Rattler Nation

Plans to clear parking lots and tailgating spots by 8pm after homecoming game draws criticism

2026-10-22T08:18:28.149-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

An 8 p.m. cutoff sparks outrage: FAMU Police announced that all parking lots, tailgate areas and parking garages must be cleared by 8 p.m. Saturday after the Homecoming football game.
Alumni question the university’s communication: Major donor and alumnus Rick Kinsey criticized the timing and format of the announcement, calling it unprofessional and questioning why a formal memorandum was not issued.
Rattlers want answers: Alumni and supporters are questioning the rationale for the deadline, arguing that it could sharply curtail postgame celebrations and the fellowship that makes Homecoming special.

A social media announcement from FAMU’s Police Department has ignited a wave of frustration among alumni, fans and members of the university community, with critics questioning the timing, communication and rationale behind an order requiring all parking lots, tailgate areas and parking garages to be cleared by 8 p.m. Saturday, following the Rattlers’ Homecoming football game.

The announcement, posted Wednesday afternoon, has left some members of the FAMU community asking why a day traditionally associated with football, fellowship and reunions must end so abruptly.

For many, FAMU's Homecoming is more than a football game. It is an annual gathering of generations of alumni, friends and supporters, many of whom travel from across the country to reconnect on the university’s campus. Tailgating is a central part of that experience, extending the celebration beyond the final whistle.

The 8 p.m. deadline, however, has prompted questions about whether the university has adequately considered the expectations of those who make the annual pilgrimage to Tallahassee.

“This isn't excellence with caring,” one frustrated member of the community said, invoking the university’s motto that emphasizes excellence and concern for its people.

Among the sharpest critics was Rick Kinsey, a FAMU alumnus and major donor who leads the "Rattlers In Arms" charitable giving group, characterized the social media announcement as an unprofessional way to communicate with donors and season-ticket holders and families planning to attend the festivities.

Kinsey questioned why information with such significant implications for Homecoming attendees be distributed the week of through what he described as an AI-generated flyer rather than a formal university communication.

“So you have a game operations meeting on Tuesday and put out an AI generated flyer on Wednesday afternoon to inform us,” he wrote. “Again, a major failure.”

He also challenged the apparent reliance on police staffing constraints as a reason for the deadline, suggesting that additional security personnel could have been contracted if necessary.

“Just because TPD is leaving early, FAMU Police Chief could have contracted additional security,” Kinsey wrote, referring to the Tallahassee Police Department.

Kinsey went further, criticizing the university’s leadership and raising concerns about the role of the FAMU police chief. It also remains unclear whether additional security options were considered.

Other members of the FAMU community expressed frustration about the limited time they would have to socialize after the game.

“Dang! They ain’t giving no time to hangout after the game,” Michael Reid wrote in a social media comment.

Reid questioned the practical reasoning behind the cutoff, noting that a game scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. could reasonably be expected to conclude closer to 7 p.m., particularly if halftime runs long. “So If The Game Kicks Off At 3:00,pm ... After A Likely Extended Halftime And The Game ... It Should End 'Reasonably' Closer To 7:00pm Than 6:00pm,” Reid wrote.

Lakeidra Capers also appeared among those engaging with the discussion, reflecting the broader conversation unfolding among members of the university community.

The comments underscore a larger tension between the logistical demands of managing a major university event and the expectations of a community for whom Homecoming carries deep cultural and emotional significance.

Universities must account for security, staffing, traffic and public safety when hosting large gatherings. But for alumni and supporters, the way those decisions are communicated can be nearly as important as the decisions themselves, particularly when visitors have already made travel arrangements and invested time and money in attending.

For FAMU, whose Homecoming draws nearly 100,000 visitors or more to Tallahassee year after year, the dispute touches on more than parking. It raises questions about transparency, planning and the disconnect between FAMU's new administration ', AD John Davis (an FSU grad) , university administrators and the community that sustains the institution. The campus police's ultimatum has landed as an unwelcome reminder that FAMU's administration has no HBCU ties.

The immediate question is whether the 8 p.m. clearance requirement is a firm operational necessity or a decision that could be revisited with additional planning, staffing or communication.

Until university officials explain the reasoning behind the deadline, frustration among some Rattlers is likely to persist.

Alumni who travel hundreds of miles, spend thousands of dollars on tailgate set ups, to celebrate their university, the question is not simply when they must leave the parking lot. It is whether the institution has done enough to make them feel welcome while they are there in the first place.

UPDATE: Tailgating lots will now close at 10 pm. FAMU, this more issued the following notice via social media, after stakeholder pushback. "We want to correct an earlier announcement about the tailgate times. Alums reuniting on campus is part of the experience, so we're extending our typical 90-minute post-game tailgate to 10:00 p.m. We’ll see you on the Highest of Seven Hills!

FAMU Extends Homecoming Tailgating Hours to 10 p.m. Saturday."

Shelby Chipman marks a decade at the helm of FAMU’s storied Marching 100

2026-10-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

When the FAMU Marching 100 takes the field for Homecoming, this Saturday, director, Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., will have a milestone of his own to celebrate: 10 years leading the storied ensemble he once knew as a student.

Appointed in May 2016 by former FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Chipman has spent a decade at the helm of one of the nation's most recognizable collegiate marching band, steering the Marching 100 through a period of renewal, revitalization and renewed visibility. Through his strategic leadership, a commitment to musical excellence and and performances on prominent national and international stages, Chipman has helped restore the program's stature and strengthen its position as a trendsetter in the world of collegiate marching bands.

Chipman, a FAMU alumnus, studied under legendary band director William P. Foster and later worked alongside generations of musicians and educators who sustained the university’s musical tradition.

Chipman had been part of FAMU’s music department for about 15 years, prior to his ascending into the leadership role. Rising through the ranks of an associate professor of music and director of symphonic bands, he holds responsibilities alongside his leadership of the marching and pep bands. Before joining the university, he taught music in the Miami-Dade County school system, where he was named Teacher of the Year for the 1993-94 school year.

A dream deferred

Chipman had been widely viewed as a heir apparent to former FAMU Band director Julian White,Ph.D. who retired in 2012 after the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion and the subsequent suspension of the band disrupted the program.

Chipman instead assumed the directorship four years later, succeeding Sylvester Young, Ph.D., a 1969 FAMU alumnus who came out of retirement to lead the ensemble from 2013 to 2016. Young had previously directed the Ohio University Marching 110 in Athens, Ohio.

Young, who worked closely with Chipman before stepping aside, said his successor was well prepared to lead the program.

“There is no one else more qualified to direct this program but Dr. Chipman,” Young said. “He was 100 percent by my side during my tenure, and it is now his time to take the lead. He is going to take this band to a new and higher level.”

Mangum, who appointed Chipman, described him as an innovator capable of advancing the program and taking the band program to new heights.

A decade of rebuilding and recognition

Chipman’s tenure as band director has included a series of appearances that have brought the Marching 100 to audiences far beyond the FAMU’s Tallahassee campus. The band performed in the 2019 Rose Bowl Parade, participated in the Biden-Harris “We Are One” presidential inaugural event in January 2021 and appeared at the Louis Vuitton men’s fashion show in Paris in June 2022.

In 2024, the program earned the ESPN Band of the Year distinction.

A milestone at homecoming

Homecoming offers a fitting moment to mark Chipman’s 10th anniversary. Each year, generations of alumni return to FAMU, where the Marching 100 remains one of the university’s most enduring symbols a source of pride, tradition and unmistakable sound.

For Chipman, the occasion brings his journey full circle. Trained under Foster and White, he now bears the responsibility of preparing a new generation of musicians to carry that legacy forward, representing the university on a stage that extends well beyond campus.

As the band prepares to take the field this Homecoming, Chipman’s milestone offers a moment to reflect on a decade of leadership at an institution where music is woven into the fabric of academic and campus life.

Ten years after his appointment, Chipman remains at the podium leading the ensemble that helped shape him, sustaining a tradition that has defined generations and ensuring that the sound of the Marching 100 continues to resonate far beyond the university’s gates.

Hubba Doc!

FAMU volleyball extends win streak to six, shares first place in SWAC

2026-10-20T09:11:36.878-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Six straight wins: FAMU continues to build momentum with a six-match winning streak.
Tied for first: The Rattlers are 7-1 in SWAC play, sharing the top spot in the conference.
Championship pursuit: The back-to-back defending champions are positioning themselves for another title run.

FAMU’s volleyball team is surging at a pivotal point in the season, extending its winning streak to six matches and moving into a tie for first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Rattlers are 7-1 in conference play and 12-9 overall, after defeating in-state rival Bethune-Cookman 3 sets to 1 on last Friday, keeping them firmly in contention as they pursue a third consecutive SWAC championship.

Their recent success has strengthened their position in the conference race, where consistency will be crucial as the season progresses. With a championship standard to uphold, FAMU will look to sustain its momentum and remain the league’s top team.

The Rattlers’ next match is against Alcorn this Sunday at noon in the Lawson Center. The Rattlers look to keep their winning streak alive after a busy homecoming week has forced them and the mens and women's basketball teams to scramble around the city to find a place to practice with both the Lawson Center and Gaither Gym both busy hosting other homecoming activities.

