Frederick S. Humphries
Encyclopedia
Frederick Stephen Humphries (born December 26, 1935 in Apalachicola, Florida
) is an American academic administrator and chemistry professor. He has been a Regent Professor at the Florida A&M University
College of Law since 2003. Dr. Humphries is President Emeritus of Tennessee State University
(1974 to 1985), and is President Emeritus of Florida A&M University
(1985 to 2001). He served as President and CEO of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education from 2001 to 2003. Florida A&M University
conferred the President Emeritus title upon Dr. Humphries on Friday, December 11, 2009.
Under his leadership Florida A&M University would grow from an enrollment of 5,100 in 1985 to 9,876 in 1993. By the 1998-1999 school year, enrollment had reached 11,828 students and by 2001 Florida A&M had an enrollment of 12,316.
He has a bachelor's degree in physical chemistry from Florida A&M University
where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1957. He received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh
in 1964 where he was the first African American to receive a Ph.D in this discipline from the University.
. He was born in Apalachicola, Florida
, on December 26, 1935, to Thornton Humphries and Minnie Henry, and received his early education there. He was a product of the Holy Family Catholic School and the small, all-black Wallace M. Quinn High School in Apalachicola. He was one of only nine graduates in the class of 1953. Yet, he now contends that because of the quality and dedication of teachers, the small size of his school and the lack of sophisticated equipment did not handicap him. In an interview with Mike Radigan, Humphries remarked in Capital Outlook (May 9, 1985): "The greatest science teacher I had in high school was Mr. Charlie Watson. He taught me all my math and science courses. He was a very smart man and he cared about his students." Continuing his praise of Watson, Humphries said: "When he realized your abilities, he pushed you to the limit. When I left Wallace Quinn High School, I didn't know how well-prepared I was." Perhaps this early experience with his mathematics and science teacher instilled in him the concept of "excellence with caring" which became his motto upon becoming FAMU's eighth president. That Humphries was well-prepared for the tasks that faced him was verified, in part, by his outstanding record at FAMU when he earned the bachelor of science degree magna cum laude in chemistry in 1957. In addition to his honors in chemistry, he was a distinguished military science graduate in 1957 and was reported to be the first black officer to be commissioned into the Army Security Agency (Army Intelligence Branch). After serving in the Army for two years, he entered the University of Pittsburgh in 1959 as a teaching assistant in chemistry, became a graduate research fellow the next year, and earned his Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry in 1964.
As president of TSU, Humphries was catapulted into a leading role in the drama. When Governor Blanton asked his reaction to merger, Humphries informed the governor that "he and his colleagues were agreeable to merger-under the Board of Regents, not the University of Tennessee trustees." Humphries and his colleagues contended, and so did Judge Gray, that "the existence and expansion of predominantly white UTN alongside the traditionally black TSU have fostered competition for white students and have thus impeded the dismantling of the dual system." The state was ordered by Judge Gray to merge the two schools into a single institution under the State Board of Regents by July 1, 1980. As a result of Judge Gray's ruling, plans were developed and implemented to merge UTN under TSU, making this the first time that a traditionally white university had been placed under the administration of a traditionally black university. In demanding a unitary system, the judge stated: "It is the purpose of this order to achieve a unitary system and not achieve a merger of existing systems of higher education in Tennessee." Humphries said of this settlement: "If TSU had been a white institution, this never would have happened. UT would not have been invited in here to set up a separate institution. But now that the judge has ordered a merger, I think it is important for this traditionally black university to have the full opportunity to develop into a major university serving the entire community."
Between 1980 and 1985, Humphries and his staff gave leadership to the merged TSU and provided for UTN and began serving an increasingly larger portion of the Nashville community. As a result of the astuteness and courage demonstrated in continuous conflict over desegregation at TSU, Humphries achieved a national reputation as a dedicated and brilliant fighter for the cause of the continued existence of HBCUs and opportunities for minorities. It was the knowledge of his leadership in Tennessee which made him seem to many alumni and supporters a desirable candidate for the presidency of FAMU, which had also experienced severe battles to avoid merger or subordination of FAMU to FSU. As Humphries progressed up the leadership ladder and proved himself as a national fighter for HBCUs and for enhanced opportunities for minorities in higher education, he was increasingly invited to membership on boards, commissions, committees and other influential groups at the state, regional and national levels. With a stern focus on improved education for minorities, he served as External Evaluator of Title III Programs; Minority Representative in Graduate Schools Special Academy of Science; as a member of the Planning Committee of the United Negro College Fund Pre-Medical Program, Fisk University; as a member of the Special Committee on Minority Participation in Graduate and Professional Education; and Chairman of the State Board of Education Advisory Committee on the Education of Blacks in Florida. While Humphries recognized the importance of diversity in the overall educational process, he never missed an opportunity to encourage and motivate minorities in higher education.
as its eighth President from June 1, 1985 to December 31, 2001. He was originally expected to depart June 30, 2001. For sixteen years he brought to FAMU a high quality of academic leadership which was progressive, exciting, enriching, outstanding, and intellectually rewarding. Under his motto of "Excellence with Caring", he worked harmoniously with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, the corporate world, and other supporters of FAMU to establish a challenging and competitive educational environment. As a result, under the Humphries administration, FAMU continuously improved its image and gained increasing recognition on the state, national, and international levels.
