By Jefferson Walker, IV
The numbers are in. Florida A&M University’s 1887Strikes Annual Day of Giving campaign raised $731,494.
President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., who matched every donation from students, was delighted by the results.
“We are ecstatic about the success of the fifth Annual Day of Giving campaign, 1887 Strikes. Many thanks to our alumni, faculty, students, staff, and supporters who once again demonstrated their generosity and commitment to the success of present and future generations of Rattlers,” Robinson said about the initiative. “I am privileged to be part of this community of scholars and donors.”
This year’s campaign surpassed last year’s total of more than $686,000. This year, 2,481 people participated in the annual giving campaign that ran April 18-19.
Shawnta Friday-Stroud, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation, thanked everyone who participated in the initiative for making this year’s campaign the most successful FAMU Annual Day of Giving so far.
“From conception in 2019 with my amazing University Advancement Team to having to pivot to a virtual inaugural launch in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic to now, we are excited to celebrate our fifth annual and most successful 1887Strikes Day of Giving to date with more than $730,000 donated from just over 2,500 donors,” said Friday-Stroud. “I sincerely thank Dr. Robinson, University Advancement, the Office of Communications, the FAMU Foundation Board of Directors, the Senior Leadership Team members and their units, the Deans and their teams, our students, alumni, friends, and supporters. We could not have done it without you.”
Students such as graduating senior Kyla Mays from Houston, Texas, are appreciative of the fundraising campaign since it generates money for scholarships. Mays, who received a scholarship to complete for her health science degree, expressed her gratitude to those who donated.
“It’s been quite a rollercoaster, so I’m very appreciative of the school because there was a moment where I would call crying like somebody help me, please, and FAMU had my back,” said Mays. “It’s a little bittersweet, but I’m grateful and excited to be able to come back as an alum and continue to give so other students who may have been in my situation can get a little bit of help.”