Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson is stepping down from his position at the state’s only public historically Black university. His decision follows scrutiny over a failed $237 million donation and comes after nearly seven years of leadership.
Robinson announced his resignation recently, though the exact date of his departure is not yet set. This creates a significant vacancy in Florida’s university system, to be filled by trustees in the coming months, potentially influenced by Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration.
Robinson expressed mixed emotions in a letter to the university community, mentioning sadness but also hope for the future, both for himself and for FAMU, which he noted is ranked as the top Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the nation.
The timing of Robinson’s resignation coincides with an investigation into a large donation that was pledged but later revealed to be unsupported by the donor’s actual financial capacity. This incident led to the resignation of Shawnta Friday-Stroud, a key university official.
The investigation, expected to conclude soon, aims to clarify what went wrong with the donation announcement and other institutional issues, including performance concerns in certain academic programs.
Despite the recent challenges, Robinson is praised for his leadership, which elevated FAMU’s national standing, including achieving a top-100 ranking among public universities. He plans to take a sabbatical year before returning to FAMU as a distinguished professor in the School of the Environment.
Following Robinson’s resignation, FAMU trustees will convene to discuss interim leadership and begin the search for a new president. This process mirrors similar transitions at other Florida universities, such as Florida Atlantic University, where presidential searches have also been contentious.
Governor DeSantis has been influential in reshaping Florida’s higher education landscape, advocating for legislative changes and appointing trustees aligned with his policies, which has sometimes sparked controversy and institutional changes.
Overall, Robinson’s departure marks a pivotal moment for FAMU and Florida’s higher education system, prompting discussions about leadership, governance, and the future direction of the university.