Note: Be sure to subscribe today - free access to the HBCU Digest will end on Jan. 1, 2021. Hampton University President William R. Harvey, one of the nation’s longest-serving university executives and iconic figures within the HBCU sector, is expected to formally announce plans today to retire in the summer of 2022.
Congratulations to President Harvey. While certainly there are things he could have done better or differently, he is leaving Hampton, financially and academically, better than when he arrived. I believe as alumnus we are the better for it. I pray the search for a new president is extensive and deliberate for an energetic, engaging, innovative and forward thinking leader. As for the "light skin" "dark skin" thing.....come on. We are past that!
Congratulations on a great run. It will be interesting to see what direction HU wants to go with it successor. So many questions like:
1) Will they go with someone younger to adapt to a new generation of leadership (e.g. Dwaun Warmack)?
2) Will the new leadership take a more bolder, hit for the fences approach? Harvey did well with guiding HU even though it was a conservative approach. However, the 21st Century calls for bold and brash approaches that are unapologetic. And as a Hampton alumni, I want to see more Pirate gunners in the news for bold innovation and marketing and less that other HU, Morehouse, Spelman... friendly competition to up the game.
3) Will a female take the helm (former FAMU E. Magnus comes to mind)?
4) What role will Harvey play in the decision making and post-term at HU?
5) Will the board continue to play nice with the successor?
And we have to address the elephant in the room, will it be a light-skinned or dark-skinned person to run the HU ship. Sorry, but that has been an elephant jokingly asked in the closet.
Amazing, a president does all of that and people still find someone to complain about!
That's why many Blacks don't want anything to do with public service!
A Black can never do enough! They could die trying to save someone's liver and someone probably would comment, oh he was trying to make headlines!
My people!
Congratulations to President Harvey. While certainly there are things he could have done better or differently, he is leaving Hampton, financially and academically, better than when he arrived. I believe as alumnus we are the better for it. I pray the search for a new president is extensive and deliberate for an energetic, engaging, innovative and forward thinking leader. As for the "light skin" "dark skin" thing.....come on. We are past that!
Congratulations on a great run. It will be interesting to see what direction HU wants to go with it successor. So many questions like:
1) Will they go with someone younger to adapt to a new generation of leadership (e.g. Dwaun Warmack)?
2) Will the new leadership take a more bolder, hit for the fences approach? Harvey did well with guiding HU even though it was a conservative approach. However, the 21st Century calls for bold and brash approaches that are unapologetic. And as a Hampton alumni, I want to see more Pirate gunners in the news for bold innovation and marketing and less that other HU, Morehouse, Spelman... friendly competition to up the game.
3) Will a female take the helm (former FAMU E. Magnus comes to mind)?
4) What role will Harvey play in the decision making and post-term at HU?
5) Will the board continue to play nice with the successor?
And we have to address the elephant in the room, will it be a light-skinned or dark-skinned person to run the HU ship. Sorry, but that has been an elephant jokingly asked in the closet.
Overall, interesting times for the HBCU verse.
Congratulations