After decades of planning, FAMU-FSU Engineering College breaks ground on $152 million expansion

2026-10-19T05:44:30.306-04:00

Key Takeaways

At long last, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is getting its Building C, a $152 million expansion, adding nearly 164,000 square feet with completion expected in December 2028.
Decades in the making: After more than 20 years of funding efforts, state appropriations have fully funded the project.
A unique partnership grows: The expansion strengthens the nation’s only joint engineering college shared by FAMU and FSU.

For more than two decades, the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering has pursued an ambitious expansion that would give its students and researchers more room to work. Now, after years of planning and successive rounds of state funding, the project is finally under construction.

The college, a partnership between Florida A&M University and Florida State University, broke ground last month on Building C, a $152 million addition at its Innovation Park campus. The 163,950-square-foot facility, scheduled for completion in December 2028, represents the most significant step yet in a long effort to expand a school that occupies a distinctive place in American higher education.

The new building will rise near Pottsdamer Street and Engineering Way, adding teaching laboratories, an auditorium, a plaza and space for campus support services. Construction is being handled by J.E. Dunn Construction, a Tampa-based contractor.

For the college, the project is more than a new building. It is the realization of a plan that dates to the institution’s earliest years and has repeatedly awaited the money needed to move forward.

Building C was envisioned as part of a three-building complex in the college’s original planning in the 1980s. By 2002, the expansion had become a longer-term pursuit, with the SUS spending years seeking the state appropriations necessary to turn the concept into a construction project.

The effort gained renewed momentum in 2017, when J. Murray Gibson, then the college’s dean, made a formal case for funding before the Florida Board of Governors. At the time, the proposal called for a smaller building of roughly 104,000 square feet, with an estimated price tag of $87 million.

But securing the full amount proved difficult. State support arrived in increments, with smaller appropriations in the early 2020s followed by larger commitments as the project moved closer to realization.

The state allocated $20 million in the 2023-24 budget cycle and another $40 million in 2025-26. The decisive commitment came in the 2026-27 budget, which provided approximately $92 million to complete the funding package.

Together, the appropriations brought the project to its current scope: nearly 164,000 square feet at a total cost of about $152 million. Construction mobilization began around September.

The expansion comes as universities face growing demands for specialized teaching and research facilities, particularly in fields that require laboratory space and advanced equipment. Building C is intended to provide additional room for instruction and college operations while creating new gathering spaces for the campus community.

For students, the most tangible changes will be the new instructional spaces and facilities. For faculty and administrators, the addition offers an opportunity to accommodate programs and activities that have been constrained by existing space.

The project’s timeline also illustrates the distance between a university’s long-range ambitions and the realities of public funding. A concept first included in plans decades ago required repeated advocacy, revised estimates and a series of state budget commitments before construction could begin.

The original proposal envisioned a smaller facility at a substantially lower cost. The version now under construction is considerably larger, reflecting the evolution of the project over the years and the joint College's growing enrollment.

Turnovers doom FAMU in 27-17 loss to Jackson State

2026-10-18T00:21:56.793-04:00

Key Takeaways

Jackson State pulls away late. The Tigers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to secure the victory and improve to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Turnovers cost the Rattlers. Florida A&M quarterback Armond Parker threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, preventing the Rattlers from building on last week’s upset of Alabama State.
Hailey provides a bright spot. Running back Jamal Hailey rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, but Florida A&M fell to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

FAMU came close to pulling off another road upset Saturday, but costly turnovers and a fourth-quarter rally by Jackson State proved too much for the Rattlers to overcome.

FAMU carried a 17-12 lead into the fourth quarter after quarterback Armond Parker scored on a 5-yard run and running back Jamal Hailey broke free for an 81-yard touchdown. Jackson State responded with two touchdowns in the final period to secure a 27-17 victory before 44,173 fans at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi.

The victory improved Jackson State to 6-1 overall ( 3-1 SWAC). FAMU fell to 2-5 overall (1-2 in SWAC).

Turnovers prove costly

FAMU committed five turnovers, and Jackson State capitalized on two of those mistakes for touchdowns.

The trouble began on FAMU’s opening possession when Parker was intercepted by Jackson State defensive back B.J. Washington, who returned the ball 37 yards. The Tigers took advantage of the favorable field position, with Caron Tyler scoring on an 8-yard run to give Jackson State an early 7-0 lead.

The most damaging mistake came in the fourth quarter, shortly after the Rattlers had taken the lead. Parker fumbled on FAMU’s next possession, and Jackson State recovered at the Rattlers’ 29-yard line. Four plays later, Nate Blount IVscored on a 2-yard run with 9:49 remaining, extending the Tigers’ lead to 27-17.

The turnover shifted momentum in Jackson State’s favor and left the Rattlers facing a two-possession deficit in the closing minutes.

Despite the loss, FAMU showed signs that it could compete with one of the SWAC’s top teams.

FAMU will look to regroup this week as it faces the University of Arkansa Pine Bluff at home in Bragg Stadium in Tallahassee, for its third homecoming contest in a row.

FAMU hopes to spoil Jackson State’s homecoming

2026-10-17T07:21:27.716-04:00

Three key takeaways

FAMU is coming off a breakthrough win. The Rattlers beat Alabama State, 28-27, for their first SWAC victory and first road win of the season.
Jackson State’s offense is the biggest challenge. The Tigers average 39.5 points per game and lead the conference in total offense, but surrendered 45 points in their first loss last week.
Parker and Burris give FAMU a path to an upset. Quarterback Armond Parker and receiver Armand Burris combined for a big performance against Alabama State, and the Rattlers will need more of the same Saturday.

The FAMU Rattler football team (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) takes on the Jackson State Tigers (5-1, 2-1), this afternoon, looking to turn last week's narrow 28-27 against Alabama State into a turning point for its season. It will be the second week in a row that the Rattlers have served as the homecoming opponent for conference foe. Jackson State, meanwhile, is seeking a response after Grambling State handed the Tigers their first loss, 45-38.

The marquee conference match up kicks off at 3 pm EST at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium with the game streaming on ESPN+.

Parker and Burris Lead the Rattlers’ Attack

Freshman quarterback Armond Parker has thrown for 762 yards and eight touchdowns in four games, 5 interceptions, including six touchdown passes over his last two outings. Against Alabama State, he completed 13 of 20 passes for a season-high 290 yards and three touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.

Receiver Armand Burris was his primary weapon, catching four passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. His 89-yard reception was FAMU’s longest play of the season, and his 30.3 yards per fcatch leads the SWAC’s top 25 receivers.

The Rattlers have other options. Corey Petty leads the team with 15 receptions, Kieren Jackson has 181 receiving yards, and Jaquan Lee averages 16.8 yards per catch. Running back Jamal Hailey has contributed 143 rushing yards and two receiving touchdowns.

FAMU has scored on 11 of its 12 trips inside the red zone. Against a Jackson State team that struggled defensively last week, explosive plays and efficient finishing could give the Rattlers an opening.

FAMU's defense must contain a high-scoring opponent

Jackson State averages 39.5 points and 464.7 yards per game, both among the conference’s best marks. Quarterback Jared Lockhart has thrown for 1,395 yards and 13 touchdowns without an interception. Running back Nate Blount IV leads the SWAC with 99.8 rushing yards per game, while receiver Nate Rembert averages a league-best 88.5 yards per game.

Grambling showed that the Tigers can be vulnerable. Jackson State allowed 438 yards and 45 points in the loss and committed three turnovers. Opponents have converted 44.6 percent of their third downs against the Tigers, the second-worst rate in the conference.

FAMU’s defense will need to exploit those weaknesses while limiting an offense capable of scoring quickly.

The Rattlers rank third in the SWAC in red-zone defense and opponent third-down conversion rate, holding opponents to 32.8 percent. They have recorded 14 sacks, fourth in the league.

Linebacker Denzel Johnson leads FAMU with 38 tackles. Defensive back Justin Bostic leads the SWAC with three interceptions, while Antonio Camon has three sacks and a team-high six tackles for loss.

Special teams could swing the game

FAMU’s special teams provide another potential advantage. The Rattlers lead the SWAC in net punting at 40.9 yards, and Bobby Engstler averages 41.6 yards per punt, with 14 downed inside the 20 and no touchbacks.

Kicker Emilio Bacardi is 3-for-3 on field goals, and opponents have generated just 34 punt-return yards against FAMU this season.

Jackson State’s defense is particularly strong against the run, allowing a conference-low 105.3 rushing yards per game. That could put greater pressure on Parker and the passing game to produce consistently.

Recent history isn't in FAMU's favor

Jackson State hold the series advantage over FAMU 14-8-2. In the last five meetings FAMU is 1-4 against JSU beating them 28-10 in 2023 in the Orange Blossom Classic. The Tigers won last season’s meeting, 41-16, in Tallahassee.

Saturday offers the Rattlers a chance to build on their first conference win and establish themselves as a more dangerous opponent in SWAC play. Jackson State, playing at home after its first defeat, will be looking to restore its momentum.

For FAMU, the formula is straightforward: protect the football, capitalize on its passing-game explosiveness and make Jackson State earn every possession.

Game information: Florida A&M at Jackson State, Saturday, Oct. 17, at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. Eastern time (2 p.m. Central) on ESPN+. Radio coverage is available on WHBX 96.1 FM and the Rattler Sports Network.

