TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida A&M University is expected to unveil a statue next week honoring the HBCU\u2019s eighth president. <\/p>\n
On Friday, Oct. 17, FAMU plans to unveil a statue of former President Frederick S. Humphries in front of Lee Hall, \u201cpaying tribute to the pioneering leader who reshaped the university and championed excellence in higher education,\u201d the university wrote in a press release Thursday. <\/p>\n
“Dr. Frederick S. Humphries was more than a president of Florida A&M University\u2014he was a champion for young people, a fierce advocate for education, and a visionary whose leadership lifted this institution to national prominence. Under his guidance, FAMU didn\u2019t just grow in enrollment and academic achievement\u2014we grew in confidence, in spirit, and in pride.”<\/p>\n
FAMU leadership, alumni and Humphries\u2019 family are expected to speak, per the release. <\/p>\n
During Humphries\u2019 16-year tenure from 1985 to 2001, FAMU was named College of the Year by TIME\/Princeton Review in 1997, tripled its research funding, became #1 in the nation for enrolling National Achievement Scholars and grew its enrollment dramatically, according to the university.<\/p>\n
The former president\u2019s son, Laurence Humphries, said the statue is more than a record of his father\u2019s achievements. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt marks the standard he lived by\u2014foresight, scholarship, and an unshakable belief in what African American students and our HBCUs can become. This tribute calls each new generation of FAMUANS to uphold that legacy\u2014with excellence, with caring, and with the conviction that FAMU must live forever.”<\/p>\n
The bronze statue is expected to be assembled near the Eternal Flame, per the press release. <\/p>\n
Humphries died in 2021, according to the university. He is survived by three children and eight grandchildren. <\/p>\n
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