Former band director and Department of Music Chairman Julian
E. White tendered his resignation back in May. The next band director will be
ineligible to simultaneously serve as the top official in the music department.
University officials have explained that this will help add an extra layer of
supervision over band operations.
Chipman is a native of Miami, Fla., where he graduated from
Miami Northwestern Senior High. He
received bachelor of science degrees in computer science and music education
from FAMU. After leaving the Hill, he completed a master’s degree in music education
from the University of Illinois. He finished his education by earning his Ph.D.
degree from Florida State University School of Music in Music Education.
Prior to his appointment at FAMU, Chipman taught band in the
Miami-Dade County Public School system for ten years.