volume lxxxii, july 2015 A Publication of the florida association of colleges and universities
Association News
FACU &
Special Edition
2015 distinguished service award winners
Dennis P. Gallon, Palm Beach State College
Charles W. Hall, Florida Gateway College
Katherine M. Johnson, Pasco-Hernando State College
Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. Saint Leo University
welcome new presidents
President Lawrence Barrett, Florida Gateway College
President Timothy Beard, Pasco-Hernando State College
President Ava L. Parker, Palm Beach State College
President Julio Frenk, University of Miami
President William J. Lennox, Jr. Saint Leo University
Interim President John R. Watret, Embry-Riddle Aeuronatival University
retiring presidents embry-riddle aeronautical university John P. Johnson Retires As President
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President and CEO, Dr. John P. Johnson, announced his retirement after nearly 12 years of service. Dr. Johnson assumed the presidency of EmbryRiddle in 2006 after serving as interim president and provost. Under his leadership, the university has made historic progress in developing campus facilities, strengthening the financial base, climbing in national rankings and expanding academic degree programs as well as increasing female enrollment, research activity and global outreach. Under his guidance,
the university was elected to full membership in the Association of Independent Technological Universities and the Oak Ridge Associated Universities consortium of the top 100 research universities in the United States. During his tenure, the university’s academic reputation has grown significantly, adding dozens of degree programs, including the nation’s first doctorate in Aviation and the world’s first Commercial Space Operations degree. U.S. News & World Report has rated Embry-Riddle’s undergraduate Aerospace Engineering program
No. 1 in the nation for 15 c on s e c ut i v e years, and The Chronicle of Higher Education consistently recognizes Embry-Riddle as a great place to work. Dr. Johnson has been recognized for his contributions to economic development and community outreach, including serving as the chairman of the board of Halifax Health Medical Center. In 2013, for his efforts to position EmbryRiddle as an economic engine for the state, he received the Gold Medallion Award for Economic Development from Florida Gov. Rick Scott. In addition, he
was the recipient of the United Way’s Herbert M. Davidson Award for Outstanding Community Service. Dr. Johnson and his wife Maurie plan to stay in the area and remain active in the community. To read the full article by Melanie Hanns at erau. edu, click HERE.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University President and CEO, John P. Johnson
lake-sumter state college President Charles Mojock To Retire
Longtime LakeSumter State College President Dr. Charles Mojock announced he would retire at the end of this year, capping off a 13-year run at the helm of the college and 40 years overall in education. In a letter to Board of Trustees Chairman, Tim Morris, Mojock said he counted his selection as president over a decade ago among other personal milestones, like his wedding and the birth of his children.
“ T h e c o l l e g e and larger community have always been so welcoming and supportive of Cathy and me, and for that we are so grateful,” Mojock said in the letter. “It has truly been an honor and capstone of my 40-year career in education to serve as your president!” “Dr. Mojock will surely be missed,” Morris said in a press release from the college. “His
dedication to the students, college family and community at large is unwavering. His focus has always been the students, and through his leadership, he has pursued countless ways to consistently put the student’s best interest first. He is an admirable leader, educator and colleague.” Under Mojock, LSSC enrollment grew rapidly. College officials say the student body rose from
1,825 in 2002 to a peak at 3,261 in 2012, an increase of about 79 percent. A successor has not yet been named.
Lake-Sumter State College President Charles Mojock
retiring presidents pasco-hernando state college Katherine M. Johnson Retires As President
After a decade of growth and success which included changing the school’s name, PascoHernando State College president Katherine M. Johnson retired from her post on June 30, 2015. She made the announcement in a letter to the school’s Board of Trustees, telling them that the decision was “bittersweet.” However, she said, she will have completed more than 10 years of service, fulfilling a promise she made to the board in 2004. Len Johnson, the
board’s chair, said Johnson’s “leadership is inspiring, and she will be greatly missed.” During Johnson’s time, she oversaw the opening of the Spring Hill Campus in 2010 and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch last January. The school also changed its name from PascoHernando Community College to PascoHernando State college after it began to offer baccalaureate degrees. The school is now accepting applications for two new
b a c h e l o r ’s degrees, beginning this August. Johnson told the board she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, retired PGA golf professional, Chuck Johnson. “My other commitment was to my husband, promising Chuck that I would join him in retirement at the end of a decade of service, to enjoy time with him, our extended family, and friends,” Johnson said. Dr. Timothy Beard,
PSHC Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management has been named to succeed Dr. Johnson as President of Pasco-Hernando State College.
Pasco Hernando State College President Katherine M. Johnson
florida gateway college
Charles Hall Retiring after 17 Years as President After 17 years as president of Florida Gateway College and 45 years in the community college system, Dr. Charles Hall announced his intentions to retire at the end of the 2014-2015 school year. “My retirement marks the conclusion of a career of 45 years in the community college system, with 31 years as a college president,” Hall wrote in his letter to the board. “I am pleased to leave you with a strong budget, great leadership throughout the college, program and personnel recognitions for FGC
at the state and national levels, a college that is very involved in the communities it serves, and the potential to be even better in these and additional areas.” During his 17 years at FGC, Hall’s leadership and vision led to many improvements at the college, including facility renovations, new construction, new site development, and new program development. In recent years, FGC has launched its first two baccalaureate programs and has plans to add two more in the coming
months. Though he plans to retire, Hall’s fingerprints are all over the college – the newly developed Charles W. Hall Student Center is named after him, and he and his wife, R o b i n , sponsor the H&H Café in the Wilson S. Rivers Library and Media Center. The Halls have also endowed four scholarships to The Foundation for
Florida Gateway College. President Hall will be succeeded by Dr. Lawrence Barrett, President of Eastern Maine Community College.
