Alum Lawrence Drake, Ph.D., Appointed Bethune-Cookman University Interim President

Media Psychology Program alum Dr. Lawrence Drake, II, appointed Interim President at Bethune-Cookman University.

Lawrence M. Drake II, Ph.D.

According to Ormond Beach Observer, Drake currently serves as Dean of B-CU’s College of Business and Entrepreneurship and has been instrumental in designing and co-sponsoring the University’s strategic review process, “Re-Imagining B-CU: Now, Next and Beyond.” Drake will continue serving as CBE’s dean in his new interim role.

Drake enjoyed an impressive 21-year career with The Coca-Cola Company, where he held several key positions, including Division President & CEO of Nigeria and Equatorial Africa Division. This role included global operations, political stewardship, and partnership management with his franchise ownership partners across Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. Drake is the author of Color Him Father, a book on Black fatherhood and grief in America.

Drake’s dissertation, Two Kinds of Presence: A Comparative Analysis of Face-to-Face and Technology-Based Mediated Communication Methods and the Executive Coaching Experience, explored patterns of the executive coaching experience among clients who use both face-to-face and technology-based mediated communication methods. During his time at Fielding, he also helped co-found The Michael R. Neal Legacy Award for media psychology students who make outstanding contributions to the student community at Fielding.

To learn more about the doctoral program PhD in Media Psychology, please visit the School of Psychology and the PhD in Media Psychology sections of this site.