“FIU is home,” Dr. Seth Crapp ’98 said, “It’s become very instrumental in both of our successes in life.”
Along with his brother, Tony Crapp Jr ’95, Seth has maintained a deep relationship with FIU, something that has driven both men to succeed in their respective career paths.
Soon after earning a bachelor’s degree in political science, Tony began working for the City of Miami, eventually becoming the second African American city manager in the county’s history. Seth went on to earn his medical degree at Meharry Medical College’s School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed an internship at Harvard Medical School. Both brothers have launched their own entrepreneurial ventures, each of which has positively impacted their communities.
At the same time, Seth and Tony have remained active members of FIU’s alumni network and have been honored at FIU’s Torch Awards. Additionally, Seth has made a significant mark on FIU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine by establishing an endowed scholarship fund.
Beginnings in Massachusetts and New Jersey
From the very beginning of their lives, higher education has been at the forefront.
Tony was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as his father was pursuing a degree at Harvard University, and his mother attended Mount Holyoke College. Years later, Seth was born in New Jersey as their father earned his master’s degree at Princeton University. Once their parents finished school, the family moved back to the couple’s hometown, Miami, where they eventually settled.
Their mom’s side of the family has a rich history in Miami, dating back generations. Their family immigrated to the US from the Bahamas and contributed to Miami’s growth, pursuing higher education in Florida, building their own businesses, and becoming pillars of their community.
“My mom’s mother was a nurse; she’s a professional. Her siblings were all college-educated individuals,” Seth shared. “My mother and many family members attended colleges such as Florida A&M, Hampton, Bethune-Cookman, and the University of Miami, very well represented across the board. So, education was expected.”
Tony and Seth attended inner-city schools, including Liberty City Elementary School and Miami Northwestern Senior High School, both close to their grandparents’ house. At the time, their father was serving as the Director of Miami-Dade County’s Office of Community & Economic Development, responsible for housing and urban development.
Along with emphasizing the importance of education, their family also instilled a passion for community aid from a young age. Tony and Seth recall doing community service through their church and as Boy Scouts, which shaped their values and career choices as they grew into young adults.
Continuing a Family Legacy at FIU
When it came time to pursue higher education, both brothers chose to begin their college journeys at FIU, where they already had family ties.
“Our uncle, Richard Horton, graduated from FIU in the 1970s, so we were exposed to FIU very early on,” Seth said. “He’s actually the first one in our family to graduate from FIU. He’s still active with the alumni network now, so he’s very proud that we went to FIU.”
Tony majored in political science, influenced by watching his father’s career throughout his childhood. Though the desire was always there, his choice to work in the City of Miami’s local government was strengthened by his education, mentorship, and experiences at FIU.
“I definitely had an interest in government watching my dad throughout his career,” Tony said, “He was a city manager when I was a teenager, so I got a chance to really see everything up close and personal. A lot of times, people go to college, and their interests change in terms of what they want to do. The experiences I had really solidified everything for me. I knew that I would be going into government as I was ending my journey at FIU.”
Seth made the decision to study chemistry. He had already interacted with FIU’s STEM programs in high school through a summer program, where he gained experience with college coursework. Though he’d always been fascinated by science and medicine, those summers at FIU helped him decide to pursue it as a career.
Establishing FIU’s Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Career Milestones
One of Seth’s most notable undergrad accomplishments was founding the FIU chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically African American fraternity that has included members such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall. Recognizing a demand for more black Greek organizations, he helped initiate the chapter’s creation and remained hands-on throughout the approval process.
By the time he graduated, the chapter received a green light from the university. It was officially established in 2001, making this year the chapter’s 25th anniversary. Both Seth and Tony are proud lifetime members.
After FIU, they both went on to reach career milestones. Tony immediately began working for the City of Miami, where he stayed for 14 years. He rose to Miami City Manager at only 36 years old, shifted to a career in private consulting, and established his own real estate firm, TEC2 Development, which is dedicated to increasing access to affordable housing in South Florida.
Seth obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree at Meharry Medical College’s School of Medicine, held a faculty position as a Clinical Fellow in Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and served as Chief Resident at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine, becoming the first physician in his family. After years of experience as a radiologist, Seth founded Specialty Focused Radiology, an independent teleradiology practice.
Becoming an FIU Donor and Receiving FIU’s Torch Award
Because of their outstanding accomplishments and dedication to their communities, both brothers have been honored at FIU’s Torch Awards, the highest honor bestowed upon alumni.
“It was one of the most memorable nights of my career,” Tony said. “To be honored by the university that impacted our career, that gave us the tools to start our career…It was a magnificent experience. For both of us to be honored in that fashion is absolutely outstanding. We’re extremely proud as a family because of it.”
Despite their busy professional lives, they have remained active members of the FIU community. Through alumni events, Tony and Seth have been able to network with other alumni, which has helped initiate professional opportunities.
In 2020, Seth partnered with FIU to establish the Dr. Seth J. Crapp First-Generation Scholarship Endowment, which supports first-generation medical students. With this ever-growing endowed fund, he hopes to ease financial stress and empower current and future FIU medical students as they pursue commendable and essential careers in healthcare, research, and medicine.
“After receiving the Torch Award, I was in contact with the Alumni Relations office at the FIU Foundation,” Seth said, “At FIU, I felt there was a need to support minorities who were interested in pursuing medical science. If they’re pre-med or going into STEM, I wanted to support that, especially if they’re first-time college attendees.”
A Message to the Next Generation
Since graduating from FIU, Seth and Tony have become skilled and respected professionals in their fields. As they reflect on these successes and look back on their time at FIU, they have some advice for students beginning their college journey.
“Be open to the experience, be open-minded, come in with the right mentality,” Tony advises. “That experience will propel you to great heights if you approach things in the proper fashion. The importance of a college education is paramount to the success we experience as adults, and I think it’s key to the development of young adults. If you approach it in the right way, it’s going to pay dividends going forward.”