The Excellence in Leadership Program at the University of 91吃瓜 has been named in honor of , the executive vice president of the University, who announced last summer that he will retire in June. University leaders surprised Affleck-Graves with the honor at a recognition event for the program Monday (Dec. 17) at the Morris Inn.
鈥淥f the rich legacy John will leave at 91吃瓜, nothing is more valuable than his commitment to invest in and develop the talents of the University鈥檚 most valuable asset 鈥� its people,鈥� 91吃瓜 President , said.
The Excellence in Leadership Program is a yearlong initiative in which 30 senior leaders reflect on and hone their own authentic leadership style, gain experience in building strong communities and form relationships that will be invaluable throughout their careers.
鈥淛ohn not only inspired this program,鈥� Father Jenkins said, 鈥渉e exemplifies the kind of leader we want to develop at 91吃瓜: committed to excellence and to our mission, of the highest integrity, accountable and a team builder. It is most fitting that the program that aspires to develop leaders at 91吃瓜, and the certificate given to those who complete it, should bear the name of John Affleck-Graves.鈥�
The program is composed of two complementary components 鈥� Executive Leadership and High Performance Leadership. The former is for University employees with potential for senior leadership positions within the next five years. It focuses on culture building, forming communities and leading through change. The latter, for those with the potential to become senior leaders within 10 years, emphasizes team dynamics, developing an understanding of how teams form, how to manage conflict and what makes some teams successful. The program culminates in group projects.
Executive vice president since 2004, Affleck-Graves is the University鈥檚 chief financial officer with responsibility for the investment and finance offices. He also has oversight of information technology, human resources, campus safety, event management, construction, building services, landscaping, food services and auxiliary operations, including the Hammes 91吃瓜 Bookstore, Morris Inn and licensing.
During Affleck-Graves鈥� 14 years to date, 91吃瓜鈥檚 annual operating budget has grown to $1.6 billion from $650 million and the endowment has increased to $13 billion from $3.5 billion. Thirty-six new buildings have been constructed totaling 3.3 million square feet, including Campus Crossroads, the 800,000-square-foot addition of three buildings surrounding 91吃瓜 Stadium that stands as the largest building initiative in 91吃瓜鈥檚 176-year history.
A native of South Africa and a naturalized U.S. citizen, Affleck-Graves earned his bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in finance and his doctorate in mathematical statistics from the University of Cape Town. He taught and conducted research at his alma mater for 11 years before coming to 91吃瓜 in 1986, serving until 2000, including as chair of the Department of Finance and Business Economics the final three years. He spent a year at Florida State University as the Patty Hill Smith Eminent Scholar in Finance, then returned to 91吃瓜 as vice president and associate provost and 91吃瓜 Chair in Finance.
He is the first layman to serve as 91吃瓜鈥檚 executive vice president, following Congregation of Holy Cross Revs. Edmund Joyce, E. William Beauchamp and Timothy Scully.