QUOTES AND ENDORSEMENTS FOR
NEIL KERWIN

American University's 14th President

The board, search committee, and AU community have been seeking a tested leader with integrity who appreciates the significant role of this university in American higher education and understands its potential for future greatness. We have that person in Dr. Neil Kerwin—whose knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of American University span almost four decades. The tremendous strides that AU has made in recent years in student quality, faculty excellence, academic prestige, alumni involvement, and international prominence—all in which Neil Kerwin played a significant role—suggest that AU is poised for the top tier in American private higher education, and we are confident that he will be instrumental to help us reach that goal.… Neil Kerwin has the strong support of the Board of Trustees, and we believe we are fortunate to have the right person at the right time—to take AU forward.

Gary Abramson
Chairman, AU Board of Trustees

˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

Dr. Kerwin thoroughly understands this school, and this community’s needs. He knows of our potential and has seen the challenges we face. He led us skillfully through our time of crisis, and he will continue at AU’s helm with a firm and steady hand.

No individual is a more dedicated and deeply-rooted member of the American University community. He is intimately familiar with our strengths and our weaknesses and understands the traditions and customs that make American University great. We look forward to working with him to build upon those traditions as we make a truly new, renewed American University.

Dr. Kerwin is the first ever AU alum to hold the post as President of our university. It is a great feeling to know that a man who has walked the quad of American University is now at the helm of a great national university.

I wish Dr. Kerwin well in his new role and trust that he will use his every ability to push American University to still higher levels of professional success and academic achievement, while keeping an ear to student's concerns.

Joe Vidulich
President, AU Student Government

˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

As the President of the American University Alumni Board, I can say with true confidence that Dr. Kerwin will be one of the best President’s that AU has ever had…. AU could not have a better President. Period.

Dr. Kerwin has the commitment, the dedication and the passion to lead AU and to bring us to “the next level”. I am VERY excited about the possibility of having not just an AU Alum—but this particular alumnus—serve as our next President. He has proven his worth to the University and he will be a strong, vibrant, classy, ethical and dedicated leader.… Why look further when our dedicated leader is right at our doorstep.

He will make us all proud to call ourselves American University Alumni.

Brian Keane
President, AU Alumni Board
President, SmartPower

˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

Dr. Kerwin's vast experience at AU and his vision for moving the institution forward make him an excellent choice to lead the University. Under Dr. Kerwin's leadership, we feel extremely confident about the opportunities for all the university constituencies-staff, faculty, students, and alumni-to participate in creating and implementing new goals for American University. We look forward to working with Dr. Kerwin to support the University in these endeavors.

Robin Beads, Presidential Search Committee, Staff Representative
Staff Council Chair, 2005-2006

Kelvin Wilson, Staff Council Chair, 2006-2007
Member, Presidential Search Staff Constituency Group

Gururaj Kumar, Staff Council Chair, 2007-2008

˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

Neil Kerwin brings to the presidency the values and sensibility of an active scholar and teacher, and the experience of a seasoned academic leader. His vision for American University is deeply informed by his understanding of where we have been, and where we need to go.

No one knows American University better than Neil Kerwin, no one is more dedicated to its success, and no one can speak more powerfully to prospective students, alumni, and friends about American University's mission. He has the knowledge and the vision to guide the university to a higher level of performance than ever before, and we look forward to working with him to achieve that common goal.

Richard Durand, Kogod School of Business

Louis Goodman, School of International Service

Claudio Grossman, Washington College of Law

Larry Kirkman, School of Communication

William LeoGrande, School of Public Affairs

Haig Mardirosian, Dean of Academic Affairs

Kay Mussell, College of Arts and Sciences

˜ ˜ ˜ ˜ ˜

On behalf of the graduate students of American University, I would like to express enthusiastic support for the decision of the Board of Trustees to elect Dr. Neil Kerwin as the 14th President of our university. The selection process has been an extensive one, and we have benefited from it in achieving an outstanding outcome. Dr. Kerwin is a proven leader, scholar, and AU alumnus. I am confident that, as President, he will lead us with the same energy that has brought us through our past difficulties. The Board's decision affirms that the course we've taken to renew and improve our university is an appropriate one, and it provides continuity for our ongoing efforts.

It is an honor to be a member of the prestigious AU community. We graduate students welcome our new President, who is so fiercely passionate about the school and the success of its faculty, staff, and students.

Edgar E. Meza-Alvarez
Executive Chair of the Graduate Leadership Council