WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) published the following op-ed entitled, "The future on the ‘Highest of Seven Hills’ never looked brighter" in Florida Politics. The op-ed details President Trump's commitment to ensuring the strength and longterm success of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across America and the transformative effects of the Trump agenda on Florida A&M University.
Read the full op-ed here.
"The future on the ‘Highest of Seven Hills’ never looked brighter"
Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)
Florida Politics – September 25, 2025
Florida A&M University (FAMU) holds a special place in my heart.
As a young man, I once walked the “Highest of Seven Hills” as a student, learning lessons in grit and determination that have never left me. Although I ultimately graduated from Florida State University, I carry with me a deep respect for FAMU, its mission, and the generations of students it has lifted into lives of purpose and achievement.
Today, FAMU is thriving in part because of historic action by President Donald J. Trump. While the media often ignores this fact, the record is undeniable: Trump delivered the strongest federal commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in history — transformative decisions that will benefit students and communities for decades.
One of the most consequential victories came with the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. That legislation, signed by Trump, eliminated $1.34 billion in HBCU Capital Finance Program debt nationwide. For FAMU alone, that meant $111.9 million in forgiven debt, which is an outcome confirmed by Florida’s Auditor General.
Before this relief, FAMU was paying $7.8 million annually, about $650,000 every month, on a loan that was scheduled to run through 2037. Those payments are gone. Now those dollars stay on campus, where they belong: in classrooms, scholarships, labs, and student services. That is a game-changer.
And this was not a one-off decision. It was part of a broader, unprecedented record of support:
— Permanent federal support. In 2019, the FUTURE Act permanently secured $255 million annually for Minority-Serving Institutions, including $85 million guaranteed for HBCUs.
— Direct White House access. The Trump administration moved the White House Initiative on HBCUs into the Executive Office, giving these institutions a direct voice in shaping policy.
— Additional debt relief. Roughly $322 million in federal disaster-relief loans to HBCUs was forgiven.
— Expanded grants and research. Scholarships, research capacity, and land-grant programs all saw meaningful increases to strengthen workforce readiness.
The impact continues today. FAMU currently receives about $10 million in Title III funds. Under the new program established by the Trump administration, that figure is projected to more than double, adding at least another $10 million and beyond to strengthen academic excellence and expand opportunities for students.
Florida’s state leaders are also stepping up. The 2025-26 budget provides nearly $65.5 million in new appropriations for FAMU, more than the university requested. That includes $40 million for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, $15 million for operational enhancements, $5 million for the College of Law, plus targeted investments in research, agriculture, and campus safety.
For a land-grant university founded to educate the “sons and daughters of the soil,” these resources are not about politics. They are about outcomes: graduates who meet workforce demands, research that drives innovation, and outreach that strengthens Florida’s economy.
This is what real partnership looks like, not empty promises, but real results. President Trump’s leadership, combined with strong state support, has positioned FAMU to thrive for generations to come.
As someone who once sat in FAMU classrooms, I am proud to say that the future on the “Highest of Seven Hills” has never looked brighter.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