Xavier University medical school wins preliminary accreditation

2026-10-16T09:28:58.297-04:00

Three key takeaways

The new medical school can begin recruiting students after receiving preliminary accreditation.
Applications are expected to open in the coming weeks, with the first class scheduled for summer 2027.
The partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health will create the nation’s fifth historically Black medical institution.

Xavier University of LA's Ochsner College of Medicine has received preliminary accreditation, clearing the way for the school to recruit students for its inaugural class.

The school plans to make applications available through the American Medical College Application Service in the coming weeks. Xavier plans to welcome is first class of students in the summer 2027.

A partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health, the college will be the nation’s fifth medical school associated with a historical Black college/university, joining Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Its creation is intended to expand medical education opportunities and help address physician workforce needs in Louisiana.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education, which accredits U.S. medical schools that award medical doctorates, granted the college candidate status in October 2025. The committee conducted a survey visit in June 2026 before awarding preliminary accreditation.

In January, of this year Humana announced a $3 million scholarship fund for the college to help expand Louisiana’s physician workforce.

Maryland Eastern Shore moves a step closer to a Vet School

The development comes as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore advances plans for a veterinary school.

The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education granted the university a Letter of Reasonable Assurance, allowing it to begin recruiting and admitting students for a program expected to launch in summer 2027. The school would be the nation's first veterinary school physically located at a public historically Black college or university.

Both initiatives represent efforts to expand professional education at historically Black institutions and strengthen the pipeline of future health care professionals.

FAMU construction management students set sights on Milan, Italy

2026-10-15T08:28:07.427-04:00

Key Takeaways

FAMU School of Architecture and Engineering Technology is preparing a Spring Break 2027 study abroad experience in Milan, Italy, March 13–21.
The trip will connect FAMU construction management students with industry leaders, explore construction sites, visit employers and examine industry practices in an international setting.
An opportunity open to the FAMU community: Students from every major can participate, exploring Italian architecture and culture while representing FAMU abroad.

The FAMU School of Architecture and Engineering Technology is preparing a study abroad experience that will connect construction management students with international industry practices, historic architecture and Italian culture this spring in Milan, Italy.

The spring break trip will focus on the connections among construction, architecture, culture and industry in one of Europe’s prominent design centers.

Construction management students will have opportunities to visit construction sites and employers, gaining insight into professional practices and the international building industry. The visits are intended to complement classroom instruction with exposure to construction activity in a different national context.

The itinerary also includes the Duomo di Milano, the city’s celebrated Gothic cathedral, where students can encounter centuries of architectural design and craftsmanship. Excursions to the Veneto region, including Verona, will introduce participants to additional examples of Italian architecture, history and cultural traditions.

Although the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology is leading the initiative, the opportunity is open to FAMU students from every major, extending the experience to those with interests beyond construction and design.

FAMU honors 21 graduating seniors, welcomes 26 new Nexus scholars

2026-10-13T09:00:51.981-04:00

Three key takeaways

The FAMU School of the Environment welcomed 26 incoming scholars with white coats into their Nexus Scholars-in Residence Program marking the start of their research and academic journeys.
21 graduating seniors received green blazers recognizing their academic achievements, research and professional development.
Community-focused research remains central to the School of the Environment, which reported a 32% enrollment increase compared with previous semesters.

The FAMU School of the Environment welcomed new 26 Nexus Scholars and celebrated 21 graduating seniors during its White Coat and Greening Ceremony recently at the Frederick Humphries Science Research Center. Larry Robinson, the 12th president of FAMU, and founding dean of the School of Environment, was the speaker at ceremony.

Incoming students received white coats marking the start of their academic and research experiences, while graduating seniors received green blazers recognizing their accomplishments.

Launched in 2018, the Nexus Scholars-in-Residence Program connects undergraduates with faculty mentors and hands-on research addressing challenges in climate, energy, food systems and public health.

“Since its launch in 2018, the Nexus Scholars-in-Residence Program has served as a cornerstone of this effort by providing undergraduate students with immersive research experiences, individualized faculty mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge technologies,” said Victor M. Ibeanusi, dean of the School of the Environment.

Graduates look ahead

For graduating senior Jasmine Engel, receiving her green blazer was a reminder of her growth since joining the program.

“It’s really full circle coming back and seeing how far we’ve come from getting our white coats,” said Engel, a fourth-year environmental science student from Milwaukee. “It’s really cool to be able to share all of our experiences and research we’ve done.”

Engel completed internships with the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a Wisconsin farm. The experiences sparked her interest in food sustainability, which she plans to pursue in graduate school.

Maya Shenefelt, a fourth-year environmental studies student from Jackson, Mississippi, said her involvement in the program strengthened her confidence and professional network. As president of GenCLEO FAMU, the campus chapter of the climate education and advocacy nonprofit CLEO Institute, she gained hands-on environmental policy experience.

Shenefelt plans to practice environmental law for a nonprofit organization.

The school also prepares students for careers and advanced degrees across disciplines, said Joel Blount Jr., director of Student Success.

“Whether they’re going on to medical school or law school, or pursuing a master’s degree or a Ph.D., that’s what we’re preparing our students for,” Blount said.

New students find opportunity

For transfer student Sanaya Jones, receiving her white coat marked a fresh start.

“The school that I transferred from, there weren’t many opportunities, and there wasn’t a white coat ceremony, so I think this is honestly a new beginning for me, a fresh start,” Jones said.

Jones hopes to gain laboratory experience and pursue a career as a pollution analyst, focusing on climate change and pollution.

Incoming environmental science student Terrance Shields said hearing from graduating scholars eased some of the uncertainty about his future.

“When you see the people who have gone before you and are taking the steps of what’s ahead, it takes a little bit of weight off your shoulders when you’re not exactly sure what career path you’re going for,” Shields said.

Shields is interested in bioengineering and environmental policy.

Research with community impact

The School of the Environment focuses on research that addresses community needs, including water quality, agricultural challenges and land mapping.

“What makes us different from other environmental sciences schools is our impact on the communities that we serve,” Blount said. “Whether it’s oyster farmers, communities seeking help with water problems, farmers or rural communities that need help with mapping their land, we can help them.”

The school reported a 32% increase in enrollment compared with previous semesters. It is also expanding outreach to prospective students, including introducing local high school students to geospatial artificial intelligence through its mobile laboratory resources.

FAMU hopes to build on Class of 2030 as it recruits future Rattlers

2026-10-11T12:41:50.646-04:00

Key Takeaways

A strong academic foundation: FAMU’s Class of 2030 averaged a 3.9 core high school GPA, a 1,150 SAT score and a 23 ACT score. More than half arrived with college credits already completed.
A more targeted recruitment strategy: FAMU's strategy places a greater value on academic readiness, program fit, and scholarship, and over sheer numbers. The university relies on its stronger partnerships with high schools, state colleges, and alumni networks.
Recruitment is expanding its reach: FAMU representatives will visit Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area in November, including outreach during the Florida Classic.

As FAMU’s Class of 2030 settles into campus life, the university is already working to attract its next class, building on the academic credentials of its newest students.

FAMU enrolled 1,900 students from more than 32,000 applicants this year. The incoming class posted an average core high school GPA of 3.9, an average SAT score of 1,150 and an average ACT score of 23.

William E. Hudson Jr., Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs, said the university’s recruitment strategy has evolved beyond traditional outreach to focus on students’ academic preparation and alignment with university programs.

“The University is recruiting not simply for enrollment volume, but for academic readiness, program fit and student success,” Hudson said.

FAMU’s strategy combines data-informed enrollment planning with relationship-building through high schools, state colleges, alumni, faculty and families. The university is also expanding targeted scholarship support and recruitment for high-demand and preeminent academic programs.

“Our goal is to continue to recruit the best and brightest students at the undergraduate and graduate level,” Hudson said. “Enrollment management is more than one person, one department or one division. Every FAMU constituent has a role.”

For the university, the work of recruiting a new class begins well before applications are submitted and continues after students arrive on campus. The challenge is to translate interest in FAMU into enrollment, and to ensure that the students who choose the university are prepared to make the most of the opportunity.

With a keen focus on building the Classes of 2031 and 2032 in mind, university recruiters are spreading out across Florida, and the nation, this fall with recruiting in Miami and Pensacola in October before making stops at Polk State College in Winter Haven on Nov. 17; St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs Campus on Nov. 18; and events in Tampa and Orlando on Nov. 20. Through these efforts, FAMU aims to the next generation of Rattlers poised to lead and succeed.

FAMU’s uniform problem: Fixing what was never broken

2026-10-10T09:56:27.179-04:00

Recent helmet and uniform changes have Rattler fans questioning whether FAMU is abandoning one of the most iconic and recognizable looks in FCS football.

Three Key Takeaways

FAMU had an iconic look: Burnt orange, dark green, white road uniforms and the signature snake-head helmet established a distinctive brand.
Recent changes have drawn criticism: Fans have questioned the script helmet, jersey accents and Orange Blossom Classic throwbacks.
Modernization shouldn’t mean reinvention: FAMU can experiment without sacrificing the tradition that makes its uniforms recognizable.

Never really thought we’d have to talk about this, but here we are.

