At its May 7 meeting in the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center, the University’s Board of Trustees elected David W. Kemper, president and chief executive officer of Commerce Bancshares Inc., as chairman of the board for the 2004-05 fiscal year, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton.
The trustees elected John F. McDonnell, retired chairman of the board of McDonnell Douglas Corp., and Stephen F. Brauer, chief executive officer of Hunter Engineering, as vice chairmen.
Three new trustees were elected to the board: Cynthia Brinkley, president-Missouri, SBC Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.; Jerald L. Kent, chief executive officer, Cequel III LLC; and Lawrence E. Thomas, principal, corporate bonds, Edward Jones.
Elected as a life trustee was Sam Fox, chairman and chief executive officer, Harbour Group, Ltd., chairman of the Campaign for Washington University and a longtime trustee. Elected trustees emeritus were Clarence C. Barksdale and Benjamin F. Edwards III, chairman emeritus of A.G. Edwards Inc.
Four students were named 2004-05 representatives to the board. Undergraduate appointees are Zachary Friedman, Clemmons, N.C. (College of Arts & Sciences, Class of 2005); and Teresa Sullivan, Aurora, Ill. (College of Arts & Sciences, Class of 2005).
The graduate student representatives will be Christopher Goddard, St. Louis (School of Law, Class of 2005); and Anna Terry, Fort Smith, Ark. (School of Medicine, Class of 2007).
McDonnell has served as chairman of the board for five years.
“John McDonnell has led this distinguished board during one of the most dramatic periods in the institution’s history,” Wrighton said.
“His outstanding leadership as chairman of the quiet phase of the Campaign for Washington University and then as the board chairman have seen this institution grow in stature — especially in admissions, facilities, endowed professorships, scholarships and reputation.
“I am delighted that we will continue to enjoy his active involvement as a vice chair of the board and as a life member of the board.”
Kemper has served as vice chairman of the board since 2001. He serves on several committees: executive, compensation, Hilltop finance, University finance and nominating. He is completing a term as chair of the University Libraries National Council.
“David Kemper has taken an extraordinary interest in the University and has devoted not only his time, but also his support, for many important initiatives — especially the recent announcement of the naming of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum in honor of his late mother,” Wrighton said.
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Cynthia J. Brinkley is president-Missouri of SBC Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. She is responsible for all regulatory, legislative, governmental and external affairs activities in Missouri, a position she has held since July 2002. She previously served as president of SBC Arkansas, where she was named the state’s business leader of the year in 2002. Brinkley joined the company in 1986. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and of Truman State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Jerald L. Kent is president and chief executive officer of Cequel III, a broadband telecommunications management company founded in 2002. A 20-year veteran of the cable television industry, he began his career as an officer of Cencom Cable Associates Inc., and then co-founded Charter Communications in 1993. Prior to founding Cequel, he was president and chief executive officer of Charter Communications. Under his leadership, Charter grew to some 7 million customers as the nation’s fourth-largest cable company. A graduate of the Olin School of Business, he is the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award and serves on the executive committee of the University’s Alumni Association. Lawrence (Larry) E. Thomas began working with Edward Jones in 1977 as an intern while attending Washington University. He spent most of his time in the securities research and branch administration departments. Upon graduation, he joined Edward Jones’ corporate bond trading department, and within five years became a principal of the company. He has held many important positions within the firm. In January, he rejoined its corporate bond department, where he is responsible for distributing the group’s newly issued corporate notes. He serves on the Olin School of Business’ national council. In addition to his undergraduate degree from the Olin School, he has earned master of business administration degrees from Northwestern and Lindenwood universities. He also is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. |
Brauer will become vice chairman after serving on the board for many years. He has been a strong supporter of the University and has been particularly active in supporting the School of Engineering & Applied Science. Most recently, he served as U.S. ambassador to Belgium.
“Steve is one of our hardest-working trustees and a loyal supporter and advocate for quality education,” Wrighton said. “He will bring a global perspective to the University’s expanding international presence.”
In his report to the trustees, Wrighton reviewed the Sesquicentennial year’s highlights, noting the successful events that started in September. These included the University’s 150th Birthday Party celebration to which the St. Louis community was invited, and the rededication of Olin Library and inauguration of the statue of George Washington, which immediately followed the trustee meeting.
Wrighton mentioned the successful groundbreaking for the Sam Fox Arts Center on April 14 and the announcement of the naming of Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.
Wrighton thanked trustee Robert L. Virgil, Ph.D., for chairing the Sesquicentennial Commission, noting that he will march at Commencement May 21 as honorary grand marshal.
He reported on the continuing success of the Campaign for Washington University, which to date has raised well over $1.4 billion, strongly surpassing its original goal of $1 billion and its revised goal of $1.3 billion.
He expressed hope that the campaign will top $1.5 billion upon its completion June 30. He reminded the trustees that this was the original total of needs expressed in the Project 21 analysis conducted before launching the campaign.
Wrighton concluded his remarks by noting that the varsity athletic teams achieved an overall record for 2003-04 of 198-64-7, earning a .756 winning percentage. Every team finished with a winning record, and 159 student-athletes earned All-University Athletic Association honors, with five being named player of the year and three being named rookie of the year.
He was especially proud to announce that the softball team was to begin NCAA regional tournament play in Pella, Iowa, that day. He also noted that Francis Field will begin to see construction of a new synthetic playing surface.
Sandra B. Marks, director of the University’s Supplier Diversity Initiative, was introduced to the trustees by Wrighton. She reported on the successes of the University’s effort to sustain and nourish minority businesses in the St. Louis community, to create viable new minority businesses in the region and to increase minority representation in the workplace.
Her report reviewed the University’s role in supporting women-owned and minority-owned businesses that do work for the institution.
In other action, the trustees observed a moment of silence and passed a memorial resolution in honor of former Provost and Trustee George E. Pake, who died March 4.
The trustees heard reports from the following committees: nominating, compensation, development, educational policy, honorary degree, Hilltop finance, medical finance, audit and the Alumni Board of Governors.
In addition, reviews of the school year were presented to the trustees by the undergraduate and graduate student representatives — Ryan C. Lawson, Elizabeth “SiSi” Marti, David E. Taylor and Xiuxia Du. Their reports were followed by the faculty representative review of the year, delivered by Jody O’Sullivan, Ph.D., chair of the Faculty Senate and the Faculty Senate Council.