As a dedicated alumnus of FAMU, one of President Humphries' major goals was to increase student enrollment at all levels with high-achieving, quality students. Over his sixteen-year tenure, the enrollment at FAMU more than doubled from 5,101 in 1985, to 12,257 in 2000, with an average SAT score of 1028, and an average ACT score of 20. During the same period, FAMU attracted 657 National Achievement Scholars and surpassed such universities as Harvard, Yale and Stanford to lead the nation in numbers of National Achievement Scholars in 1992, 1995, and 1997, tying with Harvard in 2000. The focus on high-achieving students led to a tenfold increase in science and engineering students, with a corresponding increase at the master's degree level. Doctoral degree programs increased from one in 1985 to ten in 2000.
Along with the increases in the quantity and quality of FAMU students, the faculty was significantly upgraded, and academic programs were expanded and diversified. In addition to conducting effective classroom teaching and research, the Faculty was inspired and motivated to increase external funding from both the public and private sectors. The Division of Sponsored Research witnessed an increase in contracts and grants from $8.5 million in 1985 to $46 million in 2000. From the private sector, the FAMU Foundation, Incorporated showed a fund balance of only $6.2 million in 1986, but by 2000, the fund balance had reached $62.5 million. The FAMU Industry Cluster (comprising 152 major corporations) and the Life-Gets-Better Scholarship program, sponsored by select members of the Cluster are firm indications of corporate America's respect for FAMU's educational leadership and graduates of its academic programs. From 1989 to 2000 FAMU provided 873 Life-Gets-Better Scholarships to outstanding minority students majoring in such disciplines as Engineering, Physical, Life, Natural, and Computer Sciences and Pre-Law. In an effort to provide the appropriate facilities for educational programs and activities to flourish, President Humphries worked assiduously with his administrators, faculty, and staff to lead one of the most successful building programs in the history of the University. During his tenure, there were 51 facilities planned, designed, constructed, renovated or acquired between 1985 and 2000 at a grand total of $256,922,556. In 1985, FAMU's operating budget was only $59,940,563, but by 2000, it had grown to $249,951,788, an increase of 416 percent.
Under the Humphries administration, FAMU was elevated to a position where its future appears extremely bright. Being selected as "College of the Year" by the TIME/Princeton Review in 1997, and being recognized in the State University System as a Comprehensive/Doctoral University in 1999 are only two of the many reasons that FAMU entered the 21st century with confidence and optimism. With a broadened institutional mission which emphasizing graduate studies and international affairs, the University can now offer additional masters and doctoral degree programs, and focus on a global perspective in many of its programs. Distance learning has become a major focus as FAMU expands its services and academic influence throughout the state and nation and on the international scenes. In a document entitled Ten Years at the Helm (FAMU: 1995) President Humphries wrote: "I sincerely believe that FAMU is destined to become one of the greatest land-grant universities in the United States, serving a diverse educational population of quality students, of highly competent and dedicated faculty members, and of astute administrators with visions for continued academic growth and excellence at the University."
Upon appointing Humphries as the eighth president of FAMU, the BOR challenged him to improve faculty morale and upgrade the faculty; effect sounder fiscal policies; increase student enrollment at all levels with quality students; expand, upgrade, and diversify academic programs; and increase extramural funding from both the public and private sectors. The BOR emphasized that successful and progressive leadership at FAMU demanded that the president respond effectively on a continuous basis to the charges that it delineated for him.
When the charges delineated by the BOR are examined from a purely objective point of view, it appears that Humphries was the best qualified leader for FAMU. His experiences as a professor of chemistry at FAMU where he was active in political and community affairs; his effective leadership with the Thirteen-College Curriculum Program which emphasized innovative teaching methodologies and relevant course content for minority students; his leadership with Institute for Services to Education, Inc., which coordinated federal and private grants for a consortium of historically black colleges and universities; and his eleven years as president of Tennessee State University, which was similar to FAMU, gave him a variety and quality of experience that neither of the other candidates had. His outstanding qualifications, his immense popularity with the alumni and supporters of FAMU, and his expressed love and devotion to the University gave him an ideal combination of qualities to begin his presidency.
