Augustana College Board of Trustees Chair John Murabito '80 talks with Student Government Association (SGA) leaders on the patio outside the Brew by the Slough. Sofia Briggs '23 (center) and Isabelle Jordan '23 were SGA's vice president and president, respectively, during the 2022-2023 academic year.
A salute to Board Chair John Murabito
In October 2017, John Murabito '80 took on one of the most significant roles at any college at any time. Yet, no one could have predicted some of what was ahead for Murabito. As chair of the Board of Trustees, he would help lead Augustana through an unprecedented global pandemic, a presidential search and transition, and an increasingly competitive admissions landscape.
Longtime friend and trustee Peter Simshauser '79 sees it this way: "John has been the man for the moment at a very, very crucial time, and his leadership has been exemplary."
As he prepares to leave his chair position, Murabito doesn't hesitate when asked to name his proudest achievement.
"Leading our outstanding committee in the presidential search that resulted in the hiring of Dr. Andrea Talentino was the highlight for me," he said. "The president has an outsized role in the direction and culture of the college, and has a huge impact on our students, and therefore on their lives. This was not only a highlight of my time as board chair, but truly a life highlight for me."
The hours devoted to the presidential search by Murabito and the search committee are unmeasurable. Committee members reviewed material from more than 100 qualified applicants, conducted multiple rounds of interviews, contacted references, gathered additional information, and performed the kind of due diligence expected with a presidential search.
"Much of the work John has done was behind the scenes, on evenings and weekends," Simshauser said.
In addition to leading the search for Augustana's ninth president, Murabito was key to President Talentino's smooth transition to the office.
In October 2022, John Murabito formally installed Andrea Talentino as Augustana’s ninth president; her husband, Tom Tarnow, on the right.
"John knew the kind of things that were important for me to know, and he always did it in a really beautiful way, really supportive," President Talentino explained. "He was always open for thinking through things. I felt like there was trust there from early on.
"Working with him has been incredibly easy. He certainly felt comfortable giving advice but he never said, 'You should do this.' Another thing I've heard from colleagues who are new presidents at other schools is that they get a lot of 'well, you know, so-and-so would have done it this way.' There's never been a day like that with John, or anyone else."
As challenging as it is to find the right person for an important job, doing so during a pandemic makes it that much more difficult. And, at the same time, Murabito was instrumental in helping former President Steve Bahls navigate the uncharted waters of safely keeping the college operational during a pandemic.
Bahls appreciated Murabito's availability for frequent conversations, his sense of calm and wise words, especially during the early days of the pandemic. "I recall once telling John about three weeks into it, 'I think we're in the seventh inning of the pandemic,'" Bahls said. "And John said, 'No, we're not, Steve. We may be in the second inning.' And he was right."
Murabito describes the pandemic as the biggest and most unexpected challenge while serving as board chair. He credits the talent of Augustana's leadership and faculty for ensuring that the college emerged as a strong institution.
Murabito's leadership legacy also includes the college's efforts to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.
"In fact, as we were debating Dr. Monica Smith's position — should it be a director or a vice president — John was very firm on the side that it ought to be a vice president sitting at the Cabinet table," Bahls said. "He was clearly a leader in helping Augustana commit to greater diversity but more than that, to cherish diversity, equity and inclusion."
In May 2018, John Murabito and others attend the groundbreaking for the Hanson Hall of Science expansion.
Other ways in which Murabito has left his mark include the reorganization of the board. Being more effective, particularly in regards to strategic thinking, was one of the key goals with the restructuring.
"But for John, we would not have undertaken the board reorganization," said Wiley Adams '82, board vice chair. "I think when he looks back at all that he has accomplished, he should smile and be proud."
A thread that weaves throughout Murabito's work as board chair is a style of leadership that was dependable, built on trust and encouraged participation.
"What I would say about John as a leader is that he shows up," said Sheri Curran, Augustana general counsel. "And when I say that, I mean it both literally and figuratively. There are a lot of meetings for a board chair, well beyond the scheduled board meetings and committee meetings. John never missed a meeting."
Colleagues also applaud his dedication to the position he held. "John also showed up in the sense that he was prepared," Curran said. "He was engaged. He was decisive but inclusive in his decisiveness."
On a personal note, Curran added that Murabito always invited her into the conversation. "He always asked for my opinion, valued my opinion. And I think that enabled me to grow professionally.
"He led a presidential search during a pandemic. Neither of those things have a playbook. And John's the kind of leader that is very comfortable without a playbook. He will chart a path, get the right information in front of him and make good decisions. He was the perfect leader for Augustana in the last six years."
Timeline
2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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2022
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2023
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Passing the baton
John Murabito was first elected to the Board of Trustees for the 2013-2017 term, and then re-elected for 2017-2021. He was elected board chair in 2017 for a four-year term. Two one-year extensions extended his term as chair to October 2023. Murabito steps down as board chair this October but will serve one more year on the board.
Mike Gapen '91, head of U.S. Economics for Bank of America, will succeed Murabito as board chair.
"I'm eager to help Mike as he takes over as chair," Murabito said. "He is a talented leader and executive and a great ambassador for Augustana. He doesn’t need much advice from me, but I’ll always suggest that the chair listen well, seek out ideas from those who are sometimes less willing to put their point of view forward, and pay close attention to the faculty and their perspective."
Wiley Adams '82, the board’s vice chair since 2019, will step down from his position in September. Dr. Cheryl True '90, a family medicine specialist, will succeed Adams.
Board Chair Murabito applauds Adams for his many contributions while vice chair — helping ensure the success of the board reorganization, guiding focused and well-planned committee work, providing key insights during the presidential search process, and more.
"Wiley was great to work with and a great partner — smart, thoughtful, passionate about Augustana, always willing to jump in where needed, and a great sense of humor," Murabito said.
Sheri Curran, Augustana’s general counsel, also worked closely with Adams. "He's the type of leader who listens before talking, and perhaps owing to his experience as a lawyer, considers all sides," Curran said. "I also appreciate that he did not let leading and making tough decisions get in the way of always extending kindness."
As vice chair and a committee leader, Adams was always mindful of fulfilling but not overstepping the board’s role. "Having someone like that helping to lead the board is incredibly helpful," Curran said.