Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Humphries gives update on proposed College of Marine Science slated for Apalachicola

(L-R) Dr. Dreamal Worthen, Oryan Speed, Myrtis Wynn, Elinor Mount-Simmons,
Mayor Van Johnson, Dr. Frederick Humphries, Chauncey Ford and Alfred Goosby
Photo by Tami Seaman with Sand Grain Photography

Dr. Frederick S. Humphries, an Apalachicola native and former President of Florida A&M University (FAMU) met yesterday with Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson in his office along with members of  FAMU alumni, stakeholders and members of the community to give an update on plans to locate a College of Marine Science in Apalachicola. The proposed college will be affiliated with FAMU where Humphries served as President from 1985 to 2001.

The idea for the college was first pitched to city commissioners by Humphries in 2000, while he still served as college president. On November 5, 2013, he again met with city commissioners during their regular monthly meeting and secured an agreement from the commission that the city would submit the proposed college as a project for funding through the Franklin County Restore Act Council.

The college will offer Bachelors, Masters and Doctorates degrees in Marine Science, it will also offer extension service to the seafood industry from Tarpon Springs to Fort Walton Beach, as well conduct research on the Gulf of Mexico and the tributaries that feed the Gulf.

                                    Photo by Tami Seaman  with Sand Grain Photography

Humphries also pointed out during the 2013 meeting that such an effort would maintain and restore the vitality of Apalachicola's natural resources, provide jobs and revitalize the community into a vibrant city that can be an enormous asset to the State of Florida.

Humphries told those gathered yesterday in the mayor’s office that the project now looked promising… “We are on target and we’re ready to roll”, said Humphries

Humphries is now scheduled to appear with a detailed budget before the full city commission at their October 4, 2015, regular scheduled meeting.

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