22 FALL 18 Spirit Magazine
University
Chronicles
On Scene with President Senese
In May, Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese delivered a welcome
address at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s
“Facing the Chamber” breakfast where Tampa Mayor
Bob Buckhorn was the keynote speaker. As part of his
comments, Senese showcased the men’s lacrosse NCAA
Division II runners-up trophy.
Saint Leo welcomes two new leaders
Dr. Senthil Kumar joined Saint Leo as
vice president of University Campus Admissions
and the newly created Center
for Global Engagement. In his role, he
will focus on growing the university’s
enrollment and making Saint Leo one
of the nation’s most internationally
engaged universities. Prior to Saint Leo,
Kumar served as vice president of enrollment
management and dean of international programs at
Bay State College and dean of enrollment management
and director of institutional advancement at The National
Graduate School of Quality Management in Massachusetts.
He has also held several positions in university admissions
at other institutions.
Kumar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business
and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance
from the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City
University and a Doctor of Business Administration in quality
systems management with a specialization in health systems
from The National Graduate School of Quality Management.
John Nisbet joined Saint Leo University
as vice president of Business Affairs and
chief financial officer. In his role at Saint
Leo, Nisbet is responsible for the university’s
financial staff, Human Resources,
and University Technology Services.
One of his major duties is to create a
five-year fiscal plan, including operating
and capital budgets, revenue, and
strategic investments. Nisbet came to Saint Leo from
Creighton University, in Omaha, where he served as vice
president for finance.
He holds a Master of Business Administration degree
specializing in corporate finance from The Ohio State
University and a Master of Science degree in molecular and
cellular physiology from the University of Cincinnati School
of Medicine. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
zoology from The Ohio State University.
President Lennox announces retirement
After celebrating commencement on University Campus
this April, Dr. William J. Lennox Jr. announced his retirement
as president of Saint Leo University.
Lennox became the university’s ninth president in 2015,
following the retirement of Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr. A retired
U.S. Army lieutenant general, Lennox previously served as
superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy.
“When I was asked to assume the role of president, it
was always my intention to serve, in a way, as a transition
leader between the long service of Dr. Kirk and a candidate
who could serve for a decade or longer,” Lennox said.
Lennox, who served as a university trustee prior to being
named president, said he knows he is leaving great faculty,
staff, alumni, and students. He said will miss the people
most of all and will forever be a Lion.
“It goes without saying that the board is grateful for Bill’s
service,” said Saint Leo University Board of Trustees Chair
Mary O’Keefe ’76. “He assumed the role of president at a
challenging time for us and his dedication to the university
has been an example for us all. Both personally and professionally,
we will miss him.”