On eve of his inauguration, Fisk University's Kevin Rome wants a renewed focus on the school's students
Kevin Rome, Fisk University's 16th president, began his job in July but will be inaugurated Thursday.
On eve of his inauguration, Fisk University's Kevin Rome wants a renewed focus on the school's students Kevin Rome, Fisk University's 16th president, began his job in July but will be inaugurated Thursday. Check out this story on Tennessean.com: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2018/04/04/before-his-inauguration-fisk-universitys-kevin-rome-says-celebration-meant-nashville-focus-schools-s/470759002/
Jason Gonzales, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee Published 4:11 p.m. CT April 4, 2018
Fisk University supporters want the arrival of a new President Kevin Rome to usher in a new era for an institution long plagued by financial woes and a struggle to find stable leadership. Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean
Fisk University President Kevin Rome talks with Council Member Sharon Hurt at the unveiling of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 4, 2018.(Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean)Buy Photo
Growing up, Fisk University President Kevin Rome wanted to be what he saw on television — a lawyer or a judge.
"But I didn't really realize what a lawyer did," Rome said.
Rome grew up in Columbus, Georgia in a single parent family. He was the first in his family to attend college. His experience at Morehouse College, an HBCU, exposed him to a world beyond television that he could barely imagine.
At Morehouse, he said, he found purpose in serving others through education. He hopes Fisk can serve to be the same guiding light for his students as Morehouse was to him.
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Rome, the university's 16th president, began his job in July but will be inaugurated Thursday, a celebration that will serve as an introduction of the man to the rest of the city.
The celebration, however, is about focusing on Fisk and its students, Rome said, because the students have the potential to change the world thanks to the university.
"Once I realized my purpose, my confidence changed, my ability to succeed changed," Rome said. "I hope that more students can realize their purpose here."
The celebration of Rome will take place at 1 p.m. in the Fisk Memorial Chapel, 1000 17th Avenue N.
Sherri Bond Rucker, Executive Assistant to The President, shows Dr. Kevin Rome, Fisk President his schedule during a in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, April 4, 2018. (Photo: Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean)
'It is about the students'
As a president, Rome, 51, said he knows he will have plenty to overcome.
Fisk's instability at president has created mistrust among boosters — Rome is the third president at Fisk in as many years. The school's buildings and infrastructure are in need of updates. And enrollment growth has lagged.
Already, Rome has laid out a vision for Fisk that includes fostering new programs, repairing crumbling buildings and creating trust among donors. And many have expressed optimism about his future, including prominent donors.
The school, like any historically black college or university, is in need of funds, Rome said. He understands the inconsistent leadership has created mistrust — he said he's at Fisk for the long term — and his goal is to get donors invested in Fisk.
"HBCUs ... they've been undersupported, under you name it since the time they were created," Rome said. "Let's be honest, let's face the truth. Fisk has never had the type of support Vanderbilt has.
"But when you look at the results, the results are equal to any school in this community."
He said the community has to look only toward alumni such as W.E.B. DuBois, Diane Nash and Ida B. Wells.
Increased support from Nashville, he said, will help the school with its mission to see students find themselves, much like he did at Morehouse, and turn into leaders.
"It's not about school leadership, it is about the students," Rome said. "They (students) deserve a better future."
Reach Jason Gonzales at jagonzales@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.
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