After two years at the helm as Jacksonville University's president, Dr. Kerry Romesburg has proven to be the right leader at the right time. With a knack for inclusiveness and a spirit of passionate optimism, he is well on his way to accomplishing his mission--to help rebuild JU financially and advance the JU tradition of excellence into the future.

Students, faculty and staff appreciate the direction Romesburg has taken the university thus far, citing his progressive stance in handling fiscal accountability, fundraising efforts, promoting alumni relations and increasing enrollment. He has restructured enrollment management, overseen the completion of the new Davis College of Business, and led the charge to renovate the Davis Commons to revitalize student life on campus.

Under his tutelage, a Spring Spruce-Up campaign was initiated, the historic Swisher Theatre was renovated, and the Board of Trustees has been expanded. Through the sale riverfront campus land, Romesburg and the board doubled the University's endowment and increased financial reserves.

JU is Romesburg's first experience in the private education sector--a challenge he welcomed after a record of strong leadership during his decades in public education. As president of Nevada State College from 2002-04, NSC achieved accreditation and increased its enrollment from 166 students to nearly 800.

From 1988 to 2002, Romesburg served as the president of Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah. During his 14-year presidency, he oversaw the successful conversion of the college as it changed from a two-year community college to a four-year state college. Enrollment grew from 6,000 students to nearly 25,000, and the college's endowment grew from $280,000 to more than $41 million.

Romesburg earned his doctorate in higher education administration in 1972; his master's degree in mathematics education in 1968; and his bachelor's degree in mathematics education in 1967-all from Arizona State.

President Romesburg and his wife, Judy, a former high school English teacher, have two grown sons, both educators themselves. The Romesburgs stay active playing golf, hiking and backpacking. They've discovered some more favorites since living in Jacksonville--strolling along the downtown Riverwalk, taking long walks on the beach, and cruising to new places in their RV.

"I'm confident that JU's athletics programs will rise to new and greater heights under the direction of the progressive and energetic leaders who have joined our team. Athletics Director Alan Verlander is totally committed to developing our student-athletes, our coaches and staff. It's a win-win situation for everyone--growing JU sports like never before, offering an exciting university experience for our students, and reaching out to the Jacksonville community."


-- President Kerry Romesburg