Submitted by Tarah Jean
(Source: Tallahassee Democrat)
After a mere five months on the job, Florida A&M University’s Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the FAMU Foundation W. Anthony Neal has been forced to resign from the dual role.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to work for this distinguished institution,” Neal said in a July 30 email sent to FAMU Foundation board members. “I have, tremendously, enjoyed the opportunity to work with each one of you and I wish you all the best!”
Although his resignation is effective Sept. 30, he was placed on paid administrative leave since Aug. 1 for the remaining 60 days of his employment − which could be cut shorter if he gains employment outside of the university during that time, according to a July 30 “Acceptance of Resignation” letter from former FAMU interim President Timothy Beard to Neal.
“On behalf of the university, I wish you the very best in your future endeavors and greatly appreciate your contributions to advance the university’s mission in the best interest of FAMU students,” Beard said in the letter. He hired Neal to join his leadership team in February during what was his ongoing restructuring of the senior administration.
Timothy Beard, interim President at Florida A&M University listens while Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper speaks during a retreat at Bradley’s Pond on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Beard’s letter also says that during the leave, Neal is “expected to refrain from reporting to work or visiting the area(s) related to your current work-assignment unless otherwise notified by this office.”
FAMU’s Assistant Vice President for Annual Affinity Giving and University Engagement Brandi Tatum-Fedrick − who also oversees Alumni Affairs − is currently serving as acting vice president for University Advancement, according to an Aug. 1 letter from FAMU President Marva Johnson to senior leadership team members and department heads. Tatum-Fedrick will continue to provide oversight of the Alumni Affairs Office while serving in the interim role.
Brandi Tatum-Fedrick is FAMU’s assistant vice president for Annual/Affinity Giving and University Engagement. She oversees Alumni Affairs and is also acting vice president of University Advancement.
The changes come as Johnson has officially stepped into the role of leading the university, with Aug. 1 having been her first day.
The confirmation of Johnson, who served in the administrations of Republican governors Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott, followed a contentious presidential search, which was met with an overwhelming public outcry that persists – so much so that administrators had to delete and limit comments on Johnson’s video inaugural message to the campus community.
But it is unclear whether Neal’s resignation is a directive from Johnson, who is expected to assemble her own team as she gets settled in − a decision that is not uncommon for incoming university presidents.
A university spokesperson was not immediately available to provide details on what led to Neal’s resignation or what other senior leadership team changes may be on the horizon.
Neal’s resignation comes shortly after FAMU’s Vice President of Government Relations Jamal Sowell wrote Beard a July 15 letter with plans of resigning from his post. He said he would be leaving on Aug. 8 but later postponed his departure until Sept. 1.
During Neal’s time of serving in his dual position, he directed the FAMU Foundation as it was faced with the burden of having to cover a majority of Johnson’s high-end salary this year − more than the $388,562 that the Foundation’s board initially agreed on − despite concerns about not being able to fund it. The presidential compensation includes a $650,000 base pay along with annual retention bonuses and other benefits, surpassing $900,000 in total this year.
But the Foundation was able to get out of having to contribute more money to Johnson’s salary this year following state legislation that allows FAMU’s Board of Trustees to tap into extra university funds for Johnson’s compensation instead. The board will vote on the Foundation’s 2025-26 budget proposal at its Aug. 7 meeting.
More: FAMU Foundation draws back from more presidential salary coverage, but future is unclear
As FAMU’s vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FAMU Foundation, Neal’s responsibilities included developing and executing fundraising strategies – such as strengthening relationships with major donors and spearheading campaigns – to secure financial support.
The Memphis, Tennessee native received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Denison University in Ohio, a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Jackson State University in Mississippi.
He joined FAMU from serving as senior vice president of Advancement at Wiley University in Marshall, Texas, from 2021 to 2024. Before that role, he served as vice president of Institutional Advancement at LeMoyne-Owen College from 2018 to 2021.
Tatum-Fedrick, who is filling the vice president role temporarily, is a two-time FAMU alumna − holding a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in public administration from the university − and she is also a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned her doctorate of education.