USM Regents Elect 2006-2007 Officers at Annual Meeting, Approve New School of Public Health, and Six New Academic Programs

FROSTBURG, Md. (June 23, 2006) - The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents elected Clifford M. Kendall chair at its annual meeting today at Frostburg State University (FSU). Kendall will succeed David H. Nevins, whose term as chairman expires June 30. Kendall, recently reappointed by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, served as the board's chairman for nearly three years during his first term, which began in 1999. Nevins, who will remain on the board, asked members not to consider his re-election due to increased professional responsibilities.

The 17-member board also re-elected Robert L. Pevenstein vice chair. Pevenstein, appointed in 2003, is president of Princeville Partners LLC, a mergers and acquisitions business consulting firm in Timonium. Robert L. Mitchell, also appointed in 2003, was re-elected as the board's secretary. Mitchell is chairman of Mitchell & Best Homebuilders in Bethesda. R. Michael Gill, appointed in 2004, was elected as board treasurer. Gill is chairman of Hoyt Capital, a Baltimore investment firm.

In addition, board members elected Alicia Coro Hoffman, former executive with the U.S. Department of Education, assistant secretary. Hoffman was appointed in 2005. Patricia Florestano, appointed in 2001, was elected assistant treasurer. Florestano served as Maryland's secretary of higher education from 1995 to 2000.

The new officers will serve from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007.

Also today, the regents unanimously approved the creation of a new School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). This will be the seventh professional school at UMB and the first new school there in 45 years.

The following academic programs were approved at today's meeting:

• Master's in Mental Health Counseling at Bowie State University;
• Doctorate in Computer Science at Bowie State University;
• Bachelor's of Music Education at UMCP;
• Doctorate in Anthropology at UMCP;
• Bachelor's in Ethnobotany at Frostburg State University;
• Master's and doctorate in Human Centered Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

The board also approved a five-year capital budget for USM in two parts: a $1.32 billion capital improvement request (CIP) of state funding for academic buildings, and a system-funded construction program totaling $403 million over five years. All capital projects reflect the regents' priorities of meeting enrollment demand, enhancing research capacity as well as teaching and learning, and managing or replacing existing buildings in a cost-efficient manner.

Finally, Catherine Gira, retiring as president of Frostburg State University June 30, was named president emerita, an honorary designation given in recognition of her 41 years of distinguished service to USM. Prior to serving as president at FSU for 15 years, Gira spent 26 years at the University of Baltimore.

Contact: Liz O'Neill
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: loneill@usmd.edu