Florida Memorial University facts for kids
A Promise, A Future
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Former names
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Florida Baptist Institute (1879–1892) Florida Baptist Academy (1892–1896) Florida Normal and Industrial Institute (1896–1950) Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College (1950–1963) Florida Memorial College (1963–2006) |
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| Motto | Leadership, Character, Service |
| Type | Private historically black college |
| Established | 1879 |
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Religious affiliation
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American Baptist Churches USA |
| Endowment | $9.76 million |
| President | Jaffus Hardrick |
| Students | 1,800 |
| Location |
,
U.S.
25°55′06″N 80°16′14″W / 25.9182°N 80.2705°W |
| Campus | Urban, 44 acres (18 ha) |
| Colors | Blue & Orange |
| Nickname | Lions |
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Sporting affiliations
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NAIA – The Sun |
Florida Memorial University is a private college in Miami Gardens, Florida. It's known as a historically black college, meaning it was first created to provide higher education for African American students. The university started as the Florida Baptist Institute. Today, it focuses on Christian values and is part of the United Negro College Fund.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of FMU
Florida Memorial University began in 1879 as the "Florida Baptist Institute." It was located in Live Oak, Florida. This makes it one of the oldest schools in Florida. The American Baptist Home Mission Society quickly supported the school. The first full school year started in 1880.
Early Challenges and New Beginnings
J. L. A. Fish was the first president of the institute. Even with a good start, the school faced problems due to racial tensions. In April 1892, after shots were fired at one of the school buildings, President Matthew Gilbert and other staff left Live Oak. They moved to Jacksonville. There, they started the "Florida Baptist Academy" in the basement of Bethel Baptist Church. Classes began in May 1892, with Sarah Ann Blocker as the main teacher. The school in Live Oak still continued to operate.
Combining Forces and New Locations
Nathan W. Collier, who was president of the Florida Baptist Institute, and Sarah Ann Blocker from the Florida Baptist Academy, decided to join their schools. In 1896, they created the "Florida Normal and Technical Institute." Nathan W. Collier was the college president from 1896 to 1941. Sarah Ann Blocker was the Dean of Women and vice-president from 1896 to 1944.
In 1900, brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson (who was a teacher at the school) wrote the famous song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing." This song is often called the "Negro National Anthem."
The Florida Normal and Industrial Institute moved to St. Augustine in 1918. It was built on a large piece of land that used to be a plantation.
In 1941, the schools from Live Oak and St. Augustine officially joined together. They changed from being a junior college to a four-year liberal arts college. The first four-year class graduated in 1945. The famous writer Zora Neale Hurston taught at the school in 1942.
Moving to Miami Gardens
The school's name changed again in 1950 to "Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College." Then, in 1963, it became "Florida Memorial College." Because of civil rights events in St. Augustine, the college decided to move. In 1965, they bought land in what was then Dade County.
By 1968, the college had moved to its current location in Miami. The first class graduated from the Miami campus in 1972. In 1979, Florida Memorial College celebrated its 100th birthday. It then started many projects to expand its campus.
In 2006, Florida Memorial College changed its name to "Florida Memorial University." This new name showed that the school was offering more advanced degrees.
Learning at FMU: Academics
Florida Memorial University is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This means it meets high standards for education. The university offers 41 different programs for undergraduate students (those working on their first college degree). It also has four programs for graduate students (those studying for advanced degrees). These programs are offered through eight academic divisions and six academic schools.
The business programs at FMU are approved by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The social work program is approved by the Council on Social Work Education. The Music Department is approved by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
The university also has an honors program. This program is for students who want extra challenges and to learn at a higher level.
The Nathan W. Collier Library
The main library at Florida Memorial University is called the Nathan W. Collier Library. It is named after Nathan White Collier. He was the third president of Florida Baptist Academy for 45 years. Collier worked very hard to raise money, get land for the school, and bring in more students and great teachers. He wanted to offer education and training for Black teachers across Florida.
The Collier Library has many books, about 120,000! It also has areas for computers and different study rooms. The library subscribes to many online databases and magazines. It also has two special collections: one for theological research and another called the Dr. Laban Connor Black Collection.
The library is also home to the Trayvon Martin Foundation. This foundation was started in March 2012 by Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin. Its goal is to help families who have lost a child due to gun violence.
Sports at FMU: Athletics
The sports teams at Florida Memorial are called the Lions. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They mostly compete in the Sun Conference. Their football team also plays in the Mid-South Conference.
Florida Memorial has 13 different sports teams.
- Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and track & field.
- Women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, flag football, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball.
- Cheerleading is a co-ed sport.
Football History
The university had a football team from 1946 to 1958, playing as the "Florida Normal and Industrial Institute." Their record during those years was 41 wins, 25 losses, and 6 ties. The football program started again in 2020, after 62 years! The "new" Lions got their first win on October 23, 2021, when they beat Union College 41–17.
Famous People Who Attended FMU
| Name | Class year | Notability | |
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| Barrington Irving, Jr. | In 2007, he became the first and youngest Black pilot to fly solo around the world. | ||
| Harry T. Moore | An educator and civil rights activist. He was a leader of the NAACP in Florida. | ||
| Freddie Lee Peterkin | A soul and Gospel singer, also known as Freddie Lee. | ||
| Grisha Heyliger-Marten | A politician from Saint Maarten. |
See also
- Collier-Blocker Junior College
