Here are 8 new changes FAMU alumni will see around campus during homecoming

Florida A&M University has been on the go with its homecoming activities this week, which attracts alumni and others from both near and far to take part in the annual festivities. 

But the traditional occasion comes along with some changes – and new faces – around campus over the course of the year. From FAMU President Marva Johnson's appointment to new buildings, street names and stadium lights, the novelties mark new beginnings for the FAMU community. 

This year's homecoming theme is "Eternal World Tour," where the week of events began Oct. 12 and ends Oct. 19 with activities such as a concert featuring artists Latto, Partynextdoor and Boosie, the annual parade and a homecoming game between the FAMU Rattlers and Alcorn State. 

While partaking in FAMU's celebratory homecoming events, here are eight changes and new sights that alumni and others in the community can expect to notice around campus.

FAMU President Marva Johnson comes in as Rattler-in-Chief 

Taking the helm of FAMU, Johnson  began her tenure as  FAMU's 13 th  leader  Aug. 1. The lawyer and lobbyist who formerly worked as group vice president for  Charter Communications  was  confirmed  as the university's new president by the Florida Board of Governors June 18 after widespread opposition within the FAMU community and beyond. 

Senior appointments, shifts in leadership 

Since Johnson's appointment as president, former longtime FAMU trustee and board chairman Kelvin Lawson has been named the university's new executive vice president and chief operations officer – replacing Donald Palm, who transitioned to serve as FAMU's inaugural executive vice president for Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation. Also, Michael Smith currently serves as the interim Director of Athletics amid Vice President and Athletics Director Angela Suggs's absence after she was arrested in Tallahassee on fraud and theft charges dating back to her prior job. She has been on paid leave since the arrest. 

Other senior leadership team appointments are: 

• Marcus Burgess , senior vice president of Enterprise Partnerships and Innovation 

• Michelle Robinson, vice president of Government Relations 

• Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, acting vice president for University Advancement  

When it comes to FAMU's Board of Trustees, board chair Deveron Gibbons and vice chair Michael White – both of whom have strongly supported Johnson during the controversial presidential search – were both elected to their new positions at the head of the board in September. 

Rudy Hubbard Way honors former FAMU football coach 

In March, the City of Tallahassee gifted 78-year-old  Rudy Hubbard  — a  former Florida A&M head football coach  — with a street sign bearing his name. The naming came after the unanimously approved renaming Osceola Street to Rudy Hubbard Way , running from South Adams Street to Althea Gibson Way.

During the street dedication, Hubbard said the naming "has certainly been an honor for me and something I will never forget." 

First woman to serve as FAMU Marching 100 head drum major takes the field 

FAMU student Oluwamodupe "Dupe" Oloyede is the first woman ever appointed for the position of head drum major in the "incomparable" Marching 100's 79-year reign. In the role, the Atlanta native and saxophone player leads the band musically and serves as head of show planning and dance routine as she holds the title of the highest ranking-student leader position in a marching band. 

FAMU's Army ROTC building has renovations underway 

Renovation are being made to Howard Hall on campus – located on Althea Gibson Way near the Al Lawson Center and Bragg Memorial Stadium – to support the longstanding Army ROTC program at FAMU, which has been housed in the Howard Hall building since 1948. 

The $13.6 million project will modernize the building and replace aging infrastructure while also aligning with university strategic goals that include enhancing access, student and employee experiences, and services to communities, according to FAMU reports from a September Board of Trustees meeting.

While construction began in March, the renovation project is slated to be completed in December 2026.

Venom Landing becomes campus's newest residence hall 

FAMU opened the doors to its newly-built residence hall, Venom Landing , in August.

Located north of FAMU Towers on what was formerly the university's gravel parking lot at Osceola Street and South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, the new housing facility is made up of 700 beds – mostly double rooms with a shared bathroom in each similar to FAMU Towers – as funded by a $97.5 million federal loan . 

FAMU dining hall expansion is under construction 

To accommodate the additional students who will be living on campus in FAMU's Venom Landing, a Dining Hub Expansion Project is underway at the university, where a second floor will be added to the dining facility located between FAMU Towers and Venom Landing.

The construction began in January and is expected to be completed sometime this fall, according to FAMU Vice President of Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr.  

Bragg Memorial Stadium debuts LED Lights 

FAMU's Bragg Stadium looks a little different after the university has installed Orange and Green LED lights to celebrate touchdowns, which strobe onto fans in a blacked-out stadium.

Last month, the beams of light debuted and were active all night as the university's football team erased a 14-3 deficit to triumph over Albany State.

"The gameday experience in Bragg is like none other," FAMU alumnus Brian Starkes, said in September after the Rattlers' victory game. "The additions of the lights definitely enhanced the experience. The crowd was electric, which propelled our Rattlers to a much-needed victory." 

The Rattlers have struggled since, but are expected to strike hard in their matchup with Alcorn State.

Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at  tjean@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X:  @tarahjean_ .

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 8 changes FAMU alumni, community will see on campus during homecoming