Charles Rackley, a civil engineering graduate from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, is continuing a family legacy rooted in Tallahassee. Rackley Drive, named after his great-grandfather Lonnie Rackley Sr., honors a Black builder who contributed to the city’s neighborhoods during an era when Black entrepreneurship was uncommon.
Charles graduated with the highest GPA in his class, achieving a 3.9. Despite initial hesitation about following in his family’s footsteps at Florida A&M University (FAMU), he found himself drawn to civil engineering after observing infrastructure challenges in his hometown of Wesley Chapel.
“I really wasn’t strongly considering FAMU at first because I did not want to go and be a legacy,” Charles said. “My parents went there. My grandparents went there. At first, I wanted to do something different.”
His mother, Qiana Rackley, explained that they allowed him to make his own decision: “We always wanted him to make his own choice about college,” she said. “Even though we raised him with FAMU values.” She also described FAMU as providing “a true safe space where you’re free from the usual judgments about skin color, hair, or style that exist in the ‘real world.’ It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Charles found community quickly on campus. Orientation marked his first experience at FAMU without family present and helped him feel at home: “I was a little bit nervous, of course to be around all Black people at first. Growing up, I only had like two other Black people in my classes. But here I quickly found my people,” he recalled.
He learned of his academic achievement when a classmate notified him about an award he missed collecting. Lisa Spainhour, Ph.D., P.E., professor and chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, said: “Academically, Charles is among the top students in the college. But where he truly shines is outside the classroom, where he has done everything from undergraduate research to helping with outreach events…I called on him many times to showcase his sustainable demolition work to department visitors.”
Qiana Rackley expressed pride in her son’s accomplishment: “I’m beyond proud of him. Watching his hard work pay off in such an extraordinary way fills me with joy. He’s always been humble, and I knew he might try to downplay this achievement,” she said. “But earning the highest GPA is no small feat. I wanted him to truly embrace this moment because it represents years of effort, sacrifice, and perseverance.” She added: “This is something worth celebrating.”
During his undergraduate studies, Charles participated in research aimed at reducing carbon emissions from construction sites and worked at Sandia National Laboratories simulating metals for fusion reactors before interning with Kiewit in Colorado. There he contributed to designing salmon passageways needed by Native tribes affected by construction projects.
“It was amazing. I did a lot of different things, and it was so good for me to experience all of that. The work had me really excited. This is the work I want to do with my degree,” Charles said.
Learning more about Lonnie Rackley Sr.’s contributions brought new meaning for Charles as he realized how closely aligned his career path was with family history: “It felt like confirmation,” he said. “Like this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”
His father noted: “His great-grandfather’s knowledge of building and creating runs deep in our family. It’s a skillset passed down through generations.”
Charles will remain at FAMU for a one-year master’s program specializing in geotechnical engineering—focusing on soils and foundations essential for construction projects.
“We are thrilled that Charles will be returning to our program this spring as a master’s student. I can’t wait to see what impact he will make in grad school and beyond,” Spainhour said.
Charles hopes to return to Kiewit after graduation while contributing further through engineering work that supports communities.
“Whatever direction he chooses, he will build on our family name in his own way. He’s charting a path that’s uniquely his,” said Charles Rackley Jr.
