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| Borkowski takes
medical leave, Durham serves as acting chancellor |
By
Jessica Hines
Associate Editor |
Graduates,
faculty and spectators attended Appalachian State University’s
Spring Commencement exercises May 10-11, but one important
face failed to show.
Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, granted a medical leave of
absence from University of North Carolina President Molly
C. Broad, was unable to attend graduation. Provost and Executive
Vice Chancellor Harvey Durham presided over the ceremonies,
and was appointed by Broad as acting chancellor until Borkowski’s
return.
“I support Chancellor Borkowski’s decision to follow
his physician’s advice in seeking a leave of absence,
and we look forward to his return to office,” Broad said
May 15 in a press release. ”In the meantime, Appalachian
is fortunate that Provost Harvey Durham has agreed to assume
greater responsibilities on behalf of this great institution
... His vast administrative experience and his demonstrated
devotion to Appalachian ensure that the campus will be in
good hands.”
Durham told The Watauga Democrat he has no specifics regarding
the chancellor’s whereabouts, or details on his illness.
“I have no further information and no direct information
from the chancellor,” Durham said, according to The Democrat.
“I am honor bound not to pass on information he (Borkowski)
has not provided.”
In an e-mail to Appalachian State faculty, Borkowski said
he was “being treated for a non-life threatening medical
condition at a hospital that specializes in such conditions.”
Durham, who announced last fall his plans for retirement at
the end of June, expects the chancellor to return by June
10, according to The Democrat.
Broad concurs with the anticipated return, and said she expects
the absence to “last approximately four weeks,”
according to the press release.
Until Borkowski’s return, Durham said he plans to ”take
any actions that [Borkowski] could take as if he were present,”
according to The Democrat.
“In the meantime, we are focused on preparing for a busy
summer on campus with summer school beginning this week, and
a wide range of camps, conferences, institutes and other activities
planned for the months ahead,” Durham said May 27 in
a letter to the Board of Trustees.
“Please be assured that, with the assistance of a very
capable group of administrators, I will do whatever is necessary
to keep our great university great during this difficult period,”
Durham said. ”All of our thoughts and prayers are with
Frank and Kay [Borkowski], and we look forward to Frank’s
complete and successful recovery and his return as chancellor.” |
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