Harry Smith will step down as chairperson of the Board of Governors effective Oct. 1, according to UNC-System Media Relations.
Smith will be a regular member of the board for the rest of his term, which ends in 2021. He said he no longer has the energy the job requires, according to the News & Observer.
Smith was first elected to the BOG in 2013 and has served as chairperson since 2018. He previously served as the BOG chairperson for the Committee on Budget and Finance. He was also the chairperson and chief executive officer of Flanders Corporation.
He chaired the BOG during the aftermath of Silent Sam’s toppling. The board has postponed its decision on the monument's future indefinitely.
“We are grateful for Harry’s service, strong leadership, and selfless commitment to both the UNC System and the Board of Governors,” Bill Roper, interim president of the UNC System, said in a statement. “I have valued his support, leadership, and friendship throughout this past year, and look forward to his continuing contributions on the Board of Governors.”
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
