FAMU Kicks off President's Tour in The Villages with Awarding $168,000 in Scholarships

The stage was set and the lights were on Florida A&M University (FAMU) at the Seabreeze Recreation Center in The Villages, Fla., as FAMU awarded $168,000 in scholarships to students including two Distinguished Scholarship Awards.

With a room filled with students, parents and alumni, FAMU President James H. Ammons shared with the audience his mission for his tour.

“At FAMU, we are going to put you on a path to the good life,” said Ammons. “We are here today to recognize and acknowledge you [students].”

The parents of Alex Hull, a Distinguished Scholarship recipient, stated they were surprised their son was presented with a scholarship.

“We decided to come today to get more information,” said Alicia Hull, mother of Alex. “We are very proud of him.”

Her husband, Kenneth, expressed his thoughts.

“This [scholarship] shows that his hard work is finally paying off,” said Hull.

Alex is interested in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. President Ammons shared with Alex that if he takes the SAT or ACT again and get a slightly higher score, he could be eligible for the Life-Gets-Better Scholarship valued at more than $70,000.

“I am taking the ACT next month,” said Hull, with a smile on his face.

Sydney McCullough-Stevenson, who also received the Distinguished Scholarship Award, was surprised.

“I’m still in awe,” said Stephenson. “I had to do a double take when they called my name. I didn’t expect to receive a scholarship this big. Today, I saw a different side to FAMU. I saw FAMU as welcoming and fun. I plan to go to FAMU to study psychology.”

President Ammons is traveling throughout the state of Florida offering scholarships to some of the state’s best and brightest students.

Accompanying Ammons on the tour were university recruiters, administrators, student leaders and members of the FAMU Connection, a group of talented students who tell the university’s story through song and dance.

Funds for the tour came from private donations.

Distinguished Scholarship Award - $48,000

Alex Hull, Villages Charter High School
Sydney McCullough-Stevenson, West Port High


George W. Gore – $16,000

Arvn Ramnarain, Mount Dora High
Ashee Falconer, Leesurg High


George W. Gore - $12,000

Dominique Charles, Wekiva High
Aletha Beckford, Dunnelllon High


George W. Gore - $8,000

Tabitha Hickman, Gainesville High


Presidential Special Scholarship - $4,000

Diamond Connnelly, Leesburg High
Quonsonay Erving, Wildwood High