The University’s board of trustees will lose a valuable member when Valerie Newell says goodbye at the end of the month.

Newell went from being the University’s Outstanding Woman Graduate of 1975 to one of two people who have served on all three University Boards. She will leave after 11 years of service.

“It’s sad that my time is up, but I believe it is important to have these limits because it allows for the University to get fresh blood and a fresh perspective,” Newell said.

Appointed by Gov. George Voinovich in January 1993 as chair of the board of trustees, Newell has also served as chair of the board’s finance and investment committees.

“I really feel good about what I have accomplished at the University,” Newell said. “I was doing things in certain areas like the investment area and audit area that made me feel like I was bringing some ideas to the table that really meant something.”

Newell now plans to focus her attention on being managing director and senior portfolio manager at Riverpoint Capital Management. The Cincinnati-based firm specializes in managing portfolios for wealthy individuals and families.

According to Linda Dobb, Executive Vice President of the University, Newell has been a strong leader for the University.

“She is extremely brilliant,” Dobb said. “She knows the financial world and that was so important to the University. She is partly responsible for the fact that University investments have done so well in the last 2 years.”

Newell will also stay active in community and civic affairs. She will serve as a trustee for the Cincinnati Art Museum as well as the Cincinnati Museum Center and Cincinnati Parks Foundation.

“She set a good example for the women that come to Bowling Green, proving they can be outstanding students and give back to their University and community,” Dobb said. “She represents the best that a woman can become.”

Newell says she credits not only her business sense and the support from her co-workers for the University’s success during her tenure.