February 17, 2009

To the Trinity Community:

Pursuant to the retirement of President John R. Brazil, which I announced on January 23, 2009, the Board of Trustees has begun the process to select his successor. One of our first steps is to hold a specially called meeting of the Board in early March. One goal of the meeting is to review our strategic vision for Trinity University in order to ensure that the successful candidate will be alloyed and compatible with our vision.

As I recently announced, Trustee John R. (J. R.) Hurd, has accepted the appointment as chair of the search committee. I am happy to report that, with the exception of Mr. Hurd, all the trustees and one of the faculty who have agreed to serve on the committee are Trinity alumni. The presidential search committee members are, in alphabetical order:

• Victoria Aarons, professor and chair, department of English
• Adam Cason, senior and president of the ASR
• William Christ, professor and chair, department of Communication
• Miles Cortez ’64, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, Aimco, Denver;
  trustee since 2006
• Walter Huntley ’71, ’73, president, Huntley & Associates, Atlanta; trustee since 1997
• John R. (J. R.) Hurd, chairman, Hurd Enterprises, LTD, San Antonio; trustee since 2004
• Rev. Richard Kannwischer ’95, senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio; trustee since 2006
• Carey Latimore, assistant professor, department of History
• Jennifer Matthews, associate professor, department of Sociology and Anthropology
• Melody Boone Meyer ’79, president, Chevron Energy Technology Co., Houston; trustee since 2005
• Michael Neidorff ’65, chairman and chief executive officer, Centene Corporation, St. Louis, MO;
  trustee since 2005
• Barbara Pierce ’78, community leader, Nashville; trustee since 2000
• David Ribble ’82, professor and chair, department of Biology
• David Tuttle, Dean of Students and director of Residential Life

I will also serve as an ex-officio member of the committee.

The first action of the search committee will be to prioritize a list of qualifications for the new president. We invite the entire University community – trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, and friends – to nominate candidates for consideration or submit thoughts about the qualities we should seek in a new president. Comments may be sent electronically to presidentialsearch@trinity.edu. Alternatively, you may send a letter to Mr. Hurd or me at either of the addresses listed at the end of this letter. Once we have established the desired qualifications, the search committee will begin reviewing proposals from national executive search firms. After interviewing and selecting a firm, a series of information gathering sessions, open to the campus community, will be scheduled and announced. In addition, updates on the search process will be posted regularly on the Trinity University Web site at www.trinity.edu/presidentialsearch.

Again, I want to thank each of you for the contributions you continue to make, individually and collectively, that ensure Trinity University’s excellence. As we begin the transition to new leadership, we are committed to selecting a president who will build firmly upon the achievements of the Brazil presidency and bring further recognition and honor to this extraordinary University.

Sincerely,

George C. (Tim) Hixon
Chairman, Board of Trustees

Comments regarding desired qualities for the new president and nominations for consideration by the search committee should be addressed to Mr. John R. (J.R.) Hurd, Chairman, Hurd Enterprises, LTD, 7373 Broadway, Suite 200, San Antonio, TX 78209 or Mr. George C. (Tim) Hixon, Past Chairman, Hixon Properties, 315 East Commerce St., Suite 300, San Antonio, TX 78205.  Fax no. for Mr. Hurd is 829-5061; for Mr. Hixon, 225-5910.