Board of trustees approves deans for schools of nursing, public health

By Noor Yussuf–

The University of Louisville Board of Trustees met on Thursday to discuss several issues including the president’s report to the board and the university at-large.

In his report, Ramsey acknowledged elected U of L alumni officials in a section he called “Cards in the Capitol.” Among the alumnus were Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo, Senate President Senator Robert Stivers, House Minority Caucus Chairman Representative Bob DeWeese, and House Minority Caucus Chairwoman Representative Sannie Overly.

The president and the board also approved a resolution honoring the Cardinal men’s Football team for their Sugar Bowl victory.

In a letter signed by the president that will be presented to each member of the football team and the staff, Ramsey expresses “sincere admiration and deep appreciation for the football team and the cardinal staff and the football department for their commitment of achieving athletic and academic excellence.”

The president also discussed the university’s appreciation for coach Charlie Strong and his many accomplishments, including seeing 11 athletes graduating in the Fall of 2013 and 3 already enrolled in the MBA program .

Also, the president acknowledged a recent report by the Louisville Cardinal about the record breaking academic achievement of the student athletes.

The board also approved a project to replace 69 building roofs damaged by the April 2012 hail storm.

Provost Shirley Willihnganz said that the project will cost about $89 million and is covered by insurance.

The work to replace the roofs already started and is expected to end December 2013. Among those buildings are the Football Stadium, Grawemeyer, Ekstrom Library, the University Club, the Steam and Chilled Water Plant, and several others.

In a unanimous vote the board approved to extend the appointment of Dean Maria Hen as the Dean of the College of Nursing, followed by a five-year committee report about Hen’s performance.

The report stated that Hen is an “effective, transformational and transparent leader who motivates people and promotes diversity, who is meticulous with details and who does not fear dealing with hard issues.”

The trustees also approved hiring another dean for the School of Public Health and Information Science. Craig H. Blakely is currently the dean of the School of Rural Public Health at Texas A and M, in College Station, Texas and will start work at U of L in April.

An African folktale play presented by the African-American theatre program team was presented to the board at the conclusion of the meeting.

The play was directed by Dr. Lundeana M Thomas, who is the director of the program. The play called “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” is a Zimbabwean folktale the demonstrates “respect for elders, generosity, humility, and kindness.”

The next Board of Trustees meeting is March 7th.

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Photo: Val Servino/The Louisville Cardinal