From homeless to the 'highest of seven hills': Meet the likely FAMU interim president

With the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees' selection of Timothy Beard to serve as interim president, many believe he has what it takes to lead the HBCU through the role.

"In my opinion, Dr. Beard has the academic pedigree, administrative experience, political capital and emotional intelligence to lead in this interim period," FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper said after recommending Pasco-Hernando State College’s recently retired president for the role during a virtual special trustees meeting Tuesday. The move came after the board accepted current President Larry Robinson’s resignation.

Trustees voted for Beard to start the new role Aug. 5, which will follow the end of Robinson's term on Aug. 4 after his recent decision to step down.

During the Tuesday meeting, Harper said she had multiple conversations with Florida Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb about the university's next steps since Robinson's announcement July 12.

While Beard said he was not approached by the Florida Board of Governors or the governor's office about the interim opportunity, he says a few FAMU trustees reached out to him here and there over the past six months or so, asking about his availability and if he would be interested in returning to FAMU in a leadership position following his retirement.

In an exclusive interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, he said it would “indeed be an honor” to serve the FAMU community.

“I love education, I'm passionate about it and I certainly welcome an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students that will go up to the 'highest of seven hills,'" Beard said.

More: FAMU trustees accept President Larry Robinson's resignation, pick interim president

As a Port St. Joe native and one of eight children, Beard, 62, graduated from Port St. Joe Junior-Senior High and attended FAMU, where he received an associate's degree in 1985 as a physical therapy student and a first-generation college student.

He then attended Florida State University, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in rehabilitation counseling along with a doctorate in rehabilitation counseling with an emphasis in higher education administration.

Beard — who is married to Wendy Beard, an FSU alumna, and has two daughters who are both FAMU alumna — retired from his position as PHSC’s fourth president in January after a nearly nine-year tenure and is currently a president emeritus of the New Port Richey-based college.

During FAMU's 2019 homecoming week, Beard along with other university alumni were recognized in a "Rattlers at the Helm" segment for serving in a top leadership role in education.

‘All about the student, always’

While Beard led PHSC as president, the college’s student enrollment increased more than 40%, its operating budget increased by nearly 40% and its foundation assets increased more than 60%, according to the college.

Beard also served over eight years as PHSC’s vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management before serving as its president, and he is the immediate past chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents.

“Dr. Beard is an amazing leader and he’s a fabulous collaborator,” PHSC’s Board of Trustees Chair Marilyn Pearson-Adams told the Tallahassee Democrat. “He's all about the student, always. That's sort of his mantra. He's just a very good leader, and FAMU will be lucky to have him.”

Prior to his time at PHSC, Beard served in a variety of FAMU roles for a total of 14 years — including an assistant professor, assistant director of career services, director of student affairs and several director positions at the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

He was also "Teacher of the Year” at the university in 2001.

"I had a chance to examine Dr. Beard's resume and record, and I think he's perfectly poised to come in and do what we need to do," FAMU trustee Belvin Perry said during the board's Tuesday meeting.

Beard was also one of three final candidates for FAMU's vice president of Student Affairs position in 2010 during a search that resulted in William Hudson Jr.'s selection. Hudson remains in that position as a member of Robinson's leadership team.

‘A man of principle’

Many are excited about Beard being picked to be the interim president of FAMU.

Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans James Ammons — who served as FAMU’s 10th president — says he has known Beard for over 30 years and witnessed him serve FAMU through various roles. He described him as a “student-centered administrator.”

“Just watching him move to higher positions in higher education, I have to say that I am extremely proud of what he has been able to accomplish over the span of his career,” Ammons said.

“He’s a man of principle, he’s a strong family man and he's everything that you would want in the leader of an institution of higher education."

Beard currently serves as the associate pastor of Restoration Church of Christ in Tallahassee — where his father-in-law Wender R. Gavin is senior pastor — and has dedicated nearly four decades to Christian ministries throughout his life.

Harper will negotiate a contract with Beard for the interim president role, which will be subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees and confirmation by the state's governing board for up to a 12-month period.

A Q&A with likely FAMU interim President Timothy Beard

Here's what Beard told the Democrat about being selected to take the helm soon, his excitement for the opportunity and more:

Q: What does the opportunity mean to you as someone from Port St. Joe and former administrator at FAMU?

A: "For me, it will be a 'rags to riches' story. What many may not know about my (journey) is that 40 years ago when I left FAMU as a senior physical therapy student in 1984, I ran out of money and was homeless for a while. Who could have imagined that 40 years later, that homeless young man would return to the 'Highest of Seven Hills' to be the university’s interim president? I must say, this could only happen in America and by the grace of God."

Q: What is your relationship with FAMU, its trustees and alumni?

"As a FAMU alumnus, a father of two daughters and a son-in-law who are all recent FAMU graduates, a former FAMU assistant professor and a 'Teacher of the Year' with over 14 years as a FAMU employee, I know thousands of FAMU alumni whom I have fruitful relationships with. There are a few of the FAMU trustees in whom I have know for several years."

Q: How often are you in Tallahassee now?

"My in-laws live in Tallassee and are up in age. They are at the point where they need more assistance from family. Therefore, my wife Wendy and I spend quite a bit of time in Tallahassee, especially since we both have retired."

Q: Would living in Tallahassee appeal to you and your family?

"Yes, it would. Coming back to live in Tallahassee would indeed put us back in a community which we know very well. More importantly, we would return with a heart to give back to a community that has given us so much more than we can ever give it."

Q: What is your greatest attraction of FAMU?

"Working at the number one public HBCU in the country, and one of the top universities in America, allows me to be in a position of impact. Such a position provides me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to help change the lives and trajectory of tens of thousands of students from around the world."

Q: How do you view the current state of higher education in Florida?

"Florida has been rated as having the number one higher education system in the country for seven consecutive years. Regardless of what observations one may have about our higher education system, no one can argue successfully about the success we have had in Florida. In my 40 years in higher education — 36 in Florida — opportunities and resources have never been what they are today. Under the extraordinary leadership of our governor, legislature, Board of Governors, university trustees and chancellor, we have so much to be thankful for and proud of."

Q: What personal strengths have you drawn on during your time as a college president?

"My ability to build and leverage relationships with the plethora of constituencies and stakeholders were great strengths. Additionally, I took extraordinary pride in being a builder of teams and a leader by example of demonstrating an extraordinary passion for student success."

Q: Have you been watching what's going on at FAMU (i.e. donation debacle, athletics issues)? What would be your advice to university leaders right now?“Yes, I have been reading about the donation and the other issues mentioned. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on these issues without having all the facts and relevant information.”

Q: What are your top goals for FAMU, and how do you plan to achieve them?

"Certainly, if appointed as interim president, I will work to build upon the success of the university that has been cemented over the past seven years under the leadership of President Larry Robinson. I am so impressed with the success and progress over the past several years of this esteemed university. My goal will be to continue to create and develop a culture of success and winning through setting lofty expectations of students, administrators, faculty and staff."

Q: What are some changes you would like to see at FAMU?

"One change I want to see relative to FAMU is that the institution continues to move forward as the top public HBCU in the nation as (while moving) into the Research-1 arena of universities in America. I am certain as the university continues to work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, State University System Chancellor’s Office and Board of Governors, accountability standards and performance measures will be exceeded within the reasonable future."

Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Meet Florida A&M trustees' pick for interim president, Timothy Beard