Amelia Davis, Florida A & M University- c/o 1995, Business Economics
Name : Amelia Davis
HBCU : Florida A & M University
Graduation Year : 1995
Major : Business Economics
Email : amelia.davis91@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida.
My teachers in elementary, middle and high school were graduates of both HBCU and PWI, but as a child you don’t know the difference. It wasn’t until I got older, is when I saw the difference and knew the significance and why HBCUs were created.
FAMU Tampa Classic 2017
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I choose to attend a HBCU, Florida A&M in particular, because of the strong legacy and history of my alma mater. As a child I recall going to field trips to Lee Hall Auditorium (on FAMU campus) to see the Dance Theater of Harlem and Alvin Ailey Dance Theater; the excitement of the campus to a few 8 year old kids was unforgettable.
I honestly never saw myself attending any other university, because of the strong presence FAMU had in my community.
And I was awarded a partial scholarship to FAMU, presented to me by Dr. Frederick Humphries (former FAMU President;in video below) at my high school graduation, June 1991.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
My HBCU experience…words cannot describe the love I have for my university and the memories.
It may sound cliche’ when you hear that we are a “FAMUly”…but its true. There is an indescribable force that connects all Rattlers, especially alumni. We look out for each other, we help each other, we support one another… I wouldn’t trade my HBCU experience at FAMU, for any other school on this earth.
"Doing outreach today...serving our community"
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
N/A
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
Dr. Victor Oguledo was my academic adviser and would take the time to sit with me and go over my educational path to graduation.
Also, Dr. Rudolph Daniels encouraged and always challenged his students to be the best.
He also sparked the interest in subscribing to the Wall Street Journal (it didn’t hurt that we had to show proof of subscription for extra credit).
Dr Daniels encouraged graduate school, as he would always say, “Go to graduate school directly after you graduate, because once you start making money and living your life, it will be hard to go back”. It took me 13 years to go back to get my MBA, so needless to say…he was right!
One thing that sticks out to me is a conversation I had with Dr Ogueledo.
The summer I was set to graduate, FAMU didn’t offer the classes and I had to attend summer school at another university across town, he told me, ” You will see the difference on how professors will help you”. I didn’t know what he meant, until I finished the two classes and I went back to him and admitted he was right.
Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?
Let’s see….. B. Merell’s had the BEST 25 cent wings at Happy Hour and then there was Skinner’s across from FAMU. Being from Tallahassee, or a “local” as they called us, I really didn’t eat out a lot, as I always had a home cook meal, when I wanted.
College crush?
Hmmm..I’ll skip this one
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
As a freshman, I entered Florida A&M as a Chemistry major. I didn’t mind Chemistry, but hated Biology and my grades reflected that. My sophomore year, I changed to Business Economics (which was really a major in Economics with a minor in Business Administration)and never looked back. That was the best decision I made!
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics.
What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?
It was sooooooo many, especially when you sat by the band, The Incomparable Marching 100!
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
I was a member of SGA Sophomore class cabinet 92-93 and a member of NCNW, when it was first being chartered on FAMU campus. After my Sophomore year, I pretty much became less active in groups and more focused on my studies.
High school I was a member of SGA, Co-Editor of the yearbook and Senior class President.
How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?
I wouldn’t call it nervousness…..I would actually say it was excitement. It didn’t hurt that me, my best friends and some of my high school classmates went to FAMU and had some of the same classes. My transition into college life was quite easy.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Please value your college experiences, as this will be the most defining moment of your life. Take it serious!
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Florida A & M University
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Students: 9,614
- Athletics: Florida A&M University is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and participates in NCAA Division I-AA. FAMU offers men's sports in baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming, tennis and track and field. It offers women's sports in basketball, bowling, softball, swimming, wrestling, tennis, track and field and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Wilbert Bryant - Former Secretary of Education of Virginia** Raymond A. Brown - Attorney whose clients included Black Liberation Army member Assata Shakur, boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and "Dr. X" physician Mario Jascalevich [2] Arthur R. Collins - 1982 - Founding partner of the Collins Johnson group, a strategy, policy and communications firm established in 2011** John W. Thompson - 1971 - Chairman and former President and CEO, Symantec Corporation; former VP IBM; part owner of the Golden State Warriors** Corrine Brown - 1969 - Current U.S. Congresswoman Andrew Gillum - Current Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida Alcee L. Hastings - Current U.S. Congressman Mia L. Jones - 1991 - Current member of the Florida House of Representatives Gwendolyn M. Miller - Chairwoman of the City Council in Tampa, Florida, District 1 David Scott - Current U.S. Representative from Georgia's 13th congressional district John W. Williams - Current Inspector General of the South Florida Water Management District Althea Gibson - Tennis player Daniel Sunjata - Actor, Broadway actor Gregory Anderson - Film producer (Tri-Destined Studios) Rob Hardy - Film producer (Rainforest Productions) T'Keyah Crystal Keymah - Actress Pam Oliver - Sports anchor William Packer - Film producer (Rainforest Productions) Angela Pitts - Contestant on Flavor of Love 3 and winner of I Love Money 2 Angela Robinson - Actress Anika Noni Rose - Tony Award-winning actress Peyton Alex Smith - Actor Common - attended - Music Artist K.Michelle - R&B singer Tyrese Gibson - attended - Singer, actor, author and producer stic.man - Member of hip-hop group Dead Prez M-1 - Member of hip-hop group Dead Prez Bernard Kinsey - Owner of one of the largest African-American art collections
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