The University of Florida and Florida A&M University, both of which recently saw their presidents resign, have appointed new temporary leaders.
Kent Fuchs will serve as interim president at UF beginning Aug. 1, replacing Ben Sasse, who left the post to focus on his family following his wife's epilepsy diagnosis. The former U.S. senator from Nebraska served as president for less than two years.
"I am thrilled that Kent has agreed to take on this important role at such a critical time to ensure a smooth and orderly transition as we prepare to initiate a national presidential search," UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini said in a statement. "We owe him a huge debt of gratitude."
Fuchs, who served as UF president from 2015 to 2023 and currently teaches an engineering class at the school, said he wishes to be of service to the university.
"I look forward to working this year with the faculty, staff, students, and alumni as we lead the nation in our teaching, research, and land-grant and clinical activities," he said.
Meanwhile, Timothy Beard will take the helm at FAMU, after the sudden departure of Larry Robinson. The former president of Florida's only public historically Black university resigned this month amid an investigation into a multimillion dollar donation blunder.
In May, Robinson announced a controversial $237 million donation from a Texas-based hemp farm that quickly unraveled. He later took responsibility for not properly vetting the donor and the gift's legitimacy.
FAMU's Board of Trustees voted this week to appoint Beard as interim president starting Aug 5.
Beard earned one of his undergraduate degrees at FAMU and most recently served as president of Pasco-Hernando State College for eight years, according to the university.
Board Chair Kristin Harper nominated Beard, who earned one of his undergraduate degrees at FAMU, and who worked in various roles for the University for 14 years. Beard earned a Ph.D., from FSU in 1998 in Rehabilitation Counseling with a focus on Higher Education Administration. He served as PHSC president from 2015 until his retirement earlier this year. Harper said FAMU would benefit from Beard's leadership.
"Dr. Beard has the academic pedigree, administrative experience, political capital and emotional intelligence to lead in this interim period. Dr. Beard embraces FAMU's unique mission," FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper said after nominating Beard on Tuesday. "... In my conversations with people who know and worked with him for many years, I'm convinced that he's a person of integrity and a collaborator of what FAMU needs in this interim chapter. Most importantly, he's willing, able and available to serve."
Beard told the Tallahassee Democrat that he was honored to serve the FAMU community.
"I love education, I'm passionate about it and I certainly welcome an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students that will go up to the 'highest of seven hills,'" he told the outlet.
UF and FAMU plan to launch searches this year to find permanent presidents.
