FAMU, FSU announce summer 2025 commencement speakers
It's a new season of celebration as Florida A&M and Florida State universities are preparing to honor summer graduates on Aug. 1.
Florida A&M University will host award-winning storyteller and podcast host Laterras R. Whitfield as the keynote speaker at its summer commencement at 6 p.m., Aug. 1, in the Lawson Center on campus. His work has led him to become a three-time Emmy-nominated producer, and he is recognized for his most celebrated "Dear Future Wifey" podcast. Whitfield will speak on purpose, relationships, and resilience.
Approximately 400 students from FAMU's 14 schools and colleges will prepare to walk across the stage in recognition of their accomplished milestone.
"His message on the importance of healthy relationships has inspired a new generation," FAMU Interim President Timothy L. Beard said in a news release. Beard will be presiding over his final ceremony as his tenure ends leading the university. Marva Johnson, whose tenure as president begins Aug. 1, will not be in attendance at the ceremony, a university spokesperson said.
Florida State University will FSU will host three ceremonies at the Tucker Civic Center on Friday, Aug. 1, including a doctoral hooding at 9 a.m., and ceremonies for bachelor's, master's, and specialist degrees at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nearly 1,850 students are expected to participate.At the 2 p.m. ceremony, Jim Henderson, an FSU trustee and successful insurance entrepreneur, will address graduates. Henderson is the founder of AssuredPartners, one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the nation, and he is a longtime supporter of FSU athletics and academics.
At his alma mater, he'll be engaging with students from various colleges, including Colleges of Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, Applied Studies, Engineering, Social Sciences and Public Policy, Business, Music, Education, Health and Human Sciences.
The 7 p.m. ceremony will feature Dr. Pamela Keel, an internationally known psychology professor and expert on eating disorders and body image. As the 2025–2026 Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor, Keel is recognized for her groundbreaking research, NIH leadership, and dedication to mentorship.
Keel will speak to graduates in the fields of medicine, communication, law, and the arts. She has built a foundation for herself through private and public service. She is also a member of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission and serves as general counsel to the governor of Florida.
Both universities will livestream their ceremonies. FAMU's can be viewed on the university's Facebook and YouTube @FAMUTube1887, and FSU's will stream at commencement.fsu.edu .
Tallahassee Democrat writer Joel Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU and FSU announce speakers for summer 2025 graduation ceremonies
