Skip to content
WATCH • HIGHER EDUCATION

Why FAMU deserves flagship recognition in Florida

By David Jolly Published: 2026-08-29 Last updated: 2026-08-29
David Jolly speaking at FAMU event in Tallahassee

Key moments

0:16

"In my lifetime, there was a moment, an era, where FAMU had more national merit scholars than Harvard."

0:49

"A school that delivers more national merit scholars than Harvard deserves not to have to fight for equity in funding. What did the state do? It decided to withhold $2 billion."

1:19

"I might not look like the typical candidate that's going to be the fighter and champion of FAMU, but I promise you, when Gwen and I are elected, you got a fighter and champion for FAMU in our ticket."

Context

At an event in Tallahassee, David Jolly highlighted FAMU's historic academic achievements and argued the university deserves recognition and investment as a flagship institution. The remarks respond to ongoing debates about funding equity in Florida's higher education system.

What's said

David Jolly argues that FAMU's legacy, including surpassing Harvard in national merit scholars at one point, warrants celebration as a flagship university. The call centers on correcting funding disparities driven by narrow views of diversity and equity.

Transcript

Auto-fetched transcript of the video above.

0:00 There's something I learned along. I'm a fifth generation Floridian. I grew up here. I knew about the celebration of FAMU as an HBCU, and it was one of the pillars of higher education and community and culture in Florida.
0:16 But there was something I didn't know before this campaign, that in my lifetime, there was a moment, an era, where FAMU had more national merit scholars than Harvard, than Harvard.
0:31 That becomes an example this cycle of why we talk about the impact and import of diversity and investing in all communities, because FAMU should be celebrated not just as an HBCU, but it should be a flagship university of the state of Florida. Listen. A school that delivers more national merit scholars than Harvard deserves not to have to fight for equity in pursuing professional schools and funding. What did the state do?
0:49 It decided to withhold $2 billion in funding. $2 billion in funding for a school that had more national merit scholars than Harvard. Why?
1:03 Because the other side of the aisle is the one that's actually handcuffed by convictions about DEI, and they're all the wrong convictions. The reality is, when we invest in communities across the state to make qualitative policy decisions that improve outcomes for everybody, we invest in excellence, and we transform the conversation.
1:19 Folks, look, I might not look like the typical candidate that's going to be the fighter and champion of FAMU, but I promise you, when Gwen and I are elected, you got a fighter and champion for FAMU in our ticket right here.

Related questions

What is FAMU's historic academic achievement?

At a point in recent history, FAMU had more national merit scholars than Harvard. This achievement reflects the university's legacy of excellence and the caliber of students it attracts and educates.

Why does funding equity matter for FAMU?

Funding equity recognizes the value and outcomes FAMU delivers to students and the state. When institutions with proven track records face funding disparities, the entire higher education system underperforms.

What does flagship recognition mean?

Flagship recognition means treating an institution as one of the state's premier universities, with commensurate investment, support, and institutional autonomy. It's a signal that the state values the university's mission and outcomes at the highest level.

How does investing in HBCUs strengthen Florida?

Investing in HBCUs strengthens the state by expanding access to quality education, producing skilled graduates, and reinforcing the value of diverse institutions. Excellence benefits everyone, regardless of where it's cultivated.

More on this topic

OverviewGiving Florida's Families Access to Florida's Universities

Excellence deserves investment

Have a question for David? Visit the Town Hall and ask.