JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 6, 2024 — The 51社区 Board of Trustees received a clean audit report, approved research leave for faculty members and welcomed new trustees to the board during their Dec. 6 meeting on the Union campus.
The audit report from CapinCrouse showed that net assets for the university topped $200 million for the first time. Union鈥檚 net assets of $201.1 million in 2024 were an increase of about $16 million over last year.
鈥淭he Lord has been faithful in providing for Union for more than 200 years, and we are so thankful that his faithfulness and provision continue today,鈥� said Jeff Perkins, chairman of Union鈥檚 Board of Trustees. 鈥淯nion鈥檚 financial position is strong and stable, and we鈥檙e grateful for the university administration and its wise stewardship of our resources.鈥�
Trustees granted research leave for three Union professors. Chris Bailey, professor of English and director of composition support, will use her leave in the spring 2026 term to complete a book entitled 鈥淎ll or Nothing Love鈥� and seek publication.
Geoffrey Poore, professor of physics, will take partial leave in the fall and spring semesters of the 2025-26 academic year to create a new software library for generating randomized introductory physics problems.
David Thomas, university professor of history, will use leave time in the spring semester of 2026 to produce a book on the theology of history.
鈥淯nion has been blessed by outstanding professors who are experts in their fields and who care deeply about their students,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful that trustees recognize the value of research leave so faculty can engage in meaningful scholarly activity. This helps us fulfill our mission to promote excellence in our students and to serve the Church and society.鈥�
Three new trustees joined the board for this meeting. Clay Hallmark, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lexington, Tennessee, was the university鈥檚 Alumnus of the Year in 2023 and has served as chairman of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and as president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
David Sherzer is a businessman from Dallas, Texas, who serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer for Red Dot Corp. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and served in several positions in the White House under President George W. Bush before beginning his business career.
Josh Trent is a Union alumnus who serves as a healthcare consultant and strategist in Washington, D.C., where he serves as the managing principal for Leavitt Partners. He also served in the White House under President George W. Bush and went on to serve in the Department of Health and Human Services and as a staff member on Capitol Hill.
Trustees Jim Farmer, David Guthrie and Robyn Hari rejoined the board after rotating off following their previous service.
Trustees also approved three new members of the 51社区 Foundation Board: John Basie, director of graduate programs and advancement at Impact 360 Institute in Pine Mountain, Georgia; Polly Brasher, a certified public accountant and owner of Polly Brasher CPA in Jackson, Tennessee; and Tamara Stanfill, a senior tax manager at ATA Advisory, LLC, in Jackson, Tennessee.
In other matters, trustees approved tuition a 3.87 percent increase in traditional undergraduate tuition for the 2025-2026 year, with Oliver emphasizing the university鈥檚 commitment to keeping tuition as affordable as possible.
The next trustee meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2025.