Florida A&M University
From Free net encyclopedia
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU (Pronounced Fam-U), is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida and is one of eleven institutions in Florida's State University System. Star Metro - formerly known as TalTran provides free transportation for students to and from the university.
Florida A&M University student enrollment population consists primarily of undergraduates (students enrolled at the lower division). The University offers 62 bachelor’s degrees in 103 majors/tracks. 36 master’s degrees with 56 majors/tracks are offered within eleven of the University’s 13 schools and colleges. Two professional degrees and eleven PhD degree programs are offered.
History
On October 3, 1887, the State Normal College for Colored Students began classes, and became a Land grant university four years later when it received $7,500 under the Second Morrill Act, and its name was change to State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students. However, it was not an official institution of higher learning until the 1905 Buckman Act, which transferred control from the Board of Education to the Board of Control, creating what is the foundation for the modern Florida A&M University. This same act is responsible for the creation of the University of Florida and Florida State University from their previous institutions. In 1909, the name of the college was once again changed to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes, and in 1953 the name was finally changed to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. FAMU is noted for its College of Pharmacy which is number 1 in the Southeast U.S. for federal research grants. Also the Journalism, and School of Business and Industry are highly acclaimed. The university marching band has become the standard for marching band programs around the world.
Notable alumni
- Sticman and M-1, members of Hip-Hop Group Dead Prez
- Willie Galimore, former NFL player
- Bob Hayes, Football Player, Olympic Gold Medalest
- Earl Holmes, former National Football League player
- Althea Gibson, Tennis Player
- Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor of Detroit
- T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Actress
- Common, Entertainer
- Ken Riley, former National Football League player
- John W. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Symantec Corp
- Anika Noni Rose, Tony Award winning Actress
- Kimberlee Borland, Miss Black Universe 2006
- Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Jazz Legend
- Nat Adderley, Jazz Legend
- Roy Wood, Jr., comedian and disc jockey
External links
- Official website
- Official athletics webiste
- Official alumni website
- Marching 100 Video clip. From the State Library & Archives of Florida.
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