St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

University Years

Miami Gardens 2003 - Present

— Florida Memorial University A.L. Lewis Archway Plaza —

University Years Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. University Years Marker

Inscription.

University Years. Miami Gardens 2003 - Present. In 2005, the institution was renamed Florida Memorial University (FMU), reflecting the more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered through its six academic schools. The University continues to expand not only the campus, but also the curriculum. . Today, FMU continues in its tradition as a historically black, Baptist-related higher education institution. It is one of 105 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) throughout the country, and the only HBCU in South Florida. Under the leadership of its twelfth President, Dr. Henry Lewis III, Florida Memorial University has embarked on a transformational journey in order to move the University "from Good to Great" over the next ten years. Timeline Legend (gold/black) Indicates historical milestones for Florida Normal and Industrial College in Miami and when renamed in 2005 in Miami Gardens. (black) African American History Milestones (black) 2001 Colin Powell is appointed Secretary of State by President George W. Bush. At the time, it was the highest office ever held by an African American in the United States government. (black) 2002 Halle Berry and Denzel Washington win Oscars for best actress and best actor for their portrayals in Monster's Ball and Training Day respectively. (gold/black) 2003 The College renamed the Cafeteria and Banquet: facility the Albert E. and Sadie B. Smith Dining Hall and Conference Center. (gold/black) 2004 FIU/FMU Joint Use Classroom Facility and the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts were dedicated. SACS approved Masters Programs in Education (gold/black) 2005 FLorida Memorial College renamed Florida Memorial University. (black) 2005 Condoleeza Rice becomes the first African American woman Secretary of State. (gold/black) 2006 Dr. Karl S. Wright is appointed President. (gold/black) 2006 The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) granted full accreditation to the FMU's Music Program. (gold/black) 2007 FMU Senior Barrington Irving flies solo around the world and sets new World Records. (gold/black) 2008 Dr. Sandra T. Thompson named interim President. (black) 2008 unreadable (gold/black) 2010 Construction began on a New Living and Learning Student Housing Complex to be open for occupancy in the Fall 2011. (gold/black) 2011 Dr. Henry Lewis IIl appointed President and provided his "Vision 2020" to guide future development and expansion. (captions) Community Service FMU students take their commitment to serve seriously and volunteer to help their community. FMU’s Men’s Basketball Team were the Sun Conference Tournament Champions for 2006-2007. Name Change in 2005 While the institution’s name changed over the years, it’s emphasis on instilling the core values of Leadership, Character and service has not. The Lou Rawls Center for Performing Arts, named for the world-famous entertainer, was dedicated nin 2004. FMU Senior Barrington Irving was the first pilot of African descent and youngest pilot ever to fly a single engine aircraft around the world solo. FMU’s Women’s Basketball Team were the Sun Conference Tournament Champs for 2010-2011. FMU’s Anika Baptiste and Jeffery Henderson were the NAIA 60 Meter Track and Field Champions. Master Planning for the future Dr. Henry Lewis III’s “Vision 2020” provides a blueprint for future growth.

In 2005, the institution was renamed Florida Memorial University (FMU), reflecting the more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered through its six academic schools. The University continues to expand not only the
campus, but also the curriculum.

Today, FMU continues in its tradition as a historically black, Baptist-related higher education institution. It is one of 105 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) throughout the country, and the only HBCU in South Florida.

Under the leadership of its twelfth President, Dr. Henry Lewis III, Florida Memorial University has embarked on a transformational journey in order to move the University "from Good to Great" over the next ten years.

Timeline Legend
(gold/black) Indicates historical milestones for Florida Normal and Industrial College in Miami and when renamed in 2005 in Miami Gardens.
(black) African American History Milestones

(black) 2001 Colin Powell is appointed Secretary of State by President George W. Bush. At the time, it was the highest office ever held by an African American in the United States government.

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(black) 2002 Halle Berry and Denzel Washington win Oscars for best actress and best actor for their portrayals in Monster's Ball and Training Day respectively.

(gold/black) 2003 The College renamed the Cafeteria and Banquet: facility the Albert E. and Sadie B. Smith Dining Hall and Conference Center.

(gold/black) 2004 FIU/FMU Joint Use Classroom Facility and the Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts were dedicated. SACS approved Masters Programs in Education

(gold/black) 2005 FLorida Memorial College renamed Florida Memorial University.

(black) 2005 Condoleeza Rice becomes the first African American woman Secretary of State.

(gold/black) 2006 Dr. Karl S. Wright is appointed President.

(gold/black) 2006 The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) granted full accreditation to the FMU's Music Program.

(gold/black) 2007 FMU Senior Barrington Irving flies solo around the world and sets new World Records.

(gold/black) 2008 Dr. Sandra T. Thompson named interim President.

(black) 2008 unreadable

(gold/black) 2010 Construction began on a New Living and

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. University Years Marker

Learning Student Housing Complex to be open for occupancy in the Fall 2011.

(gold/black) 2011 Dr. Henry Lewis IIl appointed President and provided his "Vision 2020" to guide future development and expansion.
(captions)
Community Service FMU students take their commitment to serve seriously and volunteer to help their community.

FMU’s Men’s Basketball Team were the Sun Conference Tournament Champions for 2006-2007.

Name Change in 2005 While the institution’s name changed over the years, it’s emphasis on instilling the core values of Leadership, Character and service has not.

The Lou Rawls Center for Performing Arts, named for the world-famous entertainer, was dedicated nin 2004.

FMU Senior Barrington Irving was the first pilot of African descent and youngest pilot ever to fly a single engine aircraft around the world solo.

FMU’s Women’s Basketball Team were the Sun Conference Tournament Champs for 2010-2011.

FMU’s Anika Baptiste and Jeffery Henderson were the NAIA 60 Meter Track & Field Champions.

Master Planning for the future Dr. Henry Lewis III’s “Vision 2020” provides a blueprint for future growth.

Erected by Florida

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Memorial University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 2005.

Location. 29° 53.255′ N, 81° 21.25′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is on North Holmes Boulevard near West King Street, on the right when traveling south. The Marker is located within Florida Memorial University A.L. Lewis Archway Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 North Holmes Boulevard, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: College Years (here, next to this marker); Civil Rights Movement (a few steps from this marker); Merger-Expansion Years (a few steps from this marker); Formative Years (a few steps from this marker); Florida Memorial University (a few steps from this marker); St. Johns Railway (a few steps from this marker); Our Native Son Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey (within shouting distance of this marker); 1074 West King Street (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Also see . . .
1. Florida Memorial University is the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU). (Submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. The History of Florida Memorial University. (Submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.