Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson announces plans to step down

Months after a multimillion-dollar donation debacle — along with 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 Chair Kristin Harper sent an email to board members about Robinson’s decision Friday morning, which included an attached resignation letter from Robinson.

"We have achieved remarkable gains and record-breaking years under President Robinson’s leadership," Harper said on behalf of the board in a university release. "I am honored to have served with fellow trustees alongside our president. His love for FAMU, steady leadership, and unwavering dedication to our students’ success will leave an indelible mark on this university’s history."

The bombshell announcement comes on the heels of the university’s recent low points — including a dubious and now ‘ceased’ $237 million donation from Texas hemp farmer Gregory Gerami that made national headlines and is currently under investigation, as well as poor licensure program performances that heightened concerns from the Florida Board of Governors.

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Ahead of the university's release about the announcement, FAMU trustee Kelvin Lawson confirmed Robinson’s decision Friday morning during a phone call with the Tallahassee Democrat. He decided to hold comments for a later date.

“With tremendous gratitude for the privilege of leading our beloved Florida A&M University as Interim President in 2016 and President beginning in 2017, and with much optimism 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 entrust the determination of the precise date to the Board’s preferences while fulfilling any obligations of my existing contract.”

While on FAMU's campus Friday morning, Robinson announced his plans to his leadership team, according to a university spokesperson. He also noted in his resignation letter intentions to thank many people in the coming weeks.

Robinson's decision comes after his nearly seven-year tenure at the university, where — despite recent blows — he has also had a list of highlights that include propelling the 136-year-old institution into being the No. 1 public HBCU for the fifth consecutive year in a row, according to the U.S. News and World Reports.

The university also met one of Robinson’s long-time goals last year of breaking into the Top 100 national public universities.

After stepping down from his role as president, Robinson — the historically Black university's 12th president — will start a 12-month sabbatical and will return as a distinguished professor in the School of the Environment.

“In the near future, I will call a special meeting so that we can discuss our next steps as a Board,” Harper told trustees in a Friday email.

She says ahead of the special meeting, the Board of Trustees will refer to its operating procedures, the Florida Board of Governors' regulations and state statutes 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 would make the selection and appointment.

FAMU, local community reacts to Robinson's decision

FAMU National Alumni Association President Curtis Johnson shared a few words Friday afternoon about Robinson's announcement on behalf of the university's alumni.

“We wish to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Larry Robinson for his leadership, dedication, perseverance and collaboration with the alumni association on moving FAMU's trajectory to the top of the HBCU pinnacle five years in a row,” Johnson said in a letter.

He also says Harper will provide a brief update on the resignation matter during the NAA Board’s Wednesday meeting.

Al Lawson Jr., a former congressman and longtime state lawmaker for the Tallahassee region who has a namesake facility at FAMU, said he’d heard rumblings of Robinson’s resignation on Thursday. Lawson said he wished Robinson well, adding “he did a great job of moving FAMU forward.”

Yet, despite several highlights under Robinson’s tenure, Lawson said developments surrounding the historic donation-turned-disaster was Robinson’s downfall. He said it caused “the university, as well as the state of Florida, an embarrassment.”

“I think it was the backlash, really, from that,” Lawson told the Democrat. “Sometimes you can't overcome some things, and that might be something you can't overcome.”

When asked if he was surprised by the resignation, Lawson said he saw it coming. He said the donation backlash was the last straw on the heels of other dings to FAMU’s reputation, including controversies with the university’s football program when student athletes being unrightfully dismissed during the ineligibility saga that surfaced in 2022.

“These things happen to you a lot of times when you end up in those positions,” said Lawson, adding he’s concerned about the timing on this administrative shakeup on The Hill.

“The sad thing, which I am concerned about, is you're getting ready to start the academic school year. And Robinson is very beloved by the students and by faculty members and so forth. To then have a change like this when school starts in August, it's something that you don't want to happen.”

The fall semester is set to begin Aug. 26.

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A look back on Robinson's leadership so far at FAMU

Robinson, 69 — a Memphis, Tennessee, native and noted scientist with connections to some of the country’s most prestigious and philanthropic research agencies — was named the 12th president of the university in November 2017.

Before joining the FAMU family, he worked as a research scientist and group leader at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

He then began his career at FAMU in January 1995 as a visiting professor in the Environmental Sciences Institute — recruited by then-President Frederick Humphries — and later became director of the Institute in January 1997.

Despite Robinson’s calm, nonchalant demeanor and reserved temperament, his leadership abilities continued to be executed at the university in higher positions. After serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2003, he was named interim chief executive officer in 2007.

He was then named interim president in July 2012 following the resignation of James Ammons until March 2014, when trustees hired Elmira Mangum.

The change in leadership was only for a short while as Mangum was ousted after a 29-month tenure. Immediately after, Robinson was appointed interim president again in September 2016 ahead of his appointment as the university’s next president.

More: FAMU: A choice for stability and consensus building

Robinson was widely credited with successfully leading FAMU during some of its toughest times during his 2012-14 interim presidency. He took the helm as the university was facing fallout from the November 2011 hazing death of Marching “100” Band drum major Robert Champion, accreditation issues and decreases in enrollment.

Under Robinson’s leadership during his 2012-14 interim tenure, FAMU was released from probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is the university’s accreditation agency. Robinson also ushered in a new anti-hazing program and website that aims to give students a way to alert administrators of hazing activity.

When it comes to funding, he secured large grants from big name entities such as Microsoft, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

On top of Robinson's resignation letter, he also wrote a letter to "FAMUly and Friends" saying that his announcement 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, of course, but at the same time, hope and anticipation,” Robinson said in the letter.

“While I may be stepping down from the presidency, this is not a farewell to my FAMUly,” he added, referring to his sabbatical and professorship plans. “I look forward to continuing to contribute to our students' lives and shaping their ability to address the complex problems confronting our world.”

This is a developing story. Check back later for more.

Business and economic development reporter TaMaryn Waters contributed to this report. Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU President Larry Robinson says he's stepping down