The Board of Trustees at Florida Atlantic University will be welcoming members back this year, and saying goodbye to others.

The BOT is a 13-member organization in charge of making money-related decisions for the University. This involves deciding where tuition money is spent and deciding university presidents.

Six trustees are appointed by the Florida Governor; another six are selected by the State University System. The remaining member in the board is the current Student Government president. These members voluntarily serve five-year terms, meaning there is no compensation.

Rather than appointing members every five years, some trustee members are re-selected both by the Board of Governors or by the Florida Governor. 

David Feder was appointed by the Board of Governors and served FAU for 10 years, since 2005. His term concluded January 2015.

President Kelly stated in a press release, “We extend sincere thanks to David Feder as he leaves the Board at the conclusion of 10 years of dedicated service to the University. He has made contributions of great value as a Trustee and we’ll always consider him a member of the FAU family.” 

Feder will be succeeded by Michael Dennis, M.D., who was also appointed by Board of Governors. 

Anthony Barbar was reappointed by the Board of Governors for a second term on the BOT, where he serves as chairman. He has held this position since 2014.

Florida Governor Rick Scott reappointed Jeffrey Feingold, D.D.S., and Robert Rubin. All of their terms — Scott, Feingold, Rubin, Dennis, and Barbar —  will end in 2020.

Dr. Dennis is a retired plastic and reconstructive surgeon, as well as the founding chairman for FAU’s College of Medicine.

He stated in an FAU press release, “I have greatly enjoyed working with the administration and academic components of the University in helping to develop a first class, independent medical school – the first and only in Palm Beach County.” 

He attended Harvard for his bachelor’s degree in science, and University of Florida for his medical degree. During his Stanford residency in 1973, he developed a primary care physician/nurse practitioner program, which is still in use today.

Dennis is also the founder of Hand-Xtenders, a company that develops devices that benefit the disabled. All proceeds from these devices go to charity.

His medical innovations caught the attention of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who appointed Dr. Dennis to the Health Manpower Commission.

In the press release, Dr. Dennis said, “I am truly humbled and deeply honored to have this opportunity to help promote FAU to new heights of educational excellence. Looking to the future, the community will continue to see advanced delivery of education and services throughout FAU, and I am committed to aid that advancement in every way possible. 

Board of Governors Chairman Mori Hosseini stated, “Trustees play an enormous role in charting the paths for our state universities, and these appointments are among the most important decisions made by the board.”

Current Board of Trustee Members:

• Anthony Barbar (Chair) Reappointed by Board of Governors
  • Term: January 2015-January 2020
• Daniel Cane (Vice Chair) Appointed by Governor Rick Scott
  • Term: August 2013- January 2018
• Jeffrey Feingold Reappointed by  Governor Rick Scott
  • Term: January 2015-January 2020
• Mary Beth McDonald Appointed by Governor Rick Scott
  • Term: August 2013-January 2016
• Abdol Moabery Appointed by Governor Rick Scott
  • Term: May 2011-January 2016
• Dr. Ronald Nyhan Appointed by University Faculty Senate President
  • Term: May 2013-May 2015
• Robert Rubin Reappointed by Governor Rick Scott
  • Term: January 2015- January 2020
• Robert Stilley Appointed by Board of Governors
  • Term: January 2006-January 2016
• Paul Tanner Appointed by Board of Governors
  • Term: January 2011-January 2016
• Julius Teske Appointed by Governor Rick Scott
  • Term: May 2011-January 2016
• Thomas Workman, Jr. Appointed by Board of Governors
  • Term: January 2008-January 2018
• Michael Dennis, M.D. Appointed by Board of Governors
  • Term: January 2015-January 2020
• Kathryn Edmunds Appointed as Student Government President