The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to “immediately” and “permanently” remove longtime President Lou Agnese Jr. on Monday, Aug. 29 following complaints of erratic and offensive behavior.
“Dr. Denise Doyle, who the Board appointed as acting president when Dr. Agnese was placed on medical leave, will continue in that role with our full confidence,” UIW Board Chairman Charles Lutz read from a statement after the meeting. “The board shortly will begin a national search for a new President.”
Agnese is currently on a 90-day medical leave.
The vote comes 11 days after an Aug. 18 statement was sent out by UIW, which apologized for Agnese’s “sporadic uncharacteristic behavior” toward students, faculty, and administrators. When an anonymous student letter was leaked to the San Antonio Express-News outlining a string of alleged racist remarks made by Agnese, the board released another statement on Aug. 26 explaining that, “recent comments by Dr. Agnese are not consistent with the traditions and values of the University and cannot be condoned.”
The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Congregational Leader Sr. Teresa Maya read a statement thanking Agnese for his 30-plus years of service.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with Dr. Agnese, his family and the entire University community.”
Neither Lutz nor Maya made further comment concerning the reason for Agnese’s removal, the leaked comments, or the “considerable concern for his well-being” voiced in their original statement.
University officials declined to answer questions from the media after the press conference.
Click here to view the board’s statement and here for the Sisters of Charity’s statement.
Visit the Rivard Report later today for more details on this developing story.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the UIW board of trustees voted to remove Agnese on Tuesday, when in fact they did so on Monday, Aug. 29.
Top Image: UIW Board Chairman Charles Lutz (left) reads from prepared remarks after the board unanimously voted to remove longtime President Lou Agnese Jr. as Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Congregational Leader Sr. Teresa Maya looks on. Photo by Scott Ball.
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UIW President on Medical Leave after ‘Uncharacteristic Behavior’
Well the PC crowd wins again. The Board is a bunch of pansies. Hope uiw goes downhill now – and fast.
Who would that help?
What difference at this point does it make?
There must be more to this than has been made public.
I would note that since Dec. 2013 when UIW officer Carter shot Cameron Redus, the voters fired the inactive DA and now Agnese is gone. What’s next? Perhaps the seeds of injustice they sowed have come to fruition.
This article states Agnese was fired on Tuesday 11 days after an August 18 statement. Was he fired on August 29 (Monday)? The article was posted that day. I appreciate the clarification.
You are correct. The original article mistakenly said Tuesday, but the board announced Agnese’s removal shortly before this article was posted on Monday, Aug. 29.