NJASCU Announces Retirement
of Dr. Darryl G. Greer and
Appointment of Michael W. Klein, Esq.
Paramus Post
by Mel Fabrikant
June 26, 2011
The New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities (NJASCU) Board of Directors announced at its June 14 meeting that Dr. Darryl G. Greer will retire as CEO of the organization effective December 31, 2011, following nearly 26 years of distinguished leadership. Dr. Greer is the founding chief executive who has led the Association since its creation in 1985.
NJASCU's Chair, John McGoldrick said, "Darryl Greer's service to New Jersey and its institutions of higher learning has been extraordinary. His mark on higher education has been positive, profound, and lasting." NJASCU's Board of Directors also unanimously voted to appoint Michael W. Klein to succeed Dr. Greer on January 1, 2012. Mr. Klein currently serves as Director of Government & Legal Affairs, acting in effect as Deputy Executive Director. He joined the Association in 1998.
Mr. McGoldrick and Chair-elect, Fred Gruel, both said the Association and New Jersey institutions and students are fortunate to have a national higher education leader like Mike Klein ready to assume full leadership as Darryl Greer moves on. The Association is chartered, by law, as a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy organization with a mission to advance the collective interests of New Jersey's nine state colleges and universities, and to advise the governor, legislature and others on fulfilling the higher educational needs of New Jersey citizens. As such, the Association is unique nationally among the states as a public college association serving its member institutions, public policy makers and citizens.
Under Dr. Greer's leadership, ASCU has become the state's principal information resource about policy affecting the state colleges and universities, and is recognized in New Jersey and nationally as a leading voice for policy promoting college opportunity, affordability, and accountability. Through numerous analyses, publications, conferences and direct public interaction with policy makers, the Association has been in the forefront of advocating the goals of investment in public colleges to extend opportunity, effective educational policy, good administrative and governance practice, and public accountability to preserve public trust in the colleges and universities.
Dr. Greer, a resident of Pennington, played a leading role in designing and supporting the Higher Education Restructuring Act of 1994, and has worked since its inception to protect and extend the autonomy of the state colleges as a means of enhancing mission focus, quality service, and accountability. Prior to joining the Association in 1998, Mr. Klein had extensive experience both in the legislative and executive branches of state government. A Bloomfield native and graduate of Princeton University, Mr. Klein is highly regarded for his broad knowledge of higher education policy issues and legal matters affecting higher education. In his tenure with the Association, he has developed a state and national network of professional colleagues upon whom he can call to assist in accomplishing the Association's mission. He earned his JD at Boston College and is a Ph.D. candidate at NYU, completing his dissertation in the Higher and Postsecondary Education program.
Recently, Mr. Klein, on loan from the Association, provided significant staff support to the New Jersey Higher Education Task Force, chaired by former Governor Tom Kean, helping to draft significant portions of its final report. Mr. Klein has published numerous articles and monographs concerning legal issues affecting higher education decision making.
ASCU Chair John McGoldrick noted the board's strong vote of confidence in Mr. Klein's numerous contributions and strong support for his ability to lead the Association. Mr. McGoldrick said, "Especially in these challenging times, the Association is fortunate to have someone as talented as Michael Klein to take on the chief executive leadership role of the Association." He continued, "Michael will be following in distinguished footsteps; Darryl Greer is widely acknowledged as a leading expert on higher education policy in the state, and we deeply appreciate his steadfast dedication to the Association and to the State of New Jersey.
Fred Gruel, incoming Chair of the Association, said, "We are extremely pleased that Michael has accepted this important opportunity. The presidents and trustees of the state colleges and universities look forward to providing him with full support and look forward to working closely with Darryl, Michael, and others to assure a smooth transition process."
Dr. Greer, upon retirement from the Association as CEO, will continue to be active in New Jersey and nationally on leading higher education policy issues.
In other actions, the Board elected officers for 2011-2012 as follows: Fred Gruel, Chair (trustee, William Paterson University and President of AAA); Adam J. Sabath, Vice Chair (trustee, Ramapo College of New Jersey and partner of The Advocacy & Management Group); Fred Abbate, Secretary (trustee, Thomas Edison State College).
Finally, the Association unanimously adopted resolutions honoring the service of Mr. McGoldrick, trustee of Montclair State University, and Board Chair of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (ZMH:NYSE), who completes a two-year term as Chair of the Association. Mr. McGoldrick was recently appointed by Governor Christie as the founding Chair of the Governor's Higher Education Council.
Also honored were: Donald Farish, who led Rowan University as president since 1998, and who was recently appointed as president of Roger Williams University in Rhode Island; and Peter Mercer, president of Ramapo College of New Jersey, who served as Chair of the ASCU Presidents' Council in 2009-2011.
Source: http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20110626124038910