Florida HBCU Presidents Tout Their Relevance and Pledge To Work Together For Their Continued Survival and Success
Presidents of Florida ’ s four historically Black colleges and universities ( HBCUs ) reaffirmed the relevance of their institutions and pledged their commitment to continue to educate and graduate students of color . Meeting on the Tallahassee campus of the host Florida A & M University ( FAMU ) for the inaugural Florida HBCU Impact Summit , the presidents of Bethune- Cookman University ( BCU ) of Daytona Beach , Edward Waters College ( EWC ) of Jacksonville , and Florida Memorial University ( FMU ) of Miami Gardens and FAMU spoke of the challenges they faced and the opportunities that lay ahead .
The purpose of the half-day event was to bring together the four university presidents and their administrators in a historic gathering to focus on the importance of HBCUs to the state financially , culturally and academically . “ This is an opportunity to celebrate our HBCUs ,” said moderator Belvin Perry , who serves on both the BCU and FAMU boards of trustees .
HBCU Presidents
A . Zachary Faison , Jr ., Larry Robinson , Jaffus Hardrick , E . LaBrent Chrite Jacksonville , Florida September 2019
Program Success 9 September 2019
HBCU Presidents : A . Zachary Faison Jr ., Ph . D ., Edwards Waters College ; President Larry Robinson , Ph . D ., Florida A & M University ; Jaffus Hardrick , Ph . D ., Florida Memorial University ; E . LaBrent Chrite , Ph . D ., Bethune-Cookman University
Nationwide , HBCUs make up 3 percent of colleges and produce 20 percent of graduates and have nearly $ 15 billion in economic impact . In Florida , HBCUs make up 4 percent of colleges and give out 18 percent of all Bachelor of Science degrees earned by African Americans , boast $ 833 million in economic impact and create thousands of jobs , studies show .
FAMU President Larry Robinson , Ph . D ., said the lack of diversity in the area of STEM has hurt America ’ s competitiveness globally . The search for talent needs to be redirected , he said . “ There ’ s a tremendous amount of talent inside the classrooms of these four institutions and others like them across the country ,” Robinson told the gathering . America ’ s global competitiveness will improve when it begins to fully mine the talent at FAMU and other HBCUs .
In recalling his school ’ s long struggle for survival , FMU President Jaffus Hardrick , Ph . D ., spoke of his university ’ s move from Live Oak , Florida , to Jacksonville to St . Augustine and then to South Florida 50 years ago due to the threats of racial violence . He boasted of the rebirth of FMU football and bringing back the school ’ s marching band . “ We are bringing that level of creativity back to make sure we are making a big difference ,” Hardrick said . “ We will no longer be a secret . Everyone is going to know what we are doing . We are significant . We are relevant , and we are here to stay .”
The summit featured reports from administrators of all four schools giving a snapshot of their past accomplishments , present challenges and future opportunities . Each president responded to questions about their long-term survival . “ I am inspired by the resiliency of our community . I am inspired by the creativity and ability of our students . I am inspired by the commitment and work ethic , under difficult circumstances , of our faculty ,” said BCU President E . LaBrent Chrite , Ph . D ., who has been on the job for a month . “ I am inspired and moved by the prowess and competitiveness of our athletes despite profound resources shortages .”
FAMU is a public university ; the other three institutions are private . Asked about the challenges they face , the presidents said it was to sustain their survival and to address maintenance needs and improve individual and corporate giving . “ We have to be more businesslike ,” said EWC President A . Zachary Faison Jr ., Ph . D ., who was critical of companies who profited from the school , but rarely gave back to the institution . “ Some of the corporations who profit from us need to invest in us ,” Faison said . “ It ’ s a new day . If you do business with EWC , we expect you to invest in us .”
Others spoke of the challenge in attracting and retaining students raised in a digital age . “ We have to do things differently ,” Hardrick said . “ We still can ’ t be operating as if it ’ s 1950 . It just won ’ t work .” No matter the improvement and the changes for modernization , however , Robinson said it was vital that HBCUs not lose sight of who they are and what they do .
“ We are to be staying true to the things that make HBCUs ,” said Robinson , as he spoke of how HBCU faculty and administrators treat students . “ We have every reason to expect them to be successful . They don ’ t have to waste their time trying to prove they belong . We put our arms around them and go the extra mile .”