What’s New
Florida A&M University’s president resigned Friday after weeks of scrutiny over a botched $237-million donation announced at spring commencement.
Larry Robinson did not cite a reason for his decision to step down.
In his announcement, Robinson called his seven-year tenure at the historically Black university “the privilege of a lifetime.”
“The chance to serve our students, the state of Florida, and our nation in this unique role has me more convinced than ever of the transformative power of education,” Robinson wrote. “These past few years have only strengthened my core belief in the unique power of HBCUs to shape lives and nurture critical talent that serve our families and communities.”
Kristin Harper, chair of Florida A&M’s Board of Trustees, applauded Robinson’s leadership. During his time as president, the university saw record-breaking enrollment in its graduate engineering program and has been named the best public HBCU by U.S. News & World Report for five consecutive years.
“We have achieved remarkable gains and record-breaking years under President Robinson’s leadership,” Harper said. “His love for FAMU, steady leadership, and unwavering dedication to our students’ success will leave an indelible mark on this university’s history.”
The Details
During this year’s spring commencement ceremony, Gregory Gerami, the keynote speaker and the chief executive of Batterson Farms Corporation, surprised attendees with a pledge to give the university more than a quarter-billion dollars in stocks from his company. It was touted as the largest single donation in HBCU history.
But after alumni and local reporters raised scrutiny, Gerami’s donation was put on hold.
An investigation by the Tallahassee Democrat found, among other red flags, that Gerami may have drastically overestimated the value of his company’s stock.
Robinson later took “full responsibility” for failing to vet Gerami and safeguard the university’s reputation.
“I saw in this unprecedented gift the potential to serve our students,” Robinson said during a meeting with the university’s trustees. “I wanted it to be real, and ignored the warning signs along the way.”
Shawnta Friday-Stroud, FAMU’s vice president for university advancement, resigned in May. Later that month, Florida Board of Governors began an investigation into the circumstances leading to the donation.
What’s Next
Robinson’s resignation comes on the heels of an attempted reckoning with state officials regarding disparate funding. A federal judge in January dismissed a lawsuit filed by FAMU students who argued that the State of Florida intentionally discriminates against the historically Black university.
The Board of Trustees will meet to determine next steps and announce a departure date for the president. Robinson wrote in his resignation letter that he will return to Florida A&M as a distinguished professor in the School of the Environment following a yearlong sabbatical.
