Courtesy of Fort Valley State University
Daniel K. Wims, Ph.D., President of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU), Fort Valley State University (FVSU) alum and former faculty member will be the featured speaker for Fort Valley State University’s Spring 2024 Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024.
Before assuming the esteemed position of president, Wims dedicated nearly 12 years to AAMU, initially as its provost and vice-president for Academic Affairs and Research, as well as a professor of Agricultural Sciences. Noteworthy roles in academia include serving as vice-president for Academic Affairs and professor of Agricultural Sciences at FVSU, where he also held the position of executive vice-president. Additionally, from 2004 to 2006, he played a pivotal role in coordinating various units at South Carolina State University, overseeing activities such as financial aid, admissions/recruitment, campus security, and more.
“President Wims embodies the spirit of excellence and leadership that Fort Valley State University cultivates in its graduates. As a distinguished alum and now the esteemed president of Alabama A&M University, his journey is a testament to the transformative power of an education from FVSU,” said President Paul Jones, Ph.D. “We are honored to welcome President Wims back to campus as the Spring Commencement speaker, where his words will inspire and empower our graduating students as they embark on their remarkable paths.”
Wims holds a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Fort Valley State University, a Master of Science degree in agricultural extension education from Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in agricultural and extension education from the University of Maryland-College Park. He has also completed prestigious programs at Harvard University’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, Hampton University’s Executive Leadership Development Program, and the Interdenominational Theological Center’s Continuing Education Theology Program.
“As an alumnus, I am deeply honored and humbled to have been invited to serve as the commencement speaker for Fort Valley State University’s Spring Commencement,” said Wims. “I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to offer congratulatory remarks to the graduating class as they embark on their future endeavors.”
During his tenure as director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and associate professor at Florida A&M University from 2000 to 2004, Wims effectively managed a diverse range of responsibilities within the division, including nine academic programs and their associated faculty, staff, and students. He has also held significant academic positions at Alcorn State University and Southern University and A&M College.
While serving as provost of AAMU, Wims provided leadership that led to the accreditation of the College of Business and Public Affairs by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). He also played a crucial role in maintaining national accreditation for several key academic programs. Under his guidance, AAMU made notable progress in expanding online and distance learning platforms, ranking among the top producers of African American graduates in STEM disciplines, and excelling in doctoral candidate production in physics.