Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Business & Industry (SBI) has been awarded a $50,000 Ryder “Future of Excellence” Grant from Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R), a fully integrated port-to-door logistics and transportation company, and the Ryder Charitable Foundation. The grant funds scholarships, support for SBI programs, and the naming of a Ryder room. In addition, starting in the summer of 2026, Ryder will offer paid internships for FAMU students. Business areas may include audit, finance, IT, and procurement. The named Ryder room, Room 107 in the SBI building’s South Wing, will serve as a workspace for Ryder interns and a hub for Ryder recruitment and career-themed events.
The Ryder “Future of Excellence” initiative is designed to support institutions of higher learning with strong supply chain-related programs and help determined top-performing students afford college and technical school training.
“The name Ryder is no stranger to FAMU,” said Interim SBI Dean Ira Bates. “Our donor wall has included the Ryder name for decades. We’re very proud of our role in educating some of the current generation of Ryder leaders.”
On September 4, Ryder will be featured at FAMU’s SBI Extravaganza, an annual fall event to welcome students and introduce academic programs and opportunities. A Ryder “Future of Excellence” themed event at 11:30 a.m. in front of the SBI building’s main entrance will feature two FAMU alums who are Ryder leaders in finance and information technology.
Ryder Vice President and Controller Jay Anderson earned both a Bachelor of Science in business administration and a Master of Business Administration in accounting from FAMU, earning his graduate degree in 2002. He joined Ryder in 2012 after 11 years at Deloitte. Winston Baker, director of application development and support in Ryder’s IT department, earned a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems in 1993. He joined Ryder in 2015 following 13 years at FIS, a global leader in financial technology solutions. They will discuss their career paths and how FAMU prepared them.
“FAMU’s School of Business & Industry professors and a strong culture of excellence trained me and helped me solidify the career path that led to where I am today,” Anderson said. “It’s a privilege to be able to work with the university and Ryder colleagues to help provide that opportunity for the next generation.”
