In an interview with Mike Radigan, Humphries said in Capital Outlook (May 9, 1985): "The greatest science teacher I had in high school was Mr. Charlie Watson.

"[citation needed] Perhaps this early experience with his mathematics and science teacher instilled in him the concept of "excellence with caring" which became his motto upon becoming FAMU's eighth president.

The posture and eloquence of Humphries in court is largely held as being responsible for this decision along with the presentation of attorney Avon Williams and the efforts of the Tennesseans for Justice in Higher Education.

In 1968, after the University of Tennessee had announced plans to build a multimillion-dollar facility for its night school extension center in Nashville, a young black woman named Rita Sanders charged that such action would perpetuate segregation at TSU and continue the dual system of public higher education in the state.

"[citation needed] Between 1980 and 1985, Humphries and his staff gave leadership to the merged TSU and provided for UTN and began serving an increasingly larger portion of the Nashville community.

Under his motto of "Excellence with Caring", he worked with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, the corporate world, and other supporters of FAMU.

As a result, under the Humphries administration, FAMU continuously improved its image and gained increasing recognition on the state, national, and international levels.

Along with the increases in the quantity and quality of FAMU students, the faculty was significantly upgraded, and academic programs were expanded and diversified.

In addition to conducting effective classroom teaching and research, the Faculty was inspired and motivated to increase external funding from both the public and private sectors.

From 1989 to 2000 FAMU provided 873 Life-Gets-Better Scholarships to outstanding minority students majoring in such disciplines as Engineering, Physical, Life, Natural, and Computer Sciences and Pre-Law.

Distance learning has become a major focus as FAMU expands its services and academic influence throughout the state and nation and on the international scenes.

Upon appointing Humphries as the eighth president of FAMU, the BOR challenged him to improve faculty morale and upgrade the faculty; effect sounder fiscal policies; increase student enrollment at all levels with quality students; expand, upgrade, and diversify academic programs; and increase extramural funding from both the public and private sectors.

For nearly four years he taught effectively at his alma mater and became totally involved in the academic, political and social life of the University.

This early display of courage contributed to the perception of Humphries as an aggressive leader who would fight for the survival and growth of FAMU, his alma mater.

Because of Humphries' potential for academic leadership, President Gore selected him to coordinate a select group of FAMU faculty members who participated in a consortium known as the Thirteen College Curriculum Program (TCCP) meeting at the Pine Manor Junior College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, during the summer of 1967.

His efficient and highly astute management of the TCCP project demonstrated to FAMU and to others that he was destined to become an outstanding leader in higher education.

The programs he directed led to the establishment of institutional research offices, computer-assisted instruction (long before it was fashionable), interdisciplinary courses, and advanced management practices at many of these HBCUs.

Over the years he held significant leadership positions on boards, commissions, and committees designed to uplift various segments of our society.

board of directors, National Merit Scholarship Corporation; the Apalachicola Bay Resources Planning and Management Committee; and many others.

While President, Humphries retained active membership in professional organizations, even though his demanding administrative duties and responsibilities made classroom teaching and research almost impossible.

On the civic and community fronts he held membership in the NAACP and served on the board of directors of the YMCA, the Tallahassee Urban League, and many others.

Throughout his professional and administrative life he was supported by his devoted wife, Antoinette McTurner Humphries, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In addition to hosting annual celebrations at graduation exercises, the Industry Cluster, and various educational and political groups that visit the campus, Mrs. Humphries participated in many community activities.