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Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. Collection
MS_0007

Location: AC.2.B.3.5.1. - AC.2.B.3.5.2

Dr. LaSalle Doheny Leffall, Jr. (1930–2019) was a distinguished surgeon, oncologist, and medical educator born in Tallahassee and raised in Quincy. A prodigious student, he graduated from Florida A&M University at age 18 and earned his M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine by age 22. Leffall became a leading figure in surgical oncology, dedicating his career to cancer research and education, particularly focusing on disparities affecting African American communities. He served for 25 years as chairman of the Department of Surgery at Howard University, trained thousands of medical students, and held prominent leadership roles, including president of the American Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons. https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/dr-lasalle-d-leffall-jr-38
Dr. Joseph Avent Collection
MS_0008

Location: 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.
Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins Collection
Dr. Garrett T. Wiggins Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0012 · 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.”

https://a2arnett.medium.com/february-10-remembering-dr-garrett-t-wiggins-and-booker-t-washington-junior-college-b1b3d85bf650
Dr. Charles U. Smith Collection
MS_0094

Location: AC.3.A.3.4.3 - AC.3.A.3.5.2
Dr. Charles Ullman Smith (1926–2015) was a distinguished sociologist, educator, and civil rights leader who spent nearly five decades at Florida A&M University. He earned his Ph.D. in sociology from Washington State University, becoming one of the first African Americans to achieve this distinction at the time.
During his career at FAMU, Smith served as chairman of the Department of Sociology, director of graduate studies, and dean of graduate studies, while also publishing numerous scholarly works. Beyond academia, he was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, including involvement in the 1956 Tallahassee Bus Boycott and the 1960 sit-ins.
Dr. Smith’s legacy reflects a lifelong commitment to education, social justice, and community leadership, making him a key figure in both higher education and the fight for civil rights in Florida.

https://floridacivilrightsmuseum.org/exhibition/they-made-a-difference-part-2/charles-u-smith-ph-d/
Dr. Charles Evans 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.

https://floridacivilrightsmuseum.org/exhibition/they-made-a-difference-part-2/charles-l-evans-sr-ph-d/