Union University news office
Chad Wilson, second from left, visits with Union faculty and staff during a Sept. 7 reception. Wilson, a member of First Baptist Church, Jackson, was elected chairman of Union’s board of trustees on Sept. 7 — Photo by Kristi Woody
JACKSON — Union University trustees celebrated the success of the university’s women’s basketball and debate teams, approved new officers and established tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 academic year during their Sept. 6-7 meeting on the Union campus.
The meeting was the final one in the term of trustees Trent Bullock, Norm Hill and Lisa Rogers, who has served as the board chairman since 2015.
“Serving as the chairman of Union’s board of trustees is a great honor,” Rogers said. “Union University has been a rich blessing in my life for many years, and it was a privilege for me to serve the university in this capacity. I have the utmost confidence in Union’s leadership and know that the Lord has good things in store for this institution in the days ahead.”
New officers approved by the trustees included Chad Wilson as board chairman and Robyn Hari as vice chair. Peggy Graves will continue to serve as secretary.
Wilson, a 2002 Union graduate, is president of Foundation Bank and a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson. He has been the board’s vice chairman since 2013.
“My time as a Union student was transformative in how I view my faith and the world,” Wilson said. “I’m deeply grateful for Lisa Rogers and her steady and faithful leadership over the past three years. I’m looking forward to working with Dub Oliver and the Union community as we seek to exemplify our core values, being faithful to our mission of providing Christ-centered higher education that promotes excellence and character development in service to Church and society.”
Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said Rogers and Wilson are both excellent examples of the kind of leaders that Union produces.
In business matters, trustees approved a 3.5 percent increase in tuition and fees for 2019-2020, the second lowest percentage increase in the last 24 years. They also approved emeritus status for Dottie Myatt, who recently retired as assistant dean for teacher education and accreditation in Union’s College of Education after serving on the faculty for 24 years.
In his report to trustees, Oliver said enrollment for the fall semester showed positive developments. The number of new students increased from 401 in 2017 to 450 this year (a 12.2 percent increase). Additionally, Oliver said the total number of traditional undergraduate students increased fall to fall for the first time since 2010.
On the evening of Sept. 6, trustees held a dinner that honored the Lady Bulldogs basketball team and the Union debate team. Last year’s Lady Bulldogs squad advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the first time, while the debate team won the International Public Debate Association national championship for the fifth year in a row.
In addition, the trustees hosted a reception on Friday morning in appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the Union faculty and staff.
