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Sheri Noren Everts Announced as ASU Chancellor Effective July 1, 2014 This Morning in Chapel Hill

by Madison V. Fisler

March 19, 2014. Sheri Noren Everts was announced as the new chancellor of Appalachian State University during a special meeting of the UNC Board of Governors this morning, presided by the UNC Board of Governors Chairman Peter Hans and UNC President Tom Ross. 

The announcement took place at the Spangler Center in Chapel Hill this morning around 10:30 a.m.

The meeting officially began at 10:32 a.m. with the invocation, followed by Vice Chairman Granger taking role. 

Chairman Hans extended a special welcome to Chancellor Peacock.

“A special welcome to Chancellor Peacock and his better half, Roseanne,” Hans said. “Thank you for all of your leadership for many, many years.”

Following a few remarks, the motion was made to move the meeting into closed session at 10:39 a.m. for the group to discuss privileged information before coming into open session once again at 11:22.

“Today, it is my great pleasure to recommend to this Board of Governors a passionate and collaborative new leader for Appalachian State University,” said UNC President Tom Ross. 

“I hope you will allow me a moment to express my personal and sincere gratitude to Ken Peacock and Roseanne as well for the remarkable leadership he has shown Appalachian over the last decade as chancellor.”

Mike Steinback, the Chair of the Board of Trustees and of the Chancellor Search Committee took the podium next to speak on the search process.

“I want to speak on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the Chancellor Search Committee,” Steinback said. “These fine people accepted his high responsibility of service with both excitement and a high degree of humility. We had a rigorous review, screening and interview process.”

Steinback announced, finally, that the chancellor-elect for Appalachian State University is Dr. Sheri Noren Everts.

In recommending Noren Everts to the Board of Governors, UNC President Tom Ross said:  “Sheri Noren Everts brings to the task two decades of academic and leadership experience at highly respected public universities.  At each step along the way, she has proven herself to be an energetic and effective leader who encourages creative problem-solving, promotes collaboration and inclusiveness, and demonstrates a passionate commitment to academic excellence and student success.  She has also earned a reputation for great integrity, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to community engagement, outreach, and partnership.”

UNC President Tom Ross took the podium to speak about the new leader.

“I wanted a leader who was passionately committed to the academic success of students and their personal growth,” Ross said. “I wanted a strong leader with exceptional communication skills and inclusive leadership style. I also stressed the need for someone who could raise the external funds that Appalachian and all of our universities must have…I wanted someone who would be a great partner for me and our other great chancellors.”

Ross said that he urged the committee to identify a leader with absolute integrity, someone who would foster trust within the community.

“In the end, the search committee and I found all of those qualities and more in Sheri Noren Everts.”

From a press release:

A Nebraska native who attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse, Noren Everts graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in English instruction and secondary education.  After teaching middle school and high school English in Kansas and Nebraska, she returned to UNL, where she earned a master’s degree in literacy education and English (1991) and a doctorate in administration, curriculum, and instruction (1994). 

Noren Everts began her higher education career in 1994 as an assistant professor in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska Omaha.  Rising through the academic and administrative ranks at UNO, she was named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs in 2000, promoted to Associate Vice President in 2003, and named Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs in 2006.  She served in that interim capacity until June 30, 2008, when she left Nebraska to become Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Illinois State University. 

Noren Everts is married to Jay Noren, a physician and former President of Wayne State University in Michigan.  Together, they have four adult children, Elizabeth, 27; Justin, 29; Olin, 36, and Kris, 41.

At the end of the meeting, Chancellor-elect Everts took the podium.

“I am very excited to accept the honor of serving Appalachian State University,” Everts said. “I am also honored to join the UNC team. Thank you also to the Appalachian State busloads of folks that join us today in Chapel Hill.”

“The Appalachian family is impressively led by Chancellor Ken Peacock, who was kind and thoughtful to join us here today. Given the many positive accolades I heard about Chancellor Peacock I would not be surprised to hear that Chancellor Peacock drove both buses down here. Thank you Chancellor Peacock for your service, leadership and kindness. You and Roseanne will be a very difficult act to follow.”

Everts continued.

“Following a talented and wildly popular chancellor may seem a daunting task. But I would offer that I am very fortunate to be able to build on the strength of the Peacock legacy.”

“There is something in the water in Boone, and I am very anxious to drink a lot of it. Thank you for making this such a special day for us. We will never forget how welcome you have made us feel.”

Check out photos from the meeting:

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Board of Trustees and Chancellor Search Commitee Chair Mike Steinback makes remarks

 

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The Board of Governors Meeting greets a packed room

 

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UNC President Tom Ross speaks in front of the crowd

 

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Chancellor Elect Sheri Noren Everts takes the podium

 

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Chancellor-elect Sheri Noren Everts speaks

 

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Chancellor-elect Sheri Noren Everts speaks