FAMU recently announced plans for the inauguration of its
11th president, Elmira Mangum, which will also mark the launch of a major
fundraising effort for scholarships.
Mangum, who began her tenure at the university on April 1,
2014, as the first female President in the school’s history, will be formally
sworn in on October 3, 2014.
Her installation will represent a new chapter in the university’s legacy as a premier land-grant research institution, and a revival of the institution’s mission to provide its students – many of whom are economically underserved – with the ability to forge successful careers in today’s competitive global environment as leaders in the fields of science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STREAM).
Her installation will represent a new chapter in the university’s legacy as a premier land-grant research institution, and a revival of the institution’s mission to provide its students – many of whom are economically underserved – with the ability to forge successful careers in today’s competitive global environment as leaders in the fields of science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics (STREAM).
This new chapter will be celebrated during a week-long inaugural commemoration themed, “It’s a New Season,” which will take place September 28 - October 4. Among the highlights of the celebration will be the Inaugural Scholarship Gala, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on October 3, at FAMU’s Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium.
As part of Mangum’s vision, the gala will not only serve as
a celebration of the institution’s eminent and pioneering past and present
milestones, but will also celebrate the university’s strongest asset – its
students. Additionally, the gala will represent a starting point for an ongoing
capital campaign to establish scholarships that will assist economically
underserved students with completion of their college educations, and assist
the university in cultivating the best and brightest students from around the
globe. Mangum has set an initial goal of $500,000 to be raised.
“My presidency represents a new chapter at FAMU, a narrative
that to be truly successful needs the united efforts of the FAMU community to
affirm the university’s future as a ‘Best in Class’ global institution,” Mangum
explained. “With this in mind, there is no better way to celebrate this
important moment in our history than to have all Rattlers home to join together
and help continue FAMU’s rich legacy with the overarching goal of raising funds
and awareness to support scholarships and other key institutional
priorities.”
To assist in reaching the initial $500,000 mark, Mangum
announced the appointment of three of the university’s most distinguished
alumni to chair the gala. Sharon J. Lettman-Hicks and Daryl D.
Parks, will serve as co-chairs for the gala, along with Bernard Kinsey, who
will serve as the honorary co-chair. The co-chairs are charged with assisting
the president with her fundraising and alumni outreach efforts in preparation
for the gala.
- Sharon Lettman-Hicks serves as CEO of the National Black Justice Coalition.
- Daryl D. Parks is managing partner of the law firm Parks & Crump, LLC and former president of the National Bar Association.
- Bernard Kinsey is a former national president of the FAMU National Alumni Association, and founder of KBK Enterprises, Inc., and the national touring museum exhibit “The Kinsey Collection.”