The first convocation of the school year marks a period of massive growth for Florida A&M. President James H. Ammons stated in his State of the University Address that Florida A&M has currently enrolled 13,089 students. 2700 of these students are freshmen, the largest incoming class in Florida A&M’s history.
An additional boon to the university was the decrease in budget cuts. The budget cuts for this year, originally projected to be 15 percent, were instead only 3.5 percent. Ammons also expressed intentions to renovate the Pokinghole student apartment complex located behind the Student Services Center, as well as the completion of the Sampson and Young Dormitory Renovations.
In addition to the structural growth, FAMU is experiencing growth academically as well. The school was responsible for producing 50 percent of the nation’s African-American doctoral recipients and 38 percent of the nation’s African-American Baccalaureate degree recipients. Ammons also stated his intention to establish three new degree programs, including a school of dentistry, by July 2011.
“One of our most impactful ways of supporting Florida, is through the proposed FAMU College of Dental Medicine if approved,” Ammons said.