Thelma Thompson would be the first female president of Florida A&M University if selected in March, said A&M spokesperson Johnitta Richards.But Thompson said Wednesday while she is honored to be under consideration, the Florida post isn't one she applied for.
Thompson, president of University of Maryland Eastern Shore, is one of three finalists in the interviewing process to find Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's new president.
"Somebody nominated me for the (Florida) position," she said. "It's the same way I made my way to UMES. I can't help it if someone thought well enough of me to nominate me and these people acted on it."
Continue reading at: UMES president talks about FAMU
Is Thompson implying that she did not submit the proper paperwork for this position (applying) after she was nominated? We know who nominated her and we know why. Does this Howard grad think we are that simple?
ReplyDeleteShe doesn't have the skill-sets or experience at mid-sized or large institution to do the job required at FAMU. UMES is in essence a large high school, or tiny college, in comparison to FAMU. So let's just move on and let her move on.
ReplyDeleteI concur!!!
ReplyDeleteOl' girl that came from Savannah State (read very small school) to run SBI so far seems to be doing just fine. Let's not count her out b/c our school is much bigger than UMES
ReplyDelete"PLEEZE!"
ReplyDeleteThere are at least half a dozen or so of the State's CURRENT community college presidents that could come in here and run circles around what's going on at FAMU right now, so quit trying to make FAMU out to be some mega complex Institution of Higher Learning or something!
FAMU ain't but THAT much more difficult to operate PROPERLY right now than some of the biggest high schools in this State. All it needs are enough people with basic common sense - and the competency to actually perform the jobs they are being PAID to do - and FAMU will eventually be fine.
There ain't s*** up there that's all that hard to do - or rectify. It just hasn't been done and properly accounted for for YEARS - And for MORE than just these last five or so too !
Whoever gets the position out of the remaining three is MORE than qualified to run this School. If she wasn't qualified, do you really think she would still be among the last three standing?
But - Once that decision is made, the REAL Question is gonna be ... "How much are YOU gonna be willing to do - and put up - to help them?"
Just because you're qualified doesn't necessarily mean your the best person for the job. Though it's true that the same basic principles apply when running any institution of higher education, size can absolutely be a factor, and should be taken into consideration when choosing the best person for the job. More students,in most cases, means more faculty, a larger and more complex set of colleges, and most importantly more people who have stake in the college (Alumni, Community Members, etc..).
ReplyDeleteOne other very important factor that must be taking into consideration is that the president must be capable of dealing with a conflicting Board of Trustees. In my point a view the new president must be someone capable of uniting the torn board, and must not choose sides. (Kinda like the president of the United States).
I still think that no matter the fact that James Ammons is a wanted man by so many and is perhaps competent to lead, have we forgotten the Humphries years? Folks just want to discount all that. When are we gonna see the light that there are competent academicians out there WHO DID NOT GRADUATE FAMU that are equally qualified, skilled and competent to do the job. But then, again, that's like being too objective when it comes to all things FAMU.
ReplyDeleteSounds like she's not that interested in the position (by saying that she didn't apply for it). FAMU does not need a President who's heart does not bleed orange and green. She should be excited and I don't get that from the article. Although I am an FSU grad, I love the Rattlers and I believe whoever the next president is, needs to be excited about FAMU like Humphries was. Boy, do I miss when Humphries was President and at graduation, he would lead everyone in his story about FAMU and how the Rattler will strike, strike and strike again. I don't care what anybody says, Dr. Ammons is the man. Bottom line!!! End of story!
ReplyDeleteArticle published Dec 22, 2006
ReplyDeleteFAMU alumni leaders side with Ammons
By Diane Hirth and Jennifer Jefferson
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITERS
North Carolina Central University chancellor James Ammons has won the praise of both Dr. Alvin Bryant, FAMU National Alumni Association president and Alan Williams, president of the school's Leon County alumni chapter.
Last week, FAMU's presidential search committee narrowed down the candidates for FAMU's presidency. The candidate will relieve interim president Castell Bryant of her duties.
Ammons is up against Howard Johnson, provost at University of North Texas and Thelma Thompson, president of University of Maryland-Eastern Shore for the job.
Ammons and Thompson head historically black institutions like FAMU, and Johnson is second-in-command at a 33,000-student university transforming itself into a research institution.
Dr. Bryant said he knew both Thompson and Ammons well and respected both; however, he and many alumni association members support Ammons.
"I favor Ammons,” Dr. Bryant said. “They have a little FAMU going on down there (at North Carolina Central University). I think Dr. Ammons will hit the ground running from day one. He'll be able to come back here and stop the bleeding immediately."
Return to Tallahassee.com for an update on this story and read more about it in tomorrow's Tallahassee Democrat.
Her comment that she didn't apply is for the benefit of her current employer. She must not like her chances and wants to make sure she still has a home.
ReplyDeleteTO: ALL CHAPTER PRESIDENTS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD
ReplyDeleteFROM: DR. FREDDIE YOUNG,FLORIDA REGION, VICE PRESIDENT
CALLING ALL FAMUANS, WHO LOVE FAMU AND WANT THE BEST PRESIDENT FOR FAMU!!!!!!
YOU ARE INVITATED TO ATTEND AN EMERGENCY STRATEGY MEETING
Dr. Alvin Bryant, NAA President, Coordinated by Dr. Carolyn Frazier, Political Action Chair, and Hosted by the Greater Orlando Chapter, Ms Felechia Thompson, President have called an emergency meeting on January 6, 2007, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, at the FAMU LAW SCHOOL, Orlando, Florida. This meeting has been called to strategize and organize to rally support for Dr. James H. Ammons as Florida A&M University next President.
As you may know, we are now down to the last 3 candidates for President. We want to assure that the best candidate of FAMU is selected. This will be a structured meeting to accomplish that goal.
All chapters are asked to attend the meeting or send a representative, if you can. Your cooperation and participation are encouraged. You will also have the opportunity to tour our beautiful Law School.
Keep the light shining for Our Great University, FAMU!
What is going on at the law school?
ReplyDeleteLet's not forget that a Corbin-hater inspired board gave us the worse candidate once before as President. "Fool me once..." You know how it goes. FAMU cannot afford the worse candidate again by a Corbin-hater inspired board. Keep the pressure on!
ReplyDeleteLet's stop being crabs in a bucket. Ammons IS A RATTLER! Ammons has prepared himself well. Obtained the skill sets FAMU so desperately needs right now and is offering his service. All FAMUans should be proud and rally to welcome him home as President!
ReplyDeleteHow much $$$ has she raised? Another red flag!
ReplyDeleteShe ain't THE one! Next!
ReplyDeleteWhy is Johnitta Richards of FAMU's PR Office conducting PR for this woman?
ReplyDeleteI hope the PR plans on doing the same thing for ALL three candidates.
There are at least half a dozen or so of the State's CURRENT community college presidents that could come in here and run circles around what's going on at FAMU right now, so quit trying to make FAMU out to be some mega complex Institution of Higher Learning or something!
ReplyDeleteYou can't be serious. JUCO presidents have no experience in managing graduate education programs or research -- the two activites that define university-level education. They also don't have experience in managing university-level accreditation/reaffirmation processes.
There is a very clear difference between JUCOs and research universities. JUCOs teach remedial skills and vocations; research universities make new discoveries on the cutting edge of knowledge. They are not the same by a long shot.
A community college would be insulted if you said that high school administrative experience is comprable to JUCO administrative experience. Why? Because high schools are at a lower level.
The same insult applies to universities. It is an insult to say that JUCO administrative experience is comprable to the challenges of running FAMU. JUCOs are are at a lower level than we are.
Someone wrote, "She ain't THE one! Next!"
ReplyDeleteI concur! We won't settle for OJT (On the Job Training).
Go Rattlers! Go Ammons!!!