Dr. Julian White’s career as band legend ends on a sour note due to hazing scandal at FAMU

FAMU in news: excerpt from the Sentinel article by Denise Balona: “By Denise-Marie Balona, Orlando Sentinel

Florida A&M University band director Julian White, who has been under intense criticism since the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion in Orlando last fall, retired unexpectedly Thursday amid more troubling revelations about the embattled Marching 100 band.

White’s attorney, Chuck Hobbs, announced the decision late Thursday afternoon. White, 71, chairman of the university’s music department and director of bands since 1998, had been fighting for months to keep his job.

Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott and the chancellor of the State University System said Thursday that FAMU’s famous band, which is under indefinite suspension, is not ready to take the field again.”