Mary Jane Saunders is an American academic who served as president of Florida Atlantic University from 2010 to 2013. She has a background in scientific research and administration, specializing in biology.
Saunders is originally from Worcester, Massachusetts. She completed a B.A. in biology at Boston University, and then pursued further studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, completing an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in botany. She is married to chemistry professor George R. Newkome.Dr. Mary Jane Saunders, Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved November 27, 2017. After a period as an associate professor at Louisiana State University, she joined South Florida University in 1986, eventually becoming director of its Institute of Biomolecular Science. She also worked at the National Science Foundation for a period as a program officer and deputy division director.THE SAUNDERS YEARS (2010-2013), Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
In 2003, Saunders joined Cleveland State University, Ohio, as a biology professor and director of the Biomedical and Health Institute. She was later made dean of the College of Science, and from 2007 was provost and executive vice-president.Cleveland State University's No. 2 administrator, Provost Mary Jane Saunders, resigns, Cleveland.com., January 29, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2017.Cleveland State administrator named president of Florida Atlantic University, Cleveland.com., March 4, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2017. In 2010, Saunders left CSU to replace Frank Brogan as president of Florida Atlantic University.FAU Board Picks Mary Jane Saunders as New President, The Ledger, March 4, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2017. She resigned as president in May 2013, citing "fiercely negative media coverage" as one of the reasons for her decision.FAU President Mary Jane Saunders resigns after controversies, South Florida Business Journal, May 15, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2017. During her tenure, the university was criticized for awarding naming rights for FAU Stadium to GEO Group, a private prison company, and for its handling of associate professor James Tracy's promotion of Sandy Hook massacre conspiracy theories;Gaffes 101: FAU’s reputation taking hit after hit, Miami Herald, March 31, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2017.FAU President Mary Jane Saunders resigns, Miami Herald, May 15, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2017. during protests against the naming rights decision, she performed a hit-and-run on a student protestor with her university-provided Lexus.
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