WAVE NEWS A FINAL TRIBUTE: JU TRUSTEES NAME RIVERFRONT IN HONOR OF ROMESBURGS By Kevin Hogencamp
KERRY ROMESBURG’S MULTI-
After a 40-year career in higher education,
“To know people feel as strongly about JU
faceted legacy as Jacksonville University’s
Romesburg’s last day on the job was Feb. 1.
and the students, staff, faculty, coaches and
president includes guiding the institution from
everyone here means so much,” Romesburg
an inherited financial predicament and helping
“Because of Jacksonville University’s
said at the reception. “I care so much about
restore the alumni’s faith in their alma mater.
emphasis on highlighting the campus’s
them and JU, and our common mission, which
natural beauty under (Kerry Romesburg’s)
I’m almost evangelical about: to help the
But it’s the realization of Romesburg’s vision
leadership, the university is much more
students fulfill their dreams. And all of us have
to better use the picturesque St. Johns River
attractive to potential students,” Board of
worked together to help make that possible.”
as JU’s backdrop that will be set in stone on
Trustees Chairman Ron Autrey said at the
campus—literally.
dinner, reading from the resolution honoring
On Feb. 28, Jacksonville Mayor and JU
the Romesburgs.
alumnus Alvin Brown honored Romeburg with a
On Jan. 31, during a moving and memorable
proclamation of “Dr. Kerry Romesburg Day.”
dinner honoring Romesburg’s nine years at
The Marine Science Research Institute,
the university’s helm, the Board of Trustees
Negaard Rowing Center, Strom Amphitheatre,
presented the outgoing president and his
Dolphin Green, Swisher Golf Facility, Kruzius
wife, Judy, with a resolution naming the
Beach and Cost Trail were developed on
westernmost area of campus “Romesburg
Romesburg’s watch.
PRESIDENTS' SOCIETY UNVEILED
President Matt Tuohy announced that the
Earlier in the day, hundreds of well-wishers
The first Jacksonville University Presidents’
Romesburgs have been selected as honorary
streamed in and out of a packed Howard
Society appreciation dinner was held Feb.
JU alumni, a distinction previously bestowed to
building lobby at a campus send-off reception
8 honoring individuals, corporations and
only five others.
for Romesburg.
foundations for their generous contributions
Riverfront.” Also, JU Alumni Association
of $10,000 or more in unrestricted gifts to the University during the year. Three JU presidents – Chancellor Emeritus Fran Kinne, recently retired President Kerry Romesburg and new President Tim Cost – were on hand to thank guests and recognize them for their gifts. Men were given green-and-gold ties as gifts, and women received green-and-gold scarf wraps.