Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1978 [PAGE 511]

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498

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[January 18

RECOGNITION, CHANCELLOR WILLIAM P. GERBERDING

President Howard observed that this meeting of the board was the first to be attended by the new chancellor at Urbana, Dr. William P. Gerberding. He welcomed Dr. Gerberding to the University and wished him well in the new position. H e also expressed the board's appreciation for the effective service of Dr. Morton Weir, vice chancellor for academic affairs, w h o served as acting chancellor from August 21 through December 31, 1977.

MINUTES APPROVED

T h e secretary presented for approval the press proofs of the minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings of J u n e 15 and July 20, 1977, copies of which had previously been sent to the board. O n motion of Mrs. Rader, these minutes were approved as printed on pages 295 to 367 inclusive.

SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Election of a Temporary Chairman

Mr. Howard asked for nominations for a temporary chairman to conduct the election of the president of the board. O n motion of Mr. Velasquez, Mr. Neal was nominated to serve as temporary chairman. There being no further nominations, M r . Neal was unanimously elected and took the chair.

Election of Officers President of the Board

Mr. Forsyth nominated the incumbent, Mr. George W. Howard I I I , expressing on behalf of the other trustees their thanks to Mr. Howard for his service as president during the past year, paying tribute to his "concise, candid, and energetic service." Mr. Livingston moved that the nominations be closed and that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot of the board in favor of Mr. Howard as president. T h e ballot was so cast, and Mr. Howard was declared elected president of the board, to serve until the next annual meeting of the board in January 1979, or until his successor shall have been elected. Mr. Howard took the chair and made the following comments: Let me commence this year of 1978 in the same way I began 1977 —by thanking my friends and colleagues on this Board of Trustees for your confidence in me and especially for the honor you do me in this position. It has been a challenging experience to serve as your president, and it is difficult to adequately express my appreciation — just know that it is deep and real. My appreciation especially goes to my wife, Sylvia, in absentia, who has been very supportive of the demands this position has made upon my time and efforts. I could not do it without her understanding. On behalf of my family, let me also thank the University family, those gathered here and many more, for their collective and individual kindness and concern for us this past year. You have helped to sustain our spirit in a time of deep grief.