Recap: Search Interviews Day One

Yesterday's interviews started out with Thelma Thompson followed by James Ammons and Patricia Ramsey. By 10:00 or shortly after Chancellor Ammons' opening statement you could feel the buzz in the air that FAMU maybe on it's way to selecting an outstanding 10th President.

Dr. Thelma Thompson was elegant in attire, articulate in response, but the depth and knowledge and personal ties, experiences and understanding of the Rattler Tradition were all missing from her interview. She gave an outstanding interview and responded very strongly to all of the questions posed by the presidential search committee. She is a very classy lady with strong opinions about shared governance, faculty student retention and student graduation. However, many in the audience commented that she failed to fully understand FAMU’s illustrious history and where its stakeholders envision it in the future. She did not communicate a vision for FAMU.

Opening statement: I was born in Jamaica, attended Howard University (grad & undergrad) and majored in English. I have lived in the USA longer that I have in Jamaica. I am the mother of one child, a dentist; a stepdaughter a doctor in FL; an adopted daughter a oncologist in NY; and a son who’s a IT specialist with Hewlett Packard.

Chancellor James Ammons was bombarded as he made his way across the set to the Grand Ballroom. Every few steps he was stopped and greeted by FAMUans, supporters, faculty and even some grad students excited about the possibility of the prodigal son coming home. Thelma Thompson may have set the stage but it became crystal clear that Ammons is the only candidate. Dressed in a navy blue suit, he was masterful at working the room, and the trustees. Articulate and posed, it was apparent that Ammons' time away resulted in a more mature, wiser and stronger leader. Having chair 14 SACS visits, four at major institutions; instituted a recruitment style and annual bus tour of North Carolina widened that gap between him and today’s two candidates. He was the only candidate that communicated a vision for FAMU – research intensive, supportive of faculty professional development and growth and willing to listen to all constituents. He actually communicated the role of the board as policy-makers. In the words of Chancellor Ammons – “My faith is in you (presidential search committee). As you take a look at the significant accomplishments of each candidate on paper – that is those accomplishments that can be documented you will select the right person to lead FAMU.

Opening statement: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to come back home. FAMU is a global treasure. FAMU is a part of the legacy of my family. My aunts, sisters, wife and son attended FAMU. I am deeply grateful to FAMU. I am from an African American community called Florence Villa in Winter Haven. As a child, I attended the classic in Miami. After watching the band and football team, I knew FAMU was the place for me. I began as a student in the 13 college curriculum program. I have worked as a member of the faculty and rose through the ranks to provost and vice president for academic affairs. My 18 years of experience at FAMU allowed me the successes at North Carolina Central. Those skills, models, and concepts that I have developed while at NCCU, I am hopeful that I will be given the opportunity to bring them home to FAMU.

Provost Patricia Ramsey is a very nice lady. In her responses to the board she was not clear and decisive. She rambled on when she encountered a question that she did not have a response to. Ten years from now, she sees herself as a university president. This candidate is just not ready to take the helm of a comprehensive university the size of FAMU’s.

More to follow….