Orlando Welcomes LeRoy Pernell as Dean of FAMU’s College of Law

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nearly 200 elected officials, judges, attorneys, business leaders and other supporters joined Florida A&M University (FAMU) President James H. Ammons during a reception to welcome LeRoy Pernell as the new dean of the FAMU College of Law.

Ammons kicked off the event at the Marriott Orlando Downtown by recognizing Pernell as one of only two African-American law school deans with more than a decade of tenure at one institution.

“We are pleased to have Dean Pernell as a part of our leadership team,” said Ammons. “I believe he is a great asset to the College of Law and the university.”

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer extended greetings on behalf of the city, declaring how proud he was to have the FAMU College of Law located in Orlando, and recalling that while he was in the Florida Senate, he co-sponsored legislation authorizing the reestablishment of the law school.

“We recognize the value this law school brings to our city,” Dyer said. “Dean Pernell, we are excited to have you at the helm of our law school. We welcome you and thank you for accepting this opportunity.”

Also attending the event were University and state administrators, including Frederick S. Humphries, the former FAMU president who fought to have the law school reestablished; C. William Jennings, chairman of the FAMU Board of Trustees; and Tico Perez, a member of the Florida Board of Governors. Other participants included Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum, who worked to bring the law school to Orlando; Orlando City Commissioner Samuel Ings; Orlando City Commissioner Phil Diamond; State Representative Geraldine Thompson; Judge Emerson Thompson (Ret.); and a number of other judges, legislators, political officials, business leaders, area attorneys, and law school alumni.

**Photo caption: FAMU President James H. Ammons (center) is pictured with Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum (left to right), FAMU Law Dean LeRoy Pernell, State Representative Geraldine Thompson and Judge Emerson Thompson (Ret.) at Pernell’s Welcome Reception held in Orlando