Board of Trustees Chair Grace Speights, J.D. ’82, congratulated the George Washington University community on the conclusion of another successful academic year during the board’s May meeting. Students have put in years of hard work, she said Friday, culminating with the Commencement ceremony on the National Mall.
“They have persevered this academic year, and they have exhibited a great deal of flexibility and care for one another amidst the ongoing impact of a global pandemic,” Speights said. “We are encouraged by our students' commitment and dedication to the university. I also want to express appreciation to our faculty and staff who continue to engage and inspire our students. We value all that you do.”
GW President Mark S. Wrighton said he was looking forward to participating in the university’s Commencement ceremony, an “Only at GW” opportunity, and his first since joining the university in January. Wrighton and Provost Christopher Alan Bracey have had a busy week attending as many commencement celebration events “as can fit into our schedule,” he said.
In his report to the board, Wrighton lauded members of the GW community who were recently awarded Pulitzer Prizes, and spoke about how his first few months in office have been marked by engagement with the local community.
“We've developed really outstanding relations with our community, and I'm anxious to continue a strong record of engagement with our community,” he said. “A great university will be greater if our community around us is also strong.”
Trustee elections, departures and recognition
The board elected Jeffrey A. Flaks, Michelle D. Rubin and Luis Otero to the board of trustees, with terms from June 1 to May 31, 2026.
Flaks, M.H.S.A. ‘96, is president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, an enterprise that cares for more than 1.7 million patients and customers. Flaks joined Hartford HealthCare in 2004 and has been a leader in transforming care delivery for nearly three decades. He is a recipient of GW’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and Alumni Service Awards and serves on the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Dean’s Council. He previously served on the GW Board of Trustees as a recent alumni trustee.
Rubin, B.A. ‘91, is president at Regional Properties, Inc., a Beverly Hills-based real estate development company. She previously spent 14 years as a corporate meeting and event planner. Rubin is active in numerous philanthropic endeavors, including serving as chair of the GW National Athletic Advisory Council. She is past co-chair of the Luther Rice Society and served as a member of GW’s Capital Campaign committee. She is also past chair of the Moriah Society of the American Jewish University.
Luis Otero, B.B.A. ‘20, M.S. ‘21, is a recent alumnus and works as a risk and financial advisory senior consultant at Deloitte. As a student he worked as a senior admissions fellow in the GW Office of Undergraduate Admissions, where he spearheaded efforts to identify opportunities for growth among diversity recruitment. He served as founding president of the university’s Association of Latino Professionals For America chapter and president of First Gen United, a GW student organization for first-generation college students.
Speights was reelected to serve as chair through May 2025. Mark Chichester, B.B.A. ’90, J.D. ’93, will serve as vice chair and Avram Tucker, B.B.A. ‘77, will serve as secretary, through 2025.
Trustees Madeleine Jacobs, B.S. ’68 and HON. ’03, and A. Michael Hoffman were reelected with terms extending to May 2024. Christine Barth, B.B.A ‘88, Charles Bendit, B.B.A. ‘75, and Todd Klein were reelected through 2026.
Wrighton honored Ellen M. Zane, B.A. ‘73, outgoing vice chair of the board, chair of the MFA Board of Trustees, and CEO emeritus of Tufts Medical Center, with the President’s Medal in recognition of her commitment, leadership and selfless service in transforming academic medicine at GW.
“Excellence in academic medicine at the George Washington University has been made possible thanks to Ms. Zane’s unwavering support,” Wrighton said. “The university is grateful for all her efforts over the past 12 years.”
Looking around the room at her fellow trustees, Zane reflected on the difference GW has made in all of their lives. There has been “no sweeter flavor,” she said, than being able to give back to the university through service.
“I thank all of you for everything you do every day for this wonderful university," she said. "I feel that we are on the tipping point of a very significant future because of all of you."
The board recognized trustees who are completing their service at the end of May. Departing trustees include Amr A. ElSawy, M.S.E.E. ‘81; Peter Harrison; Chelsea Lenowska, B.A. ‘14, M.P.A. ‘16; George W. Wellde, Jr., M.B.A. ‘76 and Vice Chair Zane.
Student, alumni and faculty leadership remarks
- In his final report to the board, Arthur Wilson, associate professor and outgoing chair of the Faculty Senate executive committee, said he knows the university “is in good hands.” Incoming chair professor James Tielsch remarked on the “astounding” progress of the Shared Governance Task Force and expressed excitement for the presidential search process, which has been very inclusive thus far.
- Outgoing Student Association President Brandon Hill remarked on his efforts to build strong relationships with university leadership and the student body during his time in office. GW students are, he said, “some of the most passionate individuals that I've had the pleasure of interacting with and representing.”
- Christine Brown-Quinn, outgoing president of the GW Alumni Association, spoke about the success of Giving Day, raising more than $1.6 million to support student aid, university infrastructure and other areas of need.
- Trustee Harrison, co-chair of the Environmental, Social, and Governance Responsibility Task Force announced the conclusion of the task force’s work. The task force recommended to charge the administration with addressing the goals and targets proposed by the community, refined by the task force, and to report on their performance relative to the corresponding metrics. The work is grounded in “transparency and equity,” Harrison said, and “positions GW as a leader in sustainability, social responsibility and consideration of ESG issues.
- The board approved the “statement of principles of shared governance” and affirmed the roles and responsibilities of the board, administration, and faculty as reflected in the governing documents of the George Washington University. The Faculty Senate overwhelmingly supported the statement of principles previously. Chair of the Shared Governance Task Force Amr ElSawy thanked the task force members for their hard work and commitment to an inclusive and comprehensive process.
Additional business
Wrighton announced the appointment of Charles Barber as the university’s permanent vice president and general counsel.
The board also approved a resolution to recognize Wilson, the outgoing chair of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee.
