By Tim Ellsworth
Union University News Office
JACKSON — Union University trustees approved a $91.1 million operating budget for 2015-2016 at their April 10 meeting and elected Lisa Williams Rogers as the next board chair, the first woman ever to hold that position in the university’s history.
Rogers, a 1983 Union graduate and a physician in obstetrics and gynecology with the Jackson Clinic, will replace Norm Hill, who steps aside after serving as board chair for three years. Rogers is in her 15th year of service as a Union trustee.
“I am excited to be working with Dr. Lisa Rogers as our new board chair,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “Union has been blessed with quality board leadership over its history. I am most grateful for Norm Hill’s service as chair these past three years. Lisa will carry that tradition of strong leadership forward.”
Oliver said Rogers has a deep love for Christ, knows Union well as an alumna, has strong relationships with people in the community and has a passion for advancing the university’s mission and vision.
“I’m humbled to be chosen for this key position at Union University,” Rogers said. “My life has been blessed in many ways by my years at Union, and I’m excited about this opportunity to serve my alma mater in this way.”
After graduating from Union, Rogers completed medical school at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and did her residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She and her husband Kenny have two children – Rebecca, a student at Belmont University, and Austin, a freshman at Union – and are members of West Jackson Baptist Church.
Rogers had previously served as the board’s secretary.
Chad Wilson, who has been the board’s vice chairman, was re-elected to that position, and Peggy Graves was elected as secretary.
The $91.1 million budget trustees approved is a 4.64 percent increase to the current year’s operating budget and includes $24.6 million for scholarships and financial aid.
