Chris Timmons: FAMU board chair Montgomery needs to go

Dr.  ELMIRA MANGUM, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
 

Dr. Mangum is attacking the institutional rot at FAMU and that has some scared.  So be it!

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- Rufus Montgomery, belligerent chairman of Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees, remains unbowed:

“I will honor the decision and level of confidence that Board members showed in my leadership earlier this month when they unanimously re-elected me to a full two-year term as chairman. While certain elected officials have always stood behind FAMU, their vantage point doesn’t afford them the same level of interaction or responsibility required of the chairman of the Board and other trustees. For the good of the institution and to prevent charges of undue political interference, I hope that our elected officials will allow our Board to do the job we were appointed to do.”

The domineering and vexing Montgomery was asked to step down by powerful FAMU alumni on Wednesday: Democrats state Sen. Dwight Bullard of Miami, state Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, state Rep. Mia Jones of Jacksonville, state Rep. Alan Williams of Tallahassee), and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

They say the infighting and “personality conflicts” between the university’s president, Elmira Mangum, and Montgomery has to stop for the good of that institution. Since Mangum was hired last year, Montgomery has been the proverbial thorn in her side.

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About FAMU

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus with a commitment to economic empowerment and community service.

The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant institution with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.

FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds.

What distinguishes Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education to many students who otherwise may never have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of getting a college degree. The CollegeNet and PayScale Social Mobility Index (SMI) have recognized FAMU for its commitment to providing pathways for social and economic mobility.

SMI ranks FAMU third among all colleges and universities in the nation for fostering social and economic opportunity. FAMU is also one of the top institutions for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).

Forbes magazine named Florida A & M University one of America’s Top Colleges for 2015, as well as one of the Best Colleges in the South. 

A National Science Foundation (NSF) report lists Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) as the No.1 historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation for total research and development (R&D) expenditures.

The NSF recently released data from its Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions study, which reveals that the top 20 HBCUs combined, had total R&D expenditures of $455.1 million, while FAMU alone accounted for a staggering $51.1 million of that amount.

U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. The University was also recognized among the 2014 U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges.