Mourning, Money Challenges Facing FAMU Alumni

Alumni of Florida A&M University are facing significant challenges in the days and weeks ahead. Just last week, Rattler Nation was rocked with the death of revered former national alumni association president Alvin Bryant.

And this same Nation awaits the hiring of a new associate vice president of the FAMU Foundation, the official fundraising arm of the university. It will be in Bryant’s mold that the Foundation will seek to improve upon the improved level of alumni giving from a year ago, and to build the percentage of registered alumni contributions beyond 3.7 percent.

Bryant will also be remembered for his fervent support of current FAMU President James Ammons and his fundraising ability. He helped raise more than $750,000 for the university.

“I don’t think you can find anyone who is more supportive of Florida A&M,” Ammons said. “We have really lost a giant in Dr. Bryant. … His thoughts were always on how to improve Florida A&M. I’m really going to miss him.”

While FAMU has one of the strongest alumni bases among HBCUs, a slumping economy and generational disparities among alumni donors can impact any institution. FAMU, unmlike many institutions, thrives on an institutional culture of graduates feeling responsible for the university’s progress, and they have thrived within this obligation.

With Bryant’s death, and the hiring of a new vice president, the gaps between young and old donors may be closed and Rattler Nation may find a unifying rallying cry for a philanthropic movement.

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