A New Era of Excellence With Caring—The 2025 Induction Ceremony – A long awaited return
Induction Ceremony Gives Honor to Whom Honor is due: Three FAMU CoPPS, IPH Faculty-Servant-Leaders
The trio of accomplished, celebrated inductees includes Cynthia M. Harris, Ph.D. – Associate Dean, Institute of Public Health | Donald E. Palm III, Ph.D. – Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation (EVP-HSERI) | Karam F.A. Soliman, Ph.D. - Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.
- Dr. Cynthia M. Harris, Associate Dean, Director, and Professor of the Institute of Public Health, has been a trailblazer in public health education and advocacy. With over three decades of leadership, she has championed culturally competent training, community-based research, and health equity initiatives across Florida and beyond.
- Dr. Donald E. Palm III, newly appointed Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Enterprise and Research Innovation, brings a dynamic vision to FAMU’s health sciences ecosystem. His strategic leadership will accelerate the university’s pursuit of Carnegie R1 status while advancing interdisciplinary research and innovation across allied health, nursing, pharmacy, and public health.
- Dr. Karam F.A. Soliman, Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, serves as Principal Investigator and Director of two major NIH-funded centers: the Research Center in Minority Institutions (RCMI) and the Center of Excellence for Cancer Research, Training and Community Service (P20-CRTCS). His groundbreaking work in neurodegeneration and cancer research has elevated FAMU’s national profile in biomedical science and minority health disparities.
“This induction ceremony celebrates the honorees’ unwavering commitment to service, scholarship, and the transformative power of research and education. It’s more than a ceremonial honor—it is a recognition of legacy, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of 'Excellence With Caring.' Drs. Harris, Palm, and Soliman embody the spirit of FAMU: servant-leaders whose work uplifts communities, inspires learners, and advances science. We are proud to celebrate their enduring impact on our college, FAMU and the world,” Interim Dean Dr. Seth Y. Ablordeppey enthusiastically observed.
Each of these trailblazing visionaries have advanced the FAMU CoPPS, IPH through dedicated service and leadership. Their commitment to empowering future professionals, advancing academic inquiry, and fostering innovation continues to shape the legacy of the college and the broader university community. After nine years, the Induction Ceremony returns, a hallmark tradition honoring faculty, staff, and alumni for their immeasurable influence on FAMU CoPPS, IPH. The event symbolizes the enthusiasm towards the mission of FAMU CoPPS, IPH’s to advocates for progress in public health, pharmaceutical sciences, professionalism, and higher education.
As the 2025 Induction Ceremony culminates, Fall Semester 2025 begins (in earnest/officially),
this season marks a particularly meaningful moment for the college, and the university.
It is a time of celebration, reflection, and transition---not only for the incoming
and returning learners preparing to make their mark on the world, but also for the
inductees like Drs. Harris, Palm, and Soliman. These individuals now step into a new chapter of recognition and legacy. Kudos!!!