“FAMU is dedicated to providing opportunities to students
from all walks of life to live out their dreams. Here is where the visions of
future educators, scientists, artists, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, journalists,
and politicians have begun to come to fruition,” said FAMU President Elmira Mangum.
“So, it is a great opportunity to have Will Packer, one of our most influential
graduates, and Secretary Vilsack, the leader of one of the nation’s most vital
organizations, to speak to our students as they prepare to go out into the
world and enrich our communities.”
Vilsack is the nation’s 30th secretary of agriculture and is leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a mission to strengthen America’s agricultural economy through building vibrant rural communities, and creating new markets for the innovation of rural America.
In his six years at the Department, Vilsack has worked to
implement U.S. President Barack Obama’s agenda to put Americans back to work
and create an economy built to last. Under his leadership, the USDA has
successfully supported the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and growers who are
driving the rural economy forward.
The Department has provided food assistance to millions of
Americans and carried out record conservation efforts. In addition, it has made
record investments in our rural communities, helping to provide a safe,
sufficient, and nutritious food supply for the American people. Prior to his
appointment, Vilsack served as the Governor of Iowa, in the Iowa State Senate,
and as the mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
Packer has established himself as one of Hollywood’s
blockbuster hit makers with seven of his films opening number one at the box
office. In 2013, Packer signed first-look production deals with Universal
Pictures and Universal Television. Under both deals, he develops new projects
for the studios under his Will Packer Productions banner. In 2014, he became
one of the only African-American producers to have seven films debut at number
one during opening weekend.
His most successful film to date is Universal’s “Ride Along”
starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. “Ride Along” debuted No. 1 at the box office
in 2014 with record-breaking receipts totaling over $48 million during the Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, making it one of the biggest January
opening box office tallies of all time. The film also went on to be No. 1 at
the box office for three consecutive weeks and grossed over $153 million
worldwide. Packer’s number one films also include “No Good Deed (2014),” “Think
Like A Man Too (2014),” “Think Like A Man (2012),” “Takers (2010),” “Obsessed
(2008)” and “Stomp The Yard (2007).” Packer graduated magna cum laude from FAMU
in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.