James Ammons has done a masterful job in bringing resources to and growing NCCU, they now have more National Achievement Scholars than FAMU. Under his leadership the school has experienced a 58% increase in enrollment. Chancellor Ammons even handled that entire Duke/NCCU sexual assualt allegation brilliantly. He knew that millions of eyes were on him, watching how he conducted himself given the fact the alleged "victim" was one of his students. Ammons was very careful not to cast undue aspersions on the alleged perpetrators nor on his "sister" university. At the same time, however, he acknowledged the pain and anguish the allegations were causing on his own campus.
Surely, Castell & Lowe and others who don't have FAMU's best interest at heart, are lining up to sling mud to sully Mr. Ammons' reputation. Clearly this can be classified as your garden variety of everyday "cooning", based sheerly on hate, envy and jealousy.
Doesn't it always go that way when we are dealing with "our" people?
Like it or not, no one can take away the fact that Mr. Ammons was a major part of what can clearly be called FAMU's "glory days" and has an excellent record of taking NCCU from the back of the bus to the front.
FAMU needs, and deserves, a leader like Mr. Ammons.
See: Chancellor hits road to meet Alumni and Students
NCCU Law School named one nation's best
Ammons vision for NCCU
I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteLike Frosted Flakes
ReplyDeleteAmmons is Grrrreat!
RN you are doing an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteLook carefully at The FAMUan's article on the last presidential search committee meeting. Challis Lowe is already starting her attack against James Ammons:
ReplyDeleteDuring the debate over the candidates, which included sitting university presidents, CEOs, university administrators and a federal administrator, concern was expressed over several candidates' ability to handle the job.
Several key points addressed included recruitment, retention, fundraising and leadership qualifications.
One FAMU alumnus, Ammons, made it into the final six.
"One of the questions I would have, let's look at what he did when he was here," Lowe said. "Why wasn't he considered for the president job at the time?"
From: "Search Reduced to Six Candidates" www.thefamuanonline.com
Here's an early answer to Lowe's main question: Ammons was not considered for the permanent presidency while he was here because it was not open. FAMU already had a permanent president!
FAMU's presidency did not open until Lowe's friend, James Corbin, rallied support from Jeb Bush and the Board of Regents to lynch Fred Humphries.
But still, Lowe is trying to hint that Ammons was not considered for the permanent job because he was not qualified or capable. Who does she think she's kidding?
Ammons was strong in every place where Castell Bryant is weak: recruitment, fundraising, lobbying, grant-raising, and people skills.
Bring Ammons home!
Dang! I didn't know this happened.
ReplyDeleteJust hope all of you who love the man so much will "Put your money where your love is" ... If this man is selected, and starts coming after you all for money to support the school!
ReplyDeleteTHEN folks will see how just much love you'll have for him - and FAMU then!!
When we bring Ammons on board, we should get a package deal for Jorim Reed to succeed Julian White and free up Shelby Chipman to head the music department. This will allow us to endorse a chair for Julian White to be the Public figure. Bring on the change.
ReplyDeleteIf Ammons comes in, then we will have a large package of strong, seasoned admins who will come along with him. Ammons took many of the best FAMU officials with him to NCCU.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I look forward to Roland Gaines coming back to head up Student Affairs (goodbye Vincent June!) and Charles O’Duor coming back to head up Fiscal and Administrative Affairs. Just take a look at NCCU's annual audits from from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor. This is the type of competent financial management that we need at FAMU.
Thanks. Your concerns have been so noted.
ReplyDeleteto anon @ 4:21...
ReplyDeletenot sure what you mean re: Doc and Chipman. please explain.
Looks like James Ammons' bosses in the UNC system are not ready for him to leave yet. This might get interesting.
ReplyDeleteFrom News & Observer Published: Dec 08, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Dec 08, 2006 05:53 AM
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/519134.html
NCCU's leader seeking new job
Ammons a finalist for post in Florida
Ammons found his reception in Florida humbling.
Anne Blythe, Staff Writer
DURHAM - James H. Ammons, chancellor at N.C. Central University, is a finalist for a job that could take him home to Florida.
