Months after a multimillion-dollar donation crisis — and recent concerns from the state’s governing board — Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson has announced plans to step down from his leadership role.
FAMU Board of Trustees Chairwoman Kristin Harper sent an email to board members about Robinson’s decision Friday morning, which also included Robinson’s resignation letter.
“Under President Robinson’s leadership, we have achieved remarkable accomplishments and had record-breaking years,” Harper said in a university release on behalf of the board. “I have been honored to serve as our president, as well as with fellow trustees. His love for FAMU, steady leadership and unwavering dedication to the success of our students will leave an indelible mark on the history of this university.”
The shocking announcement comes on the heels of the university’s recent shortcomings – including a questionable and now ‘closed’ $237 million donation from Texas hemp farmer Gregory Gerami that made national headlines and is currently under investigation, as well as the poor performance of its licensing program, which has raised concerns from the Florida Board of Governors.
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FAMU Trustee Calvin Lawson confirmed Robinson’s decision during a phone conversation with the Tallahassee Democrat Friday morning, before the university released the announcement. He decided to hold off on commenting for a later date.
“With immense gratitude for the privilege of leading our beloved Florida A&M University, as interim president in 2016 and as president since 2017, and with great hope for its future, I am writing to inform you of my decision to step down from my position,” Robinson said in his resignation letter.
“I will leave the determination of the exact date to the board’s preferences, while still fulfilling any obligations of my existing contract.”
Robinson announced his plans to his leadership team on FAMU’s campus Friday morning, according to a university spokesperson. In his resignation letter, he also expressed his intention to thank several people in the coming weeks.
Robinson’s decision comes after his nearly seven-year tenure at the university, where — despite recent setbacks — he has racked up several notable accomplishments, including leading the 136-year-old institution to the No. 1 public HBCU for the fifth consecutive year, according to U.S. News & World Reports.
The university also accomplished Robinson’s longtime goal last year, which was to be ranked among the top 100 national public universities.
After stepping down as president, Robinson — the 12th president of the historically Black university — will take a 12-month leave and return to the environmental school as a distinguished professor.
“In the near future, I will be calling a special meeting so we can discuss our next steps as a board,” Harper told trustees in an email Friday.
He said prior to the special meeting, the Board of Trustees will refer to its operating procedures, Florida Board of Governors regulations and state laws to determine next steps.
While the process is expected to include the appointment of an interim president, it is unclear whether the FAMU Board of Trustees or the state’s governing board will make the selection and appointment.
FAMU and local community react to Robinson’s decision
FAMU National Alumni Association President Curtis Johnson said a few words about Robinson’s announcement on behalf of the university’s alumni Friday afternoon.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Larry Robinson for his leadership, dedication, perseverance and collaboration with the alumni association to lead FAMU to the top HBCU rankings for five consecutive years,” Johnson said in a letter.
He also said Harper would brief the NAA board on the resignation issue during its meeting on Wednesday.
Al Lawson Jr., former congressman and longtime state legislator from the Tallahassee area, who has Facility of the same name at FAMULawson said he had heard talk of Robinson’s resignation on Thursday. Lawson said he wishes Robinson all the best, and that “he has done a tremendous job moving FAMU forward.”
Still, despite Robinson’s many notable accomplishments during his tenure, Lawson said the events surrounding the historic donation led to Robinson’s downfall. He said it “brought embarrassment to the university as well as the state of Florida.”
“I think it was really a response to that,” Lawson told the Democrat. “Sometimes you can’t overcome certain things, and this may be something you can’t overcome.”
When asked if he was surprised by the resignations, Lawson said he had anticipated it. He said the backlash over the donations was the final straw after other damage to FAMU’s reputation, including controversy surrounding the university’s football program after student athletes were unfairly dismissed during a 2022 ineligibility story.
“These things happen to you when you’re in these positions,” Lawson said, adding that he was concerned about the timing of this administrative shakeup at The Hill.
“The sad thing, what I’m concerned about, is you’re getting ready to start the academic school year. And Robinson is so beloved by students and faculty and others. Then to have a change like this when school starts in August, that’s something you don’t want.”
The autumn semester is scheduled to begin from August 26.
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A look at Robinson’s leadership so far at FAMU
Robinson, 69 — a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and a renowned scientist with ties to some of the nation’s most prestigious and philanthropic research agencies — was appointed the university’s 12th president in November 2017.
Prior to joining the FAMU family, he worked as a research scientist and group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.
He then began his career as a visiting professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences at FAMU in January 1995 – recruited by then-President Frederick Humphreys – and later became the institute’s director in January 1997.
Despite Robinson’s quiet, unflappable demeanor and reserved nature, his leadership abilities continued to serve him in senior positions at the university. After serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2003, he was appointed interim chief executive officer in 2007.
He was appointed interim president following the resignation of James Emmons in July 2012, serving until March 2014, when the trustees appointed Elmira Mangum.
The change in leadership was short-lived as Mangum was removed from the position after a 29-month tenure. Shortly thereafter, Robinson was reappointed interim president, after which he was appointed the university’s next president in September 2016.
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Robinson is credited with successfully leading FAMU through some of its most difficult times as interim president from 2012-13. He took the helm when the university was dealing with the fallout from the November 2011 murder of Marching Band drum major Robert Champion, accreditation issues and declining enrollment.
During his 2012–13 interim tenure under Robinson’s leadership, FAMU was released from probation Southern Colleges and Schools Associationwhich is the university’s accreditation agency. Robinson also introduced a new anti-hazing program and website aimed at giving students a way to alert administrators about hazing activity.
As far as funding goes, he received major grants from big-name organizations like Microsoft, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture.
In addition to his resignation letter, Robinson also wrote a letter to “FAMUly and Friends,” in which he said his resignation made Friday “a moment of profound significance in my life and my journey at our beloved (FAMU).”
“As you can imagine, this decision comes with many emotions — pride, joy, gratitude, some sadness, but also hope and anticipation,” Robinson said in the letter.
“Even though I am stepping down as president, this is not my farewell to FAMUly,” he said, referring to his sabbatical and professorship plans. “I look forward to continuing to contribute to the lives of our students and shaping their ability to address the complex problems facing our world.”
This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.
Business and economic development reporter Tamryn Waters contributed to this report. Contact Tarah Jean tjean@tallahassee.com Or follow him on X: @tarahjean_,
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