Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0082
Location: AC.3.A.1.6.1 - AC.3.A.2.1.6; AC.3.B.3.3.3
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Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0089
Location: AC.3.A.3.3.1 - AC.3.A.3.3.2
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0008
AC.1.B.1.4.3
Dr. Joseph Avent was a prominent FAMC professor who was known for his contributions to the institution's development and his engagement with students.
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0012
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Collection
Location: AC.3.B.1.5.2
"The nation’s first Black junior college, Booker T. Washington Junior College, opened in Pensacola, Florida, in 1949 on the campus of all-black Booker T. Washington High School. The two institutions shared a name, a building, and an administrator: Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins.
Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins was, at the time, the only educator in all of northwest Florida with an earned doctorate, and he served as founding (and only) president and dean of the college and principal of the high school and was known as “the smartest man in the county.”
Before landing at Booker T. Washington, Wiggins served on the faculty at Florida A&M University. He’s remembered as “an educational catalyst, dedicated to the concept that black children must realize the importance of receiving an education.”
Booker T. Washington Junior College provided many Black students with a foundation to transfer into Bethune-Cookman College, Edward Waters College, and Florida A&M University with a solid foundation in teaching, medicine, law, and theology.
In 1965, Booker T. Washington “merged” with then Pensacola Junior College, and Wiggins went on to serve as Pensacola Junior College’s Director of Research until his retirement. However, many argue the school was effectively closed, as Pensacola Junior College did not make a great effort to include the Booker T. Washington’s students or faculty into the fabric of the institution.”
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0070
Location: AC.2.B.2.4.3
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0042
Location: AC.2.A.2.6.1
Dr. Charles Leonard “Chuck” Evans, Sr. (1945–2013) was a distinguished educator, civil rights leader, and community activist who made a lasting impact at Florida A&M University and in Tallahassee. Born in Durham, North Carolina, he became involved in civil rights activism as a student, participating in protests, sit-ins, and the 1963 March on Washington.
Evans later built a prominent academic career, serving for over 30 years as a professor of marketing and associate dean at FAMU’s School of Business and Industry. Alongside his academic work, he was a dedicated leader in the NAACP, serving multiple terms as president of the Tallahassee branch and advocating for education, equality, and community development.
Known for his lifelong commitment to service, Dr. Evans combined scholarship, activism, and leadership to advance civil rights and improve opportunities for others, leaving a lasting legacy in both education and the Tallahassee community.
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0062
Location: AC.2.B.1.6.8; AC.2.B.2.1.1 - AC.2.B.2.1.2
Dr. Annie Belle Henry is a dedicated educator, scholar, and professor emeritus known for her contributions to history and social studies education. She began her career as a secondary school teacher in Florida before serving as a social studies teacher and department chair in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She later transitioned to higher education, becoming an associate professor at Bemidji State University, where she mentored and inspired countless students.
Dr. Henry earned her bachelor’s degree from Edward Waters College, a master’s degree from Florida A&M University, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. Throughout her career, she has been committed to expanding educational opportunities and supporting African American students, leaving a lasting impact through her teaching, mentorship, and community service.
https://marquistopeducators.com/2020/06/29/annie-belle-henry/
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0044
Location: AC.2.A.2.6.6
Dr. Anne Richardson Gayles-Felton is a distinguished educator and scholar who dedicated her life to advancing education at Florida A&M University. A native of Georgia, she built a remarkable career spanning more than four decades at FAMU, where she served as a professor of secondary education, department chair, and mentor to countless students.
Throughout her career, Dr. Gayles-Felton taught at multiple academic levels and played a key role in shaping teacher education programs, while also contributing to research, writing, and curriculum development. Her legacy is marked by her commitment to improving educational opportunities and supporting future educators, including the establishment of scholarships to assist students pursuing teaching careers.
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0032
Location: AC.1.B.1.6.3
Dr. Alexander Dumas “A.D.” Brickler (1929–2023) was a pioneering physician and respected obstetrician whose decades-long career had a lasting impact on the Tallahassee community. A graduate of Howard University and Meharry Medical College, Brickler began practicing medicine during segregation and became one of the Black physicians who helped integrate local healthcare systems.
Throughout his career, Dr. Brickler delivered more than 30,000 babies and was widely known for his compassion, professionalism, and dedication to equitable care. He worked extensively at the Florida A&M University Hospital and later at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, where a women’s pavilion was named in his honor.
In addition to his clinical work, Brickler served as a mentor to generations of medical professionals and remained committed to patient care well into his later years. His legacy endures through the thousands of families he served and his contributions to advancing healthcare in Tallahassee.
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0010
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Collection
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1941 - 1987
Location: AC.8.B.1.2.1 - AC.8.B.1.2.2
This file documents the life, professional career, and institutional impact of Dean Maxwell S. Thomas, a highly respected educator, administrator, and advocate for students at Florida A&M University. Spanning the years 1941 to 1987, with concentrated materials dating from 1973 to 1983, the collection provides a comprehensive view of Thomas’s contributions to higher education, his involvement in key university initiatives, and his broader engagement with community and professional organizations.
Born on June 24, 1907, in Ocala, Florida, Dean Maxwell S. Thomas served as Dean of Mechanical Arts at Florida A&M University and was widely recognized for his leadership, commitment to student development, and dedication to institutional advancement. The materials within this collection reflect his extensive professional network and influence, including correspondence with university presidents, faculty, and external organizations. His work with entities such as the Orange Blossom Classic Committee and the FAMU Foundation is well represented, illustrating his role in shaping both academic and extracurricular aspects of the university. In addition to documenting his professional achievements, the collection also captures personal dimensions of his life, including biographical materials, handwritten notes, and correspondence addressed to his wife, Jacqueline Holloway-Thomas, particularly letters of condolence following his passing in 1983.
The collection consists of manuscripts, photographs, publications, reports, correspondence, organizational records, programs, and printed materials that collectively highlight Thomas’s contributions to Florida A&M University and the broader educational landscape. These materials include annual and financial reports, institutional evaluations, program development documents, and publications that reflect the evolving priorities of the university during the mid- to late-twentieth century. News articles and obituaries further contextualize his legacy, emphasizing his impact as an educator and leader within the Tallahassee community and beyond.
At the time of processing, the collection had no discernible original order. The materials were therefore reorganized by subject and record type, with correspondences grouped by date and organizational records categorized by affiliated institutions or committees. Items were arranged in both alphabetical and chronological order to enhance accessibility and preserve contextual relationships. The collection was rehoused in acid-free folders and archival boxes, expanding to two boxes totaling approximately one linear foot. Processing also included preparation for digitization and the replacement of deteriorating fasteners with archival-safe materials. This collection serves as a significant resource for researchers examining the history of Florida A&M University, African American leadership in higher education, and the institutional development of historically Black colleges and universities during the twentieth century.