Oriana Plummer, Florida A & M University- c/o 2019, Public Relations
Name : Oriana Plummer
HBCU : Florida A & M University
Graduation Year : 2019
Major : Public Relations
Email : orianaplummer@gmail.com
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I am originally from Jacksonville, FL but moved to Atlanta, GA to complete my secondary education.
My mother actually introduced me to the actual significance of an HBCU. I intended on attending a PWI for quite some time. It wasn't until my Godparents, who are both FAMU alumni mentioned the university, along with the numerous stories of my mom being on the set haha, that I began to reconsider my choice.
Her parents forced her to attend a PWI (but she somehow managed to be at FAMU every weekend) so her thoughts on me choosing Florida A & M University differed tremendously.
"You will be lost and unlost. Over and over again. Relax love, you were meant to be this glorious epic story," - Nayyirah Waheed
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I tell people all the time that "FAMU wasn't my first choice but it was definitely my best". I considered myself a product of predominately white schools for the majority of my life.
As I grew older I knew I wanted a change. My mom always expressed to me the importance of our culture and constantly encompassing yourself with individuals and an atmosphere that serves as a reminder as well.
"Don't ever forget the moment you began to doubt, transitioning from fitting in to standing out." - Drake
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
My experience here at FAMU can't be confined. It continues to grow each day I’m privileged to attend this university. From the history to the bright and beautiful new faces I encounter daily. I’ve never been surrounded by so much unity and camaraderie within an academic setting, it provides such a great learning and networking atmosphere.
This university has equipped me with more than enough of life-long lessons and skills, which is my reasoning behind me holding FAMU accountable for allowing me to be in a space to acknowledge my potential and take advantage of the opportunities that I’m blessed with.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
Experiencing “Set Friday” for the first time was very exciting! I’m not sure that I could compare it to anything else I’ve experienced on and off campus. I think my mom had hyped it up so much and I thought she was over-exaggerating but shortly after realizing the image that was illustrated in my head had matched what was going on in front of me perfectly, I knew I was in for a treat.
Not to mention I had this to look forward to every Friday! What I love most is the feeling never changes, I still feel like it’s my first time after going time and time again.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
If I had to reflect on my professors at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, I can honestly say I haven’t had anything short of an amazing experience with all of them. Although I’ve enjoyed sitting under the teaching of them all, two professors from my previous semester have made a tremendous impact on my personal and academic life.
Dr. Grable was definitely one of my toughest professors to please, which taught me more than she’ll know. After my first day of class I knew that her expectations for us and the work we produced, would more than likely never alter. Establishing a relationship with her as my professor also allowed me to get to know her for the individual she is outside of instructing. She embodies hard work and excellence in all she does.
Through all of her advice and class lectures, what I value most is her seeing the potential in us all and continuing to remind us that we’re capable of anything we wish to attain in life.
Professor Johnson’s class was also filled with cherished lessons last semester. His teaching style and ability to connect with all of his students was an experience in itself. As a FAMU grad, a lot of his experiences resonated with us. He never stopped giving us the “real” of every situation and always reminded us that we were more than capable of continuing to reach new heights.
He has taught me to maximize every opportunity that’s presented to me that I see fit and that mediocrity just won’t do. I enjoyed having them both as professors but most essentially their ability to make my dreams and aspirations become more tangible to me and assuring that we're equipped for the field we choose to work in. The School of Journalism and Graphic Communications at FAMU isn’t only a gem but is filled with them as well.
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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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