For the first time in the history of the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law, the first-time pass rate of the February 2013 Florida Bar Exam exceeded the state average.  At 82.6 percent, the FAMU College of Law beat the state average of 80.2 percent, and also bested five of the eleven schools reported including Florida Coastal, Nova Southeastern and the University of Florida.  The score also exceeded the combined passage rate of the non-Florida law schools.

“We are extremely pleased with the efforts of the administration, faculty and students of the FAMU College of Law,” said Larry Robinson, interim president of FAMU.  “This news could not have come at a better time.  The examination results clearly demonstrate that the right steps are being taken to ensure that our law students are prepared to enter their profession.  Congratulations to the FAMU College of Law.”

FAMU Interim Provost Rodner Wright, who also serves as vice president for academic affairs, was also pleased with the nearly 20-point increase in the passage rate.  “It is clear that the university is committed to continuous improvement,” Wright said.  “That commitment is evident in the hard work of the administration, faculty and staff of the College of Law.”

In addition to exceeding the state average for the first time, this rate represents the first time in FAMU’s history that the College of Law scored above 80 percent for either the February or July Bar Exam.  The 82.6 percent rate represents a 17.1 point increase from the prior highest rate for February Bar that was achieved a year ago at 65.5 percent.

“We are very proud of our recent graduates and we commend them for the dedication they have shown to achieve this milestone,” said LeRoy Pernell, College of Law Dean.  “These results are a testament to the excellent quality of our curriculum and academic support programs at the FAMU College of Law.”

U.S. News  & World Report has named Florida A&M University (FAMU) as one of the Top 10 Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation.  FAMU was also named one of the Best National Universities by U.S. News  & World Report in another ranking.“It is an honor to be on the list for Best Universities in the nation and the list of top HBCUs,” said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. “This ranking demonstrates that we providegreat opportunities for our students through the efforts of dedicated faculty and staff.” FAMU, which has moved up in the rankings from last year, is listed with top institutions such as Spelman and Morehouse colleges in Atlanta, Ga., Howard University in Washington,DC, and Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans.Increasingly, the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are an appealing option for applicants of all races. In the spring of 2013, U.S. News conductedits annual separate peer survey among administrators at the HBCUs, asking the president, provost and admissions dean at each to rate the academic quality of all other HBCUs with which they are familiar. In addition to the peer survey results, the rankings arebased on retention and graduation rates to high school class standing, admission test scores and the strength of the faculty.To be part of the Best Black Colleges and Universities, a school has to be currently designated by the Department of Education as an HBCU, a status created as part of the HigherEducation Act of 1965. Additionally, the college must be a baccalau­reate-granting institution that enrolls primarily first-year, first-time students and must also have been part of this year’s Best Colleges process. FAMU has a long tradition of achievements. In 1997, the institution was selected by Time Magazine and the Princeton Reviewas the “College of the Year” when it beat out most Ivy League Institutions in the recruitment of National Merit finalists. In 2000, FAMU tied Harvard in its recruitment of National Merit Scholars, bringing the nation’s brightest and most promising studentsto its campus. The university was also recognized as the No. 1 institution for African Americans in 2006 by Black Enterprise Magazine. Most recently, FAMU has been named a 'Best in the Southeast' College by The Princeton Review for2014, appeared on the Forbes list of ‘Top Colleges’ in the U.S. for 2013, and recognized by The College Database for providing high-qualityeducation at an affordable price in Florida with graduates earning an average salary of $41,000. FAMU was ranked no. 4 overall on the statewide list and No. 2 on the ranking of public institutions (2013).For more detail on the U.S. News & World Report HBCU rankings, visit www.usnews.com/hbcu