Over the years, FAMU football had established one of the best looks in all of FCS football. The burnt orange, dark green, white road uniforms and iconic snake-head helmet created a combination that was unmistakably FAMU.

But recent changes have fans wondering whether those in charge of the Rattlers uniforms/equipment are fixing something that was never broken.

The snake is iconic. The script? Not so much.

The biggest controversy surrounds the helmets. Since Quinn Gray took over the program this year, FAMU has moved away from its traditional snake-head decal on the helmet. This was last seen during FAMU's home opener against Albany State. FAMU, in recent weeks, have opted in favor of a script "Rattlers logo" that has drawn considerable criticism.

“The script is hideous. The snake is iconic. WE WANT THE SNAKE back,” one fan wrote on social media.

The frustration is understandable. The snake is more than a logo; it is a defining symbol of FAMU athletics. Replacing it risks weakening an identity the program spent years establishing.

When uniform tweaks miss the mark

The helmet debate is part of a broader dissatisfaction with recent uniform decisions. Last season’s orange accents on the solid-green jerseys struck some fans as unnecessary.

after before

While the retro-inspired Orange Blossom Classic uniforms and helmets drew, this year, drew sharp criticism for lacking authenticity. One observer compared the helmet design to something worn by a 1990s Pop Warner team.

There has also been speculation that the team’s recent helmet appearance reflects equipment choices, with one observer suggesting FAMU may have used glossy orange Gameday Skinz over white helmet shells instead of its traditional satin-orange shells. Whatever, the thinking is it is an "insane downgrade."

Regardless of the reasoning, the larger issue is consistency.

Modernize the brand, don’t abandon it

FAMU has a distinct identity in a college football landscape crowded with Tigers, Lions and Bears. There is only one Rattler(s), and that distinction is worth protecting.

As one fan put it, “We have a program with a rich enough history to have a consistent look that’s easily recognizable.”

That history should be the foundation for evolution, not a casualty of it. Modernization should elevate what makes FAMU distinctive, not replace the iconic snake-head helmet with a script that could belong to any program. There is room for creativity, alternate looks and special-edition uniforms, but the core identity should remain unmistakably FAMU.

The formula is simple: Honor the tradition. Refine the look. Protect the brand. Bring back the snake.

The strongest brands don’t abandon what makes them iconic. They build on it.

FAMU blocks Alabama State’s final kick to secure a dramatic 28-27 victory

2026-10-09T16:08:15.249-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Freshman quarterback Armond Parker completed 13 of 20 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, powering FAMU’s passing attack despite throwing two interceptions.
FAMU overcomes Alabama State’s dominant ground game. The Hornets rushed for 274 yards on 54 attempts, compared with just 96 yards on 23 carries for the Rattlers. FAMU finished with a narrow 386-381 advantage in total offense.
FAMU blocked Alabama State’s blocked ASU's field goal to spoil the Hornets homecoming 28-27.

FAMU found a dramatic way to spoil Alabama State’s homecoming this afternoon, blocking a field-goal attempt in the final seconds to secure a 28-27 victory over the Hornets at ASU Stadium.

The Rattlers survived a game in which Alabama State controlled the ground attack and piled up nearly three times as many rushing yards, 274 on 54 carries to FAMU's 96 yards on the ground. But freshman quarterback Armond Parker delivered an explosive performance through the air, and the FAMU defense came through when the game was on the line.

Parker completed 13 of 20 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Rattlers a potent passing attack that helped offset their struggles on the ground. He also threw two interceptions, leaving room for Alabama State to remain within striking distance.

FAMU finished with 386 yards of total offense, narrowly surpassing Alabama State’s 381.

The victory came before 16,994 spectators at ASU Stadium, where kickoff was at 11:06 a.m. and the game ended at 2:20 p.m., capping a contest that lasted three hours and 14 minutes.

The win gave FAMU's first-year head Coach Quinn Gray his first division 1 victory, and improved the Rattler's recored to 2-4 overall (1-1 SWAC). Next UP: The Rattlers travel to Jackson, MS, next Saturday, where they will take on the Jackson State University Tigers on their homecoming.

Missouri’s $549 million HBCU lawsuit puts FAMU’s funding fight in focus

2026-10-09T08:38:59.481-04:00

A federal case alleging decades of discriminatory underfunding at Lincoln University (MO) raises questions about whether states have adequately supported historically Black land-grant institutions, and what accountability could look like for FAMU.

Three Key Takeaways

Missouri faces a separate $548.7 million lawsuit. Students and alumni of Lincoln University allege decades of unequal state funding, including failures to provide required matching funds for federal land-grant support.
The case could strengthen scrutiny of how states fund public HBCUs. Although the lawsuit concerns Missouri, its allegations raise broader questions about disparities in state appropriations, research funding, infrastructure and institutional opportunity.
FAMU could face renewed questions about funding equity. As Florida’s public land-grant HBCU, FAMU operates within a state university system in which funding formulas, research investments and performance-based allocations can have significant consequences for historically underserved institutions.

A $548.7 million lawsuit accusing Missouri of decades of discriminatory underfunding at Lincoln University is bringing renewed attention to a legal fight already underway at FAMU, where six students are challenging the state's treatment of its only public historically Black university.

The cases, filed in separate states, raise a central question about public higher education: Have states provided historically Black land-grant universities with equitable financial support, or have funding decisions perpetuated disparities rooted in segregation?

For FAMU, that question has taken on new significance. On June 9, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit revived a lawsuit that a federal judge had dismissed in January 2024, allowing the students' claims to proceed. The appeals court did not find that Florida discriminated against FAMU. It ruled that the lower court had improperly evaluated the allegations at the dismissal stage.

The Missouri lawsuit, filed Oct. 7, seeks compensation for alleged funding disparities at Lincoln University, the state's historically Black land-grant institution. Together, the cases could intensify scrutiny of how states distribute public funding, support research and maintain the institutions entrusted with expanding educational opportunity for Black Americans.

Missouri's $548.7 million claim

In Missouri, seven current and former Lincoln University students are seeking $548.7 million, alleging that the state systematically underfunded the institution compared with the predominantly white University of Missouri.

The plaintiffs cite a 2023 federal estimate that Missouri underfunded Lincoln by $361.6 million between 1987 and 2020. The larger lawsuit demand includes additional compensation and interest, according to Inside Higher Ed.

The complaint alleges that Missouri provided no state matching funds for Lincoln's federal land-grant allocations from fiscal 2000 through 2007 and only partial support in subsequent years.

Lincoln allegedly diverted about $43.5 million from its operating budget between 2000 and 2016 to cover the shortfall. When the university could no longer afford to do so, it forfeited nearly $8 million in federal funding from 2016 through 2018, the complaint says.

The plaintiffs contend that the missing resources could have supported campus repairs, faculty hiring, student services, financial aid and agricultural research. Missouri began providing the full state match in 2022, according to the allegations.

The land-grant connection

Like FAMU, Lincoln University (MO) are both are historically Black public universities with land-grant missions.

The Second Morrill Act of 1890 expanded the land-grant system in states that maintained segregated higher education, helping establish a network of institutions that became central to Black education, agricultural research and scientific advancement.

The funding issue is especially consequential because state support can determine whether universities have the resources to maintain facilities, recruit researchers and compete for federal grants. When states fail to provide required matching funds, institutions may have to redirect operating money or forgo federal allocations.

The FAMU students allege that Florida matched only about half or less of the university's federal land-grant funding, on average, between 2011 and 2022, producing a $24.4 million shortfall and over $1.3 billion since the late 80s. However, a recent study by the federal government estimates that FAMU is owed nearly $2 billion.

The Missouri case presents a similar concern about state matching support, but its claims and requested remedies differ from those in the FAMU litigation. The Missouri plaintiffs seek monetary damages and an injunction requiring full future matching support. The FAMU students are pursuing relief tied to their allegations that Florida has failed to remedy the continuing effects of segregation.

What the MO case could mean for FAMU

The new lawsuit could increase pressure on states, like Florida, to explain how they calculate university funding, distribute research support and account for historical disparities.

At FAMU, the litigation places particular attention on Florida's performance-based funding system, which ties state allocations to institutional outcomes. The students argue that the system's application, combined with longstanding resource disparities, has disadvantaged the university.

Additional funding could influence outcome on PBF

The broader policy question is whether funding formulas adequately account for differences in institutional resources and historical circumstances. Universities with greater financial capacity may have more flexibility to invest in faculty, academic advising, laboratories and student services, investments that can influence the outcomes performance-based systems reward.

The additional funding could also help propel FAMU in its national ranking, just as preeminent funding helped boost FSU and UF. Instead of being the 6th best HBCU overall, the additional funding could boost FAMU to the No. 1 spot overall and move the university into the Top 50 public universities overall.

That concern does not, by itself, establish discrimination. The court must determine whether the specific policies and practices challenged by the students violate federal law.

Missouri lawsuit may add momentum to calls for transparent comparisons of state appropriations, land-grant matching funds, facilities spending and research investment at public HBCUs.

The question now before the courts is not simply whether public HBCUs need more funding. It is whether the states responsible for supporting them have met their legal obligations — and whether disparities that persist today are connected to the unequal system those institutions were created to overcome.

