TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University officially opened the doors to its new 700-bed residence hall Venom Landing. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 12, brought together students, alumni, faculty, and community leaders to celebrate the university’s newest housing development. 

“This is more than just a building — it’s a bold step forward in our commitment to provide a vibrant, enriching, and supportive community for our students,” said FAMU’s 13th President Marva Johnson. “With Venom Landing, we’re not just expanding housing; we’re creating a space where students can grow, connect, and achieve at the highest levels.” 

With sleek architecture, state-of-the-art amenities, and a convenient campus location, Venom Landing reflects the university’s vision for growth and student success. 

Venom Landing’s 700-bed count boosts FAMU’s total on-campus housing from 2,700 to 3,400 beds — a significant leap that underscores the university’s expanding footprint. 

Former FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said, “Venom Landing provides a space where students can truly feel at home, build meaningful connections with their peers, and excel academically.”  

Robinson explained that research shows that students who live on campus are more likely to succeed. “This facility creates the ideal environment for both social and academic growth. It’s designed to support retention, engagement, and graduation for years to come,” he said.  

Leadership, Collaboration, and Care 

William Hudson Jr., Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the building.  

“This project is a labor of love — love for our university, our students, faculty, alumni, and all of our constituents. I want to personally thank University Housing and the staff, as well as the students who were integral in helping decide the furniture and design,” he said.  

Hudson emphasized how collaboration ensured that Venom Landing would truly reflect the needs and spirit of the Rattler community.  

“Great things happen at FAMU every day, and this is a perfect example,” he closed.  

Bill Finfrock, president of Finfrock Construction — the general contractor, architect, engineer, and concrete manufacturer for the project — praised the teamwork that brought Venom Landing to life.  

“It is a general contractor and designer’s dream to build a repeat project effectively because we know all the tricks,” he said. “We faced unforeseen challenges early on, but with the hard work of our team and the trust of FAMU, we delivered a completed building in time for students to move in. This is an institutional-quality building that will serve generations of Rattlers to come.” 

The Finfrock construction team stands in front of the completed project. (Photo by Glenn Beil/FAMU Communications)

Student Perspectives 

For some students, moving into Venom Landing represents a personal milestone. Naja West, a third-year accounting major from York, Pennsylvania, by way of Tampa, Florida, is among the first Resident Assistants (RAs) to call the facility home. 

“I was an RA in Samson and Young, and that was one of our first dorms with very traditional communal bathrooms,” she  said. “This is very new for me, and it’s just really perfect. I love it.”  

West laughed as she shared that her favorite feature was the bathroom.   

“Since I’ve shared one before, having my own is amazing. And I love the window — it’s a great view.” 

The RA added that the shared spaces make Venom Landing special.  

“It feels very homey. I love the communal areas — the study rooms, the kitchens, the spaces where we can all have fun together. It just seems very welcoming,” she said.  

Emily Williams Gonzalez, a third-year biology pre-medicine scholar from Ponce, Puerto Rico, via Broward County, Florida, serves as an RA on the third floor.  

“Last year, I was a community assistant — similar to an RA but not tied to one building — and I got to work in nearly every residence hall on campus,” Gonzalez explained. “What I really like about this building is that it takes the strengths from every other hall.” 

She pointed out some of her favorite features such as the community space and the living room area, where students can set up laptops, watch movies, and hang out with friends.  

“The study rooms are conveniently located next to the dorm, making it easy to interact with residents. The design really encourages gathering, communication, and building a strong community,” she said.  

As students prepare for the new semester, Venom Landing represents more than just new walls and rooms. It embodies FAMU’s commitment to fostering community, connection, and student success — providing a space where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally while creating lasting memories. 

Media Contact:

Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist 
ashley1.flete@famu.edu 

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