© 2025 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WFSU-FM is currently broadcasting at reduced power. We apologize for this inconvenience. And remember, you can stream or listen to WFSU on the App.

FAMU's 'Soul Train' Dies

"Soul Train" was a fixture on FAMU's campus for nearly 30 years. He could be found on the school's "set" selling students snacks for a$1.
@marlonwalker
/
twitter.com

A Florida A&M University institution has passed away. News of “Soul Train’s” death began circulating Monday on social media.

His name was Hoover Lawrence. But most FAMU students knew him as Soul Train.

“Well, Soul Train was truly an iconic fixture on the campus of Florida A&M University. He bled Orange and Green," said Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee, an FAMU alumnus. 

Soul Train could be found on or near "The Set" selling  bags of chips, drinks and other snacks for students to buy between classes for a dollar. He was a source of stories and life advice to students.

“I remember having many conversations with him," Alexander said. "Typically, I’d be walking from the set to Tucker Hall where many of my classes were, and he was always pleasant, always had a smile on his face and he exuded what excellence with caring and what FAMU is all about and he will truly be missed."

A university spokeswoman confirmed Lawrence's death. A message on his daughter's facebook page says he was just shy of his 90th birthday. Soul Train had been a fixture on FAMU’s campus for nearly three decades. 

Follow @HatterLynn

Lynn Hatter is a Florida A&M University and Florida State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master's in Professional Communication. Lynn has been with WFSU since 2007 with education and health care issues as her key coverage areas.  She has worked with several organizations, including Kaiser Health News.  Lynn has also partnered with USC-Annenberg's Center for Child Wellbeing on the nationally acclaimed series "Committed," which explored the prevalence of involuntary commitment use on children.
She serves on the board of RTDNA and the United Way of the Big Bend, with previous service on the board of the First Amendment Foundation of Florida.

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories here.