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| Jorim Reid escorts First Lady Hillary Clinton at FAMU in 1996 |
“Mr. Reid is obviously deeply disappointed in the decision
made by the NCCU administration not to renew his contract,” said James E. Hairston
Jr., Reid’s lawyer. “He has dedicated the past 14 years to building the band
program to one of the most preeminent in the nation at any level.”
Hairston added that his client “is left with no other choice
but to vigorously pursue all of his legal options and, to that end, he has
already commenced the initial processes.”
The Durham Herald-Sun reported that NCCU also denied contract renewals to the rest of the members of Reid’s staff.
NCCU Provost Johnson Akinleye has named Thurman Hollins,
former band director of St. Augustine University, as the interim band director
effective July 1.
At this time, NCCU still hasn’t given an explanation for its
decision to part ways Reid and the other band staffers. The university did
offer words of appreciation to the ex-director.
“The university thanks the band’s previous leadership team
for their individual service and contributions to NCCU students and the
Department of Music during their respective tenures,” said Ayana Hernandez, a
university spokeswoman.