Florida Gateway College President Charles Hall
retiring presidents palm beach state college
Palm Beach State College President Dennis Gallon Retires When Dr. Dennis and more visibly the P. Gallon became Palm recognize rich Beach State’s fourth College’s president in 1997, he diversity. O t h e r immediately encouraged and embraced a culture of initiatives that resulted diversity. He created the from the plan were diversity assistant to the president mandatory for equity programs training for all employees, position, and diversity a Minority and Small Enterprise was one of the priorities of Business the first five-year Strategic Program to broaden in the Plan developed under his participation procurement process, leadership. District Diversity From the Strategic a Plan, the College created Committee, as well as its first ever Diversity Plan, celebrations recognizing contributions of which called for more the programs and initiatives people of all backgrounds, the Dr. to enhance diversity including among faculty, staff, Martin Luther King, Jr. administration, students Celebration Breakfast. Gallon worked to and programs. Gallon wanted to go beyond the preserve the history of mandates of the Florida Roosevelt Junior College, Educational Equity Act an all-black junior college
that merged with Palm Beach Junior College in 1965. As part of this effort, the College held a community event marking the 40th anniversary of the closing of RJC, rededicated the Social Science building on the Lake Worth campus in honor of RJC President Britton Sayles, and established an RJC oral history project and archive of memorabilia. In the community, Gallon launched the Glades Initiative Partnership Council to involve education, community and civic leaders in planning and supporting educational programs and services at the Belle Glade campus.
He also has been involved in the Black, Brown & College Bound annual statewide conference to boost student persistence, retention and graduation among African-American and Latino males. >>>Click HERE to read the full article at palmbeachstate.edu.
Palm Beach State College Prsident Dennis Gallon
university of miami
President Donna Shalala Retires Donna E. Shalala served as President of the University of Miami from 2001 to 2015. During her tenure, UM has solidified its position among top U.S. research universities. The University’s two successful Momentum campaigns raised $3 billion in private support for the university’s endowment, academic and research programs and facilities. President Shalala has more than 40 years of experience as an accomplished scholar, teacher, and administrator.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, President Shalala received her A.B. degree in history from Western College for Women. One of the country’s first Peace Corps Volunteers, she served in Iran from 1962 to 1964. She earned her Ph.D. from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She has held tenured professorships at Columbia University, the City University of
New York, and the University of WisconsinMadison. She served as President of Hunter College of the City University of New York from 1980 to 1987 and as Chancellor of the University of WisconsinMadison from 1987 to 1993. In 1993 President Bill Clinton appointed her U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) where she served for eight years, becoming
the longest serving HHS Secretary in U.S. history. >>>To read the full article at miami.edu, click HERE
University of Miami President Donna Shalala
retiring presidents saint leo university
President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr. Retires On August 19, 2014, Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., announced his retirement as Saint Leo University president, after the 20142015 academic year. Dr. Kirk joined Saint Leo College as its eighth president in January 1997. Under his leadership, Saint Leo College evolved to become Saint Leo University and has grown to be a vibrant and everexpanding institution that is committed to its studentcentered mission and the core values of community, respect, responsible stewardship, excellence, personal development, and integrity. During Dr. Kirk’s presidency, Saint Leo’s student body grew from 7,403 to 16,450, with record enrollments nearly every year. The number of full-time faculty members
has more than quadrupled to more than 240 and the number of degree programs has grown from 22 to 48, including the university’s first terminal degree offering, the Doctor of Business Administration. Also during his tenure, the university founded the innovative Center for Online Learning, which serves students all over the world. By Fall 2015, the University Campus in Saint Leo will have 11 new buildings, in addition to three recent renovations over the course of 13 years, adding more than 70 acres and nearly 1 million square feet of new facilities. Reflecting on his nearly 18 years at Saint Leo University, Dr. Kirk said, “While presidents
often get credit for success, I am most proud of those at Saint Leo who embraced our mission, practiced our values, and pursued our vision, never fearing change, and worked tirelessly to create a successful and sustainable university for the 21st century. The faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends have all been an integral part of what stands today as the third largest Catholic university in America. Perhaps most of all, I will miss the students. They stand as role models by practicing our core values while on campus and then living them in the world as alumni. Saint Leo University is not about a president; it is the collective seeking each
day to go from good to great. I will miss leading and working with such a wonderful collection of men and women with purpose.” Dr. William J. Lennox, Jr., the former Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, has been named as Dr. Kirk’s successor.
Saint Leo University President Arthur F. Kirk, Jr.
florida association of colleges & universities FAC&U Officers 2015-2016 FAC&U President Eileen Holden, EdD President, Polk State College FAC&U Vice- President Nathaniel Glover, MEd, Hon. LLD President, Edward Waters College FAC&U Vice- President Elect Judith Bense, PhD President, University of West Florida FAC&U Past President John Delaney, JD President, University of North Florida
2015-2016 FAC&U Board Members Jeffery Albritten, EdD President, Florida SouthWestern State College Anthony Catanese, PhD, FAICP President, Florida Institute of Technology Marshall Criser, III, JD Chancellor, State University System George L. Hanbury II, PhD President, Nova Southeastern University John Holdnak, PhD President, Gulf Coast State College Edwin Moore, PhD President, Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida Donal O’Shea, ScD President, New College of Florida Member-At-Large Mr. Andrew Corty Publisher, Florida Trend Ex-Officio Members Pam Stewart, Florida Commissioner of Education