His love for FAMU was demonstrated in 1964 when, upon receiving his doctorate, he rejected other attractive offers to return to FAMU as an assistant professor of chemistry. For nearly four years he taught effectively at his alma mater and became totally involved in the academic, political and social life of the University. In addition to being an outstanding teacher, in 1965-66 Humphries was also an active and influential member of the FAMU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). In the late 1960s FAMU was literally fighting for its life as a separate and autonomous university. Each legislative session would bring serious efforts by legislators to merge FAMU and FSU, presumably as a cost-cutting measure. Then State Senator Bob Graham of Miami and other urban senators from the central and southern sections of Florida were among the strongest proponents of merger. When a report from the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) was submitted to the faculty in 1968 by Dr. Lionel Newsome, a former professor at Southern University, it appeared to support the legislative concept of merger. Dr. Gore called a meeting of the Faculty Senate to discuss ways and means to counteract the merger emphasis. In the aftermath of that meeting, the FAMU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), with Dr. Howard E. Lewis serving as president, called a meeting to voice its objection to any consideration of merger.
As an outcome of that meeting, the members drew up a resolution stipulating that FAMU must remain a separate and autonomous university within the State University System. A decision was also made at that meeting to seek the endorsement of this resolution at the statewide meeting of the Florida AAUP. Because of the politically and racially volatile climate at the time, it was difficult to find professors who were willing to fight openly for the cause. Dr. Howard E. Lewis and Dr. Leedell W. Neyland, a past president of FAMU's Chapter of AAUP, persuaded Dr. Frederick S. Humphries and Dr. Ralph W. Turner to present and fight for the passage of the resolution at the statewide AAUP meeting in Gainesville. According to Dr. Turner, "Humphries made a very emotional and forceful presentation which had even the most conservative members listening attentively." After the presentation Humphries and Turner were pleasantly surprised to see that the group voted almost unanimously for the resolution. This endorsement, which placed professors on the statewide level in support of FAMU's autonomy, also had a significant effect on the selected legislators. Shortly thereafter, Senator Graham reversed his position on merger and became an advocate for a separate and autonomous FAMU. This early display of courage contributed to the perception of Humphries' as an aggressive leader who would fight for the survival and growth of FAMU, his alma mater.
Because of Humphries' potential for academic leadership, President Gore selected him to coordinate a select group of FAMU faculty members who participated in a consortium known as the Thirteen College Curriculum Program (TCCP) meeting at the Pine Manor Junior College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, during the summer of 1967. His efficient and highly astute management of the TCCP project demonstrated to FAMU and to others that he was destined to become an outstanding leader in higher education. Under his leadership, FAMU was named as one of the model projects among the colleges and universities which made up TCCP. In 1968, Humphries joined the staff of the Institute for Services to Education, Incorporated (ISE) in Washington, D. C., an umbrella agency which coordinated a variety of educational programs for minority and disadvantaged students at the college level. Between 1968 and 1974, he held the following directorships while providing leadership for ISE: Summer Conferences, Innovative Institutional Research Consortium, Knoxville College Study of Science Capability of Black Colleges, Interdisciplinary Programs, and two Universities Graduate Programs in Humanities. While holding most of these directorships, Humphries became the Vice President of ISE from 1970 to 1974, and was deeply involved in developing innovative and creative educational materials and procedures designed to improve the educational levels of minorities in higher education. These years of leadership in developmental education for minorities caused him to become a national advocate of good teaching and academic advisement as essentials for the educational growth and development of students. Under Humphries' leadership, the TCCP, one of the most comprehensive and successful programs in higher education for disadvantaged students, grew from 13 to 40 in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and from 1,250 to over 20,000 students. The programs he directed led to the establishment of institutional research offices, computer-assisted instruction (long before it was fashionable), interdisciplinary courses, and advanced management practices at many of these HBCUs. He also pioneered special consortial arrangements with major universities such as the University of Massachusetts, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Mellon University, American University and others to permit junior faculty members and graduates to study for the doctorate.
Outside the arena of formal education, Humphries' influence was felt in both the public and private sectors. Over the years he held and, in some cases still holds, significant leadership positions on boards, commissions, and committees designed to uplift various segments of our society. These include: Chairman, Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges; Member of the Board of Trustees, University of Pittsburgh; Member of the Board of Directors of Wal-Mart, Inc.; Member of the Board of Directors of Brinker International; Member of the Board of Directors of the Oak Ridge Associates Universities; Member of the National Study Panel on Big Science, National Academy of Science; United States Department of Agriculture Task Force on 1890 Land-Grant Institutions; the Division of National Science Foundation; the Board of Directors, Barnett Bank in Tallahassee; the. Board of Directors, National Merit Scholarship Corporation; the Apalachicola Bay Resources Planning and Management Committee; and many others.
