Florida’s only historically black university names interim president

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s only public, historically black university has chosen an interim leader after the school’s president announced this month that he plans to step down.

As Florida A&M University’s next administrator, interim President Timothy Beard will be tasked with managing the backlash that arose after the school failed to adequately vet a multimillion-dollar donation from a questionable donor.

Beard takes office as political pressure mounts on Florida’s higher education system and state officials scrutinize university programs they view as substandard.

Beard previously served as president of Pasco-Hernando State College north of Tampa and earned a Ph.D. from Florida State University. He also has a bachelor’s degree from FAMU, where he served as a professor and administrator, the university said.

An HBCU that has climbed national rankings in recent years, FAMU and its dedicated alumni network have long prided themselves on graduating some of the state’s top Black professionals and politicians — and giving first-generation and low-income students a shot at the middle class. But the school has also been dogged by a recent endowment debacle and past allegations of mismanagement.

“I believe Dr. Beard has the academic background, administrative experience, political capital and emotional intelligence to lead during this interim period,” said Kristin Harper, FAMU Board Chair.

The FAMU board voted Tuesday to confirm Beard as interim president, on the condition that he not apply to become the school’s permanent president. Beard is expected to take over Aug. 5, pending contract negotiations.

Beard’s position is subject to confirmation by the state’s Board of Governors. A spokesman did not immediately respond to questions about when the board would meet to vote on Beard’s nomination.

The current president, Dr. Larry Robinson, will remain in office through August 4, so that he can preside over the final graduation ceremony on August 2.

At a graduation ceremony in May, Robinson stood onstage in his academic regalia, clutching a jumbo check for $237 million — which would have been the largest private donation to an HBCU, had it ever materialized. The donation is under investigation.

Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.