FAMU Chief Financial Officer Teresa Hardee is leaving
Florida’s only public historically black university to become the vice
president of finance at Delaware State University. She tendered her letter of
resignation on Sept. 5.
“It’s [Delaware State] a smaller institution and I’ve always
wanted to be more intimately involved in all facets of higher education, not
just the finances,” Hardee told The FAMUan. “How does finance really impact a
student’s life, or faculty life? So I get to do a little more of that in a
smaller setting.”
Back in 2007, Hardee was given the task of getting FAMU’s
financial books in shape after a string of bad audits. FAMU had received its
first ever qualified financial audits from the state in 2004-2005 and
2005-2006. FAMU had also gotten the worst operational audit in school history
in 2006 with 35 findings.
During Hardee’s tenure at FAMU, the university went back to
receiving unqualified annual financial statement audits. FAMU also went from
having the highest number of operational audit findings in the State University
System of Florida in 2006 to having some of the lowest numbers in 2008 and
2010.
“I think he would be an excellent fit,” Hardee told The
FAMUan when asked about individuals who might possibly step in to lead the
division. “He has played the number one
part in being successful in this job and turning the finances [of FAMU]
around.”
The decision on the new interim CFO will be up to Interim
President Larry Robinson.