President Of Fisk University Steps Down After Less Than Two Years
Dr. Vann R. Newkirk, Sr., the President of Fisk University, is leaving the HBCU after 18 months.
According to The Tennsessean, it was announced on Aug. 26 that Newkirk parted ways with Fisk. No reason was given for the departure.
Fisk board chair Frank L. Sims, who will serve as acting president, said in a statement: “The Board unanimously agreed that the next chapter in the Fisk future calls for new leadership. We thank Dr. Newkirk for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors. We look forward to conducting a thorough and extensive search process for our next President."
Newkirk joined the university in Feb. 2021, becoming the fourth president of the university since 2015. During Newkirk’s brief tenure, Fisk started a gymnastics team, increased enrollment and launched social justice programs.
The previous president, Kevin Rome, resigned after accusations he drugged and threatened a person he met from a gay dating site. Rome denied the accusations and said about the accuser: “I have no idea who this person is and I can’t even respond to it because I don’t even know who they are.”
Dr. Vann R. Newkirk, Sr. has not yet released a statement about his department from Fisk University.
