Pride is the name of the game. College culture nationwide has been built on community fulfillment and camaraderie.
Students weigh their options based on their specific personal preferences and requirements to enter their desired career field when choosing a college.
Many high school students travel extensively to various universities hoping to find the one that best suits their specific yet contradicting needs and wants from their potential home for at least four years of their early adulthood. These years not only hold the gravity of changing the course of their lives, but their outlook on the world to come. This decision is not so easily made.
One factor that remains constant through the college decision process is college rankings. Universities often boast about their rank as a tactic to reassure potential students and parents that they are in good hands with statistics to back it up.
Last we learned that Florida A&M has maintained it status as the No. 1 public Historically Black College and University in the nation. Additionally according to the annual rankings from U.S. News and World Report, FAMU broke into the Top 100 among all public universities in the nation, moving to 91 from 103. These statistics have been broadcast by the university in customary celebratory fashion.
It means a great deal to the university’s administration, but does this headline affect student body morale?
Public health graduate student Guyson Bowler said, “I feel very honored to go to an institution that is excelling in every aspect of education and athletics. Everything we touch seems to turn to gold,” Bowler said. “It means a lot knowing that my parents went here. We have come a long way and it’s just amazing to see.”
Kayla Armand, a second-year animal science major, said, “It makes me feel good being around others who are passionate about reaching their goals.”
Arianna Harper, a fourth year business administration major, said, “It feels great to be at the best school in the world.”
A third year Business Administration major from Miami, Nevoy Sheppard, said, “Being a part of the No. 1 HBCU makes me feel like I am surrounded by Black excellence and pushes me to be great.”
Not only does the new ranking look good on paper for the university, but it seems to have a positive effect on student morale. The FAMU pride has continued to rise with new achievements.