JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 8, 2023 — 51社区鈥檚 trustees approved new leadership during their Sept. 8 meeting on the Union campus and said farewell to a handful of trustees rotating off the Board.
Robyn Hari presided over her last meeting in her role as board chair and handed leadership off to Jeff Perkins, who has served as vice chairman of the Board and chairman of the finance and audit committee for the last two years.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the opportunity I鈥檝e had to serve an institution that I love,鈥� Hari said about her time on the Union Board of Trustees. 鈥淯nder Jeff鈥檚 leadership, I鈥檓 confident that the steady oversight of Union鈥檚 Board will continue, and I鈥檓 praying for him as he assumes this new role.鈥�
Hari is rotating off the Board, along with trustees Jim Farmer, Steve Gaines, Noe Garcia, Peggy Graves and David Guthrie. The Board also recognized Justin Wainscott, a former trustee who had to vacate his position as a trustee upon joining Union as a full-time employee in the School of Theology and Missions.
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful for their significant service, their wise counsel and their commitment to Union and its work,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said about the departing trustees. 鈥淚鈥檓 particularly appreciative of Robyn Hari, her faithfulness and her personal resolve that Union would be committed to its mission.鈥�
Joining Perkins as trustee officers are Josh Dougan, who previously served as Board secretary, as vice chairman and Kay Griffin as secretary.
Perkins, of Greenfield, Tennessee, graduated from Union in 1989 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in management and marketing. He recently retired from a family-owned wholesale produce distributor, Akin and Porter Produce, where he was the vice president and chief operations officer.
Perkins has been the worship leader at Bethel Baptist Church in Greenfield for more than 25 years. He and his wife Tammy have four children (all of whom are Union graduates and all of whom are married to Union graduates) and 13 grandchildren.
鈥淗aving the opportunity to be involved in the mission and ministry of 51社区 by providing leadership through the Board of Trustees is such a blessing and honor for me,鈥� Perkins said. 鈥淎s a graduate of Union, I understand the importance of the Christ-centered education that promotes a Christ-centered worldview. As a believer, I also recognize the necessity to facilitate and mentor young men and women for kingdom work.
鈥淢y prayer is that God will continue to use those of us serving on the Board to encourage decisions that ensure future success for students, staff, and leadership of Union, and honor to the kingdom of God.鈥�
The Board also heard updates on university operations and progress on 鈥淧rotinus,鈥� Union鈥檚 strategic plan, through their four standing committees: academic affairs, finance and audit, institutional advancement and student life and ministries.
