FAMU Foundation searches for new associate vice president

The Florida A&M University Foundation now has a position open. Associate Vice President Kent Taylor was dismissed from his position on Jan. 22, according to a Jan. 27, Famuan newspaper report.

According to the university’s Web site, the FAMU Foundation is responsible for contributions from the private sector, alumni, friends, and industry to the university.

University officials declined to give a reason why Taylor was dismissed, but the vacant post now gives Dr. Ammons an opportunity to bring fresh, innovative blood into the FAMU Foundation. Under Ammons, contributions to the school rose dramatically.

One year after Ammons’ arrival, alumni contributions increased by 86 percent in 2007-08, compared to 2006-07. Even with alumni confident that their contributions are being put to good use, the overall give back rate remains at a stagnant 3.7 percent according to Ammons.

There is no doubt that Ammons his taking FAMU in the right direction.

The 2009-2014 Strategic Plan projects enrollment numbers to hover around 15,000, along with the establishment of several new programs that will be exclusive to FAMU.

With 2010 well underway and the plan visibly coming into fruition, Ammons will need to make certain that a larger FAMU will be able to comfortably sustain itself. This, of course can only happen with the help of alumni dollars.

The FAMU Foundation needs an individual who is not only willing to think outside the box in snagging those donations, but someone will also be overly assertive in doing so.

When the Spring 2010 class walks across stage, inside their vinyl diploma covers should be an interested donor form.

Mailboxes at every residence where any recent FAMU graduate has ever lived, including their hometowns, should be flooded with updates, and donation forms from the university.

This type of aggressive solicitation is needed because it seems that with so many of our alumni, FAMU is out of sight-out of mind. That is, until annual homecoming festivities and classic games.