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ROBINSON RETURNS A Legacy of Compassion and Commitment Continues
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COVER STORY: WILL PACKER A Resilient Rattler’s Journey from the “Hill” to Hollywood
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CORPORATE CONNECTIONS FAMU Alumni Partner with Fortune 500 Companies to Pay it Forward
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ROYALLY & ORDINARILY “IJAY” Queen of Orange and Green Makes Rattler History PASSING THE BATON New Director Honors Band’s Legacy, Marches Boldly Toward Future MORE THAN A MARCH 50-Year Marching “100” Alum Takes Field One Last Time FROM INSTITUTE TO RESEARCH POWERHOUSE FAMU School of the Environment Turns 20
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FAMU SCHOOL OF NURSING Celebrating 80 Years of Perfecting the Art of Caring and Curing
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AT THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID FAMU Cheer Team Jumps Obstacles, Brings Championship to the “Hill”
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FACES OF FAMU Highlighting Alumni Making a Difference on Campus
SECTIONS
04 President’s Message 05 Editor’s Letter 48 Campus Notes 52 From the Bookshelf 54 Fallen Rattlers
WINTER 2017
INTERIM UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Larry Robinsion, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR COMMUNICATIONS Kathy Y. Times EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kanya Stewart COPY EDITORS Vickie Hampton Sabrina Thompson Mona Malone LAYOUT AND DESIGN Charles R. Collins, III STAFF WRITERS Domonique Davis Asia Johnson Brian Lucas, DM
Shandra Hill Smith Amaya Mann
PHOTOGRAPHY Adam VL Taylor Vaughn Wilson Quantrell Colbert Victor Gaines
Michael Cork Wayne Dunwoody Johnny Crawford
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tawanda Finley ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Lawana Clark EVENTS, MARKETING, ADVERTISING Vernon Bryant Charlene Balewa EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Tashavia Graham Miracle Green Deja Allen FOR MORE INFORMATION (850) 599-3413 Twitter: twitter.com/FAMU_1887 Facebook Search: Florida A&M University YouTube: YouTube.com/FAMUTube1887 The A&M Magazine is the official magazine of Florida A&M University, and is designed to inform alumni, supporters, and friends about issues of importance about the University. This public document was promulgated at a total cost of $10,200 or $1.02 per copy. FAMU is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access University.
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