FAMU--LaVilla's Living Legacy

FAMU--Part of our History

Eighth grade journalism students at LaVilla School of the Arts have taken in a huge chunk of information on the Civil Rights Movement to decide on our own ideas about racism and what truly happened. We watched movies such as A Long Walk Home and The Children's March to help find the historical truth. Becoming aware of our history and more comfortable with this topic was crucial. The Ritz Theatre provided us with information as well as a location for our oral history experience. During this event, Henry Mack, an older man who lived in Jacksonville around the time of the Civil Rights Movement, sparked my interest in FAMU, or Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He attended this college.

The university has gone through a great deal of change through the years. FAMU was founded in 1887 as the State Normal College for Colored Students. It was open to both genders for a four-year system. The university was a state-supported, liberal arts institution. Three years later, the school evolved into a land-grant establishment. The school was first located on Copeland Street, but ended up moving to the present location and changed the name to the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students. In 1909, the college changed its name again to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College. The first baccalaureate award was given in 1910. Much later, in 1953, the school became a university. In 1989, the first Ph.D. in pharmacology was awarded. Overall, FAMU specializes in instruction, research, and service to promote academic excellence and to improve the quality of life for those it serves. The school now educates over 9,000 students and has a staff of about 460 teachers. Quite an improvement from two teachers and fifteen students! FAMU has produced many fine graduates such as Henry Mack, many achieving Ph.Ds. The school has come a long way from the 1887 beginning.

Written by: Ashlee Black