The FAMU National Alumni Association, a sponsor of the annual day of advocacy, is encouraging all alumni, students, faculty, administration, friends, and supporters to participate by calling or visiting legislators to highlight the excellent academic programs and services offered at FAMU and the university's importance to the state of Florida.
FAMUans and friends are encouraged to display Rattler pride by wearing orange and green colors.
Lt. Col. Gregory Clark, president of the FAMU National Alumni Association, is excited about FAMU’s presence at the pinnacle of state government.
“As FAMU Rattlers, we come together on many occasions; FAMU Day creates an awesome atmosphere of advocacy in support of our historic institution. Our alumni take great pride in meeting with legislators to reinforce the importance of funding initiatives that strengthen FAMU’s capability to provide quality academic programs to produce professionals in a global workforce and economy, ” said Clark.
A graduate of the class of 1993, Clark adds, “I am calling for all FAMU Rattlers to support FAMU in some way on this special day. Contact your elected legislators (senators and representatives) of your local areas by personal visits, telephone calls or by letter/emails with reasons for supporting FAMU and its programs.”
Clark expressed that the FAMU NAA supports the 2022 legislative priorities presented by Larry Robinson, Ph.D., 12th university president, and feels that, given additional state funding, FAMU can make even an more significant impacts on students and the community.
Over the past year, the FAMU NAA Governmental Relations Committee (GRC) members from around the United States have been involved in monthly meetings and in-depth discussions on key issues related to the University’s Legislative Budget Request (LBR) in order to prepare for legislative visits, said Carolyn Hepburn Collins, FAMU NAA GRC chair.
Chair Collins has spearheaded this annual activity as a FAMU undertaking, which involves alumni chapters from all five regions of the national association for several years now. She has also worked to involve the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate members, deans, administrators, staff from various colleges and schools and campus units, community supporters, and the FAMU Board of Trustees.
“This is the one time of the year that FAMUans come together to give legislators thanks and pursue legislative support to increase student success by providing the university an additional $15 million annually to enhance FTIC retention and graduation rates, recruit high achieving students, and increase the number of graduates in areas of strategic emphasis,” Collins said.