Mike Gapen, a 1991 Augustana College graduate who has led key committees during his four years on the Augustana College Board of Trustees, has been slated to replace retiring board chair John Murabito.
Mr. Gapen was chosen at the March board meeting to take over in October for Mr. Murabito, a 1980 Augustana College graduate who retired as chief administrative officer of Cigna Corporation in 2022.
Mr. Gapen is currently head of U.S. Economics for Bank of America and is a nationally known spokesperson for the state of the nation’s economy, a news release from the college said.
In the release, Mr. Murabito said Mr. Gapen has demonstrated passion and commitment to Augustana during his four years of service on the board, including leading the college’s Financial Health Committee along with serving on the Presidential Search Committee that resulted in the selection of Andrea Talentino, Augustana’s ninth president. Mr. Murabito served as chair of that committee.
“All of this, along with his calm and confident leadership style, makes Mike Gapen exactly the kind of board leader Augustana needs moving forward,” Mr. Murabito added. “I know that Augustana will benefit from Mike’s leadership, and I look forward to handing over the reins to Mike in October.”
Also at the March meeting, Dr. Cheryl True, Augustana Class of 1990, was selected to serve as vice-chair of the board, filling the role now held by Wiley S. Adams, Class of 1982. Dr. True, a family medicine specialist in Davenport, joined the board during the pandemic and was an instrumental advisor as the college navigated that challenging time.
Mr. Murabito said Dr. True is committed to enriching the student experience and most recently served on the Provost Search Committee that led to the selection of Dianna Shandy. Â
“We are deeply fortunate to have the talent and the passion that both Mike and Cheryl have demonstrated on the board, and just as fortunate to have trustees with such talent and passion willing to serve the college in these leadership positions,” Mr. Murabito said.
