Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan ’81 P’14 P’19 was announced as Brown’s 22nd chancellor in a Feb. 13 Today@Brown announcement. He will succeed Samuel Mencoff ’78 P’11 P’15 to lead the University’s highest governing body beginning July 1.
Moynihan has served as a member of the Corporation for the past 14 years, as both a trustee and a member of the board of fellows, also serving on the President’s Leadership Council. He also sits on the Board of Governors of the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.
He was officially elected at the Corporation’s February meeting.
Members of the Governance and Nominating Committee — a subcommittee of the Corporation — were tasked with appointing a new chancellor after Mencoff reached the end of his nine-year term as an officer of the Corporation. Mencoff’s term will officially conclude at the end of this academic year after 21 total years of Corporation service.
“I have had the enormous privilege of working with the Trustees and Fellows and President Paxson through some of the most exhilarating and consequential times in Brown history,” Mencoff wrote in the announcement. “Doing so has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime, but I also recognize that a healthy governing board must renew and refresh itself on a regular basis.”
According to the announcement, the committee chose Moynihan in part due to his “deep love for and commitment to Brown.” At Brown, Moynihan was a history concentrator and a member of the rugby team.
“Throughout his years of dedicated service, Brian Moynihan has been an active and engaged member, and there is widespread appreciation and respect for his insight, global leadership and management experience, values and wisdom,” Mencoff wrote.
Moynihan has also chaired various other financial organizations such as the World Economic Forum's International Business Council and participates with local leaders in the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and the Partnership for Rhode Island.
“It is an honor to serve Brown, the fellows and trustees, and especially the dedicated faculty, students, staff and alumni,” Moynihan said in a press release. “I look forward to working with President Paxson and her team as we continue to elevate our great university.”
Cate Latimer is a senior staff writer covering faculty and higher education. She is from Portland, OR, and studies English and Urban Studies. In her free time, you can find her playing ultimate frisbee or rewatching episodes of Parks and Rec.
