The statue, which now stands solemnly in between the iconic Lee Hall, and the university's eternal flame, was dedicated during an emotional morning ceremony attended by alumni, faculty, students, community leaders, and members of the Humphries family. It captures his commanding presence and warm demeanor.
“Dr. Humphries didn’t just build programs; he built people,” said current FAMU President Marva Johnson. “This statue will serve as a permanent reminder to every student who walks through this yard that greatness is expected of them.”
Under Dr. Humphries’ leadership, FAMU experienced a remarkable era of growth and prestige. He tripled the university’s research funding, significantly expanded enrollment, and elevated its academic profile to such a degree that in 1997, FAMU was named “College of the Year” by TIME Magazine and The Princeton Review—a landmark recognition for any institution, and a historic first for an HBCU.
Perhaps most notably, FAMU became the nation’s top producer of National Achievement Scholars during his presidency, cementing its reputation as an incubator for Black excellence.
The tribute took on a spiritual dimension when Father Thomas Wright of St. Eugene Catholic Church & Student Center—where Dr. Humphries was a devoted member—offered a blessing for the statue. In a surprising and poignant moment, Father Wright also presented a proclamation from Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, honoring Dr. Humphries’ life of service and faith.
Humphries' profound Catholic faith can be seen in the design of the FAMU Quadrangle design, where the eternal flame creates a subtle homage to Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.
“It was more than ceremony; it was a blessing for the ages,” said Cynthia Sirmons, a 1994 FAMU graduate who attended the event with her daughter, now a freshman. “Seeing Dr. Humphries honored like this, by the school and by the Church—it’s full-circle.”
Though Dr. Humphries is no longer here, his influence endures in the halls of FAMU and in the ambitions of its students. As the sun fell on the unveiling, Jordan Ellis, a third-year computer science student, summed up the feeling rippling through the crowd: “He showed us what was possible. Now it’s our turn.”
The name of the pastor of St. Eugene Catholic Mission and Student Center that spoke so eloquently at the unveiling of President Humphries statue and presented the proclamation from Pope Leo XIV was Father Paschal Chester, SVD. The members of St. Eugene would like to humbly request a correction to the October 17th blog.
ReplyDeleteGreetings...in amplification of the above comment, Fr. Paschal Chester provided the blessing of the statue and the proclamation was read by Andrew L. Dixon, III who serves of Chair of the Pastoral Council at St. Eugene.
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