Tropical storm threat moves FAMU-Alabama State game to Friday

2026-10-08T07:55:50.624-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

The game has been moved to Friday. Florida A&M will face Alabama State on Friday, Oct. 9, instead of the originally scheduled weekend date, because of the impending impact of Tropical Storm Isaias.
Kickoff is set for noon Eastern. The game will begin at 12 p.m. EDT (11 a.m. CDT), allowing the teams to play ahead of potentially worsening weather conditions.
Fans can watch on SWAC TV. The FAMU-Alabama State matchup will be available for broadcast through SWAC TV.

FAMU's football game this weekend against Alabama State, in Montgomery, AL, has been moved up to Friday, Oct. 9, as Tropical Storm Isaias threatens the Gulf Coast and parts of Alabama, forcing a change to the weekend schedule.

The game will kick off at noon Eastern time, or 11 a.m. Central, as officials adjust plans ahead of the storm’s expected impact on the region.

The threat of deteriorating weather conditions prompted the decision to move the game to Friday.

The change creates a rare Friday afternoon SWAC kickoff . The early start also allows both programs to complete the game before potentially worsening conditions arrive in the region.

The game will be carried by SWAC TV, giving fans who cannot attend an opportunity to watch the matchup online.

The schedule change underscores the logistical challenges college football programs face during hurricane and tropical-storm season, particularly across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, where weather systems can quickly disrupt travel, game operations and stadium conditions.

For both schools, the priority is now completing the game safely.

At 90, FAMU’s School of Nursing celebrates a pioneering legacy

2026-10-07T08:21:04.301-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

FAMU’s nursing legacy began more than a century ago. The university offered its first nursing courses during the 1904-05 academic year, decades before establishing its fully recognized baccalaureate program.
The 1936 program was a first for Florida. FAMU established the state’s first baccalaureate nursing program, opening a path into professional nursing education for generations of Black students.
The legacy continues today. Ninety years later, the School of Nursing remains one of FAMU’s signature academic programs and a lasting part of the university’s contribution to the health professions.

Long before FAMU became known for producing generations of Black physicians, pharmacists, engineers and other health professionals, it was quietly building a pipeline of nurses.

That history was celebrated recently as FAMU’s School of Nursing marked its 90th anniversary with a commemorative gala honoring the people, milestones and enduring influence of one of the university’s most historic academic programs.

The anniversary marks a milestone that extends well beyond a single academic program.
In 1936, FAMU established a fully recognized Bachelor of Science nursing program, the first baccalaureate nursing program in Florida. That distinction, placed FAMU at the forefront of professional nursing education in a state where opportunities for Black students were severely restricted by segregation.

But the story began even earlier.

FAMU offered its first nursing courses during the 1904-05 academic year, more than three decades before the university formally established its baccalaureate program. Over time, that early beginning evolved into what is now the oldest continuing baccalaureate nursing program at a historically Black college or university in the United States.

For FAMU, the anniversary is therefore less a celebration of longevity than a reminder of what the program represented when it was created and what it has continued to represent across generations.

A program born in an era of exclusion
The nursing program emerged during a period when Black Americans faced profound barriers to higher education and professional advancement.

For Black women in particular, nursing offered a pathway into a respected profession, but access to professional training was sharply limited by segregation. Establishing a baccalaureate nursing program at a Black university in Florida created an opportunity that did not otherwise exist at the state's predominantly white institutions.

FAMU's program helped transform that opportunity into a tradition.

Generations of students came through its classrooms and clinical training, carrying their education into hospitals, communities, public health agencies, universities and other institutions across the country.

The significance of that history is difficult to separate from the broader story of health care in Black communities.

Nurses were often among the most accessible health professionals in communities where medical resources were scarce. They provided care, education and public-health services while also becoming teachers and mentors for subsequent generations.

The FAMU nursing tradition grew within that larger mission.

Ninety years of impact
The School of Nursing's anniversary also arrives at a moment when the demand for nurses and other health professionals remains acute.

Yet the program's historical importance cannot be measured only by workforce numbers.

Its deeper legacy is reflected in the generations of graduates who entered a profession in which Black representation was once severely limited and who, in turn, helped open doors for those who followed.

That continuity is one reason the 90th anniversary carries particular weight.

The university was founded in 1887 with a mission that has repeatedly evolved to meet the needs of Black Floridians and the nation. The FAMU nursing program became one its earliest and clearest expressions of that mission: education not simply as an academic pursuit, but as a means of expanding access to professions that could transform families and communities.

The gala brought that history into focus, honoring the people whose work sustained the program through nine decades.

There were the faculty members who taught generations of aspiring nurses. The administrators who protected and expanded the program. The alumni who carried the FAMU name into hospitals and health systems. And the students who became the next generation of health care professionals.

Together, they form a lineage that stretches from the first nursing courses offered in the early 20th century to today's School of Nursing.

A legacy still being written
The anniversary also offers a reminder that historic programs do not remain relevant simply because they are old.

They remain relevant because they continue to evolve.

Nursing has changed dramatically since FAMU's first courses were offered. The profession now encompasses increasingly sophisticated clinical specialties, advanced practice, research, technology and population health.

The challenges facing the nation's health system have changed, too.

But the central need that helped give rise to FAMU's nursing program remains: expanding access to high-quality health education and preparing professionals who can serve communities that have historically been underserved

From FAMU to the Governor’s Mansion: Keisha Lance Bottoms stands on the edge of history

2026-10-05T09:22:16.107-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

The race is remarkably close. Recent polls show Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson separated by only a few points, making the final weeks critical.
A Bottoms victory would break a barrier that has stood throughout American history. No Black woman has ever been elected governor of a state.
Before Keisha Lance Bottoms was the mayor of Atlanta, a White House adviser or a candidate for governor of Georgia, she was a student at FAMU.

Keisha Lance Bottoms is 30 days from potentially making American political history. The former Atlanta mayor and FAMU grad is fighting to become Georgia’s first Black governor. Bottoms studied broadcast journalism at FAMU, where she developed the communication skills that would carry her from the classroom in Tallahassee to Atlanta City Hall, the White House and now the center of one of the country’s most closely watched gubernatorial races.

Now, nearly three decades after leaving FAMU, Bottoms is one month away from potentially making history.

A victory on Nov. 3 would make her the first Black woman elected governor of any state in the nation.

The race, however, is anything but settled.

A Wedgewood Poll conducted Oct. 2-3 found Republican Rick Jackson leading Bottoms 51 percent to 49 percent among 600 likely voters. Other recent surveys have produced similarly narrow margins, leaving the contest effectively within striking distance for either candidate.
Bottoms therefore enters the final stretch with something rare in Georgia politics: a credible path to the governor's mansion.

She earned her undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism from FAMU, before receiving her law degree from Georgia State University.

She became an attorney and magistrate judge before entering Atlanta politics, winning a seat on the City Council in 2009. In 2017, she narrowly won the mayor's race and became one of the country's most prominent Black female mayors.

Her tenure coincided with a series of crises, including the coronavirus pandemic, racial-justice protests and debates over crime and public safety.

The experience elevated Bottoms onto the national stage. In 2022, President Joe Biden appointed her a senior adviser for public engagement.

Now she is attempting to convert that résumé into statewide political power.

Georgia is no longer the reliably Republican state it once was. Democrats have won recent statewide contests, including the 2020 presidential election and two U.S. Senate races.

Atlanta and its suburbs remain the Democratic Party's political engine, and Bottoms enters the race with deep relationships across the state's Black political establishment.

But that coalition alone is not enough.

To win, Bottoms must generate strong turnout among Black voters while limiting Republican margins in rural and exurban Georgia. She also needs to hold suburban voters who have increasingly become competitive territory for Democrats.

Her performance in the Democratic primary offered some encouragement. Bottoms won 56 percent of the vote in a six-candidate field and carried 158 of Georgia's 159 counties, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Whether those rural gains translate into a general-election coalition is the larger question.

Her Republican opponent presents another challenge.

Jackson, a billionaire health care entrepreneur and political newcomer, defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the Republican primary. Unlike many Georgia Republicans, Jackson did not emerge from decades of statewide elected office, giving Bottoms an opportunity to frame the race as a choice between political experience and business experience.

She is running for an office that would make her a historic figure, yet she has generally resisted making that history the central argument of her campaign.

That is probably deliberate.

Georgia voters are not simply deciding whether to create a historical first. They are deciding who they believe can address the cost of living, education, health care, housing and public safety.
And, Bottoms has largely kept her campaign focused on the issues.

Still, the historical stakes will be unavoidable if she wins.

No Black woman has ever been elected governor of an American state.

Georgia could change that.

The university has produced generations of prominent graduates in journalism, law, medicine, business, government and the arts. And, has increasingly been noted for its role in helping to build Atlanta's Black professional class. Bottoms's trajectory would offer another example of the strong reach of FAMU education.

A Bottoms victory would put that idea on one of the nation's biggest political stages.

The first major test comes Tuesday, when Bottoms and Jackson are scheduled to meet in their first major face-to-face debate. Atlanta News First will host the Oct. 6 town hall, giving both candidates an opportunity to make their case directly to voters.

For Bottoms, it is an opportunity to demonstrate why her experience running Atlanta and serving in the White House makes her ready to lead Georgia.

For Jackson, it is a chance to argue that Georgia needs a different kind of governor.

However, Jackson's greatest asset may also be his greatest liability: Donald Trump.

