UF’s Board of Trustees elected a new chairman just in time to put his name on spring graduates’ diplomas.
Board of Trustees vice-chairman David Brown, a 1973 UF alumnus and chairman of Broad and Cassel law firm, was selected to carry out the remainder of the former chairman’s term.
The board had until Friday to select a replacement for former chairman Carlos Alfonso, who served on the Board of Trustees for 11 years and resigned on April 23. His term would have expired June 30, 2013.
“I couldn’t be more happy or more thrilled about the leadership we are possibly selecting,” Trustee Alan Levine said prior to the vote.
“Thank you, I think,” Brown said.
Brown is taking over at a critical time for the university. Last month, the governor approved a statewide budget that cut $38.2 million from UF, which the Board of Trustees will vote on later this month.
Brown recognized that wins and losses during the legislative session have left the board with numerous challenges in front of it.
“I think that we all can expect to have extra responsibilities placed upon us in the coming months and in the next year,” he said.
Marshall Criser III, president of AT&T in Florida and son of former UF President Marshall Criser Jr., was elected vice-chairman.
“His name is known to the Gator Nation,” Trustee Carolyn Roberts said.
The board also welcomed new Student Body President Tj Villamil and thanked outgoing Faculty Senate Chairman Scott Nygren for his service.
