FAMU Interim President Beard Headlines First Recruitment Tour in Metro Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia – Florida A&M University (FAMU) Interim President Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D., kicked off his tenure as the University’s top recruiter making a pitch to students from Clayton County and the Metro Atlanta region on Friday, August 23.
The President’s Recruitment Tour event at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center came a day ahead of the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Kickoff Challenge that pitted FAMU versus the Norfolk State University Spartans at Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta.
“A thousand of you will become Rattlers. If you want to make sure you have a seat, you must register early,” Beard told attentive students. “This is an exciting time in the illustrious life of Florida A&M University, the highest ranked public Historically Black College and University for the fifth consecutive year, according to U.S. News & World Report.”
“In this time of transition, the excitement has been just as palpable as when I came to FAMU in 1980,” said Beard, who began his tenure on August 5. He is president emeritus of Pasco Hernando State College, where he served as president for nine years.
During his remarks, President Beard recognized members of his Senior Leadership Team, FAMU National Alumni Association Curtis Johnson, members of the Metro Atlanta Alumni Chapter, and other alumni including former ABC News president Kim Godwin Manning, and her husband Derrick C. Manning, Clayton County area assistant superintendent of high schools.
“It has been quite a journey. I sat in your seat 44 years ago not knowing what I wanted to do. But I had an interest in being on the “Highest of Seven Hills.” One of the best decisions I ever made was to enter this great institution. My life has never been the same since,” said Beard, who also mentioned several of his 1980 classmates, Manning and Assistant Vice President for Alumni Affairs/University Advancement Carmen Cummings. “You see what happens when you come into Florida A&M University. You have greatness all around you. I’m here today to deliver the message that FAMU values your achievement. We believe that FAMU is the right place for you to pursue your career aspirations. We are willing and ready to invest in you and your dreams.”
Beard also thanked Vice President for Student Affairs William E. Hudson, Jr, Ph.D., who hailed the success of the recruitment fair and hoped to make it an annual event.
“We had approximately 1,000 students and family members participate in the presidential recruitment event. It was an exciting time,” said Hudson. “Kids came from Clayton County and they came from Metro Atlanta. We put it on because the FAMUly was here, and we wanted to make an impact on this community.”
The Presidential Tour heads to South Florida next. On September 5, the Presidential Recruitment Tour will be held at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center in Lauderhill, Florida and at the Miami Dade College North Campus on Sept. 6.
The Rattlers play football against the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 7, 2024.