Florida Memorial University

Florida Memorial University is a private coeducational four-year university in Miami Gardens, Florida. One of the 39 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund, and a historically Black, Baptist-related institution which is ranked second in Florida and ninth in the United States for graduating African-American teachers.

History
One of the oldest academic centers in Florida, the university was founded in 1879 as the Florida Baptist Institute in Live Oak, Florida. Soon after, the American Baptist Home Mission Society gave its full support and the first regular school year began in 1880.

In 1882, the Florida Baptist Academy was established in Jacksonville, Florida. The name was later changed to Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. It was there that two brothers, James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson (faculty member), wrote the words and music to "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (known as the "Negro National Anthem"), in 1900.

On November 9, 2010, Henry Lewis III, a former dean and professor of pharmacy at Florida A&M University, was named the university's twelfth president.

In May 2011, President Henry Lewis III, announced its future plans for FMU which included forty objectives he hopes to accomplish by 2020. He plans on increasing the student population from 2,000 to 3,500, build 360 dorms on-campus as well as more classroom buildings, and improved education quality. A new wellness center is also expected to start construction in 2014.

Academics
Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). It offers 41 undergraduate degree programs and 4 graduate degree programs through its eight academic divisions in six academic schools. The business programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Music Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The university has offered an honors program for 10 years that is designed to target and challenge students to their highest level. The Honors Program Director is Dr. Randy R. James.

Athletics
Florida Memorial athletic teams are known as the Lions. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I level, primarily competing in The Sun Conference, formerly known as the Florida Sun Conference (FSC). The Lions formerly competed in the Southeast Athletic Conference (SEAC) prior joining the NAIA. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, track & field and volleyball.