May 6th 2024.
Florida A&M University has been blessed with an extraordinary gift - a historic donation of $237 million from the Isaac Batterson 7th Family Trust and its CEO, Gregory Gerami. This news has caused quite a stir, with many questioning the legitimacy of such a generous donation from someone with a vague background like Gerami.
The announcement of this monumental donation was made on May 4th, and the university plans to use the funds for student initiatives and athletic programs. It's worth noting that this sum is nearly double the university's current endowment of $121 million. FAMU Forward, the university's fundraising campaign, expressed their gratitude for this substantial contribution.
President Larry Robinson also weighed in on the matter, calling the gesture "breathtaking." He emphasized the significant impact this donation will have on the university's operations, particularly in terms of scholarships and recruitment. "It changes the narrative about what is possible for FAMU," Robinson said. He believes that this donation will not only benefit students but also attract and retain top faculty members.
However, despite the excitement surrounding this donation, there are concerns about Gerami's background and how he came to possess such a large sum of money. The university has reassured the public that the money is already in their account, but questions still remain. Gerami, the founder of Batterson Farms Corp, a farming and hemp plastic company based in San Antonio, Texas, has no apparent ties to Florida A&M University.
It's worth noting that Gerami only started his company three years ago, and there is little to no information available about his personal or professional history. In fact, in 2022, Gerami attempted to donate $95 million to Coastal Carolina University, another HBCU, but the deal fell through due to inquiries into his background that he deemed as racist, as reported by the Myrtle Beach Sun News. This incident led Gerami to shift his focus to FAMU, and the conversation about donating began during the fall 2023 semester.
Now that the donation has become a reality, Gerami expressed his excitement and gratitude for the new bond he shares with FAMU. "FAMU has become like a family to our Trust, our company, and to me," he shared. "Our morals and mission align with FAMU's, and we want to ensure that FAMU becomes the top HBCU in the country."
In other related news, FAMU's Vice President has been named as a finalist for the presidency at Tennessee State University. This shows the caliber of individuals that FAMU attracts and produces, and with the generous donation from the Isaac Batterson 7th Family Trust and Gerami, the university is sure to continue its upward trajectory towards excellence.
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