FAMU Mourns the Loss of Major Donor, Entrepreneur Dr. William F. Pickard
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) community mourns the loss of supporter, entrepreneur and philanthropist William F. Picard, Ph.D. He was 83.
“Dr. Pickard was a major donor to Florida A&M University whose generous gifts helped countless students pursue their dreams. As an honorary doctorate recipient, he will be forever a part of FAMU’s history. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his family,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D.
During the April 29, 2022 Spring commencement ceremony, Pickard received the Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree.
Pickard was a nationally known entrepreneur and a staunch supporter of the University. He was the executive chairman and founder of GAA Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, GAA News Ventures, co-managing partner of MGM Grand Detroit Casino, CEO of Bearwood Management McDonald’s and co-owner of five newspapers.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. His more than 50-year entrepreneurial career began as a McDonald’s franchisee in Detroit, Michigan. Since its founding in 1989, GAA generated more than $5 billion in sales with eight plants in the U.S. and Canada, and services corporations such as Boeing, Mercedes Benz, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Delphi, Johnson Controls, Starbucks, Home Depot, and Merck Pharmaceutical.
Pickard served a FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) Forum speaker during which he shared elements of his book, “Millionaire Moves: Seven Proven Principles of Entrepreneurship,” with thousands of SBI students. He has donated more than $450,000 in scholarship funds to support students with an additional $250,000 pledged to support students from Detroit and the Bahamas.
In his philanthropic efforts, Pickard contributed to education, arts, culture, and entrepreneurship. He was named one of Black Enterprise’s 50 Most Influential Black Entrepreneurs. In 2019, Pickard received the Michigan Lifetime Humanitarian Award from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.