Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, a senior theater performance major from Atlanta, Georgia, has been named to the leadership role ahead of the 2025 football season. Her ascent marks a watershed moment for the band, which is likely Florida’s oldest collegiate band — the University of Florida’s (founded 1913) and Florida State University’s Marching Chiefs (1941). The Marching 100 has long been revered for its boundary-pushing performances at events like presidential inaugurations, Super Bowls, and its two appearances in Paris, France.
“This isn’t just about me; it’s about showing every young woman that no tradition is too big to reimagine,” said Oloyede, whose Yoruba first name translates to “I thank God.” She will debut in the spotlight on August 30 at the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens, where she’ll blow the opening whistle to launch the start of the band’s 2025 season.
While Oloyede is the first woman to hold the head drum major title, she follows trailblazer Cori Bostick, who became FAMU’s first female drum major in any capacity in 2018. Band director, Dr. Shelby R. Chipman, praised Oloyede’s “precision, creativity, and unwavering dedication,” noting her theater background has honed her “knack for commanding attention.”
Oloyede's ascension to her post comes on the heels of the band’s latest accolade: 2024 Band of the Year, awarded at ESPN's Band of the Year competition during Atlanta’s Celebration Bowl. As the FAMU band prepares to enter its 133rd year, Oloyede’s role symbolizes a new chapter for the ensemble, which has served as a pipeline for music industry leaders, music educators and performers worldwide.
“The Marching 100 doesn’t just keep time — it shapes time itself and defines the rhythm of history,” said university interim president Dr. Timothy Beard. “Dupe’s leadership reminds us that progress is the truest tradition.”
When the first whistle blows in Miami Gardens, all eyes will be on Oloyede — and the legacy she’s rewriting, one beat at a time.