UofM Board of Trustees to receive 2022 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership by Association of Governing Boards

Jan. 26, 2022 — The University of Memphis Board of Trustees has been selected to receive the 2022 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), the premier organization representing higher education governing boards.

The Nason Award, established in 1992, is presented in partnership with TIAA to higher education governing boards that demonstrate exceptional leadership and initiative.

This year’s honorees were chosen from a diverse array of nominations illustrating the crucial work of boards from both public and private institutions, statewide systems and institutionally related foundations.

Since its inception in 2017, the UofM Board of Trustees has placed ensuring student success – for all students – at the forefront of its responsibilities. Classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education for the first time in history, UofM’s top tier research status solidified it as one of two flagship public institutions in Tennessee.

Through policies and programs designed to limit student debt and innovative campus partnerships that provide financial support and real-world job experience to students, the board has played a key role in increasing graduation rates, fostering a sense of belonging and support on campus and promoting economic opportunity for students and the surrounding Memphis region.

“In 2017, Governor (Bill) Haslam brought together a diverse group of individuals with remarkable experience and a passion for higher education to serve as the initial Board of Trustees for the University of Memphis,” said Doug Edwards, Chairman of the University of Memphis Board of Trustees.

“Those Trustees, working with our outstanding president, Dr. David Rudd, have provided the leadership that has led to the University of Memphis being recognized as a Tennessee flagship university and has elevated the stature of the UofM in many areas.

“This board has demonstrated a strong commitment to the mission of the University to provide the highest quality education by focusing on research and service benefiting local and global communities.”

The UofM is one of six institutions receiving this year’s Nason Award along with the Adler University Board of Trustees, Community College of Rhode Island Foundation Board of Trustees, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, Southern California University of Health Sciences Board of Regents and Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors.

“Strategic governing boards are critical to higher education’s success—not only to the financial vitality of the institutions and foundations that higher education boards oversee, but also for the millions of students who enroll and graduate every year,” said Henry Stoever, AGB president and CEO.

“It is also evident that boards have an important role to play in elevating justice, diversity, equity and inclusion throughout campus and in the board room. We hope that recognizing boards who serve as dedicated, strategic thought partners with chief executives and leadership teams will give others the courage to lead in a similar fashion. I am excited to share and celebrate the great work and success that these honorees have achieved when we hold our upcoming events.”

The University of Memphis will receive its award at an upcoming board meeting, and it will be honored throughout the year at AGB events and programs.

The Nason Award is named for higher education leader John W. Nason, who served as the chair of the National Japanese American Student Relocation Council and helped more than 4,000 interned students continue their college studies across the nation during World War II.

Learn more about AGB's Nason Award at www.AGB.org/Award.