On Thursday, Florida A&M University announced the names of the six finalists for president of the Tallahassee school.
Ammons, a former provost at FAMU, was on the list. The way the search process is set up, though, it could be March before a decision is made.
"Florida A&M is my alma mater, and it's the alma mater of quite a few people in my family," Ammons said Thursday after the list was released. "It's really humbling to find quite a few people know and respect me and my family enough to consider me for this. It's a special feeling."
A search firm contacted Ammons about the opening several weeks ago, he said, and he quickly told Erskine Bowles, the UNC system president, about the opportunity.
Bowles could not be reached for comment. But Joni Worthington, a system spokeswoman, said, "The president made clear to Chancellor Ammons that we would very much like him to stay at North Carolina Central but understands that this is a personal decision."
Ammons said Thursday that it was too early in the FAMU search process to say what he would do if he were offered the job.
"N.C. Central and Florida A&M both, both are special places in the lives of my family," Ammons said.
Since coming to NCCU 5 1/2 years ago, Ammons has been at the helm of one of the UNC system schools designated for high enrollment growth.
Shortly after his arrival, Ammons mined FAMU to fill several key positions at NCCU and was systematic about changing things at the historically black university.
The previous chancellor, Julius Chambers, had brought more money and prestige to the school and set it on a new course to train young African-Americans in biotechnology.
NCCU had struggled for years with dwindling enrollments, low SAT scores for incoming freshmen and buildings that were falling apart.
Business links
With FAMU as his model, Ammons tried to build ties to businesses to provide students with plum internships and scholarships. The companies would benefit by getting to know motivated students who might want to enter their work force after getting degrees.
Under Ammons, enrollment numbers and SAT averages have moved up. Millions of dollars have been funneled into a new biotechnology training program.
But he also has had to battle problems with toxic mold in residence halls.
During the spring, he tried to keep the campus calm after news broke that an NCCU student -- hired through an escort service to dance at a team party -- alleged that she had been gang-raped by three Duke University lacrosse players.
Visit next week
Ammons is set to go to Tallahassee next week when the FAMU trustees are scheduled to interview the six finalists.
A native of Winter Haven, Fla., in the heart of the citrus belt, Ammons received a political science degree from FAMU in 1974.
Although he started his teaching career at the University of Central Florida in 1977, he made his way back to Tallahassee and FAMU by 1983.
After beginning there as an associate professor of political science, he rose quickly through the ranks. In 1995, he was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs.
After that interview session next week with the FAMU trustees, the field could be narrowed to three candidates.
If Ammons is one of the three, he will be asked to meet with faculty, students, alumni and other university constituents before the March decision.
FAMU, established in 1887, is larger than NCCU with its nearly 11,910 students and 889 faculty. NCCU has about 8,600 students.
Staff writer Anne Blythe can be reached at 932-8741 or ablythe@newsobserver.com.
^^^
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that article. With the success Ammons has had at NCCU no wonder they aren't ready to see him go.
As for Mr. Reid, let him stay put at NCCU and get a little more season. We have a great pipeline of future band directors in Mr. Chipman and Mr. Holloway, should Julian become disposable.
Honestly I was hoping FAMU would go for an actual business leader. All these career administrators are what is holding the school back. Running a school is like running a business, not teaching a class. The school can do better than these fools. Though among the final 6 Ammons appears best.
ReplyDeleteHigher Education is NOT a business. Thanks to all of the people that have bought into this REPUBLICAN rhetoric, the public education system is all but defunct.
ReplyDeleteTo better understand the fallacies of these ideas one needs only to readJonathan Kozol or Alan Bloom.
Even Republicans don't believe in these ideas. How many Republicans do you KNOWhave their children enrolled in public schools.
At least when the last Democratic Governor of Florida governed his children were enrolled in Leon County Public Schools. Where does Jeb Bush's youngest child attend school? Better yet where did his oldest son and daughter attend school?
Ammons may be qualified, but I still say we need to hire a president who is not a graduate of the university. How many of the past few presidents at FAMU have been graduates? CVB, Fred G.,
ReplyDeleteLewis, Fred H, et al., and now, perhaps, James Ammons. Are we afraid to step outside the box here?