Trump endorsed Jackson after he defeated Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the Republican runoff, and Jackson has embraced the president's support. But the alliance gives Bottoms an opening to portray Jackson as an extension of Trump at a time when suburban and independent voters could decide a close race.

Jackson needs Trump's conservative base, while Bottoms has an incentive to make the election a referendum on the president. With the race essentially tied, that tension could prove decisive.

In a race that could be decided by a few thousand votes, of fewer, the distance between Tallahassee and the Georgia governor's mansion suddenly does not seem quite so far.

150 Wins and Counting: Gokhan Yilmaz reaches milestone at FAMU

2026-10-04T02:18:36.136-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Gokhan Yilmaz earned his 150th victory as FAMU’s head coach Friday, when the Rattlers defeated Mississippi Valley State, 3-1.
The milestone covers Yilmaz’s tenure at FAMU since August 2018, not his entire coaching career. Before becoming the Rattlers’ head coach, he spent two seasons as FAMU’s associate head coach.
Yilmaz has built FAMU into a consistent championship contender, leading the Rattlers to SWAC titles in 2021 and 2022.

FAMU volleyball's 3-1 victory over Mississippi Valley State,Friday, gave Coach Gokhan Yilmaz his 150th win since taking over the Rattler volleyball program in 2018.

The milestone arrived on the road, without much ceremony.

Yilmaz, a native of Istanbul, Turkey, elevated to the FAMU head coach position after serving as the program’s associate head coach during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Since becoming head coach, he has sustained the program's success.

In 2021, Yilmaz led the Rattlers to their first SWAC championship, a 25-7 record and the program’s first 20-win season since 2006. He was named SWAC Coach of the Year.

FAMU repeated as conference champion in 2022, sweeping the SWAC tournament and returning to the NCAA tournament. Yilmaz again earned SWAC Coach of the Year honors.

The Rattlers again won back-to-back SWAC Championships in 2024 and 2025.

Before taking over at FAMU, Yilmaz spent the 2014-15 season as head coach at UNC Charlotte, where he led the 49ers to 17 victories, their most in eight years, and their first conference tournament appearance in five years.

Before Charlotte, he spent seven seasons at Florida State, from 2008 through 2014, as associate head coach, training coordinator and the program’s primary recruiter.

At Florida State, he was part of a program that went 154-41 during his tenure and reached the NCAA tournament five consecutive times.

The Rattler volleyball team is back in action this afternoon against conference foe Jackson State at 1pm, where they will try to extend Gokhan's career victories to 151.

From Highwood to the Top 80: FAMU’s 139-year journey

2026-10-03T00:02:00.000-04:00

Founded in 1887 to educate Black Floridians shut out of the state’s white institutions, FAMU has grown from a small teachers’ college into a nationally ranked public research university — a transformation that gives this year’s Founders Day particular resonance.

Three Key Takeaways

FAMU began with 15 students and two instructors. Founded on Oct. 3, 1887, as the State Normal College for Colored Students, the institution was created to provide educational opportunity for Black Floridians during segregation.
Its present-day campus carries the weight of Florida’s history. In 1891, the college moved to Highwood, a former plantation owned by Florida Territorial Gov. William Pope DuVal and his brother.
139 years later, FAMU is ranked among the nation’s Top 80 public universities. In the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings, FAMU climbed 13 places to No. 79 — its highest-ever position in the public-university category.

On Oct. 3, 1887, FAMU opened its doors, as the State Normal College for Colored Students with 15 students and two instructors. Its purpose, then, was straightforward: educate Black Floridians who had been largely excluded from the state's public higher-education system.

There was little in that beginning to suggest what the institution would become.

Today, FAMU marks its 139th Founders Day, celebrating a university whose history mirrors much of the long struggle for Black educational opportunity in Florida, and the nation.

From a small normal school to one of the nation's highest-ranked public universities, FAMU's story is one of institutional endurance, academic ambition and a determination to build opportunity where little existed.

Born in the age of segregation
FAMU's origins trace to 1884, when Thomas Van Renssaler Gibbs, a Black educator and state legislator from Duval County, helped secure legislation establishing normal schools for white and Black students.

The state ultimately located the school for Black students in Tallahassee.

Three years later, on Oct. 3, 1887, the State Normal College for Colored Students began classes.

Thomas DeSaille Tucker became its first president, while Gibbs joined him as a faculty member.

The institution's mission expanded in 1891 when it received $7,500 under the Second Morrill Act to provide instruction in agriculture and the mechanical arts. It became Florida's land-grant institution for Black students and was renamed the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students.

The transformation had begun.

From Highwood to the Hill
That same year, the college moved to its present location on the former Highwood Plantation, a 40-acre property associated with William Pope DuVal, Florida's first territorial governor, and his brother.

The land's history is an inescapable part of FAMU's story.

The university was moved in 1891 to what had once been DuVal's slave plantation. The site now sits at one of Tallahassee's highest elevations.

The irony is profound: a university established to educate Black Floridians took root on land shaped by a system that had denied generations of Black people freedom and education.

The campus itself still contains reminders of that earlier era. Gibbs Cottage, built around 1892 for Thomas Van Renssaler Gibbs, though in disrepair, is the oldest surviving wooden structure on the campus and reflects the architectural legacy of Highwood.

Even the university's famed Rattler identity is linked to the landscape. When the college moved to Highwood in 1891, the rural surroundings were populated by wildlife, particularly rattlesnakes.

Their repeated willingness to strike became associated with the resilience and determination of FAMU students.

A university takes shape
The institution continued to evolve.

In 1909, it became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes. The following year, with an enrollment of 317 students, it awarded its first degrees.

In 1953, it became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Over the decades, FAMU expanded far beyond its original mission of teacher training, developing programs in agriculture, engineering, business, pharmacy, law, science, journalism, education and the arts.

Its graduates entered professions in which Black Americans had long been excluded.

The university became a training ground for teachers, nurses, lawyers, engineers, scientists, pharmacists, journalists, public officials and entrepreneur, helping create opportunities that extended well beyond the Tallahassee campus.

From 15 students to No. 79
That history gives particular weight to FAMU's latest national milestone.

In the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings, FAMU climbed 13 places to No. 79 among the nation's top public universities, putting it in the Top 80 for the first time, among the nations 817 public four-year institutions and 864 public two-year institutions.

A school founded in the Jim Crow era for 15 Black students now sits among the nation's Top 80 public universities.

FAMU has not simply grown in size.

FAMU has grown in scope.

Today, FAMU enrolls nearly 10,000 students from across the United States and more than 70 countries, with academic programs and satellite campuses extending beyond its historic Tallahassee campus.

The meaning of 139 years
Founders Day is therefore more than a birthday.

It is a marker of distance.

In 1887, FAMU existed because Black Floridians needed an institution of their own in a segregated state.

In 1891, it moved onto the grounds of a former plantation.

Over the next 139 years, students, faculty, alumni and leaders transformed that place into something its founders could scarcely have imagined.

The buildings changed.

The curriculum expanded.

The student body grew.

The university's reputation reached far beyond the hill.

But through 139 years of change, one thing has remained constant: “Excellence With Caring.”

It is more than a motto. It is the thread connecting FAMU's beginnings to its future, a commitment to educate with purpose, lead with distinction and prepare generations of Rattlers to make their mark on the world.

From 15 students on the highest of Tallahassee's seven hills, where the Highwood Plantation once stood, to a university ranked among America's Top 80 public universities. FAMU's journey is a testament to what can happen when opportunity meets determination.

The past gave FAMU its foundation. The present reflects its progress. And the future belongs to those who carry its legacy forward.

The STEM pipeline needs more Black professionals. FAMU shows the way.

2026-10-01T08:36:08.920-04:00

FAMU is helping build the Black STEM pipeline, but the gap between earning a degree and reaching the highest levels of the technology economy remains wide.

Three Key Takeaways

Only 3 percent of Black professionals hold executive roles in the technology C-suite, according to a recent Hechinger Report essay.

HBCUs account for about 9 percent of four-year bachelor's degree-granting institutions but produce 28 percent of STEM bachelor's degrees earned by Black students.

At FAMU, 47 percent of bachelor's degrees were awarded in STEM and health-related fields, putting the university at the center of the effort to expand Black representation in the nation's technical workforce.

America's technology economy is expanding rapidly, from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to biotechnology and advanced engineering. Yet the people making decisions at the highest levels of those industries remain far less diverse than the workforce they serve.

Only 3 percent of Black professionals hold executive positions in the technology C-suite, according to a recent Hechinger Report essay examining the need for greater Black representation in STEM.

The statistic points to a problem that begins long before the boardroom: building a pipeline of Black students who have access to STEM education, persist through college and ultimately move into positions of influence.

Few institutions are more important to that pipeline than FAMU.

A STEM pipeline already in motion

FAMU's accountability data show that 47 percent of its bachelor's degrees in 2021-22 were in STEM and health-related disciplines, up from 36 percent in 2017-18. The university has set a goal of reaching 50 percent.

That translates into thousands of students pursuing fields such as engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, biological sciences, mathematics, pharmacy, nursing and other health professions.

FAMU has also expanded programs in areas with growing workforce demand. Its new cybersecurity programs, for example, prepare students for careers in information security and related technology fields, while the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering provides pathways into a broad range of engineering disciplines.

