Apr 18, 2007 -- /prbuzz/ -- Florida A & M University on Thursday picked the chancellor of North Carolina Central University, Dr. James H. Ammons, to become FAMU’s new president. Ammons, 54, appeared before FAMU’s board of trustees in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday morning and didn’t learn of his selection until returning to North Carolina that afternoon. The decision to make Ammons FAMU’s tenth president reunites him with the school where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1974, and later served as a professor, as well as provost and vice president for academic affairs.
“I don’t think there is a greater honor than to have the people who know you the best to select you as the leader of your alma mater,” Ammons says. “It is the greatest feeling!” FAMU’s last full-time president, Dr. Fred Gainous, served from 2002 to 2004. He resigned after clashing with a board of trustees displeased over the university’s financial and administrative status. Gainous was succeeded on an interim basis by Dr. Castell Vaughn Bryant, the first woman to lead the 120-year-old, historically Black FAMU.
According to Ammons, his main priorities upon assuming FAMU’s top post will be to build enrollment, reconnect with the university’s corporate sponsors and infuse fiscal integrity and accountability.
Before any of that can be attempted, the details of Ammons’ FAMU employment contract have to be negotiated, and the board’s decision has to be ratified on Mar. 8. Plus Ammons has unfinished business in North Carolina.
“I would like to be as respectful as I can with North Carolina Central University to give them the time that they need to move forward with identifying my successor,” Ammons says. “And I want to graduate this class that’s coming out in the spring.” After his work in North Carolina is finished, the Winter Haven, Fla., native anticipates being back in his home state for the long haul. “I believe that some of the work that we would do (at FAMU) would take up most of a decade,” Ammons says. “I would like to do things and then have an opportunity to make certain those things are implemented and that they take hold.”
The decision to go with Ammons culminated a FAMU search that began in July and amassed 42 potential candidates before that group was culled to three finalists. Along with Ammons, the other finalists were Dr. Thelma Thompson, president of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Dr. Howard Johnson, provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Texas.
Ammons received seven votes from the board of trustees, Thompson six, Johnson none. As FAMU’s board decided who should lead the 13,000-student university, it was advised by Dr. Walter Smith, president from 1977 to 1985. Smith was delighted by the selection of Ammons, who worked under Smith for a time.
“He not only graduated from this institution, he was involved in many of the changes that took place in the early 80s right on into the 90s,” Smith says. “He has a good sense of some of the things that should be facilitated, as we strengthen ourselves in our recruitment program and in faculty.” After graduating from FAMU cum laude in 1974, Ammons earned a master’s degree in public administration and a Ph.D. in government from Florida State University.
--Blair S. Walker
http://www.famu.edu/?a=headlines&p=display&news=107
It’s Official: Ammons ratified by Board of Governors
as Florida A&M University’s next president.
GAINESVILLE – In a unanimous vote by the Florida State University System Board of Governors, James Ammons was ratified Thursday as the 10th president of Florida A&M University (FAMU). “It is with great humility that I accept this appointment,” said Ammons, who was accompanied to the meeting by his wife, Judy. “As I address the board today, I am standing on the shoulders of giants. . .
“On July 2, I will take full responsibility for the strategic direction of the university and its daily operations. We will move forward and will not look back. Fiscal accountability and integrity will be my highest priorities.” Ammons, who has served for nearly six years as the chancellor of North Carolina Central University in Durham, said he is confident that FAMU’s challenges can be overcome and said he will work to “return our focus to our core business of educating students.”
The midday vote came after a morning BOG audit committee meeting, which addressed the matter of FAMU’s recent preliminary audit, which led the BOG to create a task force that will work with the university in the coming months. In the opening remarks of her introduction of Ammons, Challis Lowe, chairman of the FAMU Board, expressed optimism about FAMU’s future.
“It is a privilege and an honor, and my responsibility today to present to you Dr. James Ammons as the candidate to be the tenth president of Florida A&M University,” Lowe said, “and to seek your ratification of the FAMU Board of Trustees selection.”
Governor Ava Parker offered the motion to ratify and received a quick second from a fellow governor.
