FAMU Celebrates Friends & Family Weekend With Unprecedented Attendance

Florida A&M University (FAMU) celebrated a successful Friends & Family weekend and Fall Preview.

More than 500 parents and relatives converged on campus for a weekend of activities that included an event at the Viticulture Center, the game versus Alabama State University (ASU), and a western style farewell brunch at the AC Marriott.

President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Affairs William Hudson, Jr, Ph.D., and Vice President of University Advance Shawnta Friday-Stroud, Ph.D., addressed the Sunday gathering and later mingled with parents, students, and other family members.

“Parent’s and Family Weekend was a huge success as we exceeded the previous attendance numbers,” William E. Hudson, Jr., Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs. “The participation of students, staff, faculty, and alumni truly exemplifies the FAMULY mantra and promotes ‘Excellence with Caring.’ We anticipate more visitors arriving to our campus for upcoming events including the FAMU Homecoming, An Epic Return.”

On Saturday morning, more than 1,500 parents, chaperones and high schoolers filled the Lee Hall Auditorium for the 2021 Fall Preview. Many were among the more than 20,000 spectators who filled Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday evening to watch FAMU defeat ASU 28-0.

Dean of Students Bomani Spell said after he saw the attendance for parents weekend in 2019, the team, led by Assistant Dean of Students Andre Green and his staff, focused on making the weekend activities more appealing to adults and young people. The changes paid off with a banner year for attendance and participation.

“With our Western theme, over 500 people came and showed off their cowboy hats, boots, spurs, and chaps starting with our FAMUly Meet and Greet followed by an NPHC Step Show, and an elegant event at FAMU’s Viticulture Center on Friday and ending with our Farewell Brunch on Sunday at the AC Marriott,” Spell said.