been chronicled by U.S. News and World Report as a school on the rise, including being ranked number 13 among all colleges and universities in social mobility. That is believed to be the best indicator of an institution’s ability to alter the economic trajectory of its students. U.S. News and World Report also listed FAMU among the “Best Colleges” 2022 rankings list as the highest ranked Public HBCU in the nation for the third consecutive year; and FAMU moved up 13 places to number 104 among the Top Public Universities.
Robinson was thankful for the contract extension and credits the university’s focus on student success with many of the accolades he received.
“Our faculty and staff recognize the promise of every FAMU student and understand society’s need for the contributions of our graduates,” said Robinson. “FAMU provides a tremendous return on investment. Our success is a testament to a focus on student success and the dedication to the tenets of our strategic plan, FAMU Rising. I am humbled that the Board of Governors and the FAMU Board of Trustees have confidence in our team and me to continue fulfilling the dreams of our students and their families.”