The problem isn't with hiring FAMU alums. The problem is with hiring FAMU alums who are not qualified for the position. Fred Gainous and Castell Bryant were not qualified to lead FAMU by a long shot. FAMU is not a community college.
ReplyDeleteAmmons has the proven experience, skills, knowledge, and vision to take FAMU to the next level.
After looking at all of the canidates I also think that Ammons is the best choice. I am very impress with his grass root effort to recruit students to NCCU. Should he beome president of FAMU I would hope that he would continue this trend. Starting in Pensacola he should travel throughout the state looking for the best and brightest student in this state. By doing this he could also meet with alumi and gain their support. Do you know howm many Alums we have teaching in this state that could influence the college choice of many students. Someone needs to tap into this resource.
ReplyDeleteIf Ammons is the clear choice among FAMU alumni then the national alumni association should get behind his candidacy early...like NOW...to let the BOT know he is the alumni choice. A campaign to get behind Ammons will snowball rapidly but it starts with the national alumni leadership. Can't sit silently and let this Board manipulate Ammons out. Without question Ammons should be one of the three finalists. Alvin Bryant...time for you to step it up!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...are they all black? can you post pictures? they MUST be black.. right? we couldn't have a non-black president, could we? Would that take us back to plantation days to have a non-black president?
12/06/2006 6:00 PM
The original post was meant to be a sarcastic dig at our screening process. We are not seeking the most talented or the most qualified university executive available in the world. We are seeking the best black that we can get. Is it possible that a more qualified candidate may be brown, yellow or white? The blatant discrimination is dizzying. Imagine FSU or UF advertising "whites only need apply." There would be rioting in the streets. Why isn't there rioting in the streets at FAMU? We need the BEST we can get regardless of race, creed, religion, gender, height, weight, hair color, freckles, baldness, or any other physical attribute.
Wasn't it MLK who dreamed of a day where people would be judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin?
FAMUians are STILL judging people and hiring people based SOLELY on the amount of eumelanin their body produces.
This is an embarrassment to *his* legacy and the antithesis of his dream.
Get outta Dodge-Free yourself. It's "ok" to be a free thinker, but you sound bought and paid for. Black IS Beautiful. You tell a frat or sorority to let a non-member run the house. You don't even know what is at stake, esp with a "non" running your household. Look at the "NON's" on the BOT! Just actin' up. Get 'em outta here already! Reserve the busses, I'm there.
ReplyDeleteTo 12/08/2006 5:32 PM
ReplyDeleteI just think that it may be bet to strike now on those positions before things get out of "hand". Castell wants Doc White OUT. I just think he should be UP. The Dean or Chairman, Doc Chipman Director of Bands and the Hons. Holloway and Reid with the marching band, along with a more relevant director for the brass. (pipeline was definitely IGNORED there) We really do have a pipeline, but we need more savvy staff who know how to Foster leadership with finess. The program needs more attention. Too many hats. Just because Castell is not attracting the best, doesn't mean that the band should reflect that. We have our "own" recruitment. Also as a side nnote, there are some freshly allowed in students looking to completely swith the style and swagger of the band. If we're not careful, the turnover will leave us, sooner than later asking aloud "what happened"? We're already wondering what's going on. I know that I read as one of the unfaithful, but I'm a witness to some of the most curious things here lately- and I don't do band-aids. Tune-up time helps manage wear and tear. You see the crroked mechanics are encroaching- some shadetree advice is priceless.It's just a thought. More directly, Ammons all the way!
12/09/2006 10:29 AM
ReplyDeleteFAMUians are STILL judging people and hiring people based SOLELY on the amount of eumelanin their body produces.
Quite an accusation from an NON-FAMUAN. We must be too ignorant to be simple racists- we have to be simple, inept COONS who can not be trusted with decisions such as the one at hand. ***Uncle Rukus, does the MAN know you're on the internet? Silly me- of course he does- his agents are everywhere. Only a COON can sniff out and convert any unsuspecting darkie(FAMUAN) any day. Right?***
It's hard to imagine a white president doing any worse than we've recently had. So, why not? Do you think black administrators are incapable of working with whites?
