Recognizing Dr. Elmira Mangum as the first female president of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.

Whereas Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) was founded on October 3, 1887, as the State Normal College for Colored Students at Tallahassee with 15 students and 2 instructors; Whereas FAMU was established as an 1890 land-grant institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, resolution of complex issues, and the empowerment of citizens and communities; Whereas the institution has gone by 3 other names prior to becoming Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1953, and remains the only historically black university in the 12-member State University System of Florida; Whereas FAMU students have a legacy of social involvement, including the boycott of Tallahassee buses that successfully integrated the city’s public transportation system; Whereas FAMU now boasts approximately 11,000 students and 700 faculty members, and has had 10 men serve as presidents during the institution’s 127-year history; Whereas Dr. Elmira Mangum has a 28-year history as a higher education administrator, ranging from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Buffalo to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Cornell University; Whereas Dr. Mangum holds a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration, a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy; Whereas Dr. Mangum has taught higher education administration, leadership theory and practice, and financial management; Whereas Dr. Mangum was in the inaugural class of the Millennium Leadership Institute, attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education Management Development Program, and Cornell’s Administrative Management Institute; Whereas Dr. Mangum is a life member of the National Council of Negro Women and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a historically black Greek-lettered organization that promotes scholarship, sisterly love, service, and finer womanhood; Whereas Dr. Mangum was selected as the first permanent female president in the 127-year history of FAMU; Whereas Dr. Mangum has made tremendous strides to advance the legacy of FAMU with forward thinking plans, such as her Sustainability Initiative, which will provide research-based solutions to the world’s socio-economic and environmental problems, and strengthening FAMU’s STEM programs, which are the hallmark of academia; Whereas Dr. Mangum has consistently articulated resourceful, innovative ideas for Black college survival; and Whereas our Nation must remain committed to celebrating the accomplishments and advancements of women: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes Dr. Elmira Mangum for being selected as the first female permanent president of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University; (2) acknowledges the significance of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the civil rights movement; and (3) emphasizes the importance of celebrating the accomplishments of trailblazers across the country, such as Dr. Elmira Mangum.

Summary: Recognizes Dr. Elmira Mangum for being selected as the first female permanent president of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Acknowledges the significance of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Florida A&M) in the history of historically black colleges and universities and the civil rights movement.