Ms Spellings, current president of the George W Bush Presidential Center, who served in the cabinet under Mr Bush from 2005 to 2009, created the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, which focused on how well colleges and universities were preparing students for the 21st-century workplace and how well high schools were preparing students for post-secondary education.
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Fennebresque was widely criticized for the process used to select Margaret Spellings, with faculty, students, and even members of the board complaining they had been shut out of the selection.
John Fennebresque, the chairperson of the UNC-system Board of Governors, has announced his resignation, effective immediately, according to a news release sent out today.
The Charlotte-based lawyer served on the board from 1995 to 1999 and then returned in 2011. Several Board members, including Greensboro developer Marty Kotis and former state legislator Thom Goolsby, called for him to resign. Fennebresque praised Ross and explained the move by saying only that he and the board decided it was time for a change. After the final unanimous vote, Fennebresque was clearly emotional.
Ross said in the release, “While John Fennebresque and I may have had our differences at times, he truly loves the University of North Carolina and has been a tireless, passionate advocate for it. He has served the UNC system with great dedication and commitment”.
“Throughout the search process, John supported us so that we could do our best work”, said Ann Goodnight. The board elected a new System President on Friday. When speaking with reporters following the decision, Fennebresque only had complimentary things to say about Ross and never gave a firm reason for the decision to remove Ross.
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Asheville attorney Louis Bissette Jr. steps in until the UNC board elects a new leader.
