The Legacy Committee, founded and chaired by Rev. Dr. R.B.
Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, and consisting of local
pastors and community members from across the Big Bend, will host its second
Legacy Banquet on March 30, 2017 at 7 p.m. The banquet will be held in the
Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium on FAMU’s campus
and includes tributes to 15 honorees who have made a local and national impact
in their respective fields, while supporting FAMU.
The focus of the banquet is to support the FAMU Athletics
Department’s fundraising goals, which includes funding renovations to the
historic Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The banquet is a component of the committee’s multi-year commitment to raise $100,000 for FAMU, which began with its 2015 Legacy Banquet. To date, the group has raised $64,356 and hopes to exceed its total goal this year, pledging to raise an additional $60,000 toward the FAMU Athletics Department’s $600,000 campaign.
“We believe Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University’s
best days are ahead of us,” Holmes said. “This year’s Legacy Banquet will send
a strong message to the nation and all stakeholders and supporters of FAMU that
this community is committed to strengthening and sustaining FAMU.”
Banquet tickets can be purchased at the Bethel Veterans
Center, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Office, Bethel AME Church Office, the
FAMU Foundation, and the FAMU Athletics Department. The committee is asking for
a donation of $100 per person or $800 per table for event admission.
“FAMU Athletics has had a laser-like focus on strengthening
its partnerships with the community,” said Athletics Director Milton Overton.
“We appreciate the Legacy Committee’s efforts. This banquet shows the power of
what can happen when we unite to support our student-athletes.”
FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Vice
President for University Advancement George Cotton expressed the University’s
gratitude for the committee’s partnership and its continued efforts to pay
homage to FAMU’s impact.
“The Legacy Banquet demonstrates the community’s commitment
to supporting our student-athletes and programs, maintaining facilities that
enhance the fan experience, and honoring the alumni, employees, and friends who
have contributed to FAMU’s strong foundation,” Robinson said.
Cotton added, “We are proud to partner with Tallahassee’s
faith-based community in hosting such an inspirational event. There is no better
way to show our students that the community is behind them than hosting an
event that helps to celebrate and fiscally support FAMU.”
Event honorees include:
- Former FAMU Faculty Senate presidents Narayan Persaud, Ph.D., and Mary Diallo, Ph.D.
- Former FAMU SGA presidents Monique Gillum, Tonnette Graham, Larry O. Rivers, and James Mathews
- Former FAMU National Alumni Association presidents Tommy Mitchell, Sr. and Carolyn Collins, Ph.D.
- Former members of the FAMU Board of Trustees Rufus Montgomery and Dr. Spurgeon McWilliams
- FAMU Boosters Eddie Jackson, Elaine Bryant, Ph.D., and Stephanie L. Clarke
- Former Miss FAMUs Trenice Seniors and Denise Barrett, Ph.D.