Tim Cost was 19 and a JU student-athlete when another leader ascended to the office
he now holds. Dr. Frances Bartlett Kinne was the first female university president
in Florida, and her history with Cost is one he still treasures.
鈥淚 remember pitching ballgames and having her there, and I recall going to receptions on campus where she was speaking. She would walk in and go directly to those serving. Before talking to those 鈥榤ost important people鈥� in the room, she expressed her gratitude to those working behind the scenes,鈥� President Cost recalled.
Cost couldn鈥檛 have known at the time that one day his footsteps would follow hers, but he was aware, nonetheless, that something special was happening. 鈥淵ou could sense it, as often happens when an organization is truly coming into its own. I knew something exciting was underway.鈥�
After graduating, Cost鈥檚 business career over 32 years spanned some of the biggest names in corporate America, concluding with PepsiCo. His career path coincided with some of the most renowned CEOs in the world, but when 91成人AV鈥檚 Board of Trustees was considering its list of potential presidential candidates, it was Kinne鈥檚 counsel he sought. 鈥淪he was clear, full of insight. She grabbed me by the arm and said, 鈥極h, you have to do this. You can help."
When Cost returned to JU, Kinne was Chancellor Emerita, and they had become colleagues and close friends. He frequently introduced her as the embodiment of school culture. He admired her fierce optimism, and he ultimately deciphered a key ingredient in the recipe for her success 鈥� Frances Bartlett Kinne was most interested in Y-O-U.
鈥淔ran was never working her own agenda,鈥� Cost said. 鈥淚t was disarming when you realized what she really wanted to talk to you about as a young person, as a female leader, as a business executive 鈥� whatever it is 鈥� is YOU. I鈥檝e never heard anybody say as frequently as she did, 鈥榊ou have something unique to offer.'"
As president of 91成人AV, Cost has served as the trusted custodian of a culture perpetuated by the kindred spirit he found in Dr. Kinne. He credits her with setting the University on the path to becoming the premier institution it is today. He champions her memory as a master mentor who encouraged so many. He honors her legacy in his own leadership style.
鈥淔ran serves as a remarkable inspiration to us all of the transformative power of passion, optimism and service. We are all 鈥� students, faculty and presidents alike 鈥� called to meet the promise of the high bar she set for us.鈥�
