FAMU Spring Commencement Held in Tallahassee, Not Orlando

Florida A&M University celebrated more than 1,000 graduates during its Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies on May 1 and 2, held at the Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium in Tallahassee, not in Orlando as previously reported by some outlets. The university conducted three separate ceremonies to accommodate graduates from nine colleges and schools. The Friday, May 1 ceremony at 4 p.m. honored graduates from the College of Education, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, and School of the Environment. Saturday ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. recognized graduates from five additional academic divisions, including the College of Law, College of Science and Technology, and School of Nursing, according to FAMU's Office of Communications. The ceremonies came amid significant education developments across Florida. Last month, Governor Ron DeSantis signed education accountability bill HB 1461, which ties school funding to performance metrics. The legislation directly affects how districts allocate resources and establish educational standards—changes that ripple through degree-granting institutions and workforce preparation programs statewide. FAMU held commencement rehearsal on Thursday, April 30 at 4 p.m. at the Al Lawson Center. Attendees were encouraged to arrive 90 minutes before each ceremony, as seating was available on a first-come, first-served basis. The last day for online graduation applications was Friday, April 3, according to university officials. The FAMU campus is located at 1800 Althea Gibson Way in Tallahassee. For media inquiries, FAMU's Office of Communications can be reached at 850-599-3413 or [email protected].