As an academic leader and astute administrator, Humphries has consistently shared his gifts and talents with others through publications, consultantships, and the evaluation of the accreditation process for universities and colleges. Through more than fifteen articles, dozens of scholarly speeches, and numerous evaluative and consultative services to educational institutions, he has significantly influenced educational development throughout America. A strong proponent of the land-grant idea in education for minorities, Humphries shared his ideas with the nation in the lead article, "1890 Land-Grant Institutions: Their Struggle for Survival and Equality," published in the Spring 1991 issue of Agricultural History. Also, his article on "Black Colleges -- A National Resource for the Training of Minority Scientific and Engineering Manpower," which was presented to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1978, became a guideline for the implementation of science and engineering emphasis at FAMU. Humphries speaks passionately for the worth of HBCUs whether he is before the U. S. Congress or in an inner-city church in Miami or Tampa. While President, Humphries retained active membership in professional organizations, even though his demanding administrative duties and responsibilities make classroom teaching and research almost impossible. He is a member of the American Association of Higher Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, and the American Association of Minority Research Universities. On the civic and community fronts he holds membership in the NAACP and serves on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, the Tallahassee Urban League, and many others.
fraternity, and the Sigma Pi Phi
fraternity. Throughout his professional and administrative life he was supported by his devoted wife, Antoinette McTurner Humphries, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. She obtained a B. S. degree in sociology
and political science
from Tennessee State University
, which added a special dimension to the many social action projects which she zealously sponsored and supported. Mrs. Humphries filled the role of first lady at FAMU with grace and dignity. In addition to hosting annual celebrations at graduation
exercises, the Industry Cluster, and various educational and political groups that visit the campus, Mrs. Humphries participated in many community activities. Annually, she sponsored a Christmas Toys for Tots
Drive; hosted local elementary school
s in tours of the President's residence and the campus; hosted teas with Miss FAMU and court; hosted Bar-B-Que for student athletes; and provided scholarships for third-year theater majors at the "Toni" Awards program. She further promoted the fine arts at Rickards High School through the Friends of Rickards program with an annual art showing. She also held membership in The Links, Incorporated, The Girlfriends http://thegfinc.org/noprotection.html, and the Delta Sigma Theta
sorority.
Although she involved herself with the economic and social development of many students, her primary emphasis was on nurturing her own three children and steering them toward success. She passed away on March 16, 2006, at the age of 64.
in political science and subsequently earned the J. D. degree from Temple University
. He is employed as the Chief Lobbyist & Vice President for US Government Affairs for Microsoft
. He is married to the former Kim Sheftall of Macon, Georgia
, and they have two children, Arielle and Frederick III (Trey).
Robin Tanya Humphries graduated from Fisk University
with a B. S. degree in chemistry. She is employed as Vice President, Business Development for Prism International. She has two children, Brian Alexander and Kirsten.
Laurence Anthony Humphries received his B. S. degree from Morehouse College and earned an MBA from Clark Atlanta University
. He is employed as a Senior Analyst at Chevron
Africa & Latin America Exploration & Production Co. He has two children, Laurence II and Dylan Gabrielle.
During his sixteen years at FAMU, Dr. Frederick Stephen Humphries provided quality leadership at the helm of an academic ship of higher education called Florida A&M University. He carefully steered it through the treacherous waters of political changes, budget cuts, and internal and external distractions to the calmer waters of academic and intellectual pursuits for both faculty and students. An academic leader who is sometimes accused of micromanagement, he encouraged and energized the various FAMU constituencies to work diligently toward achieving national acclaim for FAMU. This is an excerpt written by Leedell Neyland
Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is a city in Franklin County, Florida, on US 98 about southwest of Tallahassee. The population was 2,334 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimated the city's population at 2,340...
) is an American academic administrator and chemistry professor. He has been a Regent Professor at the Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
College of Law since 2003. Dr. Humphries is President Emeritus of Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:...
(1974 to 1985), and is President Emeritus of Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
(1985 to 2001). He served as President and CEO of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education from 2001 to 2003. Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
conferred the President Emeritus title upon Dr. Humphries on Friday, December 11, 2009.
Under his leadership Florida A&M University would grow from an enrollment of 5,100 in 1985 to 9,876 in 1993. By the 1998-1999 school year, enrollment had reached 11,828 students and by 2001 Florida A&M had an enrollment of 12,316.
He has a bachelor's degree in physical chemistry from Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1957. He received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1964 where he was the first African American to receive a Ph.D in this discipline from the University.
Early life
Dr. Frederick S. Humphries is truly a native FloridianFloridian
Floridian may refer to:* Floridian, the demonym for a person from the U.S. state of Florida* Floridian , an Amtrak route that ran from Chicago to Miami and St. Petersburg, Florida...
. He was born in Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola, Florida
Apalachicola is a city in Franklin County, Florida, on US 98 about southwest of Tallahassee. The population was 2,334 at the 2000 census. The 2005 census estimated the city's population at 2,340...
