Furman President David Shi Named a Director of National Higher Education Organization
GREENVILLE, S.C.—Furman University president David Shi is one of seven
new directors who have been named to the Association of American
Colleges and Universities (AAC&U).
Shi was appointed to the board at the organization's recent annual meeting in Seattle.
Shi
was joined by new directors Ramón Gutiérrez (University of Chicago),
Leo Lambert (Elon University), David Maxwell (Drake University), Gail
Mellow (LaGuardia Community College), and John Simpson (SUNY-Buffalo).
Eduardo Padrón (Miami Dade College) assumed the chair of the board.
"It
is an honor to be chosen as a member of the AAC&U's governing
board, and I gladly agreed to serve," Shi said. "This is one of the most
challenging periods in the history of higher education, and it is more
important than ever that colleges and universities work together to face
those challenges."
Shi has been president of Furman since 1994. He is the author of several books, including The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American Culture (1985). He is also co-author of the best-selling textbook, America: a Narrative History, now in its seventh edition.
In
2006-07, he chaired the Board of Directors for the National Association
of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is currently a member of
the Chronicle of Higher Education/New York Times Higher Education
Cabinet, which is comprised of a community of presidents and chancellors
who are charged with identifying the key issues and trends in higher
education. A 1973 graduate of Furman, he holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in
history from the University of Virginia.
AAC&U is the
leading national association concerned with the quality, vitality, and
public standing of undergraduate liberal education. Its members are
committed to extending the advantages of a liberal education to all
students, regardless of academic specialization or intended career.
Founded in 1915, AAC&U now comprises more than 1,150 accredited
public and private colleges and universities of every type and size.
For more information, contact Furman's News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.
2/17/2009