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

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) campus is abuzz with excitement about the launch of FAMU Mobile, the innovative application or “app” for smartphone and mobile device users everywhere. Starting today, the entire FAMU community will have real-time access to campus news, events, courses, sports, maps and much more at their fingertips whether they are on or off campus. The FAMU Mobile app is free to download through Apple and Google markets.  It will be available in September for Blackberry devices.

“Florida A&M University’s commitment to creating an exceptional mobile campus experience epitomizes their focus on delivering the highest quality of service to their students and community,” said John Dennett, director of Product Management for Blackboard Mobile.  “We’re proud to partner with them to make FAMU Mobile a success.”

The 14 modules currently available through FAMU Mobile include: Directory, Athletics, Events, Maps, Courses, Library, News, Videos, BlackBoard Mobile Learn, iRattler Mobile, Images, Emergency Contacts, Facebook and Twitter.
 
“We want to offer our students and other members of our community the best in technology and access and that means making FAMU services and information available to mobile users,” said Robert Seniors, project manager. “We are excited to have a partner in Blackboard that really understands the possibilities for mobile applications in education.”

FAMU’s Office of Instructional Technology and the Office of Communications developed FAMU Mobile in partnership with Blackboard Mobile, a division of the education technology company the university utilizes for its online course management system.

“In addition to helping us better communicate with our stakeholders, FAMU Mobile will also help us to reinforce our brand, maximize our existing campus resources and drive student engagement,” said Sharon Saunders, chief communications officer at FAMU.

The university’s goal is to make FAMU Mobile the most downloaded app.

“In celebration of the 125th anniversary, we are asking students, staff, alumni and friends of the university to celebrate the occasion by helping FAMU reach a goal of 125,000 downloads of FAMU Mobile by Founders Day on Oct. 3,” said Saunders.

View the commercial for FAMU’s Mobile app at http://youtu.be/e2gK4Ktvuf8.

Source: FAMU Website

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Board of Trustees (BOT) today appointed Larry Robinson as interim president and permitted the resignation of FAMU President James H. Ammons to become effective today.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve at this critical time in the university’s history,” said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson.  “There is work to be done and I stand ready to do my absolute best to keep FAMU on its path of success.  During this period, I look forward to serving our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters.”

Robinson’s appointment is subject to confirmation at the next regularly scheduled BOT meeting.  The Board voted to move the previously scheduled September meeting to August.
During Monday’s emergency meeting, the Board agreed to waive Ammons’ contractual requirement of a 90-day notice and make his resignation effective today, July 16.  According to

Trustee Chair Solomon Badger III, Ammons will begin his sabbatical leave on Tuesday, July 17. The Board also agreed to pay the 2010-2011 bonus at the minimum contractual level of 25 percent ($81,250) of his base salary of $325,000. Based on the contractual agreement, the Board will also provide Ammons with a 2011-2012 bonus at 5 percent ($17,062), using the annual report he submitted as a basis.

Robinson, who has served twice as university provost, was assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the vice president for research, a professor in the Environmental Sciences Institute (now School of the Environment) at FAMU; and director of the NOAA Environmental Cooperative Science Center (ECSC) headquartered at FAMU, which consisted of a broad, multi-institutional consortium of predominantly minority-serving institutions.

Between 1984 and 1997, Robinson served as a research scientist and a group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His work there included detection and assessment of special nuclear materials and application of nuclear methods in nonproliferation, environmental science, forensic science and the assessment of high purity materials. From 1997 to 2003,

Robinson directed FAMU’s Environmental Sciences Institute where he led efforts to establish baccalaureate and doctoral degree programs.  In 2007, he became the first African American to serve as the science advisor to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service.

Robinson attended LeMoyne-Owen College in 1975, graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in chemistry from Memphis State University in 1979, and earned a Ph.D. degree in nuclear chemistry from Washington University in St. Louis in 1984.

Ammons during his tenure achieved several milestones:

• Four consecutive unqualified audits with no findings;
• Full accreditation of the College of Law;
• Reaccreditation of the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences;
• Worked with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan, “2020 Vision with Courage;”
• Launched the Restructuring Plan;
• All-time high in enrollment in 2010;
• The re-opening of several buildings — a $42 million Teaching Gymnasium, a $12.6 million renovation to Jones Hall, a $16 million renovation to Tucker Hall, a $14.7 million renovation of the Commons Building, and a $13.5 million major renovation of Sampson and Young Halls;
• Bond approval for a $50 million project to construct an 800-bed suite-style residential facility, which will be completed in fall of 2013;
• Renovation of the Gore Education Complex at a cost of $12.4 million.
• The opening of a new center in Crestview that will produce pharmacy graduates who we hope will remain in that area; and
• Launched FAMU’s first on-line degree programs offering master’s degrees in nursing, public health, and business.

The Board agreed that at its August meeting, it will discuss various components related to the upcoming presidential search.

Source: FAMU Website