Neil Kerwin will serve as AU president for five more years.
The Board of Trustees extended Kerwin’s contract until 2017. His current term began in 2007 and ends in the summer of 2012.
Board Chairman Gary Abramson said a contract renewal is usually offered to presidents who receive excellent evaluations from the previous year’s assessment.
“The renewal represents the Board of Trustees' confidence in the progress and direction of the institution under his leadership,” Abramson said.
AU has maintained a healthy and steady enrollment, remained financially stable during an economic crisis, and successfully implemented the first two years of the Strategic Plan under Kerwin’s leadership, according to AU spokeswoman Camille Lepre.
Kerwin said he is pleased with the Board’s decision to extend his presidency at AU.
“I’m very happy, personally,” Kerwin said. “It’s great to think I’ll end my career here.”
Kerwin anticipates he will teach at AU after completing his second term of presidency, but he said he is not opposed to serving as president again.
“My expectation is that it would be best for the institution to hire another person, but you never say never,” Kerwin said.
AU held many “ritual celebrations” during Kerwin’s inauguration in 2007, including a celebratory dinner. Nothing is currently planned to celebrate his second term.
“We did that in 2007, so we wouldn’t do anything like that again,” Kerwin said. “It was fun when we did it, though.”
Vice President of Finance Don Myers said the Board of Trustees will decide Kerwin’s salary increase at their next meeting in May.
Kerwin said he attributes his success as president to his colleagues and the student body.
“When a president succeeds, or when a president fails, they don’t usually do it alone,” he said.
pjones@theeagleonline.com
