{"id":9602,"date":"2025-10-18T08:30:21","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T08:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/9602\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T08:30:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T08:30:21","slug":"famu-president-marva-johnsons-first-homecoming-convocation-comes-with-bonus-for-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/9602\/","title":{"rendered":"FAMU President Marva Johnson’s first homecoming convocation comes with bonus for employees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Homecoming<\/a> on Florida A&M University\u2019s<\/a> campus wouldn\u2019t be complete without the pageantry of its annual convocation, where Rattlers come together to honor FAMU\u2019s history, legacy and community.<\/p>\n

And with the convocation being a first for FAMU President Marva Johnson<\/a>, she marked the moment with the announcement of an upcoming 4% bonus for the university’s faculty and staff members.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are the lifeline of this institution,\u201d Johnson told FAMU\u2019s faculty and staff members Oct. 17 at the Lawson Center on campus. \u201cThank you for everything that you do to pour into our students.<\/p>\n

“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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FAMU<\/p>\n

FAMU President Marva Johnson gives closing remarks as FAMU holds homecoming convocation on October 17, 2025 at the Al Lawson Center.<\/p>\n

This year, the crowd of attendees \u2013 including students, faculty and returning alumni \u2013 displayed a mixed energy as\u00a0different individuals, including Johnson, stepped behind the podium during the event. While FAMU Board of Trustees chair Deveron Gibbons<\/a> was met with an unenthused applause before giving brief remarks, the board\u2019s former chair Kristin Harper was well-received with continuous loud cheers, hearty claps and a standing ovation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell deserved,\u201d Gibbons said following the welcoming reception of Harper, who sat on the stage with FAMU administrators and other university stakeholders.<\/p>\n

The convocation comes after a contentious presidential search that led to Johnson\u2019s selection, where Gibbons was one of the new university leader\u2019s strong supporters while Harper strongly opposed the process that led to her being selected for the position.<\/p>\n

Serving as president for a little over two months since her first day on Aug. 1, homecoming was a first for Johnson.<\/p>\n

During the convocation, she presented FAMU alumnus and CEO of HCA Florida Northwest Hospital<\/a> Kenneth Jones \u2212 who served as the keynote speaker \u2212 with a president\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"FAMU<\/p>\n

FAMU holds homecoming convocation on October 17, 2025 at the Al Lawson Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday 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,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cAs we celebrate homecoming 2025, I want to thank you all for pouring your love into this amazing institution.\u201d<\/p>\n

She went on to share that the university is in the process of going through a \u201cvery careful financial planning exercise\u201d and was able to carve money out of its $15 million in state allocations<\/a> this year for operational enhancements to give faculty and staff members a 4% bonus.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a direct reflection of the value you bring to this campus each and every day,\u201d Johnson told FAMU faculty and staff members. \u201cI wish it could be 40%.\u201d<\/p>\n

She ended her remarks with a passionate recitation of the \u201cRattler Charge\u201d as attendees participated by stomping their feet and striking their two fingers.<\/p>\n

Related news: Here are 8 new changes FAMU alumni will see around campus during homecoming<\/a><\/p>\n

Keynote speaker encourages FAMU Rattlers to \u2018carry the torch\u2019<\/p>\n

While Jones \u2013 an Atlanta native \u2013\u00a0delivered 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.<\/p>\n

“True leadership is not about how brightly you shine, but it’s about how much light you reflect on your team,\u201d Jones said. \u201cWe were never meant to lead alone. Your legacy will not be the projects you completed, but the leaders you created.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FAMU<\/p>\n

FAMU alumnus Kenneth Jones delivers a keynote address as FAMU holds homecoming convocation on October 17, 2025 at the Al Lawson Center.<\/p>\n

As a FAMU alumnus, Jones graduated from the university with a bachelor\u2019s 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\u2019s Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n

Besides being HCA Florida Northwest Hospital\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

During Jones\u2019s speech, he recalled former FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries\u2019<\/a> 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).<\/p>\n

The convocation event came after a statue of Humphries was unveiled<\/a> on the university\u2019s campus and is located between the Eternal Flame and Lee Hall in the pioneering leader\u2019s honor.<\/p>\n

More: ‘He was a force’: Statue unveiled to honor FAMU giant Frederick S. Humphries<\/a><\/p>\n

Jones also strolled down memory lane with references to his residence at FAMU\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur FAMU future is not something that just happens to us \u2013 it’s something we build,\u201d Jones said. \u201cLet us commit, then, to carry the torch of those who endured and prevailed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network \u2013 Florida. She can be reached at\u00a0tjean@tallahassee.com<\/a>. Follow her on X:\u00a0@tarahjean_<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU holds annual homecoming convocation on campus for the community<\/a><\/p>\n