A conductor leads the Marching 100 during FAMU’s homecoming convocation Friday, Oct. 23, at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center. (Corey Thurman/The FAMUAN)
Florida A&M University welcomed students and alumni home to the Hill Friday for a convocation celebrating tradition, leadership and giving back at the Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center.
Held on Oct. 23, the gathering combined musical performances, recognition of student leaders, athletics teams and a message about entrepreneurship from alumnus Thomas “Tommy” Duncan.
After convocation, a protest organized by FAMU Students for a Democratic Society shifted attention to student safety concerns, with demonstrators calling for the university to withdraw from its 287(g) immigration enforcement agreement.
Selections from the Marching 100 and FAMU Gospel Choir accompanied a program that connected generations of Rattlers.
Speakers encouraged alumni to support students, participate in elections and help preserve the university’s legacy, while students were reminded to celebrate responsibly and look out for one another.
Marching 100 members and attendees applaud during FAMU’s homecoming convocation Friday, Oct. 23 (Corey Thurman/The FAMUAN)
For Jasmine Floyd, a December 2013 graduate who entered FAMU in fall 2008, those traditions are part of what makes returning meaningful.
Floyd recalled attending her first homecoming convocation in Gaither Gymnasium and welcomed seeing people actively participating in this year’s gathering.
Through her work in higher education, she said she has explained the significance of HBCU traditions to people at other institutions.
“I go everywhere proud to be a Rattler,” Floyd said.
Alumni support also featured prominently throughout the program, including an announcement that Bernard and Shirley Kinsey donated $2 million to FAMU.
FAMU alumnus Thomas “Tommy” Duncan delivers remarks during the university’s homecoming convocation Friday, Oct. 23. (Corey Thurman/The FAMUAN)
Duncan, a 2003 graduate of FAMU’s School of Business and Industry and the convocation’s speaker, announced his own $1 million commitment toward an entrepreneurship institute and an additional $100,000 for scholarships.
Drawing on his business experiences, Duncan described selling candy, operating an ice cream truck and opening restaurants before finding success in health care.
He discussed failed ventures alongside financial achievements, encouraging students to develop expertise and maintain confidence through setbacks.
“You gotta be able to commit. Have discipline and build the habit of building yourself,” Duncan said.
During Duncan’s remarks, some attendees began leaving, while others turned toward people seated nearby. Duncan repeatedly requested the audience’s attention and participation.
“Hey, y’all keep turning around, give me some energy,” Duncan said.
He concluded by challenging attendees to start businesses and work toward earning $10 million within five years.
Floyd welcomed the university’s growing donor support but questioned the repeated emphasis on money throughout the program. She also said parts of the program were difficult to follow.
“Certain things were traditional and I expected that and it was nice,” Floyd said. “Other things, I don’t know what was going on.”
Protesters chant following FAMU’s homecoming convocation Friday, Oct. 23, calling for the university to withdraw from an immigration enforcement agreement. (Corey Thurman/The FAMUAN)
Following convocation, FAMU Students for a Democratic Society held a protest calling for the university to withdraw from an immigration enforcement agreement.
“Speak up loud, speak up clear, immigrants are welcome here,” protesters chanted.
Jayla Jones, a fourth-year political science student, said protesters wanted FAMU to withdraw from the 287(g) program, citing concerns about the safety of Haitian students and the broader campus community.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal 287(g) program allows trained state and local law enforcement officers to perform certain immigration enforcement duties under ICE’s supervision.
Jones said organizers chose convocation because they expected university President Marva Johnson to attend.
“This is the only way that we can make our voices heard,” Jones said.
Jones said protesters would continue pressing university leadership to withdraw from the agreement and address their concerns about protecting students and their families.