, on December 26, 1935, to Thornton Humphries and Minnie Henry, and received his early education there. He was a product of the Holy Family Catholic School and the small, all-black Wallace M. Quinn High School in Apalachicola. He was one of only nine graduates in the class of 1953. Yet, he now contends that because of the quality and dedication of teachers, the small size of his school and the lack of sophisticated equipment did not handicap him. In an interview with Mike Radigan, Humphries remarked in Capital Outlook (May 9, 1985): "The greatest science teacher I had in high school was Mr. Charlie Watson. He taught me all my math and science courses. He was a very smart man and he cared about his students." Continuing his praise of Watson, Humphries said: "When he realized your abilities, he pushed you to the limit. When I left Wallace Quinn High School, I didn't know how well-prepared I was." Perhaps this early experience with his mathematics and science teacher instilled in him the concept of "excellence with caring" which became his motto upon becoming FAMU's eighth president. That Humphries was well-prepared for the tasks that faced him was verified, in part, by his outstanding record at FAMU when he earned the bachelor of science degree magna cum laude in chemistry in 1957. In addition to his honors in chemistry, he was a distinguished military science graduate in 1957 and was reported to be the first black officer to be commissioned into the Army Security Agency (Army Intelligence Branch). After serving in the Army for two years, he entered the University of Pittsburgh in 1959 as a teaching assistant in chemistry, became a graduate research fellow the next year, and earned his Ph.D. degree in physical chemistry in 1964.
Presidency at Tennessee State University, 1974-1985
The outstanding accomplishments of Humphries on the national level led the Tennessee Board of Regents to name him as President of Tennessee State University (TSU) in 1974, a position he held until being appointed to lead his alma mater in 1985. While at TSU he demonstrated highly effective administration skills which resulted in improved and expanded academic programs, upgraded faculty, increased enrollment and quality of students, and expanded scholarships and support activities. However, he will likely be remembered most for his bold and tenacious fight for the rights of an historically black university which was located in the same area with an historically white university when he insisted on the predominance of TSU over the University of Tennessee at Nashville (UTN). This ultimately led to the merger of TSU and UTN, with TSU becoming the surviving institution, heralded as one of the fairest and most important desegregation decisions of the twentieth century. The posture and eloquence of Humphries in court is largely held as being responsible for this decision along with the brilliant presentation of attorney Avon Williams and the efforts of the Tennesseans for Justice in Higher Education. Humphries did not initiate the court battle over merger of the two universities, but he inherited it upon becoming president of TSU in 1974. In 1968, after the University of Tennessee had announced plans to build a multimillion-dollar facility for its night school extension center in Nashville, a young black woman named Rita Sanders charged that such action would perpetuate segregation at TSU and continue the dual system of public higher education in the state. The controversy which ended up in U.S. District Court before Judge Frank Gray in 1968 was known as Sanders v. Ellington, et al. (April 5, 1977). Subsequent plaintiff was Rita Sanders Girer (after marriage) versus the governor of Tennessee who happened to be in office.As president of TSU, Humphries was catapulted into a leading role in the drama. When Governor Blanton asked his reaction to merger, Humphries informed the governor that "he and his colleagues were agreeable to merger-under the Board of Regents, not the University of Tennessee trustees." Humphries and his colleagues contended, and so did Judge Gray, that "the existence and expansion of predominantly white UTN alongside the traditionally black TSU have fostered competition for white students and have thus impeded the dismantling of the dual system." The state was ordered by Judge Gray to merge the two schools into a single institution under the State Board of Regents by July 1, 1980. As a result of Judge Gray's ruling, plans were developed and implemented to merge UTN under TSU, making this the first time that a traditionally white university had been placed under the administration of a traditionally black university. In demanding a unitary system, the judge stated: "It is the purpose of this order to achieve a unitary system and not achieve a merger of existing systems of higher education in Tennessee." Humphries said of this settlement: "If TSU had been a white institution, this never would have happened. UT would not have been invited in here to set up a separate institution. But now that the judge has ordered a merger, I think it is important for this traditionally black university to have the full opportunity to develop into a major university serving the entire community."
Between 1980 and 1985, Humphries and his staff gave leadership to the merged TSU and provided for UTN and began serving an increasingly larger portion of the Nashville community. As a result of the astuteness and courage demonstrated in continuous conflict over desegregation at TSU, Humphries achieved a national reputation as a dedicated and brilliant fighter for the cause of the continued existence of HBCUs and opportunities for minorities. It was the knowledge of his leadership in Tennessee which made him seem to many alumni and supporters a desirable candidate for the presidency of FAMU, which had also experienced severe battles to avoid merger or subordination of FAMU to FSU. As Humphries progressed up the leadership ladder and proved himself as a national fighter for HBCUs and for enhanced opportunities for minorities in higher education, he was increasingly invited to membership on boards, commissions, committees and other influential groups at the state, regional and national levels. With a stern focus on improved education for minorities, he served as External Evaluator of Title III Programs; Minority Representative in Graduate Schools Special Academy of Science; as a member of the Planning Committee of the United Negro College Fund Pre-Medical Program, Fisk University; as a member of the Special Committee on Minority Participation in Graduate and Professional Education; and Chairman of the State Board of Education Advisory Committee on the Education of Blacks in Florida. While Humphries recognized the importance of diversity in the overall educational process, he never missed an opportunity to encourage and motivate minorities in higher education.
