News Room

Fort Valley State University (FVSU) will welcome Rev. Angela Starling, Ph.D., former university administrator, pastor and dynamic speaker, as the keynote speaker for its 86th Founders Day Convocation. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the C.W. Pettigrew Auditorium.  

Starling’s connection to FVSU spans decades and reflects a journey of personal growth, purpose and service. Formerly known as Angela Harris, she attended Fort Valley State College as a freshman from 1971 to 1972. What began as the experience of an unfocused college student would become part of a larger journey that shaped her commitment to inspiring others to recognize their potential, discover their purpose and embrace the possibilities ahead. She returned to FVSU in 2014 as vice president for Student Success, bringing her professional experience and passion for student development back to the institution that was part of her early college experience. 

Known for her enthusiasm, engaging presence and ability to connect with audiences, Starling has dedicated her life to encouraging others through faith, self-awareness and personal transformation. Her message aligns with the spirit of Founders Day, which celebrates the vision and determination that established FVSU and the university’s commitment to preparing students for meaningful lives and careers. 

Starling has served for five years as a pastor, providing spiritual, emotional and psychological care to congregants and their families throughout Georgia. An ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, she also serves as a chaplain. She completed the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Hamilton Health Care System and is accredited through the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. 

As FVSU observes its 86th Founders Day Convocation, the university community will reflect on its founding on Nov. 6, 1895, and the generations of students, faculty, alumni and supporters who have advanced its mission. The annual observance honors the institution’s history while celebrating the people and possibilities shaping its future.