HBCU Presidents on the Move
Presidents who have left their positions at HBCUs.
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HBCU Presidents - Historically Black colleges and universities have been on a downward economic spiral. As a result, several Black college presidents have been fired or have resigned in the last few years. With the controversy surrounding the future of HBCUs, BET.com takes a look at the HBCU president switch-ups. —Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: WikiCommons)
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Sidney A. Ribeau, Howard University - Sidney A. Ribeau announced his retirement Monday following a 6.3 percent decline in enrollment this year and a decline in its Moody’s credit rating from A3 to Baa1, according to the Wall Street Journal. Ribeau was the president for five years. The university’s board of trustees appointed Wayne A.I. Frederick as interim president.(Photo: The Washington Post/Getty Images)
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Tony Atwater, Norfolk State - Former Norfolk State President Tony Atwater was fired in August following a summer of bad publicity for the university regarding finances, audits and low test scores. Sandra DeLoatch, provost and vice president for academic affairs, was named acting president.(Photo: Norfolk State University)
Photo By Photo: Courtesy Norfolk State University
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George Cooper, South Carolina State - George Cooper had a tumultuous tenure at South Carolina State University from 2008 to 2012. It was reported that he constantly clashed with staff and ignored declining enrollment rates. He was fired in 2010, but was reinstated that same year. Cooper finally stepped down in 2012, and Thomas J. Elzey became president in 2013.(Photo: WikiCommons)
Photo By Photo: WikiCommons
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James Ammons, Florida A&M University - Following the hazing death of FAMU marching band member Robert Champion, James Ammons resigned from his position as president of FAMU in 2012. He continued his tenure as a professor, and provost Larry Robinson serves as interim president as the university continues the search for a president.(Phil Coale/AP Photo)
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Dorothy Cowser Yancy, Shaw University - Shaw University President Dorothy Cowser Yancy announced her retirement in September, ending two-year tenure in her second tour as president of the school. The university relied on Yancy twice to assist with economic recovery efforts. Although there is no date set for Yancy’s retirement, Shaw is searching for a new president.(Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images)
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Irma McClaurin, Shaw University - Irma McClaurin, the first female president of Shaw University, left her position in 2011 after less than a year into her tenure. Although the university called McClaurin's resignation a "mutually agreed-upon decision," complaints revealed that after she fired several professors it “caused major operational dysfunctions with academics.” Dorothy Cowser Yancy replaced McClaurin that same year.(Photo: Courtesy of Shaw University)
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Julianne Malveaux, Bennett College - After serving as Bennett College president for five years, Julianne Malveaux announced her retirement in 2012. A renowned economist, Malveaux helped revitalize the college during a season of economic turmoil. Rosalind Fuse-Hall was appointed president of Bennett in 2013.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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David Wilson, Morgan State University - David Wilson was a finalist for the FAMU presidency in 2002, but became the president of Morgan State University in 2010. By 2012, the board of regents voted not to extend his contract, ending his tenure in June 2013. The university continues to search for his replacement.(Photo: Morgan.edu)
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Henry Lewis III, Florida Memorial University - In a hush, hush move, Florida Memorial University fired alumnus and President Henry Lewis III in November 2012, less than two years into his tenure. His dismissal marked the second time in three years a president parted ways with the university. Lewis was replaced by interim president Rosalyn Clark Artis.(Photo: Courtesy of Florida A&M University)