President Robinson with St. Petersburg College President Tonjua Williams
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) President’s Recruiting Tour made three Central Florida stops in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Orlando ahead of the Florida Classic football game.
On Wednesday, November 16, President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., administrators, student leaders and alumni addressed Pinellas County public school students at St. Petersburg College, Gibbs Campus.
Robinson told the St. Petersburg audience that there are 73 students enrolled at FAMU from their hometown.
St. Petersburg College (SPC) is one of 18 state colleges with whom FAMU has signed 2+2 agreements allowing access to graduates who have completed an associate degree.
“When SPC had the opportunity to partner with FAMU, Dr. Hudson and I grabbed it and we were able to create the venom track,” said SPC President Tonjua Williams, Ph.D., referring to FAMU Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson, Jr., Ph.D. “We’re very proud to have the venom track with Florida A&M University and an opportunity to keep the dream alive.”
On Thursday, Robinson joined administrators, alumni and student leaders in a recruitment event at Jefferson High School in Tampa. On Friday, the tour attracted more than 1,000 Orange County public school students at a ballroom in the Hyatt Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando.
Central Florida is a prime recruiting destination for FAMU. The recruitment tour was part of activities scheduled ahead of the Florida Blue Florida Classic football at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
“We have 425 students enrolled at FAMU from Orlando on the “Highest of Seven Hills.,” and you’re going to help that number grow,” Robinson told the enthusiastic gathering.
As part of his pitch to students, Robinson shared his educational journey from LeMoyne-Owen College, a small private HBCU in his native Memphis, Tennessee, to earning a doctorate in nuclear chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He also highlights prominent FAMU alumni such as Kim Godwin, president of ABC News, movie mogul Will Packer, St. Paul, Minnesota Mayor Melvin Carter and others as he touts the message that students can get anywhere from FAMU. His message is that students can reach their full potential at FAMU.
“Our faculty and staff recognize the promise in every student and understand society’s need for the contributions of our graduates. At FAMU, we believe in your potential for success. You don’t have to prove it to us,” Robinson said. “Our expectation is that you will work hard, enjoy your college experience, then go out into the world and pursue your dreams. We already know you will accomplish them because student success is at the core of what we do.”
