Update from the Board of Trustees Meeting
Last week, we held the Fall meeting of our Board of Trustees. This meeting included our standard reports from the Faculty Senate and from the Student Government Association and it was very helpful for the Board to hear these reports and get feedback from these groups. In addition to the various committee reports, the Board did have some action items that I would like to report to you.

Continued Support for Campus Master Plan
 
The Board decided to continue to fund the Campus Master Plan and additional deferred maintenance projects. The Board took the following actions:
 
  • Approved the renovation of all of the lounges and common areas in South Hall and Notre Dame Residence Hall, as well the main entrance to Notre Dame Residence Hall. In addition to renovating the spaces, new furniture and recreational equipment will be added.
  • Approved the renovation of the Albert M. White Gymnasium, including painting, lighting, bleachers and scoreboards as well as upgrades to the stage, balcony, locker rooms, offices and training room.
  • Approved the installation of air conditioning to the Notre Dame Residence Hall rooms.
  • Approved the renovation of the second floor of the Library Building including paint, carpeting, lighting, furniture and minor structural changes.
  • Requested College Administration develop a plan for renovating/re-purposing the O’Brien 110 and 218 Lecture Halls to be proposed to the Board at a later date.
  • Approved a number of deferred maintenance projects related to both the physical plant and technology, including but not limited to replacing CAMS.

New Board Members
In addition to these actions, I am pleased to share that we are welcoming two new members of the Board of Trustees: Helen A. Ashuntantang ’06 and Donna French ’88. We also thank departing Trustees Walter Borisenok and Scott Terrillion ‘85 for their many years of dedicated service and thoughtful advice. Below is some brief background information on our newest board members. I hope you will join me in giving them a warm welcome.
Helen A. Ashuntantang ‘06, PharmD, MS, MPH, MSL-cert.
Medical Science Liaison at bioMérieux

Dr. Ashuntantang is a Critical Care Medical Science Liaison working with BioMerieux Inc. Prior to BioMerieux, Dr. Ashuntantang worked as a credentialed pharmacy provider with San Carlos Apache healthcare where she assumed many roles. At San Carlos, Dr. Ashuntantang started and ran the Opioid stewardship program, Pharmacist run Hepatitis C clinic, renal pharmacy program, the MTM program as well as co-hosted a radio show which focuses on various health issues facing the community for 2 years. Dr. Ashuntantang also worked with the Medication Therapy Management department for Walmart Central Patient Care Services (WPCPS) for about 4 years. Prior to WPCPS, she worked for Rite Aid Pharmacy for over 6 years as a community pharmacist/ MTM specialist. As a public health pharmacist, she realized the need for health education as a major tool for disease prevention and management.
Donna French ’88, Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Vice President, Dosage Form Design & Development at AstraZeneca

Dr. French has over 25 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry in the development and commercialization of drug products and drug delivery devices including:
• Globally recognized thought leader for combination (drug + medical device) product development and commercialization
• Extensive leadership and technical experience in biologics drug products, drug delivery and devices
• Development and implementation of technology strategies for biopharmaceuticals
• Design and implementation of business processes for development and commercialization of biopharmaceuticals and combination products
At AstraZeneca, Dr. French is a leader of development of drug products and devices for the biologics portfolio - formulation, drug delivery systems, parenteral devices, and manufacturing process development / technology transfer for drug products and devices.
Centralization of DEI Office and Communications Office
 
The Board continued its discussion of our DEI initiatives and is in support of a central office reporting to the President for DEI. The Board also is in support of the creation of a central office for Communications, Marketing and PR. The administration will be defining the composition and prioritization of the staffing of the offices. We will be in conversations with various stakeholders on these issues and will be defining which positions should best be filled under the leadership of the next president.
 
The Board continues to be actively engaged in advancing the College and their service and leadership is greatly appreciated.
 
Sincerely,
Greg Dewey