Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, or FAMU, is Tallahassee’s very own historical black college or university, or HBCU, and most people don’t even know it’s there or that it is an HBCU. I am a newly in-state student, so I didn’t know a lot about the university also, but I went on a tour there recently with my organization and immediately fell in love with it. Hopefully, this article will encourage you to go out and bridge the gap between the two big universities in Tallahassee. Enjoy!
History:
FAMU was originally founded as the State Normal College for Colored Students on October 3, 1887, with fifteen students and two instructors. In 1905, management of FAMU, which was called Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, or FAMC, was transferred to the Board of Control from the Board of Education, which meant it was an officially designated institution of higher education. It also meant that FAMU could hand out bachelor’s degrees, which it did a year later. Today FAMU holds the distinction of the “premiere school among historically black colleges and universities.” Located on the highest hills in Tallahassee, FAMU is one of the most well-known HBCU’s in the South.
Talking With FAMU Students:
As I mentioned, last week I went on a tour of the FAMU campus and I met some amazing people who were so welcoming and wanted the same thing I do: to bridge the gap between FAMU and FSU. The person I talked to was my group’s tour guide, Stefanny Garzon, a FAMU Orange and Green tour guide and a 2019 Orientation Leader.
Her Campus (HC): What’s your year and major?
Stefanny Garzon (SG): I’m a second-year Biology/ Pre-Dental Scholar from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
HC: What are you involved in at FAMU?
SG: I’m an Orange and Green Tour Guide, a 2019 Orientation Leader, I’m also in Pre-Dental Society and UNIDOS.
HC: What is your favorite thing about FAMU?
SG: My favorite thing about FAMU is the culture. Being an HBCU, my college experience has been a very unique one and I have been able to learn about a culture other than my own. I also have to say I love the student body, since we’re only a school of 10,000+ everyone pretty much knows each other, and networking is much easier; there’s always someone here that cares about you whether it’s a classmate or faculty member everyone here is rooting for your success as a minority.
HC: What is one thing about FAMU that you want FSU students to know?
SG: One thing that I want FSU students to know is that they are always WELCOMED here, I’m not sure where the whole myth of the “gap” has come from but literally both campuses are 10 minutes apart and FAMU has many events that happen like our Set Friday, a block party every Friday from 12 to 3 PM, and our Homecoming that the community is always invited to attend. I feel like many people hear “historically black university” and shy away, but it’s historically black not exclusively black. FAMU has a very diverse student body where all races, ethnicities, genders and sexual orientations are accepted. In the same way that I have been welcomed with open arms, any Florida State student will be as well.
HC: What are you most excited about for this next year at FAMU?
SG: I’m most excited for orientation this summer as I’ll be able to put everything I’ve learned into play as an Orientation Leader and, of course, Homecoming. I can’t wait to see what Student Government has planned for the student body.
The second person I interviewed was Korey Creary, another OL and guide.
HC: What’s your year and major?
Korey Creary (KC): I’m a second-year Health Science major.
HC: What are you involved in at FAMU?
KC: Some things I’m involved in include [being] an Orange & Green Guide, Electoral Commission, 2019 Orientation Leader, FAMU Lacrosse, FAMU Kinship of Big Brother Little Brother Mentoring Program, and Warriors Against Rape.
HC: What is your favorite thing about FAMU?
KC: My favorite thing about FAMU is the culture and “FAMULY” campus vibe because every student really does look out for one another on this campus.
HC: What is one thing about FAMU that you want FSU students to know?
KC: One thing I would want FSU students to know is we are an open campus and we welcome y’all to all our events.
HC: What are you most excited about for this next year at FAMU?
KC: What I’m excited about is getting into my career path. Now that I will be a junior, I will start looking into more healthcare opportunities for life after college.
Events:
Just like FSU, FAMU hosts some pretty awesome events on their campus, here are a few happening in these next few weeks!
Set Friday
When: Every Friday from 12 – 4 pm
Where: in front of the Efferson Student Union
Cost: FREE
Why go: Set Friday is like Market Wednesday, but BETTER. There is dancing, music and many different vendors that come out to sell or advertise their business, on and off campus.
Little Shop of Horrors
When: April 3 – 7; W/Th/Fr: 8pm, Sat: 2pm & 8pm, Sun: 3pm
Where: Charles Winter Wood Theatre | Edmonds Stage
Cost: Weekdays: $10 Adults; $8 Senior Citizens, FAMU Employees, Students & Children; Weekends: $20 Adults; $15 Senior Citizens & FAMU Employees with ID; $8 Students/Children
Why go: Support student theatre! Periodt!
FAMU Women’s History Month: SOUND THE ALARM
Courtesy: FAMU
When: March 26 from 1:30pm – 4pm
Where: Hansel E. Tookes Sr Rec Center
Cost: FREE
Why go: “Free Giveaways, Interactive Activity Sessions, Health Promotion Fair, Health Screenings, Movement Stations;” did someone say giveaway?
FAMU is a local HBCU that people take for granted. I was one of those people until I went and visited the beautiful campus located not even 10 minutes away. FSU is a big, well-known university, no denying that, and FAMU is one of the biggest HBCU’s so imagine the two of them coming together? Undeniable reign over Florida institutions.