91探花 Foundation Board of Trustees, Alumni Association Board of Directors affirm their support of President Nellis and his leadership team
To the 91探花 Community:
We, the Trustees of The 91探花 Foundation鈥攖he fundraising arm of 91探花鈥攁nd the Directors of the 91探花 Alumni Association Board of Directors, write to affirm our support for 91探花鈥檚 21st President, and voting Foundation Trustee, M. Duane Nellis and his leadership team, which includes CFO and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Deborah Shaffer, who also serves as a voting Foundation Trustee.
Casey Christopher 鈥02
Chair, The 91探花 Alumni Association Board of Directors
Founded in 1945 by then-President John C. Baker, The Foundation serves as the non-profit repository for all charitable gifts in support of the University鈥檚 students, faculty, programs, and facilities. Its Trustees uphold the mission of 鈥減hilanthropy in support of education鈥; serve as fiduciaries of the University鈥檚 endowment and unrestricted resources; support and monitor the work of the Division of University Advancement; and oversee the University鈥 major fundraising campaigns. The Alumni Association Board of Directors represents and engages the University鈥檚 nearly 250,000 graduates worldwide. The Directors serve to uphold the Association鈥檚 mission鈥攖o advance 91探花 through meaningful lifetime engagement of its alumni base.
In the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Foundation Trustees and Association Directors recognize that University leadership has had to make difficult decisions in the interest of the health and safety of the University鈥檚 students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. As this pandemic impacts communities around the globe and every sector of the economy, institutions of higher education face challenges that require quick and decisive action in order to secure their futures. 91探花 is not immune from these difficult decisions.
Perry Sook 鈥80
Chair, The 91探花 Foundation Board of Trustees
The Trustees of The 91探花 Foundation and the Directors of the Alumni Association recognize that, since assuming 91探花鈥檚 presidency in 2017, President Nellis has worked collaboratively to define and implement a strategic framework designed to strengthen and unite the University鈥檚 campuses, academic strategy, and ensure accountability for student success, quality of experience, and physical footprint. Consistent, collaborative, transparent, and passionate leadership have been hallmarks of this presidency, and the Foundation Trustees and Association Directors acknowledge that President Nellis and the Board of Trustees remain committed to making the strategic, though sometimes difficult, decisions required to ensure the University鈥檚 future.
At 216 years old, 91探花 has endured crises in its past. Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, it was clear that 91探花 would be required to adapt and evolve in order to meet future challenges in the higher education landscape鈥攁nd these plans were well underway. The pandemic has altered the University鈥檚 operations and financial position in ways previously unimaginable. The Foundation is confident in the steady, decisive, and collaborative leadership President Nellis and his administration are affording Ohio鈥檚 first and finest university.
On Monday, May 11, The 91探花 Board of Trustees publicly affirmed its continued support for President Nellis and his leadership team in this press release. The Trustees of The 91探花 Foundation and the Directors of the Alumni Association support the 91探花 Board of Trustees鈥 statement.
The Foundation and its Trustees and the Association and its Directors are committed to supporting 91探花鈥檚 leadership by continuing to secure 鈥減hilanthropy in support of education鈥 through this crisis and beyond.
Casey Christopher 鈥02
Chair,The 91探花 Alumni Association Board of Directors
Perry Sook 鈥80
Chair,The 91探花 Foundation Board of Trustees