The university's College of Pharmacy adds another dimension to the STEM pipeline, connecting scientific education with health care, pharmaceutical research and biotechnology.

The result is a pipeline that extends well beyond the traditional image of STEM.

HBCUs carry an outsized share
FAMU's role reflects a larger national pattern.

According to The Hechinger Report, historically Black colleges and universities represent only about 9 percent of four-year bachelor's-degree-granting institutions but produce 28 percent of STEM bachelor's degrees earned by Black students.

That makes HBCUs disproportionately important to the nation's effort to diversify its scientific and technical workforce.

But producing graduates is only part of the challenge.

A previous Hechinger Report analysis found that Black students accounted for about 9 percent of science bachelor's degrees during the period studied, while their share of engineering degrees declined from 5 percent to 4 percent and their share of mathematics degrees fell from 7 percent to 4 percent.

The disparities become even more pronounced at the top of the professional ladder.

The gap between the degree and the boardroom

For FAMU, the challenge is no longer simply getting Black students into STEM classrooms. It is ensuring they have the experiences, connections and opportunities to turn those degrees into long-term careers and leadership.

The university is investing in that transition. FAMU's 2026 Accountability Plan identifies Engineering and Design, Health and Workforce Readiness, and Business Innovation as areas of focus, with planned investments in faculty recruitment, innovation laboratories, simulation training, industry partnerships and experiential learning. The university also supports nearly 90 undergraduate researchers each semester across more than 35 majors, giving students opportunities to conduct research, develop professional skills and prepare for graduate and professional study.

Those efforts matter because the economic stakes are significant. STEM occupations had a median annual wage of $106,360 in 2025, more than twice the $50,980 median for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. FAMU's 2026 plan reports a $46,700 median annual wage for its bachelor's graduates, while the university's latest accountability data show that 72.5 percent of bachelor's graduates were enrolled or employed after graduation.

Those figures show both the progress of the pipeline and the work that remains. Getting students into STEM programs matters. Helping them graduate matters. Connecting them to employers matters, too.

But the ultimate measure comes later.

From FAMU classrooms to the C-suite

FAMU is producing a growing pool of Black graduates prepared for careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health.

The larger question is what happens after they leave Tallahassee.

Do they become researchers who lead laboratories? Engineers who design new technologies? Entrepreneurs who build companies? Technology executives who make decisions about the future of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity? Scientists who direct pharmaceutical or biotechnology research?

Those outcomes will determine whether the STEM pipeline is simply producing more graduates or helping produce the next generation of Black leaders in industries that increasingly shape the economy.

For FAMU and other HBCUs, the mission does not end with a diploma.

The challenge is to make sure the pipeline that begins in the classroom continues through research, careers and professional advancement all the way to the places where the industry's most consequential decisions are made.

FAMU NAA president faces board challenge over audit and spending

2026-09-30T11:53:07.558-04:00

A dispute over an audit, spending and the legality of a special meeting has pitted President Artisha Polk against members of the association’s executive board.

Three Key Takeaways

Board members are challenging Polk’s handling of financial concerns: Treasurer Pierre Rutledge says 19 members voted to proceed with a special meeting addressing concerns involving Polk and her spending.
Polk has ordered the meeting canceled: She argues the meeting was not properly authorized and that the email vote used to approve it violated Florida’s Sunshine Law.
The dispute has exposed deeper governance questions: The two sides disagree over the association’s bylaws, notice requirements, the validity of the vote and who should preside over a meeting involving the president.

A growing dispute inside FAMU’s National Alumni Association has put embattled NAA President Artisha Polk at odds with members of her executive board over audit findings, spending and the organization’s governance.

The conflict escalated this week when members called a special Executive Board meeting for tonight, Sept. 30, to address concerns involving Polk. Polk subsequently directed the association’s corresponding secretaries to notify members that the meeting was canceled.

In a letter to the board, obtained by Rattler Nation, Polk said the NAA bylaws require a majority of the Executive Board to approve a special meeting and at least five days’ written notice to all board members.

She also cited advice from the NAA’s general counsel that the email ballot used to authorize the meeting did not comply with Florida’s Sunshine Law.

“The process that was carried out is not permitted,” Polk wrote.

Polk questioned whether the vote could be independently verified, saying the association’s records did not establish who was asked to vote, who participated or whether the official voting record had been properly maintained.

Treasurer challenges Polk

Rutledge disputed Polk’s interpretation in a response circulated to NAA officers.

He said notice of the meeting had been sent to the Executive Board the previous Friday and argued that it met the law’s requirements for reasonable notice and an open meeting.

Rutledge also pointed to previous instances in which, he said, Polk had scheduled special meetings with less than three days’ notice.

He said 19 members voted in favor of moving forward with today's meeting and that the names and votes were attached to his response.

The number is significant because the NAA’s bylaws require approval by a majority of the Executive Board to convene a special meeting.

Rutledge also said the 19 members voted for the First Vice President to preside because the matters under discussion involve concerns about Polk’s conduct.

“Were you to preside over this meeting, a clear conflict of interest would exist,” Rutledge wrote.

He asked that the meeting not be canceled and requested that the Zoom information be distributed to board members.

The underlying financial questions

The procedural fight has overshadowed the issues that prompted the meeting: audit findings and concerns about spending involving Polk.

Polk has not said the matters should be ignored. She proposed referring issues within the jurisdiction of existing committees for review, with their findings and recommendations brought back to the Executive Board.

She said any matter ultimately requiring action could then be considered at a properly convened board meeting.

The correspondence does not detail all of the audit findings, and the documents reviewed do not accuse Polk of criminal wrongdoing. The dispute centers on financial oversight, board authority and the process for addressing concerns about the president.

A broader governance dispute

The disagreement also involves who has authority to preside over an executive board meeting.

Polk cited the bylaws provision giving the president responsibility for presiding over Executive Board meetings, with the first vice president presiding in the president’s absence.

Rutledge contends that the First Vice President should preside over tonight's meeting because the subject matter involves the president.

The competing positions have left the NAA divided over the rules governing its own board proceedings.

The dispute comes little more than a year after Polk became president of the National Alumni Association, which supports FAMU through fundraising, scholarships and other initiatives.

For the moment, the immediate question is whether the tonight's meeting will take place despite Polk’s directive to cancel it.

The larger issue is whether the association can resolve the financial and governance concerns raised by board members through a process that both sides recognize as valid.

UPDATE: The special meeting of the FAMU National Alumni Association Executive Board scheduled for tonight, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. has been canceled. In a brief message to members, the association emailed at around 7pm, the NAA said a new meeting date will be announced soon, providing no additional details about the reason for the cancellation.

At FAMU, the job search begins before graduation

2026-09-30T00:02:00.000-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Career preparation is becoming a bigger part of the FAMU experience: The university’s Fall 2026 Career & Internship Expo will feature about 150 companies looking to connect with students.
Students are competing for opportunities well before graduation: Internships, networking and early recruitment can shape a student’s path into the workforce.
The bigger measure is what happens after college: For FAMU, career preparation is closely tied to its broader mission of student success and economic mobility.

For many FAMU students, the transition from college to a career begins long before commencement.

It starts with a résumé, a conversation with a recruiter and, sometimes, an internship that becomes a first job.

FAMU’s Fall 2026 Career & Internship Expo, today, will bring students together with more than 150 potential employers and graduate programs at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is designed to connect students with internships, full-time positions and career opportunities.

Preparing before the job search
The timing reflects how early employers increasingly recruit college students.

FAMU encourages students to use the expo not only to apply for jobs but also to explore industries, build professional relationships and learn what employers expect from candidates.

The university has been preparing students for the event through other career-development efforts. Last week, more than 250 students participated in a JCPenney “Suit Up” event offering discounted professional clothing and career resources.

The goal is straightforward: give students more tools to compete before they receive their degrees.

Employers are looking across campus

FAMU’s employer network includes companies such as Ford Motor Company, Aon, Raymond James, Macy’s, Fidelity Investments, Shell, Enterprise Mobility and Pfizer. Their recruiting needs span fields including engineering, technology, finance, business and the sciences.

For students, that creates an opportunity to make connections outside the classroom and better understand how their academic preparation translates into the workplace.

FAMU has also used career events to bring alumni back to campus as recruiters, creating a direct connection between graduates already in the workforce and students preparing to enter it.

The measure after the diploma

Career preparation has taken on greater importance as colleges face growing scrutiny over what happens to students after graduation.

FAMU’s recent rise in national rankings has also highlighted measures tied to student outcomes and social mobility. The university ranked No. 79 among public universities in the latest U.S. News rankings, its highest position in that category.

The career expo is a much smaller event than a national ranking, but it addresses the same underlying question: What opportunities do students have when their time at FAMU ends?

For some students, the answer may begin today with a résumé handed across a recruiting table, a firm handshake, and a conversation that continues long after they leave campus.

‘Fix It or Get Rid of It’: FAMU trustees demand changes at DRS

2026-09-29T00:02:00.000-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Trustees want immediate action: A third-party review identified 15 recommendations involving leadership, governance, finances, staffing and accountability at FAMU DRS.
Staff credentials are a concern: Trustees were told roughly one-third of faculty hold professional certifications, while others hold temporary or district certifications.
The board wants results in 14 days: Chairman Deveron Gibbons said FAMU must either fix DRS or consider eliminating it.

