Florida Memorial University Basic Facts
Established	1879
Location	Miami Gardens, Florida
Current President	Dr. Karl S. Wright
Endowment (as of June 2005)	$9,489,961
Athletic conference affiliation	Florida Sun Conference
School Colors	Royal Blue & Orange
School Mascot	Lion

Florida Memorial University is a private coeducational four-year university in Miami Gardens, Florida accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It offers 41 undergraduate degree programs and 4 graduate degree programs through its eight academic divisions.

As one of the 39 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund, Florida Memorial University continues its tradition as a historically Black, Baptist-related institution working to provide students with a quality education that helps create tomorrow’s leaders today.

History

One of the oldest academic centers in the U.S. state of Florida, the university was founded in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute in Live Oak. Soon after, the American Baptist Home Mission gave its full support and the first regular school year began in 1880.

In 1882, the Florida Baptist Academy was established in Jacksonville, Florida. The name was later changed to Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. It was there that two brothers, James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson (faculty member), wrote the words and music to what became known as the “Negro National Anthem,” "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing", in 1900.

Florida Normal and Industrial Institute moved to St. Augustine in 1918 on part of a 110-acre tract of land known as “Old Homes Plantation,” formerly one of the largest slave plantations in Florida. In 1941, the Live Oak and St. Augustine institutions merged, changing their limited offerings from a junior college classification to a four-year liberal arts institution which graduated its first four-year class in 1945. Its name was changed in 1950 to Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College. In 1963, the charter was again amended to change the name to Florida Memorial College. In 1968, the College relocated to its present site in Northwest Miami and by 1972 graduated its first class at the Miami site. Florida Memorial College celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1979 and began a series of expansion projects on the 44-acre site.

In 1993 Dr. Albert E. Smith was appointed as the College’s tenth president, heralding another period of growth in the institution’s rich history. In December 2004, the institution’s name was changed to Florida Memorial University with the announcement being made at the Founders’ Convocation in March 2005. On July 3, 2006, Dr. Karl S. Wright became the eleventh President of Florida Memorial University.

Academics

Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and offers 41 undergraduate and 4 graduate degree programs through its six academic schools. Its business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs.

Courses are offered in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Business, Science and Technology.

The University has offered an honors program for 10 years that is designed to target and challenge students to their highest level. The Honors Program Director is Dr. Randy R. James.

The enrollment consists of 1,784 undergraduate students and 83 graduate students. [1]

Athletics

Florida Memorial University's sports teams compete in the Florida Sun Conference, affiliated with NAIA. Prior to entering the NAIA, The University participated in the Southeast Athletic Conference (SEAC).

Women’s varsity sports

Basketball Cross Country Track & Field Volleyball

Men’s varsity sports

Baseball Basketball Cross Country Track & Field

Conference Championships

Men’s Basketball, SEAC Championships: 1972-73, 73-74, 76-77, 77-78, 78-79, 80-81, 81-82, 82-83, 91-92, 2003-2004. Women’s Basketball, Florida Sun Conference Championships: 1991-92, 92-93, 93-94, 96-97, 97-98, 2000-2001.

National Championships (NAIA)

Men’s Track – 400m Hurdles 1988 Men’s Track – 100m Dash 1999 Women’s Track – 200m 2001 Women’s Track – 4x100m 2001 Women’s Track – 4x400m 2001 Men’s Track – High Jump 2001

Interesting Facts

• In 2007, student, Barrington Irving , Jr. became the first and youngest African-American pilot to fly solo around the world.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/27/national/main2989520.shtml
• University historians state that the "Old Homes Plantation" is where the famous bell which now sits above the Susie C. Holley Chapel was purchased. The bell was originally used to gather slaves to issue daily orders. It was also stated that this bell was cast at the same foundry as the Liberty Bell, which is enshrined in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• 75% of full time faculty possess a Ph. D. or terminal degree
• Ranked second in the State and ninth in the Nation for graduating African-American Teachers.http://www.fmuniv.edu/About_Us/facts.htm
• The University hosts an Annual Jazz Festival, named in honor of professor and trumpeter, Melton Mustafa.

References

• Official website of Florida Memorial University http://www.fmuniv.edu/
• "Young Pilot Ends Round-The-World Solo Trip," Associated Press, June 27, 2007http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/27/national/main2989520.shtml
• Florida Memorial University entry, College Board website, http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=3733

See also

• Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida

•  • [ e] Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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