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Matthew Shank named president emeritus of Marymount

Special To The Catholic Herald

Matthew D. Shank was named president emeritus of Marymount
University in Arlington by the Board of Trustees during a June 26 reception to
honor him and celebrate the success of his seven years as president.

 

Among his many accomplishments, Shank oversaw the development of
the university’s Ballston Center, the expansion of both the academic and
athletic programs and a momentous $40 million capital campaign that will meet
its fundraising goal three years ahead of schedule.

 

He is credited with reinforcing Marymount’s Catholic identity,
revitalizing the main campus through renovation and beautification projects and
having the vision to grow athletics from a 12-sport program to offering 19
programs when the academic year begins in August. As a parting gift to the
university, he and his wife, Lynne, have established the Shank Family Service
Scholarship, provided through an endowment gift from the couple and
contributions being made in their honor.

 

“Dr. Shank has had an enormous impact on MU, not only during the
course of his presidency but for the foreseeable future as well,” said Edward
Bersoff, chair of Marymount’s board of trustees. “He has deeply understood the
role of the University in our community and the actions necessary to maintain
it as a vibrant force going forward. It is not only his vision that set the
tone but also his bias for action to actually implement that vision.”

 

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve Marymount
University,” said Shank. “It has been a joy to work with so many intelligent,
passionate and genuinely caring faculty, staff, students and University
constituents. Together, we have accomplished much, and Marymount is strong and
poised for even greater success.”

 

Effective July 16, Shank will join the World Affairs
Council-Washington, D.C., as its interim president. It is a position for which
he is well-suited. He has served on its board and in recognition of Marymount’s
focus on preparing students for today’s globalized environment, Shank accepted
on the university’s behalf the council’s 2017 Educator of the Year Award.

 

In May, the university named Irma Becerra as its seventh
president, effective July 1. She previously served as provost and chief
academic officer at St. Thomas University in Florida.

 

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