Vice Chair Sydney Kitson of the Florida Board of Governors for the State University System of Florida recently visited FAMU.
On February 19, Kitson met with members of the FAMU Board of Trustees, FAMU students and administrators. Trustees Kimberly Moore and Betty Grable, Ph.D., welcomed Kitson to the campus. President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Provost Maurice Edington, Ph.D., provided an overview of University highlights and priorities. High on the list of priorities is funding for the Center for Access and Student Success (CASS) building. David H. Jackson, III, president of the Student Government Association, said CASS will benefit all students and provide much needed services from one location.
Associate Vice President for Facilities, Planning, Construction and Safety Sameer Kapileshwari provided a tour that included a walk and ride by Truth Hall, Palmetto North apartments, the site of a new housing facility, the construction site for the CASS building, the Paddyfote Complex, and FAMU Village residence hall. The tour concluded at the School of Allied Health Simulation Laboratory.
Kitson said, “I will be chair of the Board of Governors next year, and I want to do measurable things at FAMU.” He is chairman and CEO of Kitson and Partners, a Florida-based real estate company specializing in the creation and development of master-planned communities and commercial properties.
A graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Kitson had a notable career in the National Football League, playing offensive guard for both the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. Upon his retirement from professional football in 1985, he began his career in real estate and founded Kitson & Partners in 1999.
Kitson also serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the Florida Council of 100 and was elected the 2016-2017 chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.