Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb elected to the Syracuse University Board of TrusteesNovember 04, 2002Sue Cornelius Edsonsedson@syr.edu
Former standout quarterback Donovan McNabb was elected as a member of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees at the Board’s annual meeting, held Nov. 1 on the SU campus.McNabb, who is currently the quarterback for the National Football League’s Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the youngest to ever be named to the Board.
“Donovan brings a unique combination of leadership and civic and philanthropic interest to the Board of Trustees,” says Board of Trustees Chair Joseph O. Lampe. “He is a winner on and off the field. He will be an outstanding member of the Board, offering a younger insight from a very successful person to help govern the University.”
McNabb, a native of Dolton, Ill., graduated from SU in 1998 and completed his outstanding career in the Fall of 1998, leading the Orangemen to their third consecutive Big East Championship. During his tenure, McNabb led the Orangemen to four post-season bowl games and a record of 36-14 on the field. Off the field, McNabb and his classmates gained recognition for the University, earning the 2000 AFCA Academic Achievement Award for having 100 percent of the class leave SU with a degree.
He remains SU’s all-time leader in total offense (9,950 yards), passing touchdowns (77), touchdowns responsibility (96 passing and rushing). He is second on SU’s career passing charts, accounting for 8,389 yards on 548 completions. McNabb’s name remains atop the Big East career record lists for passing yards, touchdown passes, total offense for plays and yards gained, and touchdown responsibility.
“I want to bring ideas from an academic and athletic perspective for all student-athletes,” McNabb says. “I want to represent all male and female student-athletes, from the past, present and the future. This is an honor for me. It is a special feeling to be appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees, because there are not a lot of people my age who are considered.”
The three-time Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year is the only person in he history of the league to earn all-conference honors for four years. During his rookie season McNabb won the 1996 Gator Bowl Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Orange to a 41-0 victory against Clemson.
“I’m very excited for him and for the University,” says SU head football coach Paul Pasqualoni. “Donovan is an outstanding human being. He has a good perspective on student-athlete issues and what student-athletes go through. It’s a great honor for him and I know he looks upon it as an honor. I’m sure he’s humbled by it.”
McNabb made a $100,000 donation to benefit his alma mater in August 2000, earmarking his contribution for the Orangemen’s new locker room at the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex. In addition to his gift to Syracuse University, McNabb is assisting his hometown church, the Valley Kingdom Ministries Church International, and his high school, Mt. Carmel. He created eight scholarships for Mt. Carmel students. Candidates submitted an essay explaining how Mt. Carmel helped developed their character, intellectually and spiritually. In addition, each applicant must be involved in at least one extracurricular activity. McNabb, along with his mother, members of the Mt. Carmel English department and the athletics director, selected the winners. At Valley Kingdom Ministries, McNabb created the Eagle Grants program, which gives financial assistance to entrepreneurs who submit proposals to start businesses.
McNabb earned his degree in speech communications from the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Officially chartered in 1870 as a private, coeducational institution of higher education, Syracuse University is a leading student-centered research university. Syracuse’s 11 schools and colleges share a common mission: to promote learning through teaching, research, scholarship, creative accomplishment and service while embracing the core values of quality, caring, diversity, innovation and service. The 680-acre campus is home to more than 18,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 90 countries.
The University is governed by its Board of Trustees, which is charged with legal responsibility to protect and manage its physical and financial assets over which the board has legal control. The board also has the authority to oversee the administration and management of the University’s programs, and appoints a Chancellor to implement its policies and administer the University as a whole. In carrying out its duties under the charter and bylaws of Syracuse University and the not-for-profit corporation law, the board has extensive responsibilities in the governance of the University.