“This is an important day and challenging time for FAMU as we ask you to confirm our next president,” said Lowe. “
“Since the task force was formed,” Lowe said, “I have spoken to virtually no one who does not understand the need for this intervention. We all hope that the guidance from the experienced members of the task force led by Lynn Pappas will help us resolve our chronic operational problems while at the same time providing better understanding of the resource shortcomings of FAMU.”
Ammons told a group of reporters later that he welcomes the work of the task force. “The seriousness of the situation warrants a thorough review of the financials,” he said. “I really want to get in and work with the task force . . . and work with the team so that we can address the issues that have been identified. He said he will travel to Tallahassee where he plans to visit Friday with key administrators, faculty, staff and lawmakers.
http://community.meacfans.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1661044881/m/3371062423/inc/1
FAMU NAA Votes to Endorse Ammons for FAMU President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dr. Alvin Bryant (757) 846-3104
Atlanta, Ga. - The Florida A&M University (FAMU) National Alumni Association (NAA) met today in Atlanta, Georgia at its 2007 Winter Meeting and voted to officially endorse the candidacy of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Chancellor James H. Ammons to become the tenth president of Florida A&M University.
“After having an opportunity to meet and listen to all of the candidates this week, it is clear that Dr. Ammons is best prepared to lead Florida A&M University into the future,” said Alvin Bryant, MD, National President, FAMU-NAA. “Dr. Ammons’ highly successful experience at a university similar in size and focus makes him the best choice for our University.”
“Further, the vision he expressed for our University and the direction he expressed we should be headed is in line with the goals and aspirations of our alumni, and the position statement of the Board of Trustees” Bryant added. “We believe that Dr. Ammons can hit the ground running and build strong and productive relationships with core university constituency groups that will be necessary to immediately begin moving FAMU forward.”
The vote to endorse Dr. Ammons came as FAMU Alumni, from throughout the country, gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for the association’s annual winter meeting. Dr. Joseph Webster, a Tallahassee physician and former president of the National Alumni Association said, “I’m excited about the direction the alumni association has taken with this endorsement. Ammons’ experience, track record, demonstrated leadership, and ability to form coalitions of various support groups are exactly what FAMU needs at this critical juncture. I enthusiastically support the NAA’s endorsement.”
Dr. Ammons has been chancellor of North Carolina Central University, in Durham, NC, since 2001. During his tenure he has increased that university’s by 58%, from 5,476 in 2001 to 8,675 in 2006. He has secured clean financial audits in June 2002, June 2004 and June 2005, all while the operational budget of NCCU has increased by 78% since 2001. Twenty-five million dollars of that budget is due to enrollment growth. He has expanded the university’s physical plant by adding nearly 500,000 square feet of new buildings, and has increased gifts from alumni, corporations, foundations and friends by nearly $40 million.
Booker Daniels, a former professor in the FAMU School of Business and Industry who has personally worked with Dr. Ammons said, “I am happy to support Dr. James H. Ammons and I can attest to his integrity, leadership and commitment to the well-being of FAMU. He has the experience and talent to take our University to the next level.”
Victor Gaines, president of the Marching 100 Band Alumni, said, “Dr. Ammons’ experience with the NCCU Marching Band has shown that he understands the role of a high profile band and how a band such as the Marching 100 can be utilized as a tool to market the university and increase enrollment”. “All of the candidates were impressive in their own way, however, we felt that Chancellor Ammons’ track record and success leading a university that is similar, in so many ways to FAMU, makes him the best qualified candidate for the job,” said Bryant. Ammons’ overall credentials distinguished him from the other candidates. Monica Campbell, a 1995 graduate and President of the Chicago, IL alumni chapter, said she “is looking forward to Dr. Ammons’ return to FAMU and to his moving FAMU to greatness with excellence and caring.”
On February 1, 2007 the FAMU board of trustees meets in Tallahassee to interview the three finalists. Before then, Dr. Alvin Bryant is calling on alumni around the country to contact the FAMU board of trustees, state legislators and the newly elected governor of Florida, Charlie Crist. On February 1, all FAMU alumni, friends and supporters are being asked to mobilize and come to Tallahassee.
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Grig.com & HBCUEntrepreneurs.com FAMU Alumni based investment groups manages a Web 2.0 campaign for Dr. James Ammons for FAMU Presidency and wins!
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