Aubrey McDonnell Perry, former FAMU dean who shaped generations of scholars, dies at 89

Aubrey McDonnell Perry, Ph.D., the longtime dean of FAMU's College of Arts and Sciences whose nearly two decades of leadership helped shape one of the institution's largest academic colleges, died Wednesday, according to family members and friends. He was 89.

Dr. Perry, a psychologist by training, served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1984 until 1997, guiding the college through a period of academic growth and institutional change.  He retired from the university in 2003. Following his retirement, FAMU honored him with the title of Dean Emeritus, recognizing a career that left an enduring mark on the university and thousands of students, faculty members and alumni.

Over nearly 14 years as dean, Perry became known not only as an administrator but also as an educator committed to academic excellence, faculty development and student success. Colleagues credited him with strengthening curricula across multiple disciplines while fostering an environment where scholarship and mentorship flourished.

His leadership extended beyond administrative responsibilities. Faculty members frequently described him as a steady presence whose office door remained open to students and professors alike. His calm demeanor and thoughtful guidance earned him widespread respect throughout the university community.

As a psychology professor before and during his tenure as dean, Perry helped prepare generations of students entering graduate school, public service and professional careers. Many former students recalled his insistence on intellectual rigor balanced with compassion, qualities they said defined both his teaching and leadership.

Following his retirement, Perry remained an admired figure at the university, regularly attending campus events and maintaining relationships with former colleagues and students. His influence endured even as FAMU's academic organization evolved.

The College of Arts and Sciences that Perry once led was later reorganized as part of a broader restructuring of the university. Today, its former academic programs are divided among separate colleges, with humanities disciplines housed in the College of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and scientific fields incorporated into the College of Science and Technology. The restructuring reflected the university's continued growth but also underscored the breadth of the college Perry once managed under a single academic umbrella.

News of his death prompted an outpouring of condolences from alumni, former faculty members, students, and friends who remembered him as a mentor whose kindness matched his expectations for academic achievement.

Many credited Perry with creating opportunities for young faculty members, encouraging professional development and cultivating a culture of collaboration that strengthened the university's academic reputation.

His legacy is measured not only in the programs he helped build or the policies he implemented, colleagues said, but in the lives he influenced over decades of service.

For many within the FAMU community, Perry represented a generation of academic leaders whose commitment to excellence helped define the university during a transformative era. His tenure touched thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to become educators, scientists, public servants and leaders in their own communities.

Funeral arrangements had not been publicly announced as of Thursday.