FAMU Celebrates Educator Anne Gayles-Felton’s 100th Birthday
Retired Florida A&M University faculty member and iconic educator Anne Gayles-Felton, Ph.D., celebrated her 100th birthday at a gala in the University’s Grand Ballroom on June 4, 2023.
The gala was attended by President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and other University administrators and alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters.
“Dr. Anne Gayles-Felton is an icon in Florida A&M University’s history. She taught here for nearly 50 years. That alone is unheard of, but her impact on our College of Education, which is highly regarded and considered the cornerstone of academics at this institution, is profound,” Robinson said. “The primary mission of the College of Education is to produce exemplary professionals who will serve in educational institutions and who are informed, proactive, competent, and reflective practitioners. Through her knowledge, experience, expertise, and training, Dr. Gayles-Felton has more than lived up to that.”
President Robinson, Gayles-Felton and Sharon Robinson.(submitted photo)
Many of Gayles-Felton’s colleagues and students have been inspired by her work and achievements. During her long professional career, she concentrated on secondary education, undergraduate, and graduate studies. She is well known nationally for her commitment and contributions to education. She is an internationally renowned, highly sought-after writer and researcher.
A native of Marshallville, Ga., Gayles-Felton has had a rich background of teaching experiences at all academic levels. Gayles-Felton earned her bachelor’s in secondary education and social sciences from Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in 1943. She later earned her master’s degree in teaching from Columbia University and her Doctor of Education degree from Indiana University.
Her teaching career started as a social studies teacher at the Lamson Richardson High School in Marshallville, a school founded by her maternal grandmother in 1886. She also taught at FVSU, Arkansas Baptist College, Stillman College, Albany State College, Rust College and Florida State University. She taught at FAMU for 45 years.
Before retiring from FAMU in 2003, Gayles-Felton served an undergraduate and graduate professor of secondary education and foundations, college supervisor of interns, director of student teaching, curriculum coordinator, and head of the Department of Secondary Education and Foundations.
Gayles-Felton co-authored the book “The History of the School of Education 1887-2000”. Proceeds from the book were donated to the FAMU Foundation and were used for scholarships in the College of Education. On January 11, 2005, Gayles-Felton established an Endowed Scholarship at FAMU for undergraduate Teacher Education majors. The scholarship fund is to provide financial assistance for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in secondary education.