The Florida A&M University Years, 1985 - 2001
Dr. Humphries effectively served Florida A&M UniversityFlorida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
as its eighth President from June 1, 1985 to December 31, 2001. He was originally expected to depart June 30, 2001. For sixteen years he brought to FAMU a high quality of academic leadership which was progressive, exciting, enriching, outstanding, and intellectually rewarding. Under his motto of "Excellence with Caring", he worked harmoniously with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, the corporate world, and other supporters of FAMU to establish a challenging and competitive educational environment. As a result, under the Humphries administration, FAMU continuously improved its image and gained increasing recognition on the state, national, and international levels.
As a dedicated alumnus of FAMU, one of President Humphries' major goals was to increase student enrollment at all levels with high-achieving, quality students. Over his sixteen-year tenure, the enrollment at FAMU more than doubled from 5,101 in 1985, to 12,257 in 2000, with an average SAT score of 1028, and an average ACT score of 20. During the same period, FAMU attracted 657 National Achievement Scholars and surpassed such universities as Harvard, Yale and Stanford to lead the nation in numbers of National Achievement Scholars in 1992, 1995, and 1997, tying with Harvard in 2000. The focus on high-achieving students led to a tenfold increase in science and engineering students, with a corresponding increase at the master's degree level. Doctoral degree programs increased from one in 1985 to ten in 2000.
Along with the increases in the quantity and quality of FAMU students, the faculty was significantly upgraded, and academic programs were expanded and diversified. In addition to conducting effective classroom teaching and research, the Faculty was inspired and motivated to increase external funding from both the public and private sectors. The Division of Sponsored Research witnessed an increase in contracts and grants from $8.5 million in 1985 to $46 million in 2000. From the private sector, the FAMU Foundation, Incorporated showed a fund balance of only $6.2 million in 1986, but by 2000, the fund balance had reached $62.5 million. The FAMU Industry Cluster (comprising 152 major corporations) and the Life-Gets-Better Scholarship program, sponsored by select members of the Cluster are firm indications of corporate America's respect for FAMU's educational leadership and graduates of its academic programs. From 1989 to 2000 FAMU provided 873 Life-Gets-Better Scholarships to outstanding minority students majoring in such disciplines as Engineering, Physical, Life, Natural, and Computer Sciences and Pre-Law. In an effort to provide the appropriate facilities for educational programs and activities to flourish, President Humphries worked assiduously with his administrators, faculty, and staff to lead one of the most successful building programs in the history of the University. During his tenure, there were 51 facilities planned, designed, constructed, renovated or acquired between 1985 and 2000 at a grand total of $256,922,556. In 1985, FAMU's operating budget was only $59,940,563, but by 2000, it had grown to $249,951,788, an increase of 416 percent.
Under the Humphries administration, FAMU was elevated to a position where its future appears extremely bright. Being selected as "College of the Year" by the TIME/Princeton Review in 1997, and being recognized in the State University System as a Comprehensive/Doctoral University in 1999 are only two of the many reasons that FAMU entered the 21st century with confidence and optimism. With a broadened institutional mission which emphasizing graduate studies and international affairs, the University can now offer additional masters and doctoral degree programs, and focus on a global perspective in many of its programs. Distance learning has become a major focus as FAMU expands its services and academic influence throughout the state and nation and on the international scenes. In a document entitled Ten Years at the Helm (FAMU: 1995) President Humphries wrote: "I sincerely believe that FAMU is destined to become one of the greatest land-grant universities in the United States, serving a diverse educational population of quality students, of highly competent and dedicated faculty members, and of astute administrators with visions for continued academic growth and excellence at the University."
Upon appointing Humphries as the eighth president of FAMU, the BOR challenged him to improve faculty morale and upgrade the faculty; effect sounder fiscal policies; increase student enrollment at all levels with quality students; expand, upgrade, and diversify academic programs; and increase extramural funding from both the public and private sectors. The BOR emphasized that successful and progressive leadership at FAMU demanded that the president respond effectively on a continuous basis to the charges that it delineated for him.
When the charges delineated by the BOR are examined from a purely objective point of view, it appears that Humphries was the best qualified leader for FAMU. His experiences as a professor of chemistry at FAMU where he was active in political and community affairs; his effective leadership with the Thirteen-College Curriculum Program which emphasized innovative teaching methodologies and relevant course content for minority students; his leadership with Institute for Services to Education, Inc., which coordinated federal and private grants for a consortium of historically black colleges and universities; and his eleven years as president of Tennessee State University, which was similar to FAMU, gave him a variety and quality of experience that neither of the other candidates had. His outstanding qualifications, his immense popularity with the alumni and supporters of FAMU, and his expressed love and devotion to the University gave him an ideal combination of qualities to begin his presidency.
