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Amid the controversy surrounding Gregory Gerami's fraudulent donation of seemingly worthless stock to Florida A&M, discussions have sparked within the HBCU community. One key topic is the handling by university president Dr. Larry Robinson and all stakeholders regarding the gift. How did such misconduct go unnoticed? Despite a non-disclosure agreement, why were other Board of Trustees members and FAMU Foundation stakeholders not consulted before any agreements were made?
The questions were raised in both the emergency FAMU Foundation Meeting last Thursday and this afternoon's Board of Trustees meeting. An external investigation into the university's processes and procedures is set to follow, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees. Since the beginning, what has perturbed me is one frequently disregarded aspect of this whole fiasco.
The ruse that Gerami pulled on FAMU, has overtaken the fact that the Spring commencement ceremony was turned into an unserious spectacle. No matter how much Florida A&M officials seek to scrub the moment from their social media accounts or try to move past it over the coming weeks and months, the spectacle that was Gregory Gerami addressing the Spring Class of 2024 is forever etched in the history of the institution. Reprimands and terminations alone cannot rectify this situation; a mere apology lacks the strength to undo the grave misconduct that marred the esteemed commencement ceremony of Florida A&M.
Commencement season is one of the most highly regarded times on an HBCU calendar. Thousands of students across the nation turn their tassels and officially become alumni of their institution, attempting to forge a legacy for themselves and their families. I know the feeling all too well as five years ago, I walked across the stage of my alma mater Fort Valley State University.
I know the feeling of a commencement all too well, as it's still familiar to me. I understand the blend of emotions that come with finishing your college journey – the pride of accomplishment intertwined with the bittersweet feeling of parting ways with friends and your cherished alma mater as you embark on your post-college life journey. I understand the overwhelming feeling of scanning the crowd and seeing your friends and family radiating with pride as you reach one of life's significant milestones: attaining your degree. This moment is truly special, marked by universities going the extra mile to create a memorable day for graduates and their loved ones.
To elevate the occasion, universities make a special effort to invite inspiring commencement speakers. These speakers share valuable wisdom gained from their own journey to success, imparting it to graduates as they transition into the professionals they aspire to be. Actors, authors, scientists, business executives, media moguls, billionaires, and presidents are invited to speak to the graduating class. To be invited to speak at a commencement is an honor that should be taken as an honor. However, universities should exercise caution when extending invitations, a notion I believe to be universally understood.
Beyond vetting Gerami's financial capacity for a groundbreaking donation, I believed Florida A&M would thoroughly investigate the individual addressing the graduates on the commencement stage. The institution's fall commencement ceremony featured distinguished Florida A&M alumna and now retired president of ABC News Kim Godwin.
Prior to Godwin's address, the institution welcomed former HUD director Marcia Louise Fudge in Spring 2023, John Morgan, the Founder of Morgan and Morgan in Fall 2022, and Sybil Crum, an alumna of Florida A&M and Vice President at Disneyland Resort in Spring 2022. They have excelled in their respective fields, each with compelling success stories that can be easily traced and verified. Gerami doesn't fit into this number, with or without the nonexistent donation.
It didn't help that Gerami's speech was done with a mask covering his face but not his nose and that he was clearly reading his remarks with no real emotion or vigor. The Class of 2024, many deprived of a high school graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic, should not have been subjected to Gerami's lackluster speech and antics on their special day. Now, this is a moment etched into their memory forever, as they also remained concerned for their cherished institution and anticipation of what lies ahead as more discoveries unfold.
The situation itself reeks of maleficence, a warning for all institutions to heed. While it's unwise to accept money from questionable individuals, it's equally inappropriate to grant them the privilege of speaking at a prestigious event like Florida A&M's commencement. As the narrative evolves and further dialogues take place, we should continue to keep this in mind.
