21 FAMU student-athletes cross stage at fall commencement

FAMU President Elmira Mangum congratulates softball grad Christina Robbs

In front of a packed house of 9,000 at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium, FAMU welcomed just over 700 new members to its proud roster of more than 70,000 graduates since 1887. The new FAMU alumni included 21 student-athletes.

Diana Gonzales and Bennie Robinson were two examples of the graduating student-athletes who performed well in both their sports competitions and in the classroom.

Gonzales, a staple on the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Academic team since her arrival, earned a coveted Masters of Business Administration from FAMU’s prestigious School of Business and Industry (SBI). The Arequipa, Peru native enjoyed four solid years at the starting setter for the Lady Rattlers, and capped of her academic career at FAMU with her master’s degree. While at the School of Business at FAMU, she was one of a select group of participants who participated in the SBI Global Leadership Conference at the Disney Resort in Orlando. 

Robinson was drafted into the Major League Baseball pro ranks by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 28th round earlier this year. This followed a stellar final season during which he was named MEAC Baseball Player of the Year. The 6-3 slugger hit a robust .390 in 52 games this past season, rapping out league highs in hits (83) and doubles (15); ranked second in average and total bases (116); and was in the Top Ten in RBIs (42) and home runs (6). Robinson, was also a regular on the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic team.  He graduated cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

The names of all 21 graduating student-athletes were: Ariel Allen (Track & Field), Rateema Stanley (Track & Field), Muhammad Abdul-Aleem (Basketball), Walter Davis, III (Basketball), Michael Ducre (Football), Michael Ethridge (Football), Sasha-Ann Lebert (Track & Field), Nakia Linson (Track & Field), Devan Roberts (Football), Bennie Robinson (Baseball), Peter Tulloch (Football), Tobias Lee (Football), Kimberly Sparkman (Basketball), Christina Robbs (Softball), Netali Chapple (Track & Field), Joseph Morrison (Golf), Admire Mushonga (Tennis), Andrea Soriano (Volleyball), Erika DeVaughn (Volleyball), Simbrashe Happy (Tennis), and Diana Gonzales (Volleyball).