Florida A&M University (FAMU) is set to unveil a statue honoring former President Frederick S. Humphries, Ph.D., in front of Lee Hall on October 17. The event will recognize the legacy of Humphries, who led FAMU from 1985 to 2001 and played a significant role in elevating the university’s profile.
FAMU President Marva Johnson, J.D., stated, “Dr. Frederick S. Humphries was more than a president of Florida A&M University—he was a champion for young people, a fierce advocate for education, and a visionary whose leadership lifted this institution to national prominence. Under his guidance, FAMU didn’t just grow in enrollment and academic achievement—we grew in confidence, in spirit, and in pride. His words, ‘Excellence with Caring,’ were never simply a slogan; they remain a living standard for all of us. Each day, his legacy calls us to pair rigor with compassion and ambition with service.”
During his tenure at FAMU, Humphries oversaw significant institutional achievements. The university was named College of the Year by TIME/Princeton Review in 1997, became the top institution nationally for enrolling National Achievement Scholars, tripled its research funding, and experienced substantial enrollment growth.
The initiative to create the statue began with the Frederick S. Humphries Life Gets Better Bronze Statue Committee. Jim Davis chaired the committee with support from Humphries’ daughter Robin T. Humphries. Fundraising started in 2013 with an initial private dinner at Humphries’ Orlando home and continued through various campaigns until enough funds were secured for the project.
Laurence Humphries spoke about the importance of the tribute: “This statue is more than a record of our father’s achievements; it marks the standard he lived by—foresight, scholarship, and an unshakable belief in what African American students and our HBCUs can become,” he said. “He loved FAMU deeply. Guided by his mentor President George W. Gore’s example and the moral charge voiced by Rev. Moses General Miles, his devotion to this University became a lifelong covenant to the end of his life. This tribute calls each new generation of FAMUANS to uphold that legacy—with excellence, with caring, and with the conviction that FAMU must live forever.”
The bronze statue will be installed near the Eternal Flame on campus—a location chosen because Frederick S. Humphries commissioned this monument during his presidency to commemorate FAMU’s selection as TIME Magazine/Princeton Review College of the Year in 1997.
President Johnson added: “The statue of Dr. Humphries, standing proudly at the center of our campus, is more than bronze—it is a beacon. It reminds us that education has the power to transform lives, uplift communities, and change the world. For generations of Rattlers to come, it will stand as both a tribute and a challenge: to honor his vision by advancing the legacy he entrusted to us.”
Humphries passed away in 2021. He is survived by three children—Frederick Jr., Robin Tanya Watson, and Laurence Humphries—and eight grandchildren.
The unveiling ceremony will take place at Lee Hall on Friday, October 17 at 8:00 a.m., featuring remarks from current university leaders, alumni, and members of Humphries’ family.
