F.C. Richardson

F.C. Richardson
Richardson, Buffalo, New York, 1990
Chancellor, Indiana University Southeast
In office 1996–2002
Preceded by	Leon Rand
Succeeded by	Barbara Bichelmeyer
President, Buffalo State College
In office July 1, 1989 – January 1, 1996
Preceded by	D. Bruce Johnstone
Succeeded by	Muriel A. Howard
Personal details
Born	1936/1937 (age 80–81)
Spouse(s)	Bernice
Alma mater	Rust College, Clark Atlanta University, University of California, Santa Barbara
Profession	Academic administration

F.C. Richardson (born 1937) served as a president of Buffalo State College, a higher education institution that is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, from July 1, 1989 to January 1, 1996; and, following that, as chancellor of Indiana University Southeast from 1996 to 2002. Richardson was the first college president of African American heritage at Buffalo State.

Richardson grew up in Tennessee. He earned his baccalaureate degree from Rust College; his master's degree from Atlanta University, now known as Clark Atlanta University; and his PhD from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Prior to becoming the leader of two higher educational institutions, Richardson was vice president for academic affairs at both Minnesota State University Moorhead and Jackson State University.

While Richardson was president at Buffalo State College, several new developments were achieved. Created were the positions of provost and vice president for institutional advancement at the college. In 1991, the college's Sports Arena opened. A new mission statement was developed for the college, as well as a strategic plan encompassing five years, leading the college into the new millennium.

Richardson focused on creating and implementing new student programs while at Buffalo State. Some of those programs included the Freshman Year Experience, a variety of programs that were designed to introduce new students to college study and which were recognized with national awards; the implementation of a master's degree program that led to a multidisciplinary degree in environmental studies of the Great Lakes; and the college's participation in Project Connect, an innovative communications network that connected the college with classrooms in area high schools.

Prior to and upon Richardson's resignation as president of the college, news articles in The Buffalo News suggested that Richardson was unable to "navigate" the internal political environment of the college, and that communication between faculty was lacking, while he "often did well in his public role."The Buffalo News also reported that Richardson's management style was criticized as being "poor" and "unilateral" at the college, however that prejudice and racism toward him, particularly by factions such as faculty at the college, could have played a role in the issue. It was further reported that Richardson's predecessors had also experienced criticisms and threats of censure by such factions. As a result of the alleged poor communications and management style of Richardson, it was reported that several top administrators at the college resigned from their positions. As of 1995-1996, there were three other top administrators who were on leave as a result of agreements through Richardson and SUNY.