Roughly 350 eager alumni of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) descended upon Tampa, Fla., for the 2016 National Alumni Convention.
The four-day convention schedule was complete with events such as the Distinguished Alumni Awards Black Tie Gala, President’s Breakfast, the NAA Presidential Inauguration Luncheon, workshops including IRS 990 training, and forums such as regional and general body meetings.
During the general body meeting, members voted to increase FAMU National Alumni Association dues from $35 to $50. Also, the next three annual convention locations were decided. The conventions will take place in Baltimore, MD, Orlando, Fla., and Birmingham, Ala.
Charles R. Lewis, III, First Vice President and Convention Chair, said alumni can look forward to more programming at next year’s convention.
“We have done workshops in the past and our goal is to plan them based on the number of people in attendance. We will have workshops in 2017 for professional development and financial planning,” he explained.
Perhaps the highlight of the convention was the NAA fundraising breakfast. The event took place on Saturday with alumni of the University pledging $715,128. Some proceeds will go toward the Saving our Students (SOS) Campaign that helps alleviate financial stressors of graduating students.
Sarasota-Manatee Chapter student outreach coordinator Juliette Pitt, a Spring 2015 graduate of the School of Business and Industry, said she was happy to see everyone come out from near and far to contribute to a great cause.
“My favorite part of the convention was being able to network with alumni from different generations. It was so great seeing a bunch of Rattlers in one space and it was great to hear different Rattler’s experiences on the hill,” she said. “I was so happy to see everyone’s love and passion for FAMU, especially at the fundraising breakfast. The fact that we exceeded our fundraising goal by over $200,000 is phenomenal.”
2014 graduate Tyler Burke, wealth management consultant and active member of the Palm Beach Chapter of NAA, said he thoroughly enjoyed the convention and counted getting involved as his duty.
“We are a community and I owe FAMU so much. Without my degree from FAMU, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do now,” he said. “For that I am grateful, and that’s why I stay involved. I want to see the longevity of FAMU and the university move forward.”