Earlier this year, Florida A&M University administrators were hoodwinked by a fraudulent $237 million donation. After the donation was labeled fraudulent, President Larry Robinson stepped down from his role, and Tim Beard was named as his interim successor.
On Tuesday, Dr. Beard called for the resignation of all 19 administrators in his senior leadership team in an effort to further rectify the fallout from the donation scandal. In a recent independent investigation, evidence was found that if senior leaders had done their due diligence in reviewing the donor’s credibility, “the university could have avoided most, if not all, of the issues surrounding” the gift.
WCTV News in Tallahassee acquired an email sent by Dr. Beard on Monday to his senior leadership team.
“As you know, our University (FAMU) is at a critical juncture, where we must align our leadership, vision, and strategies to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities ahead,” wrote Dr. Beard. “After careful consideration and in consultation with the board of trustees, the past university president, and from my observations, I have concluded that a change in our senior leadership team is necessary to move forward more effectively.”
