UPDATED BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Six months of FAMU's presidential search led up to this moment, Friday, where Marva Johnson was nominated to be the 13th president on the hill.
"Congratulations to Mrs. Johnson."
With several alumni and stakeholders leaving the room in silence.
I'm Alberto Camargo, your College Town neighborhood reporter.
Breaking down how the trustee vote was split, why trustees voted the way they did, and where FAMU goes from here.
Marva Johnson comes in with years of experience in corporate lobbying as Group Vice President of State Government Affairs for Charter Communications.
But she also came with baggage concerning her Republican Party affiliations and how they line up with FAMU's values.
In her final interview with trustees Wednesday, Johnson said that experience will serve her well in securing funding from state government for FAMU.
Board of Trustees Vice Chair Deveron Gibbons agrees — that's why he voted for her.
"Six percent of the alumni are givers. Unfortunately, the rest of the money comes from the state. We need somebody who can not only raise money, but somebody that's going to have to take in mind that our students are our number one customer and constituent."
Gibbons was joined by trustees John Crossman, Natalie Figgers, Emery Gainey, Kelvin Lawson, Nicole Washington, Michael White, and Faculty Senate President Jamal Brown.
Brown defended concerns that President-Elect Johnson has no educational experience, pointing to her time on the State Board of Education.
He believes Johnson will keep FAMU afloat.
"What helps us to survive? What helps us to grow? If we want to win, we must compete, and to compete we need strategy, we need funding, and we need leadership that can deliver both."
But Johnson's candidacy has been blasted by the FAMU community.
Board Chair Kristin Harper shared that over 800 stakeholders submitted evaluations of Johnson after her campus visit — nearly double the total number of responses to all other candidates combined.
"Many respondents also questioned her preparedness, depth of understanding and authenticity, expressing fears that her leadership could jeopardize the university's legacy and values."
Yet the board still voted in Johnson's favor.
The four who didn't: trustees Craig Reed, Belvin Perry Jr., student body president Zayla Bryant, and Chair Harper.
They voted for current Chief Operating Officer Dr. Donald Palm.
Harper says her decision reflected what the community wanted.
"My vote will be in alignment with the will of students, the will of alumni, the will of most faculty and staff. The will of this community and Tallahassee."
Trustees also voted to delegate contract negotiations with Johnson to Trustee Washington — a job that normally is up to the Board Chair.
A salary range of $450,000 to $750,000 has already been approved.
In her application, Johnson requested a base pay of $750,000.
Johnson's nomination is still subject to an interview and confirmation by the Board of Governors.
The BOG is scheduled to meet next on June 18 at Florida Atlantic University.
At FAMU, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
UPDATE:
Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has nominated Marva Johnson on Friday as the school's President-elect. Her nomination must be approved by the Board of Governors. Their next meeting is set for June 18th.
Original:
After meeting with the four finalists during campus interviews this week, Florida A&M University Board of Trustees is meeting to discuss who to nominate as its next President between finalists Rondall Allen, Gerald Hector, Marva Johnson, and Dr. Donald Palm.
WATCH THE MEETING BELOW:
This is a developing story.
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