Board of Trustees Accomplishes Full Agenda

The tenth meeting of the AUN Board of Trustees recently concluded in Abuja.

"This was a significant meeting for us," said the president of the University, Dr. Michael Smith. "We had a full agenda and accomplished a number of important items."

First among the accomplishments was the confirmation of new members of the senior leadership team. Ms. Bettina Espe, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Dr. Conrad Festa, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Bayo Lawal, Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Skip Smith, Dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship were welcomed aboard. The Board also welcomed Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata to his first board meeting as a trustee.

The Board also finalized the agreement for an extension of the partnership with American University.

Several upcoming events were scheduled, including a meeting of the Board in March. "The Board set the dates in early March for a strategic planning retreat in Washington, D.C.," said Dr. Smith. "The retreat, which includes a brief Board meeting to authorize the FY 09-10 budget, will be facilitated with the assistance of the Association of Governing Boards."

Dr. V. J. Garofalo, the outgoing Vice President of Academic Affairs, was recognized as a "Founding Vice President" and presented a resolution of appreciation. The resolution recognized Dr. Garofalo’s many contributions to the university and thanked him for developing "the university’s academic programs and leading them through a highly successful Nigerian Universities accreditation review."

Board members with expiring terms of service were also thanked for their dedication to the "vision and mission of the American University of Nigeria" and their commitment to the "development of human resources of Nigeria."

Final selections of regalia were made for the university’s first graduation on 31 May 2009, and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu was announced as the principal speaker.

The tenth meeting concluded with the ratification of a preliminary model for five-year financial and capital planning and projects.

 

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