May 2, 2024: Spring 2024 Board of Trustees Meeting Summary

Dear Colleagues,

We write to share a summary of Bucknell's annual spring Board of Trustees meeting, which took place on campus from Wednesday, April 24, through Friday, April 26. President John Bravman, who is on sabbatical this semester, attended the meeting in his role as a trustee. We wish to thank all faculty and staff members who planned or participated in the spring meeting and contributed to its success.

The spring meeting presented several opportunities for celebration. On Wednesday evening, the trustees and their guests toured and attended a reception at the newly opened Michael C. Pascucci '58 Team Center, followed by a dinner in the Weis Center Atrium where we had the opportunity to honor Chris O'Brien '80, P'18, P'20, whose second term of service as Board chair will end on June 30. The Bucknell community is forever grateful for his exceptional leadership during a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most difficult challenges Bucknell has ever faced.

As Chris enters his final months as chair, we are pleased to announce that the trustees unanimously elected trustee Annie Seibold Drapeau '88 as the next Board chair. Annie's dedication to her alma mater, combined with her professional expertise as a national leader in human resources, will undoubtedly benefit the Bucknell community. In the same business meeting motion, the Board elected as new officers Scott Perricelli '94 and Erika Stanat '90, vice chairs; Dawn Becker '85, secretary; and Sam Nana-Sinkam '10, assistant secretary. We congratulate and thank all of our incoming officers, whose three-year terms begin July 1.

At the University's annual spring faculty recognition event on Thursday evening, the trustees joined us in honoring 17 faculty colleagues who either received tenure or achieved the rank of full professor effective with the start of the fall semester of academic year 2024-25. We congratulate the following individuals for earning tenure:

  • Shahram Azhar, assistant professor of economics
  • Matthew Baltz, assistant professor of sociology
  • Adam Burgos, assistant professor of philosophy
  • Ken Eisenstein, assistant professor of English
  • Jonathan Frey, assistant professor of art & art history
  • Melissa Intindola, assistant professor of management & organizations
  • Sarah Lower, assistant professor of biology
  • Elif Miskioglu, assistant professor of chemical engineering
  • Kate Suslava, assistant professor of accounting
  • Stewart Thomas, assistant professor of electrical & computer engineering
  • Bryan Vandevender, assistant professor of theatre & dance

And we congratulate the following colleagues for their promotion to full professor:

  • Nina Banks, associate professor of economics
  • Z Morgan Benowitz-Fredericks, associate professor of biology
  • KB Boomer, associate professor of mathematics
  • Indramil Brahma, associate professor of mechanical engineering
  • Douglas Gabauer, associate professor of civil & environmental engineering
  • Eric Kennedy, associate professor of biomedical engineering

During the spring meeting, the Board welcomed guest speaker/facilitator Jason Craige Harris, who presented on the topic of "Dignity, Accountability and Repair." This talk built upon past Board education sessions and explored the importance of cultivating a culture of dignity in university communities.

The trustees also participated in two learning sessions that focused on two of Buckell's strategic areas. Vernese Edghill-Walden '87, vice president for equity & inclusive excellence, led a discussion of her division's strategic priorities and pillars for creating a University-wide culture of equity, inclusion and belonging. The Board also received key updates on changes in the NCAA landscape and the impact on Bucknell in a presentation by Jermaine Truax, vice president and director of athletics & recreation.

In committee meetings, the Advancement Committee heard a report on the progress of the comprehensive campaign, which has surpassed $200 million in new gifts and future pledges.

In the Equity & Inclusive Excellence Committee meeting, EIE staff members presented an overview of their departments programs, resources and services. The committee then had a rich dialogue about the vision for EIE at Bucknell.

The Finance Committee reviewed its winter authorization of $13 million in tax-exempt debt to fund the construction of a fifth apartment building at Bucknell West; and approved a 10-year bond with a 2.86% interest rate. Within the fiscal year 2025 budget, the committee supports a 4.75% increase in the comprehensive fee and anticipates 1,010 students matriculating in the Class of 2028 this fall, with a 37.5% discount rate; and capped endowment income at 4.50%, which meets the target set four years ago, when the draw was 5.50%.

In the business meeting, the full Board passed two motions at the Finance Committee's recommendation: the approval of the University's budget for fiscal year 2025; and a transfer of $300,000 from the estate of Doris Philby to quasi-endowment to create the Doris Philby Psychology Fund, which will support the Department of Psychology.

At the recommendation of the Academic Affairs Committee, the Board passed motions to approve academic personnel changes for newly tenured or promoted professors and to approve the conferral of degrees at Commencement.

The trustees also passed a motion from the Nominating & Governance Committee to elect two new trustees to the Board for five-year terms. They are Lance Fritz '85, who will begin his service July 1, 2024; and Paul Wythes '90, whose term will begin July 1, 2025. We warmly welcome and thank them for accepting the invitation to serve. Citations were read in honor of departing trustees Brenda Earl '81, Chris O'Brien and Robin Zafirovski '79, who will conclude their Board service on June 30. On behalf of the entire University community, we thank them for their leadership and dedication.

As we rapidly approach the University's 174th Commencement on May 12, we wish to thank all of you and the Board for your dedication and support during this academic year. It is an honor to serve as co-acting presidents, and we deeply appreciate how each of you contributes to our collective efforts to advance the priorities of the University while addressing the many challenges facing higher education today. By working together, we will continue to strengthen the Bucknell experience for current and future students.

Sincerely,

Scott Rosevear
Co-acting President and Vice President for University Strategy & Advancement

Margot Vigeant
Co-acting President and Interim Provost