Six trustees have been appointed to Stetson University’s Board of Trustees

Six trustees have been appointed to Stetson University’s Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2011. Each trustee is appointed to a three-year term.

New trustee and Stetson alumna Betty Drees Johnson, professor and director of the duPont-Ball Library on Stetson’s DeLand campus, will retire on Sept. 1 after 50 years at the university. Rising through the ranks of several positions in the library, Johnson has developed and led fundraising efforts for the library resulting in more than $1.8 million, including several endowments. Johnson directed three renovation projects to maximize space usage in the building and increased research offerings through major additions of electronic collections. Also under her leadership, the library acquired from alumnus E. Clay Shaw a major research collection from his 13 terms in Congress, and from alumnus, former trustee, and former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, a major collection of political and Vietnam War memorabilia.

New trustee John D. Walda is president of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), headquartered in Washington, D.C. His career spans three decades in both public policy and law. Currently, he serves as chair of the Steering Committee for the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, on the Board of Directors for the American Council on Education, as a director of the Indiana University Foundation and as a trustee for Carroll College.

M. Lee McGraw, vice president and trustee, Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation, Inc., Osterville, Mass., is a returning member of Stetson’s Board of Trustees, having previously served from 1996-2004. The granddaughter of Donald C. McGraw, former president and chairman of McGraw-Hill Inc., and Elizabeth B. McGraw, for whom the foundation is named, McGraw received Stetson’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1993 for her contributions to the university and to her community.

New trustee Joe R. Cooper is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Big Lots, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. A CPA, Cooper’s career includes positions with KPMG Peat Marwick, The Limited Inc. and KinderCare Learning Centers. He started with Big Lots in 2000 as vice president of strategic planning and investor relations. Promoted to his current position in March 2010, he is responsible for treasury, tax, investor relations, loss prevention and risk management, as well as the reporting, planning, and control functions of the business. Cooper was named CFO of the Year: Public company honoree in September 2010 by the Business First publication in Columbus.

As newly elected chair of Stetson’s School of Music Board of Advisors, alumnus Gerald “Jerry” D. Kruhm, is a new ex-officio member of Stetson’s Board of Trustees. Before his retirement, Kruhm worked as a financial advisor licensed with Raymond James Financial Services in New Smyrna Beach. The former choral director of the New Smyrna Beach High School chorus, Kruhm worked for three different Florida school systems in a 36-year career as teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent for administrative services.

As newly elected chair of Stetson’s College of Arts & Sciences Advisory Board, alumnus Charles A. Wolfe is also a new ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees. Wolfe is president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Leadership Institute, headquartered in Washington, D.C. This is the nation’s leading organization that identifies, trains and supports openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates, campaign staff and public officials. Wolfe has an extensive background in politics, issue advocacy and organizational development. He previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the American Legacy Foundation, which was created as a result of the 46-state settlement with the tobacco industry. Wolfe entered the public sector as an appointee of the late Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles. In addition to serving on the governor’s 1994 re-election campaign as operations manager, he served the governor for seven years in such capacities as director of external affairs, director of tobacco control and executive director of the Miami Financial Oversight Board.

Contact: Mary Anne Rogers

386-822-7215

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