FAMU President Larry Robinson paused engagement with Batterson Farms Corp. and its financial arm, the Florida A&M Foundation.
FAMU Vice President for University Advancement Shawnta Friday-Stroud resigned from her position following revelations about the donation process.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) received a $237 million donation from Isaac Batterson Seventh Family Trust and CEO Gregory Gerami during its Spring commencement ceremony on May 4, 2024.
Gerami is described as a champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas.
Questions have arisen about the actual value of Gerami's company's private shares and his past donation dealings, including a $95 million donation to South Carolina's Coastal Carolina University falling through in 2020.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) received a historic donation of $237 million during its Spring commencement ceremony on May 4, 2024. The donation came from the Isaac Batterson Seventh Family Trust and CEO Gregory Gerami. However, following media reports and concerns raised by college board leaders about the actual value of the stock gift and Gerami's past dealings, FAMU President Larry Robinson paused engagement with Batterson Farms Corp. and its financial arm, the Florida A&M Foundation.
Gerami is described as a champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas. However, recent reports have raised questions about the actual value of his company's private shares and Gerami's past donation dealings. In 2020, a notable $95 million donation to South Carolina's Coastal Carolina University fell through.
Following these revelations, FAMU Vice President for University Advancement Shawnta Friday-Stroud resigned from her position. She was one of the signatories on the agreement between the university and Gerami accepting the gift. Dr. Donald Palm will serve as interim Vice President of advancement following Friday-Stroud's resignation.
The FAMU Board of Trustees held a special meeting to address concerns regarding the $237 million gift, during which President Robinson took full responsibility for the matter and apologized for any missteps. The board launched an investigation into the donation process and policies, with Trustee Belvin Perry Jr. expressing his opinion that an entirely independent firm should conduct it.
The Florida A&M community is closely watching this situation unfold as they await further updates from the university and the outcome of the investigation.
Gerami is described as a champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas.
Gerami claims Batterson Farms employs 7,000 workers but a LinkedIn search shows him as the sole employee.
Accuracy
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) received a $238 million donation from Gregory Gerami.
,
Deception
(35%)
The article is not entirely deceptive but it does exhibit some problematic aspects. The author reports the story with a neutral tone without disclosing that Gregory Gerami, the donor in question, has no prior connection to Florida A&M and there is little public information to back his status as a multimillionaire able to write one of the largest philanthropic checks ever in higher education. The author also does not disclose sources for some of their claims such as when they mention Gerami's business Batterson Farms. However, they do state that Gerami deposited shareholdings into the university's account last month and that the gift came from Gerami and a family trust that has him as a trustee.
The 30-year-old, hemp mogul was Gregory Gerami.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author describes Gregory Gerami as a 'champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas' despite little public information supporting his status as a multimillionaire. Additionally, the university initially backed the authenticity of the gift despite warning signs, with Florida A&M President Larry Robinson stating, “i wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way.” The article also includes an appeal to authority when mentioning that many HBCUs manage less than $100 million in assets or have no endowment at all according to PGIM. However, no formal fallacies were found.
The school initially described Gregory Gerami as a “champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas.”
Florida A&M President Larry Robinson said, “i wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way.”
Bias
(80%)
The article reports on a questionable $238 million donation to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) from Gregory Gerami, a 30-year-old hemp mogul. The university initially described Gerami as a 'champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas.' However, there was little public information to back his status as a multimillionaire able to write such a large check. Now, FAMU is investigating the authenticity of the donation and has severed ties with Gerami. The article also mentions Gerami's past pledge of $95 million to Coastal Carolina University, which collapsed months after it was announced. The author does not explicitly express any bias towards Gerami or FAMU but uses language that implies skepticism towards the authenticity of the donations.
But now, Florida A&M is contending with questions about lax internal controls. The university, which initially backed the authenticity of the gift, is severing ties with Gerami, after putting the donation on hold.
Gerami has also been tied to a $95 million pledge to Coastal Carolina University a few years ago, a deal that collapsed months after it was announced.
FAMU received a record-high donation of announced value $237M from Batterson Farms Corporation and the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust
Gregory Gerami, a Texas hemp farming executive, is the donor
Shawnta Friday-Stroud, FAMU’s vice president for university advancement and executive director of the school’s fundraising foundation, resigned over her role in accepting the donation
Accuracy
The gift was put on hold due to questions about its actual value and validity
Gerami's past dealings came under scrutiny including a proposed $95M donation to Coastal Carolina University that was terminated
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on a record-breaking donation to Florida A&M University (FAMU) from Batterson Farms Corporation and the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust. The article states that the donation was initially billed as a transformative gift for the school, but it quickly encountered skepticism due to questions about its actual value. The article reports that FAMU did not have the stocks valued by a third-party and Gerami's past dealings came under scrutiny. The article also mentions that trustees were frustrated by a lack of answers and criticized school leaders for signing off on the contract without telling the board. These actions can be considered selective reporting, as only details that support the author's position (the questionable nature of the donation) are reported, while other important context (such as FAMU's need for funding or Gerami's past successful donations) is omitted. The article also uses emotional manipulation by implying that school leaders ignored warning signs and put the university's reputation at risk.
