Florida A&M University President Resigning After Announcing Huge Donation That Doesn’t Exist

Florida A&M University President Resigning After Announcing Huge Donation That Doesn’t Exist

There are two things a university takes very seriously: fundraising and being embarrassed.

Politico reports:

Florida university president resigns after nine-figure donation snafu

Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson is resigning as leader of the state’s only public historically Black university, a decision that comes amid a probe into a dubious failed $237 million donation that one key official labeled as an “embarrassment.”

Robinson, who has led the school for nearly seven years, announced the decision Friday, although the specific timing for when he will step down as president is undecided. His departure opens a key void in Florida’s university system, one that will be filled by trustees in the coming months and could be influenced by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, which has been aggressive in reshaping higher education in the state.

“As you can imagine, this decision comes with many emotions — some sadness, of course, but at the same time, hope and anticipation,” Robinson wrote in a letter to the university. “That hope is not just about what lies next for me and my family, but also what is next for the No. 1 Historically Black College and University in the nation.”

Robinson’s resignation may seem abrupt, yet the timing coincides with an investigation at FAMU surrounding a supposedly campus-altering $237 million donation that came crashing down shortly after it was publicly heralded during a graduation ceremony. The proposed donor appeared to have nowhere near the net worth needed to make a pledge that large, something that only came to light after FAMU had announced the gift.

That probe, led by the university and overseen by system officials, is anticipated to wrap up this month and should shed new light on a snafu that already sparked the resignation of Shawnta Friday-Stroud, FAMU’s vice president for university advancement and executive director of the school’s fundraising foundation.

FAMU last month faced scrutiny from the state Board of Governors, which oversees the state university system, over the donation blunder as well as the school’s lagging performance in law, nursing, pharmacy and physical therapy professional licensure programs, adding to the pressure facing school trustees and Robinson.

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