FAMU Interim President Timothy Beard Heads South Florida Recruitment Tour
Miami, Florida – Florida A&M University (FAMU) Interim President Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D., made his first recruiting tour to South Florida to attract more Broward and Miami Dade students to the Tallahassee campus. The events were held ahead of the September 7 FAMU-Miami Hurricanes football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Broward and Miami-Dade counties are the home for hundreds of FAMU students. Currently, there are 550 Broward students enrolled at FAMU, while there at 320 Miami-Dade County students.
On Thursday, Beard addressed hundreds of students from across Broward County at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. Students were bussed from Blanche Ely High, Nova High, Lauderhill Magnet, Piper High, and Cypress Bay High.
On Friday, the President’s Tour stopped at Miami Dade County North Campus, where he was greeted by North Campus President Fermin Vazquez. Students came from American High, Miami Dade High, Jackson High, Everglades Preparatory Academy, Miami Central, Miami Lakes, South Dade, and Norland High.
Following the recruitment fair and program, Beard was effusive about connecting with area high school students who were open to attending FAMU.
“It is so exciting to be here with these rising seniors certainly putting in their portfolio to attend FAMU,” Beard said. “This is so exciting, so exhilarating to know that FAMU is on the minds and in the hearts of so many future Rattlers. They understand quite well that when they come to FAMU their life will never be the same. Their life will be changed to go out and change the world.”
During the South Florida weekend, President Beard held meetings with the Broward and Miami-Dade Alumni chapters and major donors. He also attended The National Rattler “F” Club salute to alumnus John D. Glover, Ph.D. A retired FBI agent, Glover played football for legendary Head Coach Jake Gaither before graduating with a bachelor’s in 1962.
He was a teacher and athletic coach before joining the FBI in1966. When the Miami native retired in 1989, he was one of the law enforcement agency’s most powerful employees.