Several months ago, Florida A&M University (FAMU) became the center of a controversy when a $237 million donation was revealed to be fraudulent. The scandal led to the resignation of FAMU President Larry Robinson, who was succeeded by interim President Tim Beard. In response to the fallout from the donation, Beard requested the resignation of all 19 senior administrators in his leadership team earlier this week.

The call for resignations followed an independent investigation that found the issues surrounding the donation could have been largely avoided if university leaders had conducted a more thorough review of the donor’s credibility. This prompted Beard to take action, which he communicated to his senior leadership team in an email obtained by WCTV News. 

“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,” Beard wrote in the email. “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.”

Beard clarified that while he requested all senior administrators to resign, it does not mean that every resignation will be accepted. He described this step as part of an evaluation process to determine the best path forward for the university.

As of August 14, several key figures have already stepped down: the communications director, the athletics director, and the vice president of legal affairs. These departures have left significant positions vacant as FAMU prepares for the upcoming academic year.

The investigation report, which detailed the fraudulent donation from a Texas hemp farmer, highlighted significant lapses in the university’s gift acceptance processes. The nearly 200-page document noted that the donation, if properly vetted, could have been a transformative asset for FAMU.