by Jennifer
Schneider
Staff Writer
Former Appalachian State University Chancellor Francis T.
Borkowski received the Distinguished Leadership Award from
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission
on Colleges.
“The Distinguished Leadership Award is the highest
public recognition given by the commission and is reserved
for extraordinarily distinctive and effective leadership,”
Chair of the Commissions on College Linwood H. Rose said.
At an annual meeting, held at the Opryland Resort and Convention
Center in Nashville, Tenn., early last December, SACS presented
Borkowski with an inscribed clock in recognition of his years
of work. The theme of the conference was “promoting
educational excellence: leadership for change.”
“Effective leadership is the key ingredient for continuously
improving learning and teaching, especially in the face of
challenges inundating educational institutions that serve
students from pre-kindergarten through college graduation,”
SACS president George M. Koonce, Jr. said.
Borkowski said approximately 3,000 university representatives
and about 400 college and university presidents or chancellors
attended the ceremony.
Although 2003 was the 108th year SACS met for its annual
meeting, Borkowski is only the fifth recipient of the award.
“I am deeply touched by this honor,” Borkowski
said.
“[Borkowski] is a faithful leader and a diligent worker
in the causes of higher education and accreditation,”
Rose said. “He has served the commission well with
his wisdom and his intellect in a variety of roles.”
Borkowski had played an active role in the association since
1985.
“His most important contribution came while he served
a six-year term as elected commissioner,” Rose said.
Borkowski has also been a presenter at the association’s
annual meetings.
Borkowski served as Appalachian State’s chancellor
from 1993 until his retirement in 2003.
“He serves as a teacher and a motivator to others while
demonstrating his intellect and personal integrity as well
as his sensitivity to the contrasting views and directions
of others,” Rose said.
According to SACS Web site, the Commission on Colleges “is
the recognized regional accrediting body in the 11 United
States southern states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and in Latin America for those
institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate,
master’s or doctoral degrees.”
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