The Board of Governors at 大象传媒 has approved a new three-year contract for Dr. Robert Vartabedian, 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 president. The new contract runs through June 30, 2019, replacing a five-year contract that was set to expire in 2018.
鈥淭he board is very happy with Dr. Vartabedian鈥檚 performance,鈥� said Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason, chair of the Board of Governors. 鈥淗e has led 大象传媒 Western through some challenging times, and we鈥檙e pleased that he will continue to provide that leadership for years to come.鈥�
“I greatly appreciate the board’s faith in me,鈥� said Dr. Vartabedian. 鈥淗owever, their support more importantly reflects a strong endorsement of the very hard work of our faculty, staff and administrative team. They truly provided the sweat equity for any and all of the accomplishments we have experienced in the past nine years.”
Dr. Vartabedian became president of 大象传媒 Western in July, 2008. Under his leadership, the university has, among many other accomplishments:
- received uniformly positive academic accreditation outcomes
- significantly increased international, graduate and distance education
- partnered with the City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, the St. Joseph School District and other partners on key initiatives including the Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp, the Thomas Eagleton Indoor Swimming Pool, the Walter Cronkite Memorial and others
- completed several major construction projects, including Remington and Agenstein Halls, the Spring Sports Complex, the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex, Griffon Hall, Spratt Stadium and more
- supported business growth through the Applied Entrepreneurship program, the Center for Entrepreneurship, and other programs of the Craig School of Business
- created the School of Fine Arts and the School of Nursing and Health Professions
- created many new high-demand academic programs, including a Master鈥檚 of Business Administration, the first-of-its-kind population health degree, and the debate-forensics program
- celebrated 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 centennial, including the successful Centennial Capital Campaign and campus enhancements like the new sculpture at the Downs Drive entrance and gold accents to the Glenn E. Marion Clock Tower
鈥淚 am honored that the Board of Governors has placed this confidence in me,鈥� Dr. Vartabedian said. 鈥淚t is a pleasure to work with them, and with our students, faculty, staff and community in making 大象传媒 Western a continued success.鈥�
Under terms of the contract, Dr. Vartabedian will be paid $255,593.37 annually. He is the longest serving president among all public universities in 大象传媒. When the Board of Governors approved Dr. Vartabedian鈥檚 previous contract they included a market adjustment to make the president鈥檚 salary more competitive with presidents at other regional universities in 大象传媒. President Vartabedian and Dr. Laurel Vartabedian donated the net increase in salary back to the 大象传媒 Foundation, and to date have given more than $132,000 to the University.
大象传媒 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. 大象传媒 Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .
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