Howard University taps Comey as guest lecturer

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Former FBI Director James Comey accepted a role as guest lecturer at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the school announced Wednesday.

The historically black university named Comey its keynote speaker for the opening convocation for the start of the school year Sept. 22.

He's also the 2017-18 Gwendolyn S. and Colbert I. King endowed chair in public policy. This position means he'll hold five lectures featuring other speakers at the school.

"I am pleased to welcome Mr. Comey to Howard," said Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick. "His expertise and understanding of the challenges we continue to face today will go a long way in sparking rich discussion and advancing meaningful debates across campus."

The school said Comey is donating his entire $100,000 salary as King chair to a scholarship fund for students coming from foster homes.

"I am honored to hold the King Chair this school year. Howard has a longstanding history of being a vibrant academic community and the perfect place to have rich dialogue on many of the most pressing issues we face today," Comey said. "I look forward to contributing to this remarkable institution and engaging students and faculty alike."

President Donald Trump fired Comey as director of the FBI on May 9, less than four years into his 10-year term. Trump initially said he fired him because of his conduct in the FBI investigation into Clinton's emails.

Later, Trump attributed the dismissal to the active FBI investigation into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russian efforts to sway the presidential election. Days before he was fired, Comey had asked the Justice Department for more resources and staff for the investigation.