floridas stock megagift dies donor clark know programs law mitchell university fell void donation report told robinson independent humphries president hbcu state board according gift florida gerami education dubious frederick

Articles for Famu

Florida’s only public historically Black university names interim president
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Florida’s only public historically Black university names interim president

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s only public historically Black university has chosen an interim leader, after the school’s president announced this month that he intends to resign. As the next executive of Florida A&M University, Interim President Timothy Beard will be tasked with managing the backlash over the school’s apparent failure to sufficiently vet a multimillion dollar donation from a dubious …

Florida University State President Beard Famu Interim President
The president of Florida’s only public historically Black university resigns after donation debacle
5 months ago

The president of Florida’s only public historically Black university resigns after donation debacle

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The president of Florida’s only public historically Black university is resigning amid backlash over the school’s apparent failure to properly vet a multi-million dollar donation from a dubious donor. Larry Robinson submitted his resignation last week and will leave Florida A&M University at a time when state officials are scrutinizing programs at the school that they say …

Florida University State Robinson Famu Donation Debacle
Here’s what to know about a stalled $237M donation to Florida A&M
6 months, 1 week ago

Here’s what to know about a stalled $237M donation to Florida A&M

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — In early May, Florida A&M University announced a stunning $237 million gift from a 30-year-old donor who cast himself as Texas’ “youngest African American industrial hemp producer.” The donation, which would have been the largest-ever private gift to a historically Black college or university, was announced at commencement to great fanfare. University officials say they began meeting …

Florida University Texas Donation Company Million Hemp
Florida A&M, a dubious donor and $237M: The transformative HBCU gift that wasn’t what it seemed
6 months, 1 week ago

Florida A&M, a dubious donor and $237M: The transformative HBCU gift that wasn’t what it seemed

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — It would have been the largest-ever private gift to a historically Black college or university: $237 million — far beyond the recipient’s endowment. Kimberly Sue Abbott, a founding board member who told the AP that she was incorrectly listed as co-CEO, cast doubt on Gerami’s self-reported value of the shares and said Batterson Farms “is not farming …

University Gift Texas Donation Company According Million
A mega-gift for an HBCU college fell through. Here's what happened — and what's next
6 months, 4 weeks ago

A mega-gift for an HBCU college fell through. Here's what happened — and what's next

NPR  

A mega-gift for an HBCU college fell through. As the school's foundation and board of trustees held public Zoom meetings to discuss the matter, more details about the donation emerged: While Gerami said the money was "in the bank," Friday-Stroud said the donation was made in the form of 15 million shares of stock in Batterson Farms, Gerami's privately held …

Board University Gift Texas Donation College Coastal
At Florida’s only public HBCU, students are wary of political influence on race education
11 months, 2 weeks ago

At Florida’s only public HBCU, students are wary of political influence on race education

Associated Press  

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A core mission of Florida A&M University from its founding over a century ago has been to educate African Americans. At Florida’s only public historically Black university, some students now fear political constraints might get in the way of teaching parts of their history. “This has basically been used as a veneer to impose an ideological agenda, …

Law Education Teaching Students Political University Campus
Frederick S. Humphries, former FAMU president, dies at 85
3 years, 5 months ago

Frederick S. Humphries, former FAMU president, dies at 85

Associated Press  

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Florida A&M University president Frederick S. Humphries, whose 16 years of leadership at the school are often referred to as its “golden years,” has died, a statement from the university said. During his tenure, Humphries, who died Thursday at age 85, oversaw the revival of FAMU’s law school and doubled the university’s enrollment through scholarship programs …

Law University President Clark Program Humphries Famu