![\"Crowd](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1024x768_STATUE2.jpg\")
A crowd gathers to celebrate and honor the enduring legacy of Frederick S. Humphries.\n (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Beneath a clear October homecoming sky, the heart of Florida A&M University pulsed
\n with admiration and anticipation. The sound of the Marching \u201c100\u201d filled the air as
\n generations of Rattlers, faculty, staff, students and families dressed in orange and
\n green stood shoulder to shoulder in front of Lee Hall, honoring the towering legacy
\n of President Emeritus\u00a0Frederick S. Humphries.<\/p>\n
A crowd gathers to celebrate and honor the enduring legacy of Frederick S. Humphries.
\n (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the dark clouds gather on the horizon, he was present standing tall. When thunder
\n and lightning pierced the sky, he was present standing tall. When the hills summoned
\n you, you answered the call to come home to Father FAMU,\u201d said\u00a0Chief of Staff Carmen Cummings, opening the celebration.<\/p>\n
The crowd also offered heartfelt thanks to Humphries\u2019 children \u2014\u00a0Frederick Humphries Jr., Robin (Humphries) Watson and Laurence Humphries\u00a0\u2014 saying, \u201cThank you for sharing both of your parents with us,\u201d as the three sat
\n front and center, preparing to witness the trailblazing tribute to their father.<\/p>\n
Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D.,\u00a0a cherished and influential figure in FAMU\u2019s history, was born in Apalachicola, Florida.
\n He graduated from FAMU in 1957 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in chemistry and earned a
\n doctorate in physical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1964. By the
\n 1970s, Humphries had already made his mark on historically Black colleges and universities,
\n helping to set new academic standards as director of the HBCU 13-College Curriculum
\n Program.<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1024x768_STATUE5.jpg\")
President Marva Johnson honors the trailblazer who paved the way before her, celebrating
\n the enduring legacy. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re gathered here to celebrate a man whose life\u2019s work continues to shape every
\n inch of this campus. It shapes every dream that takes root here,\u201d said\u00a0FAMU President Marva Johnson, J.D.<\/p>\n
Humphries served as FAMU\u2019s eighth president from 1985 to 2001, perfecting the \u201cRattler
\n Charge\u201d and championing philanthropy, student advocacy, and the creation of the Eternal
\n Flame monument \u2014 a symbol of FAMU\u2019s 1997\u201398 recognition as Time magazine\u2019s \u201cCollege of the Year.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cPeople will describe the Humphries era as legendary. He is one of the longest-serving
\n and most impactful presidents,\u201d said\u00a0Brandi V. Tatum, Ph.D.,\u00a0acting vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU
\n Foundation Inc.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Community](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1024x768_STATUE7.jpg\")
Celebrating legacy together: family and community mark this milestone with smiles
\n and togetherness. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The newly erected 600-pound full-body statue was sculpted by\u00a0Brodin Studios\u00a0in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and stands in front of the Eternal Flame. The work contains
\n detailed inscriptions of four words \u2014 \u201croots,\u201d \u201cprinciple,\u201d \u201cpractice\u201d and \u201cpromise\u201d
\n \u2014 reflecting Humphries\u2019 life and contributions to FAMU.<\/p>\n
Humphries made long-lasting connections with students, faculty and the community,
\n encouraging them to pay it forward.<\/p>\n
Keshia Walker, a student during the Humphries era, described him as a father figure who inspired
\n her to choose FAMU over Howard University and becoming a lifelong Rattler.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was known for his \u2018Strike, Strike, Strike.\u2019 I have defined what that means to
\n me because of him,\u201d said Walker, president of Insights Marketing and Promotions Company.<\/p>\n
She explained that the signature chant came to symbolize \u201cscholarships,\u201d \u201ctransformation,\u201d
\n \u201crecognition,\u201d \u201cinspiration,\u201d \u201cknowledge,\u201d and \u201cempowerment\u201d\u2014values she continues
\n to carry with her.<\/p>\n
![\"Keshia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1024x768_STATUE8.jpg\")
Keshia Walker reflects on the profound impact Frederick S. Humphries had on her as
\n a student during her speech. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the unveiling, Johnson announced the relaunch of the\u00a0Life Gets Better Scholarship Program\u00a0\u2014 a signature of Humphries\u2019 legacy. The program is powered by\u00a0HBCU Change, an initiative supporting historically Black colleges and universities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis statue standing tall in the heart of our campus serves as both a tribute and
\n a charge,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt reminds us that the work continues \u2014 that each of us
\n carries his vision to lead, to serve, and to make sure every student who walks this
\n campus truly gets better, and that everybody knows you can get anywhere from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his administration, Humphries raised more than\u00a0$157 million in scholarships, helping more than 800 students. Enrollment grew to over 12,000 by the early 2000s,
\n and grants for the university increased to nearly $62 million. He also coined the
\n now-popular, nationally recognized motto,\u00a0\u201cExcellence With Caring.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Honored](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1024x768_STATUE4.jpg\")
Distinguished alumnus Bernard Kinsey, L.H.D., presents a certificate, signed by Mayor
\n Karen Bass, thanking the Frederick S. Humphries family for his unwavering dedication
\n to the university. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerations will remember your inspiration and your relentless drive for excellence.
\n Those who pause before your statue won\u2019t just be reminded of you \u2014 they\u2019ll be reminded
\n of their own light, their own capacity to shine brightly in any darkness, which was
\n always your magic,\u201d wrote\u00a0Watson, in a heartfelt letter to her father that she shared during the unveiling.<\/p>\n
Though no longer physically present, Humphries\u2019 courageous and pioneering spirit lives
\n on. His achievements and the lasting enhancements he inspired are etched into FAMU\u2019s
\n history. Now, a physical monument allows students, faculty and visitors to witness
\n the story of a man with a plan and a revolutionary vision.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFifteen years. When we started this project, one of the things we had to convince
\n people of was that this wasn\u2019t about vanity. Dr. Humphries believed we need representation,
\n reminders of greatness, and ways to solidify moments in time. That\u2019s what this statue
\n is about,\u201d said Laurence A. Humphries, honoring his father from the podium.<\/p>\n
![\"Humphries](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1024x768_HUMPSTATUE2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Honoring the Humphries legacy, pictured from left to right: Frederick Humphries Jr.,
\n Robin (Humphries) Watson, and Laurence Humphries. (Photo by Glenn Beil\/FAMU Communications)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Humphries project was led by\u00a0RAM Construction & Development LLC, with support from subcontractors\u00a0Reiff Electrical Services, EML Consulting & Generator Services, Gaskin Contractors,
\n Florida Georgia Monument Company\u00a0and\u00a0South Georgia Vault.<\/p>\n
Media Contact:<\/p>\n
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n