The Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis met Friday, May 14, at the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center and 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 Mark S. Wrighton, chancellor. 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 of the board.
David W. Kemper
Three new trustees also were elected to the board: Cynthia Brinkley, president-Missouri, SBC Southwestern Bell Telephone Company; Jerald L. Kent, chief executive officer, Cequel III, LLC; and Lawrence E. Thomas, principal, corporate bonds, Edward Jones. Elected as a life trustee is Sam Fox, chairman and chief executive officer, Harbour Group, Ltd., chairman of the Campaign for Washington University, and a long-time 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. Appointed as undergraduate representatives are: Zachary Friedman, Clemmons, N.C. (College of Arts & Sciences 2005); and Teresa Sullivan, Aurora, Ill. (College of Arts & Sciences 2005). The graduate student representatives are: Christopher Goddard, St. Louis, Mo. (School of Law 2005); and Anna Terry, Fort Smith, Ark. (School of Medicine 2007).
McDonnell has served as chairman of the board for five years. Wrighton said, “John McDonnell has led this distinguished board during one of the most dramatic periods in the institution’s history. 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.”
John F. McDonnell
As the incoming board chairman on July 1, Kemper moves up from his role since 2001 as vice chairman of the board. He serves on the executive committee, the compensation committee, Hilltop finance committee, University finance committee, and the nominating committee. He is just completing a term as chair of the University’s 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 noted.
Brauer becomes vice chairman after serving for many years on the board. 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 the U.S. ambassador to Belgium. “Steve is one of our hardest-working trustees and a loyal supporter and advocate for quality education. He will bring a global perspective to the University’s expanding international presence,” Wrighton said.
In his report to the trustees, Wrighton reviewed the sesquicentennial year’s highlights, noting the successful events inaugurated last September, including the University’s 150th birthday party celebration to which the St. Louis community was invited, and today’s rededication of Olin Library and inauguration of the statue of George Washington, immediately following the trustee meeting. He mentioned the recent successful groundbreaking for the Sam Fox Arts Center and the announcement of the naming of Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. Wrighton thanked trustee Robert L. Virgil for chairing the University’s Sesquicentennial Commission, noting that he will march in commencement ceremonies on May 21 as honorary grand marshal. The commencement speaker will be New York Times columnist Tom Friedman.
Stephen F. Brauer
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, 2004. He reminded the trustees that this was the original total of needs expressed in the Project 21 analysis conducted prior to launching the campaign.
The chancellor concluded his remarks by noting that the varsity athletic teams achieved an overall record for 2003-04 of 198-64-7 for a 75 percent winning percentage. Every team finished with a winning record and 159 student-athletes earned all-UAA 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 women’s softball team (31-3) will begin NCAA regional tournament play in Pella, Iowa, as the trustees were meeting. He also noted that Francis Field will begin to see construction of a new synthetic playing surface.
Sandra B. Marks, director of the Supplier Diversity Initiative for Washington University, 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. Marks is a 1983 graduate of the Olin School of Business MBA program and runs her own consulting business – Marks Associates.
In other action, the trustees observed a moment of silence and passed a memorial resolution in memory of former Provost and Trustee George E. Pake. 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) Martì, David E. Taylor and Xiuxia Du. Their reports were followed by the faculty representative review of the year delivered by Joseph (Jody) O’Sullivan, professor of electrical and systems engineering.
About the new trustees
Cynthia J. Brinkley is president-Missouri, SBC Missouri. She is responsible for all regulatory, legislative, governmental and external affairs activities in Missouri, a position she has held since July 2002. Previously she 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, and is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Truman State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Jerald L. Kent is president and chief executive officer of Cequel III, a broad-ban 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 CEO of Charter Communications. Under his leadership, Charter grew to some seven million customers as the nation’s fourth largest cable company. A graduate of the John M. Olin School of Business, he is the recipient of a distinguished business 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 the firm’s corporate bond trading department and within five years became a principal of the company. He has held many important positions with Edward Jones, rejoining the corporate bond department in January where he is responsible for distributing the group’s newly issued corporate notes. He serves on the National Council for the John M. Olin School of Business. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Olin, he has earned MBAs from both Northwestern University and Lindenwood University. He also is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.