His love for FAMU was demonstrated in 1964 when, upon receiving his doctorate, he rejected other attractive offers to return to FAMU as an assistant professor of chemistry. For nearly four years he taught effectively at his alma mater and became totally involved in the academic, political and social life of the University. In addition to being an outstanding teacher, in 1965-66 Humphries was also an active and influential member of the FAMU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). In the late 1960s FAMU was literally fighting for its life as a separate and autonomous university. Each legislative session would bring serious efforts by legislators to merge FAMU and FSU, presumably as a cost-cutting measure. Then State Senator Bob Graham of Miami and other urban senators from the central and southern sections of Florida were among the strongest proponents of merger. When a report from the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) was submitted to the faculty in 1968 by Dr. Lionel Newsome, a former professor at Southern University, it appeared to support the legislative concept of merger. Dr. Gore called a meeting of the Faculty Senate to discuss ways and means to counteract the merger emphasis. In the aftermath of that meeting, the FAMU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), with Dr. Howard E. Lewis serving as president, called a meeting to voice its objection to any consideration of merger.
As an outcome of that meeting, the members drew up a resolution stipulating that FAMU must remain a separate and autonomous university within the State University System. A decision was also made at that meeting to seek the endorsement of this resolution at the statewide meeting of the Florida AAUP. Because of the politically and racially volatile climate at the time, it was difficult to find professors who were willing to fight openly for the cause. Dr. Howard E. Lewis and Dr. Leedell W. Neyland, a past president of FAMU's Chapter of AAUP, persuaded Dr. Frederick S. Humphries and Dr. Ralph W. Turner to present and fight for the passage of the resolution at the statewide AAUP meeting in Gainesville. According to Dr. Turner, "Humphries made a very emotional and forceful presentation which had even the most conservative members listening attentively." After the presentation Humphries and Turner were pleasantly surprised to see that the group voted almost unanimously for the resolution. This endorsement, which placed professors on the statewide level in support of FAMU's autonomy, also had a significant effect on the selected legislators. Shortly thereafter, Senator Graham reversed his position on merger and became an advocate for a separate and autonomous FAMU. This early display of courage contributed to the perception of Humphries' as an aggressive leader who would fight for the survival and growth of FAMU, his alma mater.
Because of Humphries' potential for academic leadership, President Gore selected him to coordinate a select group of FAMU faculty members who participated in a consortium known as the Thirteen College Curriculum Program (TCCP) meeting at the Pine Manor Junior College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, during the summer of 1967. His efficient and highly astute management of the TCCP project demonstrated to FAMU and to others that he was destined to become an outstanding leader in higher education. Under his leadership, FAMU was named as one of the model projects among the colleges and universities which made up TCCP. In 1968, Humphries joined the staff of the Institute for Services to Education, Incorporated (ISE) in Washington, D. C., an umbrella agency which coordinated a variety of educational programs for minority and disadvantaged students at the college level. Between 1968 and 1974, he held the following directorships while providing leadership for ISE: Summer Conferences, Innovative Institutional Research Consortium, Knoxville College Study of Science Capability of Black Colleges, Interdisciplinary Programs, and two Universities Graduate Programs in Humanities. While holding most of these directorships, Humphries became the Vice President of ISE from 1970 to 1974, and was deeply involved in developing innovative and creative educational materials and procedures designed to improve the educational levels of minorities in higher education. These years of leadership in developmental education for minorities caused him to become a national advocate of good teaching and academic advisement as essentials for the educational growth and development of students. Under Humphries' leadership, the TCCP, one of the most comprehensive and successful programs in higher education for disadvantaged students, grew from 13 to 40 in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and from 1,250 to over 20,000 students. The programs he directed led to the establishment of institutional research offices, computer-assisted instruction (long before it was fashionable), interdisciplinary courses, and advanced management practices at many of these HBCUs. He also pioneered special consortial arrangements with major universities such as the University of Massachusetts, University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Mellon University, American University and others to permit junior faculty members and graduates to study for the doctorate.
Outside the arena of formal education, Humphries' influence was felt in both the public and private sectors. Over the years he held and, in some cases still holds, significant leadership positions on boards, commissions, and committees designed to uplift various segments of our society. These include: Chairman, Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges; Member of the Board of Trustees, University of Pittsburgh; Member of the Board of Directors of Wal-Mart, Inc.; Member of the Board of Directors of Brinker International; Member of the Board of Directors of the Oak Ridge Associates Universities; Member of the National Study Panel on Big Science, National Academy of Science; United States Department of Agriculture Task Force on 1890 Land-Grant Institutions; the Division of National Science Foundation; the Board of Directors, Barnett Bank in Tallahassee; the. Board of Directors, National Merit Scholarship Corporation; the Apalachicola Bay Resources Planning and Management Committee; and many others.
