Florida Memorial University
Former names | Florida Baptist Institute Florida Baptist Academy Florida Normal and Industrial Institute Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College Florida Memorial College |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, HBCU |
| Established | 1879 |
| Affiliation | American Baptist Churches USA |
| Endowment | $9.4 million |
| President | Dr. Sandra T. Thompson |
| Students | 1,800 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban, 44 acres |
| Colors | Royal Blue & Orange |
| Nickname | Lion |
| Affiliations | Florida Sun Conference |
| Website | www.fmuniv.edu |
Florida Memorial University is a private coeducational four-year university in Miami Gardens, Florida. One of the 39 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund, and a historically Black, Baptist-related institution which is ranked second in the Florida and ninth in the United States for graduating African-American teachers. [1]
History
One of the oldest academic centers in Florida, the university was founded in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute in Live Oak, Florida. Soon after, the American Baptist Home Mission gave its full support and the first regular school year began in 1880.
In 1882, the Florida Baptist Academy was established in Jacksonville, Florida. The name was later changed to Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. It was there that two brothers, James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson (faculty member), wrote the words and music to "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (known as the "Negro National Anthem"), in 1900.
Old Homes Plantation Bell The Old Homes Plantation is where the famous bell which now sits above the Susie C. Holley Chapel was purchased. The bell was originally used to gather slaves to issue daily orders. This bell was cast at the same foundry as the Liberty Bell, which is enshrined in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. |
Florida Normal and Industrial Institute moved to St. Augustine in 1918 on part of a 110-acre (0.45 km2) tract of land known as "Old Homes Plantation", formerly one of the largest slave plantations in Florida. In 1941, the Live Oak and St. Augustine institutions merged, changing their limited offerings from a junior college classification to a four-year liberal arts institution which graduated its first four-year class in 1945. Its name was changed in 1950 to Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College. In 1963, the charter was again amended to change the name to Florida Memorial College. In 1968, the college relocated to its present site in Northwest Miami and by 1972 graduated its first class at the Miami site. Florida Memorial College celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1979 and began a series of expansion projects on the 44 acre site.
Jazz Festival The university hosts an annual jazz festival, named in honor of professor and trumpeter, Melton Mustafa. |
In 1993 Dr. Albert E. Smith was appointed as the college's tenth president, heralding another period of growth in the institution's rich history. In December 2004, the institution's name was changed to Florida Memorial University with the announcement being made at the Founders' Convocation in March 2005. On July 3, 2006, Dr. Karl S. Wright became the eleventh president.
Academics
Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It offers 41 undergraduate degree programs and 4 graduate degree programs through its eight academic divisions in six academic schools. The business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
The university has offered an honors program for 10 years that is designed to target and challenge students to their highest level. The Honors Program Director is Dr. Randy R. James.
Student activities
Athletics
| NAIA National Championships | |||
| Men's Track – 400 m Hurdles | 1988 | ||
| Men's Track – 100 m Dash | 1999 | ||
| Women's Track – 200m | 2001 | ||
| Women's Track – 4x100m | 2001 | ||
| Women's Track – 4x400m | 2001 | ||
| Men's Track – High Jump | 2001 | ||
| SEAC Conference Championships | |||
| Men's Basketball | 1972-73 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1973-74 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1976-77 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1977-78 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1978-79 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1980-81 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1981-82 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1982-83 | ||
| Men's Basketball | 1991-92 | ||
| Florida Sun Conference Championships | |||
| Women's Basketball | 1991-92 | ||
| Women's Basketball | 1992-93 | ||
| Women's Basketball | 1993-94 | ||
| Women's Basketball | 1996-97 | ||
| Women's Basketball | 1997-98 | ||
| Women's Basketball | 2000-01 | ||
Florida Memorial University's sports teams compete in the Florida Sun Conference, affiliated with National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Prior to entering the NAIA, the university participated in the Southeast Athletic Conference (SEAC).
Notable alumni
| Name | Class year | Notability | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington Irving, Jr. | In 2007 became the first and youngest African-American pilot to fly solo around the world | [2] | |
| Freddie Lee Peterkin aka Freddie Lee | Soul and Gospel singer |
References
- ^ "Florida Memorial University Facts". Florida Memorial University.
- ^ "Young Pilot Ends Round-The-World Solo Trip". Associated Press. 2007-06-27.
Additional information
See also
- Education in Miami, Florida
- Universities and colleges in Florida
- Private schools and universities in Miami-Dade County
- Universities and colleges affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA
- Educational institutions established in 1879
- Council of Independent Colleges
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools