Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), based in Florida, is one of the largest historically black universities in the United States. Founded in 1887, it sits on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee.

While its main campus is based in Tallahassee, FAMU also has a law school in Florida and a Research and Development Centre in Quincy. Meanwhile, the College of Pharmacy has offshoot campuses in Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa and Crestview.

Since 1935, FAMU has been accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and offers bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees across a variety of subjects. These include: agriculture and food sciences, nursing, education, engineering, social science, arts and humanities. 

Sustainability is key for FAMU, and in 2015 it was recognised by the Building Green Initiative as the second for the “Greenest" public university in the US. In particular, its agricultural and recycling programmes were celebrated. 

The university’s main library – the Samuel H. Coleman Memorial Library –was built after the previous building was destroyed by a fire. The newly expanded building contains study rooms, a student study lounge and cafe, graduate and faculty study carrels, teleconference rooms, and a state-of-the-art literacy classroom. Nearly 2 million volumes, and over 155,000 e-books and e-journals, are readily accessible by students.

FAMU’s sports teams – nicknamed the Rattlers – are members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and participate in NCAA Division I-AA. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming, tennis and track and field while women's sports are basketball, bowling, softball, swimming, wrestling, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

A student-run newspaper called The FAMUAN, and magazine called Journey Magazine keep students busy. While FAMU also has a TV news broadcast network called FAMU 20 TV, and radio station called WANM 90.5 FM.

Notable alumni include Anika Noni Rose, an American singer and actress known for her Tony Award-winning performance in the Broadway production of Caroline, Pamela Donielle Oliver, an American sportscaster known for her work for various National Basketball Association and National Football League games, and K. Michelle, an American R&B singer, songwriter, and television personality.