Florida Memorial University (FMU) is facing a leadership crisis after announcing a new president last week, a move half of its Board of Trustees have denounced as “illegal” and are fighting in court to block.

The university, which is South Florida’s only HBCU, issued a press release Thursday naming William McCormick Jr., who had been serving as interim president since mid-2024, following Jaffus Hardrick's resignation .

But within hours, Brandon K. Dumas, seven trustees and a former board chair, all signed a letter condemning the appointment as a “coup,” saying it was pushed through without authority or proper notice.

Brandon K. Dumas (Brandon K. Dumas via Facebook)

“Let us be absolutely clear: this presidency was obtained illegally,” read the statement.

The chair dispute

At the

See Full Page