Will Packer, Tom Vilsack to address FAMU’s spring graduates

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On May 2, nearly 1,200 graduates will receive their degree at FAMU’s Alfred L. Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium in Tallahassee. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will serve as the speaker for the 9 a.m. ceremony and FAMU alumnus and filmmaker Will Packer will serve as the speaker for the 2 p.m. ceremony.

“FAMU is dedicated to providing opportunities to students from all walks of life to live out their dreams. Here is where the visions of future educators, scientists, artists, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and politicians have begun to come to fruition,” said FAMU President Elmira Mangum. “So, it is a great opportunity to have Will Packer, one of our most influential graduates, and Secretary Vilsack, the leader of one of the nation’s most vital organizations, to speak to our students as they prepare to go out into the world and enrich our communities.”

Vilsack is the nation’s 30th secretary of agriculture and is leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a mission to strengthen America’s agricultural economy through building vibrant rural communities, and creating new markets for the innovation of rural America.

In his six years at the Department, Vilsack has worked to implement U.S. President Barack Obama’s agenda to put Americans back to work and create an economy built to last. Under his leadership, the USDA has successfully supported the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and growers who are driving the rural economy forward.

The Department has provided food assistance to millions of Americans and carried out record conservation efforts. In addition, it has made record investments in our rural communities, helping to provide a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply for the American people. Prior to his appointment, Vilsack served as the Governor of Iowa, in the Iowa State Senate, and as the mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Packer has established himself as one of Hollywood’s blockbuster hit makers with seven of his films opening number one at the box office. In 2013, Packer signed first-look production deals with Universal Pictures and Universal Television. Under both deals, he develops new projects for the studios under his Will Packer Productions banner. In 2014, he became one of the only African-American producers to have seven films debut at number one during opening weekend.

His most successful film to date is Universal’s “Ride Along” starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. “Ride Along” debuted No. 1 at the box office in 2014 with record-breaking receipts totaling over $48 million during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, making it one of the biggest January opening box office tallies of all time. The film also went on to be No. 1 at the box office for three consecutive weeks and grossed over $153 million worldwide. Packer’s number one films also include “No Good Deed (2014),” “Think Like A Man Too (2014),” “Think Like A Man (2012),” “Takers (2010),” “Obsessed (2008)” and “Stomp The Yard (2007).” Packer graduated magna cum laude from FAMU in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.

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