LeMoyne-Owen College President Vernell Bennett-Fairs resigns after 2.5 years

Micaela A Watts, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·2 min read
Vernell Bennett-Fairs has stepped down as president of LeMoyne-Owen College.
Vernell Bennett-Fairs has stepped down as president of LeMoyne-Owen College.

Roughly two years after taking the position, LeMoyne-Owen College President Vernell Bennett-Fairs has stepped down from the position, the college announced Friday. It was not immediately clear why Bennett-Fairs is resigning.

In a statement, Bennett-Fairs expressed gratitude for the accomplishments made in the last two and a half years alongside "faculty, staff, students, administration and trustees."

"It has been my honor and privilege to work alongside you. I'm excited to see the magic that will ensue as LOC's renaissance continues," she said in a statement.

Bennett-Fairs took the helm at LeMoyne-Owen after a period of turbulence for the institution.

Bennett-Fairs started as LeMoyne-Owen's 13th president on Jan. 5, 2021, succeeding interim President Carol Johnson-Deal, who temporarily took on the role in 2019.

Bennett-Faris' tenure followed a prolonged search to replace former president Andrea Miller. Miller resigned under allegations ranging from nepotism to ineffectual leadership. Fourty-four of the 52 faculty members of LeMoyne-Owen voted "no confidence" during Miller's tenure.

Bennett-Fairs formerly worked at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, where she was vice president of student affairs. Before that, she served in a similar role at Kentucky State University, another historic black college.

Subscriber exclusive: LeMoyne-Owen College interim president seeks to rebuild trust, make HBCU student-focused

Bennett-Fairs' appointment was a high point for the HBCU following Millers' resignation, as she promised to focus both on increasing revenue for the college and strengthening the school's academic offerings.

Friday's press release from the college touted the 807-day fundraiser Bennett-Fairs launched for the school as well as the grassroots "Love Our Community Day" initiative.

Until a successor for Bennett-Fairs is selected, longtime board member Christopher Davis will serve as interim president. Davis is also senior pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Whitehaven. The college said the search for a permanent replacement will begin immediately.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering issues tied to education, access, and equity. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Vernell Bennett-Fairs, president of LeMoyne-Owen College, steps down