When Dr. Donald Comer officially becomes Lane College’s 11th president next month, he’ll be bringing more than three decades worth of executive leadership at FedEx to one of the nation’s oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities. During his 35-year career at the global logistics company, Comer rose to become vice president of Decision Science & Analytics and Operations Analysis, overseeing strategy, finance, data analytics and operational planning before retiring in 2025.
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) many of which are balancing enrollment growth, fundraising goals, infrastructure investments and evolving workforce demands while continuing to serve as critical engines of Black economic mobility.
Lane College announced that Comer, who previously served as interim president, will be formally installed on August 21 after the Board of Trustees chose to appoint him permanently rather than conduct a national presidential search. The board cited his steady leadership, institutional stability and commitment to the college’s mission.
A Jackson, Tennessee, native, Comer returned home after a 35-year corporate career, bringing executive experience along with years of service on the boards of fellow HBCUs LeMoyne-Owen College and Stillman College.
While university presidencies have traditionally been filled by career academics, institutions are increasingly looking toward executives with experience managing large organizations, cultivating donor relationships and leading through economic uncertainty, as HBCUs…
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