We are the governing body. We don’t do things without asking questions.
The announcement quickly encountered skepticism and dampened the celebration.
trustees were frustrated by a lack of answers
The public announcement of the deal could tarnish the reputation of the university.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains a few informal fallacies and appeals to authority. It does not contain any formal logical fallacies.
. . . several trustees blamed President Larry Robinson for the ordeal, who took “full responsibility” for accepting a donation that raised almost immediate red flags once it was announced.\n\nFAMU earlier this month received what was announced as a record-high donation from Batterson Farms Corporation’s Gregory Gerami and the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust. . .
The purported $237 million gift was presented as a boon for the school that would almost triple its endowment, benefiting students and faculty for generations. The announcement \u2014 made with major fanfare during a commencement ceremony \u2014 quickly encountered skepticism and dampened the celebration.
During FAMU’s first public meeting of trustees since the donation, Robinson acknowledged that “missteps” were made in vetting the gift. He announced the resignation of Friday-Stroud, FAMU’s vice president for university advancement and executive director of the school’s fundraising foundation, who signed the gift agreement with him.
The Florida A&M Board of Trustees held a meeting to address the next steps regarding a historic $237 million donation the Rattlers received during its Spring commencement ceremony.
Gregory Gerami, who also served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony, is the donor.
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved hiring an external firm to determine what happened with the donation, perform an audit and analysis of the process, policies, and financial controls, recommend actions with a written report, and provide updates to the Board based on a timeline established by the external firm.
Trustee Belvin Perry Jr. expressed his opinion that an entirely independent firm should conduct the investigation.
FAMU President Larry Robinson apologized for any
Accuracy
The donation came from the Issac Batterson Seventh Family Trust and CEO Gregory Gerami, who also served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
The donation came in the form of illiquid stock from Gerami and a family trust that he is a trustee of.
Gerami describes himself as a self-made businessman in the Texas industrial hemp industry and entered foster care at a young age with fetal alcohol syndrome and cerebral palsy.
Batterson Farms, Gerami’s hemp company, has offices in San Antonio and Van Horn, Texas.
Gerami claims Batterson Farms employs 7,000 workers but a LinkedIn search shows him as the sole employee.
The largest commercial hydroponic hemp warehouse site in West Texas promised by Batterson Farms has not come to fruition.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting Trustee Belvin Perry Jr. and FAMU President Larry Robinson. However, the quotes are presented in a way that accurately reflects their statements without any editorializing or added meaning from the author.
]We don't know who did what and when it happened. It is my opinion that we need someone who is completely free of involvement with the university to conduct an outside investigation[
It would truly be transformational. I wanted it to be real and ignored the warning signs along the way
Florida A&M University president admits 'misteps were made' in handling of a $237 million stock gift from Texas businessman Gregory Gerami.
University paused engagement with Batterson Farms Corp. and its financial arm, the Florida A&M Foundation, regarding the donation.
Accuracy
The donation came in the form of illiquid stock from Gerami and a family trust that he is a trustee of.
FAMU did not have the company's private stocks valued by a third-party leaving the actual worth undetermined.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes several statements that could be considered admissions of error or mistakes, but they do not necessarily constitute logical fallacies. The author also reports on the actions and statements of others without making any fallacious arguments himself. However, there is one instance of an appeal to authority in the form of a quote from Board Chair Kristin Harper endorsing the decision to cease the transaction.
“I take full responsibility for this matter and ensuing fallout,” Robinson said.
Florida A&M University's Vice President for Advancement, Shawnta Friday-Stroud, has resigned.
The $237 million donation from the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust and CEO Gregory Gerami was announced at graduation on May 4 but put on hold for the trustees to further evaluate.
FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson confirmed that the donation is paused indefinitely following a special called board of trustees meeting.
Dr. Shawnta Friday-Stroud’s resignation occurred shortly before the special FAMU Board of Trustees meeting to address concerns regarding the $237 million gift.
Chief Operating Officer Dr. Donald Palm will serve as interim Vice President of advancement following Friday-Stroud’s resignation.
Accuracy
The $237 million donation from the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust and CEO Gregory Gerami was announced at graduation on May 4 but put on hold for the trustees to further evaluate the amount.
,
Florida A&M University received a record-high donation of announced value $237M from Batterson Farms Corporation and the Isaac Batterson Seventh Trust
Deception
(80%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of investigating the $237M donation to FAMU. The author also uses emotional manipulation by expressing his own upset and disappointment over the situation. Additionally, there is a lie by omission as the article fails to mention that Dr. Robinson placed a permanent pause on the donation before announcing it at graduation.
The donation is under investigation.
Many trustees said they want the investigation to be wrapped up quickly.
I’m breaking down what we learned from Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting and where FAMU goes from here.
