Spring Break
New MU Trustee appointed
Branden E. Blackmur, Senior Staff Writer
Issue date: 12/3/04 Section: Campus
The Miami University Board of Trustees now has a new member - John S. Christie, appointed to take the place of board member Jay Henderson, who stepped down because of a job transfer to Illinois. According to Steve Snyder, secretary to the board of trustees, Christie was appointed by Gov. Bob Taft in accordance with Ohio law, which states that the governor will appoint trustees for all state-affiliated colleges and universities. "A former board of trustee (member) mentioned my name to the president, Mr. Garland," Christie said. "I had a conversation with the president asking about my desire to do this - and he felt I would be a good trustee." Christie, a 1972 Miami graduate, is the president and chief financial officer of Worthington Industries, which is a corporation that processes steel and manufactures many products made of metal. Worthington Industries has locations throughout 10 different countries and employs over 8,000 people.Miami President James Garland said that Christie will be a welcome addition to the current board."He brings both personal knowledge of Miami and an extensive background in business leadership to the board," Garland said in a statement issued by the university.Christie hopes to contribute to the board by bringing a sound financial voice and fiscal knowledge."The university certainly isn't a business," Christie said. "But business thinking on a board does make a little sense."Christie currently lives in Columbus, but has kept in close contact with Miami since graduating. He moved to Cincinnati for a short period of time in 1979, where he helped start a bank. Most recently Christie has kept in contact wih the university through his family."I've not been that removed," Christie said. "I had a son graduate (from Miami) in 2000, and a nephew in 2004."Christie will take his position just in time for the board's Dec. 10 meeting.
