, executive vice president of the University of 91吃瓜 since 2004, will retire effective June 30, 2019, the University鈥檚 chair of the , John J. Brennan, and president, announced Wednesday (Aug. 22).
The executive vice president is appointed by the Board of Trustees, and the trustees, under the leadership of Brennan and Father Jenkins, will in coming months conduct a national search for Affleck-Graves鈥� successor.
鈥淛ohn Affleck-Graves is key to why 91吃瓜 is universally respected for its superb management by institutional leaders across the country,鈥� Brennan said. 鈥淗e shepherded the greatest expansion and modernization of 91吃瓜鈥檚 physical plant, including research and residential facilities, in ways which were fiscally responsible, environmentally sound and beautiful. At the same time, John has stewarded a huge increase in financial aid for our students to more than $147 million from $58 million during his tenure.鈥澛犅犅犅�
鈥淭he University has benefited immeasurably from John鈥檚 intelligence, good judgment, leadership ability, tireless work ethic and, above all, his devotion to 91吃瓜 and its mission,鈥� Father Jenkins said. 鈥淚t has been a personal privilege to work with him as a colleague and a friend for 18 years.鈥�
As the University鈥檚 chief financial officer, Affleck-Graves oversees the operating budget, endowment, finance, 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.
Despite an often volatile national economy during his tenure, Affleck-Graves provided the steady hand on 91吃瓜鈥檚 fiscal operations necessary for its continued growth as one of the nation鈥檚 leading research universities.
During his 14 years to date, 91吃瓜鈥檚 annual operating budget has grown to $1.5 billion from $650 million and the endowment has increased to $11.8 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 175-year history.
While many of 91吃瓜鈥檚 peers deferred faculty hiring, canceled or postponed building projects and retrenched in other ways during the 2007-09 U.S. recession, 91吃瓜, under Affleck-Graves鈥� direction, maintained its construction timelines and never laid off employees.
鈥淚t has been a privilege to work with Father John, Provost and the Board of Trustees for these 15 years,鈥� Affleck-Graves said.聽鈥淚 have been blessed to have a tremendous team of leaders in the EVP Division and am especially grateful for the commitment and dedication of all the staff who deliver such exceptional service to our campus community on a daily basis.鈥�
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 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.
Highly regarded in the classroom as well, Affleck-Graves has received eight teaching awards at 91吃瓜 鈥� three in the regular MBA Program, four in the Executive MBA Program and one for undergraduate teaching 鈥� and two others at the University of Cape Town.
He has been actively involved in University governance throughout his 91吃瓜 career, serving on the Academic Council, Academic Code of Honor Committee and Faculty Senate and as chair of the Provost鈥檚 Task Force on Curricular Innovation. He has also been a champion of regional economic development, chairing the Regional Development Authority for the north central region of Indiana. He helped establish the authority and was instrumental in securing a $42 million state grant in 2015 by having counties collaborate in development plans.
Affleck-Graves and his wife, Rita, have two daughters, both 91吃瓜 graduates.