Homecoming on Florida A&M University’s campus wouldn’t be complete without the pageantry of its annual convocation, where Rattlers come together to honor FAMU’s history, legacy and community.
And with the convocation being a first for FAMU President Marva Johnson, she marked the moment with the announcement of an upcoming 4% bonus for the university’s faculty and staff members.
“You are the lifeline of this institution,” Johnson told FAMU’s faculty and staff members Oct. 17 at the Lawson Center on campus. “Thank you for everything that you do to pour into our students.
“My words are not enough gratitude, but I wanted you to know that our Board of Trustees appreciates your efforts, I appreciate your efforts, our senior leadership team appreciates your efforts and we hope soon to show you how much.”
FAMU President Marva Johnson gives closing remarks as FAMU holds homecoming convocation on October 17, 2025 at the Al Lawson Center.
This year, the crowd of attendees – including students, faculty and returning alumni – displayed a mixed energy as different individuals, including Johnson, stepped behind the podium during the event. While FAMU Board of Trustees chair Deveron Gibbons was met with an unenthused applause before giving brief remarks, the board’s former chair Kristin Harper was well-received with continuous loud cheers, hearty claps and a standing ovation.
“Well deserved,” Gibbons said following the welcoming reception of Harper, who sat on the stage with FAMU administrators and other university stakeholders.
The convocation comes after a contentious presidential search that led to Johnson’s selection, where Gibbons was one of the new university leader’s strong supporters while Harper strongly opposed the process that led to her being selected for the position.
Serving as president for a little over two months since her first day on Aug. 1, homecoming was a first for Johnson.
During the convocation, she presented FAMU alumnus and CEO of HCA Florida Northwest Hospital Kenneth Jones − who served as the keynote speaker − with a president’s award after his speech. She gave closing remarks, which ended with scattered individuals in the crowd giving her a standing ovation while one individual constantly booed and others made their way out of the multipurpose center as the event neared its end.
FAMU holds homecoming convocation on October 17, 2025 at the Al Lawson Center.
“Today marks my 78th day in this role, and during this time, I have been fully immersed and I have been listening, learning and engaging with individuals across the enterprise,” Johnson said. “As we celebrate homecoming 2025, I want to thank you all for pouring your love into this amazing institution.”
She went on to share that the university is in the process of going through a “very careful financial planning exercise” and was able to carve money out of its $15 million in state allocations this year for operational enhancements to give faculty and staff members a 4% bonus.
“It’s a direct reflection of the value you bring to this campus each and every day,” Johnson told FAMU faculty and staff members. “I wish it could be 40%.”
She ended her remarks with a passionate recitation of the “Rattler Charge” as attendees participated by stomping their feet and striking their two fingers.
Related news: Here are 8 new changes FAMU alumni will see around campus during homecoming
Keynote speaker encourages FAMU Rattlers to ‘carry the torch’
While Jones – an Atlanta native – delivered his keynote address during the convocation event, his message to the university community members was to stay anchored to their values, to recognize that failure is not final and to build up others around them.
“True leadership is not about how brightly you shine, but it’s about how much light you reflect on your team,” Jones said. “We were never meant to lead alone. Your legacy will not be the projects you completed, but the leaders you created.”
FAMU alumnus Kenneth Jones delivers a keynote address as FAMU holds homecoming convocation on October 17, 2025 at the Al Lawson Center.
As a FAMU alumnus, Jones graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He also earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration and a master’s in business administration, both from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis.
Besides being HCA Florida Northwest Hospital’s CEO, he has been serving as an HCA Healthcare Hope Fund board member since 2024 and has more than two decades of experience in hospital administration and clinical operations.
During Jones’s speech, he recalled former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries’ Atlanta visit while pushing out the Life Gets Better scholarship, which was a full scholarship program that was created by Humphries in 1986 to recruit top-performing African American students. He was one of the students who received a full ride to the HBCU (historically Black college or university).
The convocation event came after a statue of Humphries was unveiled on the university’s campus and is located between the Eternal Flame and Lee Hall in the pioneering leader’s honor.
More: ‘He was a force’: Statue unveiled to honor FAMU giant Frederick S. Humphries
Jones also strolled down memory lane with references to his residence at FAMU’s former Gibbs Hall and his role as a trombone player on the Marching 100 band. From telling relatable jokes to offering words of advice to the attendees, Jones connected with the crown as they reacted to his address with laughter and applause.
“Our FAMU future is not something that just happens to us – it’s something we build,” Jones said. “Let us commit, then, to carry the torch of those who endured and prevailed.”
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU holds annual homecoming convocation on campus for the community