FAMU honored nearly 500 graduates during its summer commencement ceremony, yesterday, in a bittersweet event that also marked the end of Interim President Timothy Beard’s tenure and the dawn of a new era under incoming President Marva Johnson.
Held at the Lawson Center, Commencement orator Laterras R. Whitfield, host of the popular “Dear Future Wifey Podcast” and an acclaimed filmmaker urged graduates to “write your own narratives” and embrace authenticity. “Your stories matter,” he said. “Use them to uplift, challenge, and inspire—just as FAMU has equipped you to do.”
Beard, in a deliberate effort to keep the focus on the achievements of the graduates, kept his closing/farewell remarks brief saying that his time at the helm of the university was most rewarding, he told graduates “You are entering a world that needs your brilliance, your courage, and your heart. Remember: excellence is not an act, but a habit.”
While August 1 officially marked the start of Johnson’s presidency, the former telecommunications executive and GOP political operative is scheduled to arrive on campus Monday, August 4.
Graduates and faculty praised Beard’s stewardship during the interim period, with many noting his focus on enhancing student success, improving the university's relationship with the Governor's Office, Legislature, and the local community.
As the class of 2025 turned their tassels and tossed their caps, FAMU’s latest alumni carried forward a legacy of excellence—and a campus poised for new leadership.