ReplyDeleteFAMU is, after all, a state university. As I best recall, taxpayer funds pay around $3 dollars for every $1 paid in tuition and fees.
Why should race be THE factor in our president? And yes, I, too am a Famuan.
Jorim Reid is not leaving NCCU, a program that he literally built from nothing.
ReplyDeleteIt ain't happening.
Oh yeah, and Dr. White will definitely outlast Castell.
ReplyDeleteI see we have some Journalism faculty on RN calling for a white president. WTF? FAMU is an historically black college with a mission to educate African-American students, and any other students who want to come. With that in mind, we need someone who is sensitive to FAMU's mission to lead the institution.
ReplyDeleteFAMU needs to alter its "mission" to include all children in and out of the State of Florida. Black kids aren't going to go to an HBCU just because it is an HBCU. Two things must be done: 1) increase the academic standing of the school 2) reach out to more kids who may not be black(honestly, they need to revamp how they approach black kids as well)
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIf Ammons is the clear choice among FAMU alumni then the national alumni association should get behind his candidacy early...like NOW...to let the BOT know he is the alumni choice. A campaign to get behind Ammons will snowball rapidly but it starts with the national alumni leadership. Can't sit silently and let this Board manipulate Ammons out. Without question Ammons should be one of the three finalists. Alvin Bryant...time for you to step it up!
12/09/2006 8:24 AM
Alvin Bryant isn't the NAA -- YOU are! So if YOU want Ammons, YOU need to step it up and tell the BOT who YOU want.
Unless you think that the measly 3000 members that the NAA really speaks to the BOT.
doubtful the NAA would officially endorse a candidate. That would mean they would be in a bind if that candidate was not chosen. Best to let the members write their own letters etc about their favorite candidates.
ReplyDeleteANON 12/09/2006 10:29 AM SAYS:
ReplyDeleteDid I say I was supporting the idea of a white president? No. I was merely pointing out the fact that ONLY blacks need apply. No Indians, Jews, Asians, Hispanics OR Whites need apply.
I think this is narrow minded.
The same people who think that discrimination is a great idea ("dont want a "NON" running your house") are the same people that would shit a cow if blacks were excluded from some other leadership opportunity at a different university. Don't be a hypocrite.
When an African-American runs UF or FSU, then maybe a non-African-American should be considered to run FAMU. Hell, Bobby Bowden won't even hire an African-American offensive coordinator.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIf Ammons is the clear choice among FAMU alumni then the national alumni association should get behind his candidacy early...like NOW...to let the BOT know he is the alumni choice. A campaign to get behind Ammons will snowball rapidly but it starts with the national alumni leadership. Can't sit silently and let this Board manipulate Ammons out. Without question Ammons should be one of the three finalists. Alvin Bryant...time for you to step it up!
12/09/2006 8:24 AM
*****************************
It's ironic that the majority of the alumni do not attend general membership meetings or any meetings for that matter, but want to tell Alvin Bryant what to do. Bryant is but one vote on the executive board. If you want the him to get behind Ammons then you all need to advise the executive board to get behind Ammons as well.
So stop complain'in and tell the executive board that you have elected (if you paid your dues/or not) to get behind Ammons as well.
This is going to take a full-court press and that means the majority of the alumni paid or not are going to have to step up their game. Once the process is over there will be no room for complain'in and crying foul.
The difference in alumni leaders of the past (Miles, Johnson, Webster, Pilate)was they were not afraid to step out and rally alumni support. This is what real leaders do. They don't wait for the members, nothing would ever get done in that model. Alvin Bryant has an opportunity to prove that he is cut from a true leadership mold or not. The time is NOW and time is of the essence.
ReplyDeleteAdd Kinsey to that list. While there were conflicts with the administration, Kinsey proved his leadership with that yet to be equaled National Alumni Convention in Orlando.
ReplyDeleteBold leadership is the order of the day!
I think Thelma Thompson is great! She has a wealth of experience and knowledge to take FAMU to the next level.
ReplyDelete