FAMU’s William Jennings Dies
William “Bill” Jennings
Staff Report
For 12 years, Florida A&M University alumnus Bill Jennings stood with his peers on the trustee board in the eye of a storm many thought would engulf his beloved institution.
“I had someone tell me that if I stay on the board and the university goes over the cliff, then my image would be tarnished. Given that, (I should) leave,” Jennings was once quoted as having said. “But I wasn’t going to do that.”
And that statement alone best describes the stalwart Jennings – who served 12 years on FAMU’s trustee board prior to his death on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Jennings believed that he owed a part of what he was to his alma mater of FAMU. During the university’s darkest days, which included being under the microscope of the institution’s accrediting agency and being placed on probation twice, Jennings weathered each level of scrutiny while also serving as trustee chairman for FAMU.
He reportedly said, “If I’m honest with myself, I really felt that somehow we would pull through.”
Jennings graduated from FAMU in 1969 with a degree in math. He entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant and served until 1973. According to FAMU, he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Jennings also worked with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) for several years. He served as director of airport operations, deputy director, and as executive director with GOAA’s 600-member staff and operational budget of $400 million. He retired from GOAA in 2006, leaving the airport with national recognition for its Minority and Women Business Enterprise Program. At his departure, the airport was ranked #4 in the nation.
In 2013, Jennings was bestowed an honorary doctorate by the FAMU Faculty Senate.
Current FAMU President Elmira Mangum said, “ I joined board of trustees chair Rufus Montgomery in expressing my deep condolences to the loved ones of former trustee William ‘Bill’ Jennings. In the short time that I was able to get to know Mr. Jennings, he quickly became a trusted advisor. He was kindhearted and dedicated to the advancement of FAMU. He was a strong supporter of the University, a proud alumnus, and served our country and state with great compassion and commitment.”
The Tallahassee Democrat and the Orlando Sentinel contributed to this article.
