WASHINGTON – Former FBI director James Comey will be making his next move to Howard University as a lecturer for the historically black college in the upcoming 2017-2018 academic year. This will be the first time Comey is employed by a historically black collete or university, HBCU. Comey will also be delivering the opening convocation address this year.
Former FBI Director James Comey- Photo courtesy of The FBI
In an official press release published by Howard, Comey wil engage the Howard community through a lecture series, and he will also address the university Sept. 22 as this year’s opening convocation speaker. In addition to being appointed, Comey will be donating his entire $100,000 King Chair compensation to a Howard University scholarship fund that will support students coming from a foster home environment.
“I am pleased to welcome Mr. Comey to Howard,” Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick said in the statement. “His expertise and understanding of the challenges we continue to face today will go a long way in sparking rich discussion and advancing meaningful debates across campus.”
As the Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King Endowed Chair in Public Policy, Comey will conduct five lectures throughout the year that feature speakers on a variety of subjects. The topics will be determined after Comey consults with student leaders, faculty and other Howard members.
"I am honored to hold the King Chair this school year,” Comey said in the statement. “Howard has a longstanding history of being a vibrant academic community and the perfect place to have rich dialogue on many of the most pressing issues we face today. I look forward to contributing to this remarkable institution and engaging students and faculty alike."
The relationship building between Howard and Comey is not new. Earlier in the year, before Comey was fired by President Donald Trump, Frederick was invited to speak to FBI employees in honor of Black History Month to emphasize the critical role of HBCUs under the topic “Success Through Education.”
Comey has been in the news recently after being fired by Trump in May for what Trump said at the time was recommendations from the Justice Department. A month after his firing, Comey testified on Capitol Hill that he believed his firing was to relieve pressure on Trump's administration over the ongoing investigation of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
