(Black PR Wire) Miami Gardens, FL -- After thirty-four years of service to Florida Memorial University, the elegant Lou Rawls Center for the Performing Arts was the perfect setting for Dr. Barbara Edwards retirement celebration.

Dr. Barbara J. Edwards served as a Cabinet level administrator at Florida Memorial University for over twenty-six years.  She was responsible for handling all Government and Public Relation Affairs for the institution and implementing a major brand marketing initiative.  She also held the position of Chief Institutional Advancement Officer for the University and provided the direction on all matters relating to fundraising and constituent relations.  She supervised the Offices of Development, Government Relations, Public Affairs, Alumni Affairs and Church Relations.  Under her leadership she planned and conducted a $30 million Capital Campaign and exceeded the goal by $5 million.  Since July 2011, Dr. Edwards has assumed the position of Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business.

Carl Latimore, an artist who lives in Long Beach, California, attended the occasion. “Barbara and I go way back. I created a portrait inspired by her.”

Lastly, Barbara’s son, an alum of FMU spoke of his mother and the example she provided in helping shape his character, poise and values. Dr. Edwards, daughter-in-law, Marlisa, and a granddaughter, Coriya.

Her civic and professional affiliations include; Former President of the Dade County Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, former Chair of the Board of Directors of The Family Christian Association of America, Inc. and currently serves as Secretary; member of the Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce; and member of the Society of Human Resource Management. She has received numerous honors and awards in recognition of her professional and community involvements including: City of Opa-Locka, Volunteer of the Year Award; Migrant Education Summer Institute – “Thank you for Caring” Award; the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Meritorious Service Award; YWCA - Women in Business Industry Award; Iota Sigma Lambda Sorority, Outstanding Achievements in Business; The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc., National Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Eta Nu Zeta Chapter, Service to South Florida Community Award, to name a few. Dr. Edwards was also selected to be a presenter at the Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England. Dr. Edwards is a member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, FL. 

Located in the City of Miami Gardens, Florida Memorial University is a private, historically Black institution offering 41 undergraduate degree programs and four master’s programs to a culturally diverse student body. Since its inception in 1879, the University has upheld a commitment to providing a solid foundation for thousands of young people and opening doors to educational opportunities that may have otherwise been closed to them. As South Florida’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU), it is widely recognized for being the birthplace of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and the home of Barrington Irving, Jr., the first and youngest pilot of African descent to fly solo around the world.

#   #  #