After a one year hiatus because of the pandemic, FAMU is preparing for an "epic return" of homecoming on October 23-30, 2021.
The new performance space was the brainchild of the 2017-2018
Student Government Association (SGA), who wanted to address the growing demand
for more activity space for the campus community students. The project ran into cost overruns and the university helped to keep the project on track by transferring funds from
housing and parking services to cover costs.
Packer, the much-celebrated Hollywood movie producer, will be on hand for the dedication. He initially made a $500,000 anonymous donation to construct the canopy over amphitheater stage.
The ribbon cutting and dedication will be on Friday morning, October 29, followed by a live broadcast of ESPN's popular morning debate show First Take – featuring Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim Rose. This will be First Take’s first on-site show since Jan. 2020.
Comedian Kevin Hart, another Packer pal, will also be
on hand to broadcast his SiriusXM Laugh Out Loud Straight From The Hart radio
show from the amphitheater.
“We are excited to have alumnus Will Packer celebrate Homecoming
with us this year,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “Will has given
back to FAMU in so many ways. His name on the Performance Arts Amphitheater for
the world to see is a fitting tribute to his generosity and commitment to his
alma mater.”
Homecoming convocation
On the other side of campus, alumnus comedian/actor Roy
Wood Jr. is expected to leave the audience in stitches when he serves as
the primary speaker for the 2021 Homecoming Convocation at the Al Lawson
Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium at 10:10 a.m. Oct. 29th.
“FAMU is my home, it will always be home and to have the
opportunity to come home and speak in any capacity and share my journey and
whatever wisdom I may have stumbled upon along the way, it’s not an opportunity
that I take lightly,” Wood said. “I look forward to walking the campus with my
fellow Rattlers and seeing all that my out-of-state tuition paid for…also
Guthrie’s,” – he added, alluding to his favorite Tallahassee chicken joint. He
earned a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism in 2001. Being a Rattler shaped his
career.
“As the son of a FAMU grad and a former FAMU professor,
being here was hands down the best thing that ever happened to me and to speak
at Homecoming Convocation,” said Wood, a Comedy Central The Daily Show
correspondent. “The only higher honor would be to return to this campus as a
professor, but I’m pretty sure you need more degrees than the one I possess.
LOL.”
Homecoming concert
Lil Baby and Money Baggy Yo will
headline the FAMU Homecoming Concert on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 9:30 pm in the Lawson Center.
A full list of activities can be found here.