TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) announced that iconic television personality Pam Oliver will address graduates at the University’s 2015 summer commencement ceremony.
Oliver is a renowned sports broadcaster with more than 30 years of experience. She studied broadcast journalism at FAMU. Currently, she is entering her 21st season as a sideline reporter for FOX Sports’ award-winning presentation of National Football League games. She was originally a reporter with ESPN during the early 1990s before joining FOX Sports in 1995. In recent years, she also has done courtside reporting on TNT during the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs.
Oliver, who started in agricultural journalism and later migrated to space and science reporting, credits FAMU with giving her the support needed to go outside her comfort zone and discard fears of moving to unfamiliar places. She says, “FAMU was almost my agent in the beginning when they said, ‘There is an opening here, and we think you should go for it.’”
Oliver, who grew up in Niceville, Fla. was a college All-American in both the 400-meter and the mile relay while attending FAMU. She was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
“I am grateful that Pam Oliver has agreed to share her experience and vision with our graduates,” said FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Ph.D. “Her story is so inspirational and uplifting. She is a living testament to the value of courage, hard work, perseverance, and dedication. These are values that we strive to instill in our students every day at FAMU.”
Summer commencement will be held at 4 p.m. on August 7 at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium that is located at 1800 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee, FL 32307.
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About FAMU
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus on economic empowerment and community service.
The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant University with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STREAM).
FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds. The U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015; and recognized among the
“Best National Universities” in 2014. It is also listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges, as well.
FAMU is also one of the top universities for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).
For more information about FAMU, visit: www.famu.edu.
