G. Scott Uzzell, SBI graduate and CEO of Converse, tells homecoming crowd: 'FAMU made me'
Byron Dobson
The symbolism of endearment alumni hold for Florida A&M University was clear Friday by the number of cars crammed inside the parking lot of Bragg Memorial Stadium as guests arrived for the homecoming convocation.
The symbolism of what one can achieve as a Florida A&M student was exemplified by the brief, but upbeat message by Class of 1988 School of Business and Industry graduate, G. Scott Uzzell, this year’s convocation speaker at the Lawson Center.
Uzzell, whose career has included positions at Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and Nabisco, was named president and CEO of Converse, Inc., in January.
He spoke humbly of his recent visits to fashion shows in Paris, Milan and London, where peers exclaimed, “Paris made me”; “Milan made me.”
“I’m here to say Florida A&M University made me,” Uzzell said, bringing cheers from the crowd, many dressed in orange and green inside the spacious arena.
Uzzell recalled arriving on campus in 1984 from Columbia, Maryland, and quickly immersing himself in the campus culture and the tutelage of the late Sybil Mobley, SBI’s iconic founding dean, as well as professors in the school.
While giving Mobley and others accolades, he paid tribute to others who were important to him at FAMU, including meeting his wife, Sunda, who also graduated from SBI in 1988.
“I want to thank the financial aid office, the registrar’s office,” Uzzell said, drawing nods from some in the crowd.
He shared his top 10 points of advice for new students, which included “procrastination is not a strategy” and being prepared to “bring your ‘A-game’ because FAMU offers an environment of talented, smart students.
He compared his time at FAMU to the “red zone” on the gridiron, a crucial mark for any team to be successful.
Later, Uzzell told the Democrat that FAMU remains a common thread through his friends, his network and “my wife.”
“As I said onstage, it was an important part of my life when I was here; it has been an important part of my life since I graduated,” he said. “It’s who I am.”
During two-hour celebration – held the day after President Larry Robinson led events marking FAMU’s 132nd anniversary – several individuals and organizations were applauded for their recent financial contributions to the university.
Uzzell, who sits on the board of the FAMU Foundation, said it is critical that alumni give back, not only through their checkbook, but with their time.
“What I would say to any alumni is, remember that all they garnered while they were here, we want that for the next generation of every student that comes to Florida A&M University, to make sure the campus is modern, it’s contemporary and that it offers the best opportunities of any university in the world.”
Homecoming activities start early Saturday with the 8 a.m. step-off of the parade on campus; the football clash with the North Carolina Central Eagles at 2 p.m. in Bragg Stadium and the McDonald’s Gospel Concert at 7 p.m. at the Lawson Center.
Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.
Giving roll call
Major corporate and personal donors who will be recognized at Saturday’s game
- Northrop Grumman Corporation - $30,000 (Program Support)
- Regions Bank: $30,000 (Athletics and Student Programs)
- Black Dollar Giving: $33,000 (Student Success Initiatives
- Freshman Class of 1984: $34,810.95 (Student Success/Scholarships)
- Tallahassee Memorial: $35,000 (Athletics)
- Visit Tallahassee: $40,000 (Athletics)
- Beta Alpha AKA Endowment - $42,637 (Scholarships)
- Tommy Duncan -$45,000 (Scholarships)
- Boeing $53,000 (STEM Initiatives)
- McDonalds: $25,000 (scholarships)
- Lockheed Martin Corporation - $90,000 (STEM Initiatives)
- Freshman Class of 2004 : $91,839.02 (Student Success/Scholarships)
- Drs. Howard E. and Margaret W. Lewis - $100,000 (Scholarships)
- Richard Mathews: $100,000 (SBI Big board)
- Freshman Class of 1999: $190,599.99 (Student Success/Scholarships)
- Alpha Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. $247,970 (Scholarships)
- Corey, Tatum and Brandi Fedrick- $250,000 (Athletic Scholarship)
- Odell, McClain and Shawnta Stroud, Ph.D. - $250,000 (SBI)
- Henry, Jalen and Sabrina Pritchett-Evans - $360,000 (Scholarships)