- FAMU COO Donald Palm wrapped up the week of finalist visits Thursday, offering a familiar face to possibly lead as president.
- The Board of Trustees will meet Friday to make a presidential nomination.
- Watch now to hear a student explain how they feel about possibly having Palm ascend to the presidency.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
A confident Dr. Donald Palm made his case to be FAMU's next president Thursday, leaning on his successes on the hill and elsewhere in higher education.
"If you do the job in front of you, and you do it well, other opportunities will open up for you. And I know I've done all my jobs well and this is the opportunity that has opened up for me."
I'm Alberto Camargo, your College Town neighborhood reporter.
I'm breaking down how Palm's familiarity and intimate knowledge of the state of FAMU informs how the community sees him as a presidential finalist.
Palm is the candidate with overwhelming support from the alumni base.
The National Alumni Association officially endorsed Palm for President earlier this week, with an 81% vote in his favor.
After 20 years as faculty, Palm worked at Virginia State University for eight years before returning to FAMU in 2023.
Palm says his time at VSU saw success in accreditation and research funding.
He says he returned to FAMU to do the same and continue that work.
"The only reason I came back is because I knew I could help FAMU. There was no other reason for me to leave Virginia State, we were rocking and rolling. But I also saw the opportunity, I came back to FAMU I had a different lens."
Alum Jaiden Howard says Palm as president make sense in terms of continuity and a familiar face, but he's also aware of the potential drawbacks.
"I do feel comfortable knowing that Dr. Palm has an association with the university, but I do understand that can also come with some controversy when it comes to how do you hold your counterparts accountable? How do you differ from the current administration? And how can you really come in with a different mindset? Because sometimes that is very beneficial."
One interesting note about the trustees who will nominate the president: there is a new member.
Raphael Vazquez, a local businessman and member of the search committee, was appointed by the Board of Governors Thursday.
He replaces Earnie Ellison, who resigned after Board of Governors direction to not approve his appointment.
Student Charles Grant says he hopes the final vote is a faithful one.
"I hope the Board of Trustees makes the right decision, give us the right person. I hope they're not getting any pushback from higher ups to pick who they personally want. I hope they look at what the community wants and what the students need at the end of the day,"
FAMU's Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Friday to decide on their presidential nomination.
We will have team coverage of their decision for you.
At FAMU, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.
Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.
