Arizona Board of Regents

Arizona Board of Regents
2020 N. Central, Suite 230
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 229-2500
www.abor.asu.edu

March 31, 2004
For immediate release

Contact: Cathy McGonigle, Associate Executive Director for Public Affairs,
ABOR, (602) 229-2528, Cathy.McGonigle@asu.edu

Higher Education Association Honors Arizona Board Leader
for Distinguished Service

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) presented its Distinguished Service Award in Trusteeship to two university trustees during opening ceremonies of AGB’s National Conference on Trusteeship in New Orleans on March 28, 2004. One of the award winners is Jack B. Jewett, immediate past president of the Arizona Board of Regents.

This award was established in 1980 and is given annually to a board member from a public and a private institution. The award was created to recognize the 50,000 citizens who volunteer their time and philanthropy to serve on the boards of the nation’s colleges and universities.

Jewett is Senior Vice President of Public Policy for Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona, and was appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents in 1998. He served as Board president from July 2002 to June 2003. His presidency marked fundamental change to the university system, which had been severely stressed by large increases in enrollments, deep budget cuts, turnover of faculty and staff, and the deteriorating condition of university buildings.

When Jewett assumed presidency of the Arizona Board of Regents, the Board was split over a controversial vote on tuition rates. He realized that the system needed change and immediately launched a bold, visionary initiative to reform the university system. This initiative - Changing Directions - received statewide support from Regents and community stakeholders. In fewer than twelve months, the universities’ missions were redefined, major policies were revised, barriers to the universities’ success were eliminated, and additional funding for the universities was secured.

“Jack had a vision and effectively communicated his vision to regents and university presidents,” said Governor Janet Napolitano. “The reform initiative created a new environment for the universities, one in which the universities now have the freedom to differentiate their missions and capitalize on their strengths.”

Jewett continues to serve as a Regent and is committed to further improving the university system in Arizona. “It is a privilege and an honor to serve my community and my state as a member of the Arizona Board of Regents,” said Jack Jewett. “As governing board members, we are given the responsibility and opportunity to truly make a difference in society.”

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges is a nonprofit higher education association whose primary membership consists of governing, coordinating and other boards of public and private colleges and universities. AGB serves as an educational resource for trustees, regents, presidents and chancellors and provides a wide variety of programs and services, including, workshops, seminars and a research facility, as well as regular and special publications. Headquartered in Washington, D. C., AGB serves some 35,000 individuals on 1,200 boards.

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