Dean Colson Named Chair Of University Of Miami Board Of Trustees

Miami Law Graduate and Civic Leader Begins Term

Coral Gables, FL - Attorney Dean C. Colson has assumed leadership of the University of Miami Board of Trustees. A 1977 graduate of the University's School of Law, Colson has been active with UM and the community for more than 20 years.

"Dean Colson embodies the word 'commitment' to the University of Miami," said President Donna E. Shalala. "He is truly dedicated to the betterment of UM and ensuring this extraordinary institution becomes one of the premier universities and medical centers in the country."

As Board Chair, Colson will head the University's efforts in its Momentum: The Campaign for the University of Miami. In one year, the University has raised more than $650 million toward its $1 billion goal.

"I am truly excited about where the University of Miami is going and the speed of our progress," said Colson. "I am also very honored to have this opportunity to work closely with our President, our faculty, and, most importantly, our students, as we build upon the extraordinary progress of the past few years."

Colson is a partner in the law firm Colson Hicks Eidson, which was founded 35 years ago. A Miami native, he clerked for U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Peter Fay and U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist.

Colson is an active member of the South Florida community. A Board member since 1991, he is currently Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami. He has served as Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee of the University and as Chairman of the Law School's Visiting Committee. In 2000, Colson was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the State of Florida Commission on Ethics.  In 2002, the Governor appointed Colson to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Florida Supreme Court and was named its Chairman this past summer. He is the immediate past president of the Orange Bowl Committee. He was the Chairman of the 1995 Super Bowl XXIX Host Committee. Colson serves on the Board of Directors of numerous charitable organizations in South Florida. In 1995, he received the Mayor of Miami's "Citizen of the Year" award for his commitment to the betterment of his community, and 1996 was named Sportsman of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Miami.

Momentum: The Campaign for the University of Miami is a billion-dollar effort to accelerate progress; empower learning and discovery; and intensify the University's impact on people in the city, across the country and around the world.

The University of Miami's mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of our diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. www.miami.edu

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