Sweet Briar's new leaders poised to take helm this week - Lynchburg News and Advance
The outgoing board of directors for Sweet Briar College has signed off on a list of 18 new board members as nominated by Saving Sweet Briar and the plaintiffs in the three legal challenges against the school that have now ended. Those plaintiffs included Amherst County Attorney Ellen Bowyer and well as students, parents, alumnae and faculty. These board members — along with anticipated president Phillip Stone, the retired president of Bridgewater College — represent the seed of the future leadership of Sweet Briar College. At a glance it looks like seven of the 18 names belong to men – a shift from the outgoing board which, although led by Chairman Paul Rice, was almost entirely alumnae. The new group includes graduates and outsiders with a wide variety of professional experiences in areas such as higher education, business, health, law, the military and civilian government. AmherstCounty treasurer Garry Friend is on the list, presumably helping fulfill a requirement for representation of the county at the request of Bowyer. Many are also leaders in the movement to save the school, although none are members of the current board of non-profit Saving Sweet Briar. Saving Sweet Briar’s Chairwoman Sarah Clement said that’s on purpose. Her group, she said, will try to be useful as outside support, and the board members agreed among themselves not to seek places on the new board in the short term. The names of anticipated new board members are:. Teresa Pike Tomlinson. Georgene Vairo. Source: www.newsadvance.com
