August 19, 2025
The Tallahassee State College (TSC) District Board of Trustees elected Trustee Eugene Lamb, Jr. as the new Board Chair at its meeting on August 18. He succeeds Trustee Karen Moore. Long-time trustee Frank Messersmith was elected Vice-Chair.
Trustee Lamb is known for deep-rooted connections to the College and community. Initially appointed in 2007 by Governor Charlie Crist, Lamb has since been reappointed to five consecutive terms by Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis. This will be his fifth term as chair.
Born and raised in Gadsden County, Lamb graduated from Northside High School and was the school’s first player named All-State in basketball. In the summer of 1967, while on break from college, he would jog from his home in Midway to Tallahassee each day to help lay the bricks of the first buildings on the then-Tallahassee Junior College campus, a testament to his enduring connection and work ethic. After his graduation from Dillard University, Lamb dedicated 30 years to teaching in Leon, Gadsden, and Volusia counties. He coached basketball at Godby High School from 1975 to 1987. Lamb served as a Gadsden County Commissioner and a member of the Midway Council, where he was elected both mayor and mayor pro tem.
Lamb’s leadership and service have been recognized at both the state and national levels. In 2023, he received the Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), followed by being named Trustee of the Year in 2024 by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). He is also a proud member of the TSC Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame and the Dillard University Athletics Hall of Fame, underscoring his lasting impact both in education and athletics.
“It is a privilege to step into this role and continue serving the College I have been connected to for most of my life,” Lamb said. “Trustee Karen Moore has provided steady and thoughtful leadership as Chair, and I am grateful for her dedication. Together, with my fellow trustees, I am committed to ensuring TSC remains the college of choice for our students and community.”
Trustee Messersmith is among the Florida College System’s longest-serving trustees. Since his initial appointment by Governor Jeb Bush in 1999, he has been reappointed by Governors Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, and Ron DeSantis. A former legislator and member of the Florida Public Service Commission, he now specializes in legislative and regulatory consulting. Earlier in his career, he served a decade as a Deputy Sheriff in Palm Beach County, where he pioneered drug education and community relations programs.
“We are fortunate to have such experienced, dedicated leaders guiding our Board,” said Dr. Jim Murdaugh, President of Tallahassee State College. “With Trustee Lamb’s unwavering commitment to our College and community, and Trustee Messersmith’s depth of public service and leadership experience, TSC is poised for continued momentum in serving our students and community.”