For Immediate Release

St. Mary’s University Trustees Appoint President Cotrell to Another Term

President Cotrell marks his 40^th year of service at St. Mary’s

SAN ANTONIO – The St. Mary’s University Board of Trustees reappointed Charles. L. Cotrell, Ph.D., to another term as president, continuing his almost half-century association with the University.

Cotrell, who is the University’s 12^th president and first lay president, this year celebrates 40 years of service to St. Mary’s. The reappointment was approved during the Trustees’ September meeting and will begin in June 2007, the start of the new academic year. The president currently is leading the St. Mary’s community through the process of drafting of a new strategic plan, called Vision 2012.

 “Dr. Cotrell has embraced the mission of St. Mary’s, advancing both the academic tradition and service to community, which are cornerstones of the University,” said Ruben M. Escobedo, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The hallmarks of his leadership can be found throughout the campus and within the classrooms, and his visionary strategic plan will keep St. Mary’s at the forefront of Catholic higher education.”

Cotrell has held many positions in his 40 years – department chair, director of graduate programs, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and vice president of academic affairs. However, his dedication to the students and love of teaching has remained constant throughout. In fact, Cotrell has been teaching political science his entire time at St. Mary’s, and continues to do so today.

“I am privileged to be a part of a great University, taking part in the development of an institution that has contributed so much to the progress of San Antonio, Texas and beyond,” President Cotrell said. “I have been a part of numerous important milestones at St. Mary’s, but this is a particularly exciting and important time as we continue the development of Vision 2012, which will be the blueprint for St. Mary’s course as we progress into the 21^st century.”

A San Antonio native, Cotrell earned his both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University. Although he left briefly after graduation to teach at another university, he returned to St. Mary’s in 1966. By 1977, he was a full professor of political science.

Throughout his time at St. Mary’s, Cotrell has been recognized repeatedly for his service and commitment to the mission and values of the University, including the Marianist Heritage Award, Distinguished Alumni Award and the Henry B. Gonzalez Hispanic Achievement Award, and the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice.  He was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the American Political Science Association, and is president of both the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas and the Heartland Athletic Conference.

The hallmarks and accomplishments of Cotrell’s leadership can be found throughout St. Mary’s. Cotrell points out that these accomplishments would not have been successful without the hard work and dedication of so many in the St. Mary’s community. Highlights include:

Academics

·        Bill Greehey Chair of Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

·        Benjamin F. Biaggini Chair in Bioglogical Sciences

·        21^st Century Leadership Center

·        Center for Terrorism Law

·        Institute for Asian Development

·        Office of Undergraduate Research

·        Enhanced learning technology campus-wide, including “smart” classrooms, wireless hotspots, and the introduction of notebook computers for all undergraduates

·        Top 10 in Texas for high graduation rates among public and private colleges; cited as a national model for student success by The Education Trust

Major Gifts and Facility Improvements

·        University’s endowment has grown by more than $55 million to more than $135 million, with the growth dedicated to scholarships

·        $25 million gift from Valero Energy Corp. chairman Bill Greehey

·        $10.8 million gift from Pedro and Alicia Viyao

·        AT&T Center for Information Technology

·        School of Law Courtroom renovation, which is now a state-of-the-art high-tech facility

·        Barrett Memorial Bell Tower

Engagement and Service to Community

·        Beautification of the historic Gateway to St. Mary’s University

·        Named a “College that Builds Character” by the John Templeton Foundation

·        Selected as one of the nation’s top “Colleges with a Conscience” by the Princeton Review and Campus Compact

St. Mary’s University is a Catholic and Marianist university fostering the formation of people in faith and educating leaders for the common good through community, academic excellence, and integrated liberal arts and professional education programs. Founded by the Society of Mary in 1852, St. Mary’s is the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the Southwest.