‘A seminal moment’: FAMU’s annual homecoming convocation embodies the Rattler spirit

The dynamic energy at Florida A&M University’s homecoming convocation Friday was through the roof as students, faculty and alumni put on a celebration of FAMU pride and legacy at the Lawson Center.

The excitement throughout the crowd was electric from the powerful opening prayer made by Family Worship and Praise Center’s Rev. Quincy Griffin to the iconic and familiar tunes played by FAMU’s Marching 100 band, including "Do What Cha Wanna" and "SOS."

With ESPN Commentator and FAMU alumna Tiffany Greene being this year’s keynote speaker, she managed to bring the high energy of the crowd up a notch while she shared her experience of who she was as a student compared to who she is now — with big ups to FAMU — as the first Black woman to be a play-by-play announcer for college football on a major network.

“This is a seminal moment,” Greene said Friday. “I remember sitting in the audience as a student, hoping that one day I could be important enough to stand on this stage and to share with you my FAMU experience and how it transformed me into the broadcaster and woman that I am today — and I’m here, you all.”

Greene, a fourth-generation alumna and graduate of the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, was introduced by her husband, Aaron Berry, a FAMU alumnus and principal of Hillsborough High School in Tampa.

Throughout her speech, Greene repeatedly brought up the saying “FAMUly over everything” to the crowd.

“Not everyone believed that a little Black girl from Tampa could become a national sportscaster, but my FAMUly believed I could,” Greene said. “Every time that you see me on television, know that I am representing FAMU. I do this because of FAMU.”

Tiffany Greene in the headlines:

• Gimme 5: FAMU alum Tiffany Greene joins Jay Walker to co-host weekly HBCU culture series

• ESPN announcer Tiffany Greene receives Thelma Thurston Gorham Distinguished Alumnus Award

President Larry Robinson honored Greene with the President’s Award — the highest award that he can give — and thanked her for her commitment to the university.

“You set an example for all of these young people and some of us who are not so young as well,” Robinson told Greene.

The convocation Friday came after Good Morning America broadcasted its show on Bragg Memorial Stadium's football field earlier that day with GMA Co-Host T.J. Holmes, a graduate of the University of Arkansas, who highlighted the traditions of FAMU during homecoming season.

"Even though I didn't attend this university or an HBCU (historically Black college or university), I am a proud Black man and I am proud any time I can showcase Black excellence the way we did this morning," Holmes said at the convocation.

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• Good Morning FAMU: GMA takes over Bragg Stadium for first of two live FAMU homecoming shows

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• How FAMU's homecoming is a full circle moment for professor, alum Maurice Johnson

• The FAMU homecoming show must go on — even without Latto. Here's the latest.

Holmes introduced ABC News President and alumna Kimberly Godwin to speak, who is the first Black woman to lead a major American broadcast news network.

Godwin announced that The Walt Disney Company would be giving FAMU’s journalism school a $1 million multi-year grant — $200,000 annually for the next five years — to create the Disney Storytellers Fund on the university's campus.

The fund aims to support the next generation of Black storytellers by giving them more access to careers in storytelling and innovation.

“I rode to FAMU from New York City on a Greyhound bus," Godwin said Friday, "so to be able to return as an executive of a company that’s supporting deserving students pursuing their dreams is just overwhelming. My joy is greater knowing that Disney is investing in the next generation of diverse journalists.”

More: Walt Disney gives $1 million to FAMU to develop the next generation of storytellers

Along with introductions made during the event to acknowledge groups like the Student Government Association and the university’s Royal Court, Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Smith took on the stage to highlight the Rattler athletics teams.

Smith also said a few words about new Vice President and Athletics Director Tiffani Dawn Sykes, who will begin her role in January.

“I believe FAMU will be in good hands with our new athletics director,” Smith said to the audience during the convocation. “What she is going to need is your support.”

After the university’s alma mater was performed, the marching band’s selection of “Lovely Day” ushered the assembly out of the center as they all headed into the rest of homecoming week’s jamborees, including Saturday’s home football game against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at 4 p.m.

For a list of the next events during FAMU’s homecoming weekend, visit homecomingatfamu.com/.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_. 

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘A seminal moment’: FAMU’s annual homecoming convocation embodies the Rattler spirit