In a unanimous vote Thursday, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Larry Robinson as the 12th president of the historically Black institution in Tallahassee. 
FAMU interim president Larry Robinson
The selection of Robinson, who was serving as interim president, is an indication of the board’s desire to appoint a longtime insider to the post. Robinson has been affiliated with FAMU in various positions for decades.
In accepting the appointment, Robinson said he was “humbled and overjoyed” to have the opportunity to continue to help the university move forward. “I understand the awesomeness of this responsibility. I feel very, very fortunate to be a part of your team,” Robinson said in a news release from the university.
Board Chairman Kelvin Lawson noted that Robinson had support from the trustees as well as the FAMU community.
“We based our decision on data and followed our process thoroughly,” Lawson said. “We all, collectively, feel good about where we are, and we feel extremely well about our new leader – President Robinson.”
The board has observed Robinson’s performance in the interim presidency for more than a year, since the previous president, Dr. Elmira Mangum, left amid turbulence and a 10-1 board decision after serving just over two years.
Robinson had served as interim president since September 2016. However, he twice before held that position between appointments of other leaders — from July 2012 to April 2014 and in 2007.
