Graduates cross the stage at the Al Lawson Center, marking a defining moment on the
Highest of Seven Hills
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Cheers, proud smiles and emotional embraces filled the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose
Center as more than 500 Florida A&M University graduates crossed the stage during
Friday’s, May 1, Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony.
The ceremony celebrated graduates from the College of Education, College of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences
and the School of the Environment.
From the opening processional, the energy inside the Lawson Center was unmistakable.
Graduates, dressed in orange and green regalia, entered to sustained applause, each
step marking the culmination of years of hard work.
Commencement Keynote Thasunda Brown Duckett ahd President Marva Johnson exuding joy
as they prepare to celebrate the Spring class of 2026. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
That sense of pride carried into the program, where FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, J.D., reflected on the deeper meaning behind the moment.
“This University has done more than educate you. It has shaped you,” she said, before
reminding the graduates that their connection to the institution extends beyond their
time on campus.
“From this day forward, FAMU is not where you went; FAMU is who you are,” she said.
President Johnson also noted that the Class of 2026 now joins a global network of
more than 80,000 Rattler alumni, extending the university’s legacy of excellence.
FAMU President Marva Johnson delivering remarks filled with inspiration and congratulations
for the Spring class of 2026. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
Board of Trustees Chair Deveron Gibbons, J.D., also offered words of encouragement, referencing the preparation they have received
during their time at the university.
“You have been trained for the future and trained to walk in any boardroom across
America or any other place. You are Rattlers, and you are prepared,” Gibbons said.
Throughout the ceremony, graduates were recognized for the diverse paths that brought
them to this moment, including honors students, legacy Rattlers, transfer students
and military-affiliated graduates.
Student leaders introduce keynote speaker Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO
of TIAA. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
Mister and Miss FAMU 2025-26 Miles Howard and Edwina Fleuridor were also recognized for their leadership and service as they received the President’s
Student Leadership Award.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA, a financial services organization focused on retirement
and investment solutions, delivered a message centered on access, purpose and impact.
Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA, let graduates know that every time
they pushed forward instead of giving up helped them make it to graduation. (Photo
by Jeff Adams)
“Your degree is not just a credential. It is a platform,” she said.
She told graduates that their achievements are rooted in a larger legacy.
“The fact that you are sitting in that seat … isn’t simply the result of your hard
work. It’s also the result of people who fought before you,” she emphasized.
Duckett encouraged graduates to embrace change and remain adaptable in an evolving
world.
“Your competitive advantage isn’t what you know today. It’s your ability to keep learning,
to adapt, and to lead through uncertainty,” she said.
She closed with a powerful charge: “Rattlers! Go change the world! The legacy of this
place demands nothing less.”
The Spring class of 2026 smiled, laughed and danced throughout the May 1, 2026 commencement
ceremony. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
For Veronica Burton, the journey to earning her Doctor of Public Health from Florida A&M University was
never about speed, it was about purpose.
Now, preparing to fully step into her new title, Burton admits the moment still feels
surreal.
“It feels weird,” she said with a laugh. “But it’s also amazing.”
Surrounded by mentors who encouraged her along the way, she said the achievement represents
more than just a degree it reflects years of sacrifice, growth and perseverance.
“It’s everything I’ve worked for,” she said.
As a Black woman in public health, Burton also recognizes the broader impact of her
accomplishment.
“Representation matters,” she said. “Being able to carry that title… it’s powerful.”
Families came out in full support of their loved ones at the Friday, May 1, 2026 commencement
ceremony at FAMU. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
Beyond the stage, the celebration extended into the crowd, where families and friends
reflected on the significance of the day.
James Lovett, whose niece Alyssa Barnum was among the graduates, described the milestone as a source of pride for their family.
“It means a lot … she’s the first in the family to graduate with a four-year degree,”
he said. “We’re very proud of her.”
Friends and peers also shared in the excitement.
“I love seeing young Black women succeed,” said Hayley Ellis, who attended to support graduate Ayshja Graham. “It shows other younger students
that they can do it, too.”
School of Allied Health graduate Shayla Green described the moment as both an ending
and a beginning.
“I’m reaching for the stars and ready to begin my next chapter and serve my community,”
she said.
As names were called and degrees were conferred, each walk across the stage reflected
a unique journey, often shaped by balancing academics with personal and professional
responsibilities.
For many, the moment was years in the making.
Florida A&M University will continue its Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies Saturday
at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center, with ceremonies scheduled for 9 a.m. and
2 p.m. honoring graduates from the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, College
of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, School of Business and Industry, School of
Journalism & Graphic Communication, School of Nursing and the FAMU-FSU College of
Engineering.
FAMU graduates wait patiently for their college to be called. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
The crowd could not contain their excitement as they waited for their loved one to
be called. (Photo by Jeff Adams)
FAMU President Marva Johnson embraces one of the students now turned graduate. (Photo
by Jeff Adams.)
Media Contact
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu