When FAMU alumni saw former Interim President Castell Bryant creating multimillion dollar deficits and getting the worst state audits in the university’s history, many closed their checkbooks. But once new President James Ammons entered office and started fixing Castell’s mess, alumni donations quickly rebounded.During Castell’s first full year in 2005-2006, alumni gave $720,985. That fell by -28 percent to $521,821 during 2006-2007 after Castell and her financial officers had landed FAMU's first-ever qualified state audits.
Ammons’ entry in 2007-2008 immediately reversed the decline in alumni giving levels. During his first six months in office, Ammons and his financial team got FAMU’s books back in shape and received an unqualified state audit. The new administration also got the university off probation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Alumni responded by increasing their donations by 86 percent, for a total of $968,820 that year.
Alumni giving continued to go up in 2008-2009. That year, FAMU went from having the largest number of operational audit findings in the State University System under Castell to one of the very smallest numbers under Ammons. Alumni contributions climbed by another 22 percent to $1,180,723.
FAMU’s new leadership has also reinvigorated the Boosters. In 2006-2007, Boosters giving slid by -3 percent, going from $167,100 to $162,420. During Ammons’ first year, Boosters contributions jumped up by 67 percent to $270,820. In 2008-2009, that number rose again by 6 percent for a total of $285,816.
Alumni want to know that their financial gifts are being properly managed. It’s clear that the Ammons administration has restored alumni confidence in the university’s accounting systems. The increase in alumni giving, despite the current recession, is another selling point FAMU can use to attract bigger sums of money from corporate America and the State of Florida.
Source: FAMU Strategic Plan Accountability Indicators.
It's good to see our alumni and Boosters are stepping up to help FAMU during these tough times.
ReplyDeletelets get this clear the Booster statement was meant to ease the blow when you know who is named the AD. Give me a break and go ahead and remove this post like we know you will! The new AD will be a recycled FAMU lackey. We are all for hiring FAMUANs, but you have to be more than a FAMUAN! You must be QUALIFIED!!!!!!! This will kill our university and where is the new blood? FAMUAN's who dont have this group think mentality and dont simply wanna be a member of the "in-group"?
ReplyDeleteGreat point 8:40 pm... look at our mens bball coach....give me a break he still has a job!!! He got it from a powerful FAMU connect...When the head coach of Chipola CC should have gotten the job!
ReplyDeleteCan't we just be happy about the increased donations coming in from the Boosters? The Boosters giving level is up by 73% since 06-07. Our athletics department needs every dime of that cash and that was the point of the whole article.
ReplyDeleteWhy try and spin something positive into something negative?
8:40 I don't know who. who is "you know who"
ReplyDeleteYes 8:40 PM. I dont know who "you know who" is either. Please share with us.
ReplyDeleteMickey Clayton a.k.a."you know who"
ReplyDeleteOH HELL NAW!
ReplyDeleteShort memories abound. Remember that Mickey Clayton has also saddled the booster org with debt for the score board in Bragg. I believe the price tag was around $700K. And, that didn't include the PA system.
ReplyDeleteBooster organizations are supposed to do something other than travel and support the team and drink liqour. I applaud Micky for purchasing the new score boards and holding the Boosters liabld for something tangible. Fundraising is on the rise in the booster organization.
ReplyDeleteMickey has done a TREMENDOUS job as booster president and stay in that position. We need an AD who understands all aspects of athletic administration and not just a small segment.