(Black PR Wire) -- Miami Gardens, FL – September 9, 2015 – Two Florida Memorial University (FMU) students, Marquise McGriff and AcNeal Williams, are among 83 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) “All-Stars” recognized for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (WHIHBCUs).

Chosen from more than 450 applicants, the All-Stars will serve as FMU student ambassadors for the White House’s initiative during the 2015-2016 academic year. The program was established as part of President Barack Obama’s Executive Order 13532, Promoting Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“The Obama Administration is committed to promoting excellence, innovation and sustainability across our nation’s HBCUs. This year’s class of All-Stars has distinguished itself as exemplars of the talent that HBCUs cultivate and noble ambassadors of their respective institutions,” said Ivory A. Toldson, WHIHBCUs’ acting executive director. “We are confident these impressive students will help the White House Initiative on HBCUs meaningfully engage with students, showcase their talent and promote our agenda to advance academic excellence at HBCUs.”

“FMU is incredibly proud of students Marquise McGriff and AcNeal Williams for earning this esteemed recognition from President Barack Obama’s Administration,” said Florida Memorial University President, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis. “Both students have demonstrated a commitment to excellence inside the classroom and in their communities, and I have full confidence that they will use this platform to elevate the importance of HBCUs across the nation and globally.”

In addition, the FMU All-Stars will also participate in the White House’s HBCU Week Conference this September, as well as various national events, web chats with Toldson and other Initiative staff and professionals from a range of disciplines. Both McGriff and Williams will have exceptional opportunities to engage with other HBCU scholars and to showcase their individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.


About Florida Memorial University:
Located in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution that offers 42 undergraduate degree programs and four graduate degree programs to a culturally diverse student body. Since its inception in 1879, the University has upheld a commitment to provide a solid foundation for thousands of young people and to open doors to educational opportunities that may have otherwise been closed to them. As South Florida’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it is widely recognized as the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” For more information, call 305-626-3600 or visit www.fmuniv.edu.