Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU) was named the top Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the country by Essence and Money magazines.
The list is comprised of the top schools in the nation for African-American students, and not only did FAMU take the top spot for HBCUs, but the school was also ranked fifth for best schools for black students.
A popular destination for African-American students looking for a respected and valued HBCU, FAMU usually is at or near the top of best HBCU’s in the nation. The school’s president Elmira Magnum was named HBCU Digest’s ‘Female President of the Year’ in 2015 and FAMU’s student scholars recently won the national championship at the Honda All-Star Challenge, the school’s eighth since 1990.
Prestige seems to be congruent with FAMU as it’s popularity hasn’t seemed to wane.
In other news related to the school, FAMU’s athletic budget is under review but is moving upward. The school’s ticket sales were up last year and the hope is that that trend continues.
FAMU recently hired a new athletic director (AD) whose looking at creative ways to reduce the athletic programs financial burden on the school. Milton Overton was named AD in August of last year and says that his top job is to look at the budget and find ways to lower the amount of money the athletic department receives from the school.
Student fees and school funds represented more than $8 million of the department’s budget in 2014-15, which isn’t high compared to other MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) schools, but Overton wants to ensure that the number is lowered.
After a tumultuous 2015, FAMU may see brighter days ahead. The school’s board of directors attempted to oust the president and the football program couldn’t hang on to a coach.
Now with balance at the top and a brief reprieve for President Magnum, the good news for FAMU as being one of the best school’s in the nation may be enough to lend it the stability it needs.
