After nearly two hours of deliberation, the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees unanimously voted Mary Jane Saunders as the university’s sixth President.

She will be just the second woman to hold the office, and comes to FAU having most recently served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, at Cleveland State University.

"It is such an honor to have the opportunity to lead the university to its next level of excellence", said Saunders.

Replacing Frank Brogan, who stepped down to assume the role of chancellor of the State University System back in September, Saunders has experience within the state as well as a professor and administrator at the University of South Florida.

She was sought by a number of institutions for their top office as well, but had her sights solely set on FAU.

“The only one I’ve explored is this one”, Saunders said. “I think the university is poised through partnerships out there to take a giant step forward.”

Saunders emerged from a pool of 43 applicants, and was chosen over fellow provost finalists Gary Miller of Wichita State University, and Terry Hickey of the University of Central Florida.

Hickey withdrew from consideration shortly before a final vote was called for.

Saunders stands in vocal support of the university's proposed Football Stadium, which is expected to be in operation in 2011.

"That social piece of athletics is a big piece of university life," Saunders said. "I saw it first-hand at the University of South Florida."

In her interview with Board of Trustee members today, Saunders stressed academics and fund raising efforts as areas of much needed improvement for the university.

Statement to FAU Community