Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute celebrates its 10th anniversary with the announcement of the Robert T. Shircliff Endowed Chair in Public Policy, and new board and faculty members.
Board member and philanthropist Robert T. Shircliff enjoyed a special relationship
with Jacksonville University for nearly half a century. As a founding board member
of the Public Policy Institute, the Shircliff legacy lives on, where his belief in
integrity, courage, and stewardship was instrumental in its establishment.
Now, long-time supporters have created and endowed the Robert T. Shircliff Chair in Public Policy which establishes the Shircliff Executive Director of the Institute and supports MPP student scholarships, Institute programs, and the Shircliff Courage in the Community Award.
“The Shircliff Chair in Public Policy not only honors the life of Bob Shircliff but will also help carry on his legacy,” said Mr. Rick Mullaney, Founder and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute. The Shircliff Executive Director will be responsible for the leadership, direction, and management of the Public Policy Institute, the MPP degree programs, and the Shircliff Courage in the Community Award.
“The Public Policy Institute seeks to create a better future for the region, state, and nation through its graduates, expertise, and community engagement – and the Shircliff Endowed Chair in Public Policy will help support that mission,” added Mr. Mullaney.
Perhaps the dearest part of Mr. Shircliff’s legacy was his stewardship of the Jacksonville
community and his strong work in building a better tomorrow. The Shircliff Courage
in the Community Award will recognize extraordinary courage in the community, which
Mr. Shircliff said was a defining characteristic of great leadership.
The Public Policy Institute will also be welcoming in new board members: David Miller, Co-Founder of Brightway Insurance; Megha Parekh, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of the Jacksonville Jaguars; Robert Rhodes, Attorney and Business Consultant; Darnell Smith, Market President of North Florida Region for Florida Blue; and Aundra Wallace, President of JAXUSA Partnerships.
Dr. Matthew Corrigan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, and Dr. Nevena Trajkov will be joining founding public policy faculty members Dr. Stephen Baker, Dr. J. Rody Borg, Dr. Marcel Dulay, Dr. Erich Freiberger, Dr. Annmarie Kent-Willette, and Dr. Quinton White.
“This faculty is the lifeblood of the MPP degree program, and they are extraordinary in their teaching, research, and service,” said Mr. Mullaney.
