NGU Trustees Meet New VP, Approve Budget and Promotions
Posted on: July 18, 2023
Tigerville, SC (July 18, 2023) The introduction of a new vice president, approval of the fiscal year budget, and approval of several faculty promotions highlighted the summer meeting of the North Greenville University Board of Trustees on Thursday, June 22.
Meeting on the university’s Tigerville campus, the board heard a university update from NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr., who noted several events since the trustees’ spring meeting on March 2. Dr. Fant also discussed a transition in leadership for NGU’s Campus Ministries and Student Engagement (CMSE) division.
Dr. Jared Thomas, who has served at the university for nine years, has been named vice president for campus ministries and student engagement, effective July 1. He replaces Jody Jennings, who has resigned to move to a similar position at another Baptist university. Thomas, a 2009 NGU graduate, has served as assistant vice president for CMSE since NGU combined the two administrative areas in 2019.
In their business session, trustees unanimously approved a $54,254,394 expense budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The budget projects NGU will adequately fund operating expenses, continuing the institution’s operating practice to not have long-term indebtedness.
Trustees received reports from administrative areas across the university, including an update on two new academic programs. The Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences and the Education Specialist programs both remain on track to launch officially in August 2023. Both degrees were approved by the regional accrediting commission and the U.S. Department of Education during the 2022-23 academic year. NGU’s revised Honors Program also will begin in August.
Several faculty were promoted in rank. Those promoted from associate professor to full professor rank were Dr. Franklin Aviles-Santa, business; Dr. Brian Crane, biology; Dr. Chris Davis, music; Dr. Jan Foster, biology, and Dr. Heiwon Shin, English. Faculty promoted from assistant professor to associate professor include Joanna Beasley, library; Leslie Brown, library; Dr. Jenna Garrett, English; Cynthia Lohrmann, theatre; Dr. Teresa Lyle, health science; Carla McMahan, library; Kaye Rickman, PA Medicine; Kelcye Richards, PA Medicine; Dr. Rachel Roberts, English; and Dr. Lori Vinson, education.
Trustees also received reports on summer facilities improvement projects. The major capital project to fully renovate historic Donnan Administration Building is continuing, with a scheduled completion in late fall and occupancy at the start of the 2024 spring semester. Other facilities improvements included installation of new football field turf at Younts Stadium and remodeling of several units in Crusader Court campus housing, along with the ongoing maintenance of housing buildings.
In Athletics, NGU reported the cumulative 2022-23 Grade Point Average for all teams was 3.03 on a 4.0 scale, with 16 of 20 teams above a 3.0 GPA.
Dr. Brian Spearman, board chair and senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Marietta, presided at the meeting of the 25-member board on NGU’s Tigerville campus.