Awards and honors
His impressive list of awards and honors include: the Drum Major for Justice Award in Education by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; President's Award for Excellence in Higher Education by 100 Black Men in America, Inc.; Leadership Grant by the Prudential Life Insurance Company of America Foundation; Certificate of Appreciation by the Governor of Tennessee; Certificate of Appreciation by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Human Development Services; and many others. Among Humphries' most memorable awards are the Distinguished Alumnus Award presented by the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Pittsburgh in 1986; the United Bicentennial Medal of Distinction by the University of Pittsburgh on its 200th anniversary; and the Thurgood Marshall Educational Achievement Award by Johnson Publishing Company for the most outstanding contributions to education. In 1998, the Orlando Sentinel named him "Floridian of the Year," the first black person to be honored with this award.As an academic leader and astute administrator, Humphries has consistently shared his gifts and talents with others through publications, consultantships, and the evaluation of the accreditation process for universities and colleges. Through more than fifteen articles, dozens of scholarly speeches, and numerous evaluative and consultative services to educational institutions, he has significantly influenced educational development throughout America. A strong proponent of the land-grant idea in education for minorities, Humphries shared his ideas with the nation in the lead article, "1890 Land-Grant Institutions: Their Struggle for Survival and Equality," published in the Spring 1991 issue of Agricultural History. Also, his article on "Black Colleges -- A National Resource for the Training of Minority Scientific and Engineering Manpower," which was presented to the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1978, became a guideline for the implementation of science and engineering emphasis at FAMU. Humphries speaks passionately for the worth of HBCUs whether he is before the U. S. Congress or in an inner-city church in Miami or Tampa. While President, Humphries retained active membership in professional organizations, even though his demanding administrative duties and responsibilities make classroom teaching and research almost impossible. He is a member of the American Association of Higher Education, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Chemical Society, and the American Association of Minority Research Universities. On the civic and community fronts he holds membership in the NAACP and serves on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, the Tallahassee Urban League, and many others.
Personal Life and Mrs. Humphries
Dr. Humphries is a member of the Alpha Phi AlphaAlpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity, and the Sigma Pi Phi
Sigma Pi Phi
Sigma Pi Phi is the first African-American Greek-lettered organization. Sigma Pi Phi was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 1904. The fraternity quickly established chapters in Chicago, IL and then Baltimore, MD....
fraternity. Throughout his professional and administrative life he was supported by his devoted wife, Antoinette McTurner Humphries, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. She obtained a B. S. degree in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:...
, which added a special dimension to the many social action projects which she zealously sponsored and supported. Mrs. Humphries filled the role of first lady at FAMU with grace and dignity. In addition to hosting annual celebrations at graduation
Graduation
Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...
exercises, the Industry Cluster, and various educational and political groups that visit the campus, Mrs. Humphries participated in many community activities. Annually, she sponsored a Christmas Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which donates toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. The program was founded in 1947 by reservist Major William L...
Drive; hosted local elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s in tours of the President's residence and the campus; hosted teas with Miss FAMU and court; hosted Bar-B-Que for student athletes; and provided scholarships for third-year theater majors at the "Toni" Awards program. She further promoted the fine arts at Rickards High School through the Friends of Rickards program with an annual art showing. She also held membership in The Links, Incorporated, The Girlfriends http://thegfinc.org/noprotection.html, and the Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
sorority.
Although she involved herself with the economic and social development of many students, her primary emphasis was on nurturing her own three children and steering them toward success. She passed away on March 16, 2006, at the age of 64.
Children
Frederick Stephen Humphries Jr., the eldest of the three children, graduated from Morehouse CollegeMorehouse College
Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....
in political science and subsequently earned the J. D. degree from Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
. He is employed as the Chief Lobbyist & Vice President for US Government Affairs for Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. He is married to the former Kim Sheftall of Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, and they have two children, Arielle and Frederick III (Trey).
Robin Tanya Humphries graduated from Fisk University
Fisk University
Fisk University is an historically black university founded in 1866 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. The world-famous Fisk Jubilee Singers started as a group of students who performed to earn enough money to save the school at a critical time of financial shortages. They toured to raise funds to...
with a B. S. degree in chemistry. She is employed as Vice President, Business Development for Prism International. She has two children, Brian Alexander and Kirsten.
Laurence Anthony Humphries received his B. S. degree from Morehouse College and earned an MBA from Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University is a private, historically black university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was formed in 1988 with the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University...
. He is employed as a Senior Analyst at Chevron
Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation headquartered in San Ramon, California, United States and active in more than 180 countries. It is engaged in every aspect of the oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries, including exploration and production; refining,...
Africa & Latin America Exploration & Production Co. He has two children, Laurence II and Dylan Gabrielle.
During his sixteen years at FAMU, Dr. Frederick Stephen Humphries provided quality leadership at the helm of an academic ship of higher education called Florida A&M University. He carefully steered it through the treacherous waters of political changes, budget cuts, and internal and external distractions to the calmer waters of academic and intellectual pursuits for both faculty and students. An academic leader who is sometimes accused of micromanagement, he encouraged and energized the various FAMU constituencies to work diligently toward achieving national acclaim for FAMU. This is an excerpt written by Leedell Neyland