FAMU Presidents and student leaders attend Founders’ Day wreath laying ceremony. (Yerimiah Evans/The FAMUAN)
On Oct. 10, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University paused its normal routine as students, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered for the annual Founder’s Day ceremony on the Quad. Classes were suspended from 10:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m., giving the campus community time to honor the visionaries who established the university in 1887.
Founded with just 15 students and two instructors, FAMU has grown into Florida’s only public Historically Black College or University carrying forward a mission rooted in resilience, access and excellence.
Student Government Association President and Trustee Zayla Bryant and Vice President Kennedy Williams presided over the event, declaring the celebration represents “FAMU’s pride and purpose.”
Essential Theatre students offered a historical presentation, beginning with the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,”. The spoken-word performance urged attendees “to pause and remember [the] founders who showed resilience during a time of hardship and oppression,” and to “gather around the noble shrine to recommit ourselves to excellence with caring and deep love for FAMU.”
President Marva Johnson delivered the keynote, marking her first major address since her appointment earlier this year. She thanked former presidents Larry Robinson and Frederick Humphries Beard for their attendance and leadership and acknowledged the university’s seven-year streak as the No. 1 public HBCU, crediting faculty and staff for their commitment.
She emphasized FAMU’s mission statement to “enhance the lives of its constituents and empower communities,” highlighting its role in changing the lives of Pell Grant students and preparing them to pour back into their own communities.
While the ceremony emphasized tradition and pride, it also unfolded against a backdrop of student advocacy. After Johnson’s remarks, some student organizers distributed pamphlets voicing concerns about political influence over FAMU, including challenges to student autonomy and opposition to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
. One advocate, who came specifically to distribute the flyers, stated their effort was “for the order of the flame,” a reference to the ceremonial setting.
The pamphlet listed several student grievances including disregarding student voices and external political influence.
For many, former President Robinson’s presence carried mixed meaning—some saw it as a hopeful reminder of his continued commitment to FAMU, while others wondered if it signaled him quietly passing the torch. “He gives back to FAMU and the Black community, even outside of his presidency,” one student advocate said. “I hope he’s here to encourage us and still speak on our behalf.”