Just hours before an emergency meeting of the university’s board of trustees, one figure in the Florida A&M donation scandal has resigned their position.
Shawnta Friday-Stroud stepped down as vice president of advancement Wednesday morning, according to a report by Rattler Nation.
#FAMU VP of Advancement resigns amidst turmoil. Will remain Business School Dean .. <Developing story> pic.twitter.com/499NkBDOjR
— Rattler Nation Blog (@RattlerNationFL) May 15, 2024
According to the report, FAMU president Dr. Larry Robinson said in a statement, “Earlier today, Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud tendered her resignation from her position as VP for Advancement. After careful consideration, I accepted her resignation. Dr. Friday-Stroud will return to serve as the Dean of the School of Business and Industry.”
This announcement comes 10 days after a controversial donation from hemp farmer Gregory Gerami, allegedly the largest ever given to an HBCU at $237 million. Gerami has been called into question for not having the wealth or the resources as claimed to donate to Florida A&M. A contentious meeting of the FAMU foundation board of directors was highlighted by Robinson announcing the donation would be paused to consider further information about Gerami.
Late last week, Robinson, Friday-Stroud, athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, and Board of Trustees Chairperson Kristin Harper signed a non-disclosure agreement with Gerami regarding the donation in question.
