Atlanta — June 10, 2024

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue today named Dr. Lawrence M. Drake II interim president of Albany State University, effective July 1, 2024. 

Drake replaces President Marion Ross Fedrick, who announced in February she had accepted the role of executive vice president and chief of staff to the president at Georgia State University. Currently, Drake is the president and CEO of the educational outreach organization, LEADing for Life Enterprise. He previously served as interim president of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

“Dr. Drake has over 40 years of leadership experience, and his most recent work with both Bethune-Cookman and LEADing for Life demonstrates his strong commitment to student success in higher education,” Perdue said. “We are grateful for his commitment to build on Marion’s legacy in the interim as we undertake a national search for Albany State’s next president.” 

Known for his effective strategic leadership, Drake brings an enthusiasm for recruitment and development to his role at Albany State. At Bethune-Cookman, he also served as dean of the university’s College of Business & Entrepreneurship. In addition to his work at LEADing for Life, Drake serves as the chairman and CEO of HOPE360 Inc., an executive consulting firm. Prior to consulting, Drake worked at the Coca-Cola Company for 21 years, where he served in several key roles and eventually became the Division President of Coca-Cola Africa. In this position, he was responsible for the company’s operating effectiveness and financial performance throughout the western portion of the continent. 

“With my passion for expanding access to learning opportunities and helping individuals acquire 21st-century skills, I am honored to have this opportunity to work with Albany State’s faculty, staff and students in a time of positive transition,” Drake said. “There’s so much momentum thanks to the work of President Fedrick, and I’m looking forward to doing my part for the legacy of the largest public HBCU in Georgia.” 

A first-generation college graduate, Drake holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Georgia State University and one in elective studies from Fisk University. He has earned an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University, and an M.S. and a Ph.D., both in psychology, from Fielding Graduate University. 

He has served on the board of several organizations, including Trulieve and the Executive Leadership Council. Drake has also published a book, entitled Color Him Father, about Black fatherhood and given a TEDx talk on living “A Meaningful Life.” 

About Albany State University: 

Joseph Winthrop Holley founded Albany State University in 1903 as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute. The institution first received financial support from the state of Georgia in 1917. Designated as an agricultural and teacher training college, the institute was renamed The Georgia Normal and Agricultural College and in 1932, became part of the newly formed University System of Georgia. 

Granted four-year status and renamed Albany State College in 1943, the school’s enrollment increased, and the college began offering its first graduate programs in 1981. The Board of Regents granted the institution university status in 1996, at which time it was renamed Albany State University. 

ASU offers more than 35 undergraduate degree programs, of which the most popular majors are health and human performance, nursing, biology, management, criminal justice, early childhood education and psychology. ASU also offers graduate programs in multiple academic areas, including Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Public Administration, Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Nursing and an Educational Specialist degree.

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