Archer was appointed interim president on November 5, 2021, at the departure of the previous president, Jack Shannon. At that time, he was an associate professor at the university and served as the director of CBU’s Healthcare MBA Program.
“CBU employed a consultant, Dr. Ann Hasselmo of Academic Search, to assist in our search for a new president,” said Louis “Bo” Allen, chair of the CBU Board of Trustees.“ After receiving input from numerous meetings with various constituencies of the University — faculty, staff, students, administrators, and trustees — we have chosen to take their advice and extend Dave’s appointment into a permanent position instead of conducting a national search.”
Dave Archer came to CBU with many years of experience as a chief executive officer, having served in that position at Saint Francis Healthcare in Memphis from 1997 to 2016 and prior to that at healthcare facilities in Missouri and California. He has also served locally as a board member of Guiding Star Memphis, as well as other boards like the Tennessee Hospital Association and the Greater Memphis Chamber. He has been awarded the Meritorious Service Award from the Tennessee Hospital Association and the Humanitarian Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Purdue University, a Master of Arts in Theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, a Master of Public Health from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and a Master of Business Administration from the Columbia University Business School.
“At the time we appointed Dave to be interim president, I said that we were fortunate to have him, and blessed to have someone with his leadership experience, background, and a familiarity with our mission and campus,” Allen added. “In the few short months that he has served in this position, he has more than proven himself capable of steering this university in the right direction and has made a deep and personal connection with all of the members of the CBU Community.”
“I am both proud and humbled to be a part of the distinguished 150-year history of Christian Brothers University,” Archer said. “I definitely see a bright future for CBU and all of the members of its tight-knit community. And I plan to actively assist in honoring that history and building that future in every way that I can. By continuing CBU’s rich tradition of inclusion, access, and affordability, we will prepare our students to serve generously, lead purposefully, and live as responsible stewards for future generations.
“After all, the purpose of education is to enrich our society by providing opportunity to those we educate — the opportunity for them to succeed in life, but also the opportunity and the willingness to share their success with others and thereby build a better society and a better world. I look forward to supporting our faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of that transformational purpose. That purpose — and the Lasallian principles that guide it here at CBU — will define my role as president of this university.”
Archer officially assumes the permanent position of president immediately. A formal inauguration is being planned, and details will be announced as they become available.
