Veterans Day Edition
Retired Brig. Gen. Leroy C. Bell, known to family and friends as the “Road Runner,” came to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) as a track and field scholarship recipient in 1951. After graduating from FAMU in 1955, Bell accepted a commission as an officer in the United States Army.
Thirty-two years later, after completing tours in Europe, Korea, and Vietnam, he retired as a brigadier general and is one of only five FAMU graduates to reach the flag officer rank in the history of FAMU’s Army ROTC program. While serving in the armed forces, Bell served on the personal staff of the first African-American Secretary of the Army, Clifford L. Alexander Jr.
A longtime contributor to FAMU athletics and the FAMU National Alumni Association (FAMUNAA), Bell currently serves as vice president of the Northeast Region of the FAMUNAA and continues to be active in FAMU’s athletic support groups: the Rattler “F” Club, and FAMU Boosters. Bell received the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Distinguished Alumni Award during the 43rd Annual MEAC Tournament in Norfolk, Va.
Join us in a Q&A as we follow Bell’s FAMU journey to success:
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the military?
A: After receiving my degree in biology and a minor in education, I went into the military with the intent of serving only two years and then returning to Florida A&M University to pursue a master’s degree in physical therapy. I found that the assignments the military gave me were both intriguing and challenging. I was able to apply my background in science and this, combined with my propensity to get out in front of things and my athleticism ultimately led to me spending 32 years in the military.
The service has a way of rewarding performance and in the 1950s the nation was entrenched with discrimination. I thought that the answer to overcoming discrimination was to excel. So, I tried to be the best at everything I did. As a lieutenant, captain, and reaching the on-field grade level of major and beyond, more rewards came along with more opportunities through education. I received opportunities to write and teach, which allowed me to attend the top schools in the military. I took advantage of all the opportunities that were offered to me.
Q: What advice do you have for incoming students today?
A: Well, fortunately, I am relatively active with the National Alumni Association, and one of our tasks is to recruit students to enroll at Florida A&M University. I try to inspire students around the country to participate in college fairs and community events and church gatherings [and] to seek an education. I always present Florida A&M University as an example of where they can receive the finest training and education in the world. FAMU offers smaller classroom environments surrounded by a family atmosphere. I also promote all the accolades the University received from the Princeton Review and Forbes Magazine. I distribute those not only to prospective students but also to the various alumni chapters to continue outreach.
Q: What was your favorite course at FAMU and why?
A: My favorite course at FAMU was botany. In botany class not only did we learn about various plants and leaves but it also included lots of fieldwork. Being from New York and having the opportunity to be out in the woods in Florida was very interesting to me. While in Vietnam, I would come across plant life that would be the same types of plants that are in Florida.
Q: What is your fondest memory as an ROTC cadet?
A: I received my commission through the Rattler Battalion. The early discipline that I developed and used in drill and ceremony affected me in a positive way. The execution of attention and the drills we followed through were exhilarating.
Q: What is your best memory as a FAMU student?
A: My fondest memory was meeting and marrying the love of my life, Lillian Bell from Daytona Beach, Fla. I will never forget the day we first met. I was cutting the food line to get something to eat after a team practice. Lil stopped me and said, “What do you think you’re doing?” I said, “I’m going up to the front of the line with the rest of my teammates to get something to eat.” She said, “No you’re not!” And that was the start of our conversation. We were both juniors, and we got married while in college. We were married for 51 years, and, unfortunately, she passed away in 2004.
I will always be an advocate for FAMU. Working to recruit students to Florida A&M University is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.