level government officials on higher education issues. But the unknown – a small, private liberal-arts university on the opposite side of the country – intrigued him. For her part, Judy Romesburg encouraged him to consider the post. She felt Kerry excelled at speaking to large groups and connecting with individuals, and there had been fewer opportunities to pursue that at Nevada State’s one-building campus. “And I thought: My gosh, if he got back on a real campus, he would have all of those chances and opportunities to do that again.” The vision of JU’s tree-lined, riverfront locale impressed them. The Romesburgs toured campus alone before Kerry’s interview with the search committee. “And I was blown away On his first day on the job, Romesburg toured the Davis College of Business because it just was so beautiful,” Judy said. construction site with Superintendent William Duke. As the first residents of the newly built University House, the Romesburgs have a unique JU OFFERS NEXT CHALLENGE opportunity to live on the JU campus and become an integral ___________________________________ part of campus life. They both said that attending campus The decision to leave Nevada State College and accept events, especially with and for students, will be their major the presidency at JU was likely the hardest professional social priority for the coming year. decision Romesburg ever made, he said. He was happy in “The students are a huge focus for us,” Judy remarked. Nevada, and relished the role he played in working with top-
New University House Designed to be Home for All Perched among the palms and oaks along the St. Johns River on the northern end of campus sits the new University House – a home for the president’s family and for the entire Jacksonville University community. The 5,000-square-foot residence is designed to be a campus home for the president’s family as well as an entertainment and gathering venue for JU’s larger family of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. In July, Dr. Kerry and Judy Romesburg became the first occupants of the home and immediately welcomed JU faculty and staff at an evening reception. “This is your house,” Kerry Romesburg announced to the crowd of 200. Downstairs, the University House includes a wide foyer, a formal dining room, a catering-friendly kitchen, a large living room, a library and a sunny Florida room. A wide, covered veranda wraps around the sides and back of the house. A small amount of art from JU’s collection complements the lower spaces. The Romesburgs have furnished the upstairs living space with art they collected from places they have lived and traveled in the American West. Judy Romesburg said former President David Harlow and his wife Peggy deserve all the credit for designing a beautiful space that is well suited for entertaining and hosting groups. The house can hold 200 for a standing reception and 100 for a seated dinner. The wide archways connecting the downstairs rooms are crowd-friendly. And the garage off the kitchen provides space for catering staffs to utilize portable appliances.
With this new and adaptable space located on campus, President Romesburg and University staff are excited about new opportunities for on-campus gatherings. Susan Mattox, assistant vice president of institutional advancement, said the University needed a comfortable venue for small dinners, receptions and alumni reunions. University administrators, faculty and trustees will now have better opportunities to invite guests to JU’s beautiful campus, instead of relying on offcampus clubs, restaurants and other venues. The University House was commissioned in 2002 by the Board of Trustees, which envisioned a new campus home for the president and for the University community to gather on special occasions. Gifts from trustees partially funded the $1 million project.