Thomas DeSaille Tucker

He was the first president of the State Normal College for Colored Students, which eventually became Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Thomas Van Renssalaer Gibbs, an African-American member of the Florida House of Representatives, became vice president of the school and essentially served as co-president with Tucker until his death in October 1898.

Tucker presided over the school's relocation to Tallahassee, Florida, on property that was once the Highwood Plantation of Governor William Pope Duval and an infusion of funds thanks to the Second Morrill Act.

But Sheats also supported black schools and was an admirer of Booker T. Washington's advocacy of agricultural and industrial education.

Gradually, Tucker's authority was reduced, expenditures and personnel decisions were disputed and investigated, and finally, he was ousted and replaced by Nathan B.