The FAMU Board of Trustees is demanding sweeping changes at FAMU Developmental Research School after a audit raised concerns about the school's leadership, financial controls, governance and employee credentials.

The review produced 15 recommendations, including stronger financial controls, recurring financial reporting, a review of teacher compensation and certification, and the appointment of a transition and implementation officer who would report to FAMU's president.

Trustee Chairman Deveron Gibbons made clear that trustees expect action, not another round of deliberations.

“We either get rid of it (the school) or fix it,” Gibbons said.

A certification gap is limiting FAMU's teacher pipeline
Trustees were told that roughly one-third of DRS faculty hold professional certifications, another third have temporary certificates and another third are district certified. The review also raised questions about the credentials of some school leaders.

Those gaps affect FAMU's teacher-training mission. Teachers without professional certification cannot host university education interns, and trustees were told that only one FAMU student is currently interning at DRS.

Trustee Victor Young stressed the need to address both leadership and financial oversight, while Gibbons questioned how the school had been allowed to operate without stronger controls.“We have no controls. We don't know what's going on. We have uncredentialed people. It's a mess. It really is a mess.”

Gibbons gave university administrators 14 days to present a plan for addressing the findings.“Here's how it's going to be fixed. If heads got to roll, I'm fine with it,” he said.

FAMU President Marva Johnson told trustees that she understood the urgency and that DRS would be a priority.

“We have to run faster,” Johnson said.

The board's message was clear: The university now has two weeks to show trustees how it intends to address the problems identified in the review and establish the accountability measures needed to prevent them from recurring.

Federal government directs another $174 million to historically Black colleges

2026-09-28T06:12:29.482-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

HBCUs are receiving more than $174 million: The one-time federal investment brings the administration’s additional HBCU funding for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to more than $612 million.
The money will come from a STEM grant program: The Education Department said the $174 million was identified from funding previously designated for Hispanic-serving institutions.
The funding is temporary: HBCUs will have to use the additional federal dollars strategically to strengthen programs, infrastructure and student support while creating benefits that extend beyond the one-time investment.

The U.S. Department of Education is directing more than $174 million in additional federal funding to historically Black colleges and universities, giving the institutions another significant infusion of money for academic programs, infrastructure and student support.

The one-time investment, announced Tuesday, comes on top of $438 million provided to HBCUs last year. Together, the two allocations bring the administration’s additional HBCU funding for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to more than $612 million.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the funding at a White House summit on HBCUs, calling the institutions important engines of economic opportunity.

“For nearly 200 years, HBCUs have been engines of opportunity in communities,” McMahon said. “This new investment will help ensure these vital institutions have the resources they need to continue delivering world-class education and to prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving economy.”

The latest funding comes from federal programs that previously supported other minority-serving institutions. The Education Department said $174 million for HBCUs was identified from a STEM-focused grant program originally designated for Hispanic-serving institutions.

The decision follows the administration’s broader effort to redirect funding from programs it has argued improperly use racial or ethnic eligibility requirements.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents public HBCUs, welcomed the announcement.

Harry L. Williams, the organization’s president and chief executive, said the investment reflects continued federal support for HBCUs and credited advocates for working across party lines to highlight the institutions’ importance.

The money is temporary. The question for HBCUs will be how effectively they can use the infusion to make improvements that last well beyond the federal funding cycle.

FAMU falls to Alabama A&M as losing streak reaches four

2026-09-27T10:32:36.873-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Four straight losses: FAMU fell to Alabama A&M, 40-21, in its SWAC opener Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium, dropping to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
A lopsided offensive day: Alabama A&M outgained FAMU 543-173, a 370-yard difference.
Freshman debut: Armond Parker threw three touchdown passes in his first start but also had two interceptions and a lost fumble.

FAMU's first Southwestern Athletic Conference game of the season quickly became a reminder of how much work remains in Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.’s first season as coach.

Alabama A&M defeated the Rattlers, 40-21, on Saturday before 11,382 fans at Bragg Memorial Stadium, handing FAMU its fourth consecutive loss.

The Bulldogs controlled the game from the line of scrimmage, piling up 543 yards of offense to FAMU’s 173. The 370-yard disparity left the Rattlers struggling to keep pace and extended a difficult start to the season.

The victory was also a first for Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs had not beaten FAMU since the Rattlers joined the SWAC in 2021.

FAMU turned to Armond Parker, a true freshman, for his first collegiate start. Parker completed 16 of 26 passes for 168 yards and threw three touchdowns. But he also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

The performance offered both promise and the growing pains expected from a young quarterback making his first start.

Alabama A&M, meanwhile, improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the SWAC.

For FAMU, the loss dropped the Rattlers to 1-4 and left them searching for answers as conference play begins. The team is also ineligible for NCAA postseason competition because of its postseason ban, making the SWAC schedule the central measure of progress during Gray’s first season.

Five games into the regular season, and FAMU has yet to find the consistency it showed in its season-opening victory.

The rebuilding process, it appears, will be measured one conference game at a time.

FAMU’s defense faces its biggest test as SWAC play begins

2026-09-26T09:32:15.546-04:00

Three Key Takeaways

Strength against strength: FAMU brings the SWAC’s top pass rush and third-down defense against an Alabama A&M offense averaging 466.5 yards per game.
The trenches could decide it: The Rattlers have 14 sacks, while Alabama A&M has allowed only four through four games.
FAMU needs more offense: The Rattlers’ defense and special teams have been strengths, but FAMU will need points against a Bulldogs team allowing a SWAC-low 15 per game.

The FAMU football team begins Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play, this evening, with a matchup that should provide an early measure of where the Rattlers stand.

FAMU (1-3) hosts Alabama A&M (3-1) at 7 p.m. at Bragg Memorial Stadium, pitting one of the SWAC’s most disruptive defenses against one of its most productive offenses.

Common opponent offers two very different snapshots

Against their lone common opponent, Tennessee State, Alabama A&M and FAMU took sharply different paths. Alabama A&M dominated the Tigers, 30-3, holding them to 251 yards and forcing three turnovers on September 12th. A week later, FAMU fell to Tennessee State, 29-26, despite outgaining the Tigers 449-390.

The contrast is telling: Alabama A&M’s defense controlled the game, while FAMU moved the ball effectively but was hurt by turnovers and special-teams miscues.

The Rattlers lead the conference with 14 sacks and have held opponents to a league-low 27 percent conversion rate on third down. Alabama A&M, meanwhile, is averaging 466.5 yards and 34.3 points per game while converting 53.5 percent of its third downs.

That contrast could define the night.

FAMU’s defense leads the way

FAMU’s defensive front has been its most consistent weapon.

Antonio Camon leads the Rattlers with three sacks and five tackles for loss, while Paul Gatley and Isaiah Morrison have two sacks apiece. As a team, FAMU has recorded 26 tackles for loss.

But getting to Alabama A&M quarterback Cornelious Brown IV will not be easy. The Bulldogs have surrendered only four sacks this season.

Brown has completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 1,111 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. His top target, Jarel Williams, has 23 catches for 358 yards and three touchdowns.

The matchup on third down may be even more important. Alabama A&M converts more than half of its opportunities; FAMU allows opponents to convert barely more than a quarter.

Linebacker Denzel Johnson has been at the center of the Rattlers’ defensive effort, leading the team with 28 tackles while adding a forced fumble, fumble recovery and blocked kick. He earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording 12 tackles against Tennessee State.

FAMU has also forced five turnovers and ranks third in the conference in red-zone defense.

Special teams could tilt the field

The Rattlers have another advantage on special teams.

Punter Bobby Engstler leads a unit that ranks first in the SWAC in gross and net punting. He has placed nine punts inside the 20 and was named SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging nearly 43 yards per punt against Tennessee State.

FAMU is also a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals.

That could become particularly important in a close game, especially against an Alabama A&M team that ranks last in the conference in kickoff coverage.

Offense faces a tougher assignment

The larger question for FAMU is whether its offense can produce enough points to complement its defense.

Armond Parker has completed 17 of 32 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in two appearances. Dustin Fletcher has thrown for 149 yards and a touchdown without an interception.

Jaquan Lee has been FAMU’s primary big-play threat, with 151 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard reception. Chase Gillespie leads the rushing attack with 94 yards and a touchdown.

The Rattlers have protected the football through the air, throwing just one interception in 118 attempts, and have scored on eight of nine trips inside the red zone.

But Alabama A&M presents a difficult test. The Bulldogs lead the SWAC in scoring defense, allowing just 15 points per game.

For FAMU, Saturday represents an opportunity to reset after a 1-3 start as the games that count toward the conference race begin.

The formula is clear: pressure Brown, get off the field on third down, win the field-position battle and turn red-zone opportunities into points.

FAMU’s defense has already shown it can disrupt opposing offenses. Against Alabama A&M, the Rattlers will find out whether that defense — paired with enough offensive production — can carry them into SWAC play.

GAME INFORMATION
Florida A&M vs. Alabama A&M

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 | 7 p.m.

Bragg Memorial Stadium | Tallahassee, Fla.

TV/Stream: SWAC TV

Radio: WHBX 96.1 FM