Archived News |

Dec. 12, 2002

四色AV Vice President for Business Affairs announces retirement

Vice President for Business Affairs at the University of Louisiana at Monroe Robert Turner will retire on Dec. 31, 2002. Turner has held that position at 四色AV since April 1997.

Turner was a driving force behind the hard work leading to the unqualified opinion from the state legislative auditor last month and he contributed a great deal of work to the SACS report. SACS lifted 四色AV's warning status earlier this week. Turner said, "I feel like I have made major contributions in those areas and I am proud of what we have done."

For the last two years Turner and his staff worked around the clock to get 四色AV's financial records in order. "We accomplished the goals that we established for this University two years ago," said Turner.

"I would personally like to express my gratitude to Vice President Robert Turner for his tireless and dedicated work. He and his staff spent many hours in an effort to make sure we made the necessary adjustments not only to receive an unqualified opinion but also to comply with the newly adopted changes in the financial statement format," said 四色AV President Dr. James Cofer.

"Turner has been working day and night for two years to get 四色AV where it is today. I am deeply appreciative of his efforts," said Cofer.

"I want to thank Dr. Cofer for his guidance and leadership during the past nine months. I also want to thank the staff that has worked very closely with me since I have been here. We could not have had this much success without their support," said Turner.

Turner also said he feels like the timing is right for his retirement. All the business office positions have been filled. The controller position is currently filled on an interim basis with an experienced certified public accountant who assisted the institution with the most recent audit.

In addition, a new Associate Vice President for Business Affairs was added to the staff. The position is filled with an experienced financial professional. Turner says with these key positions filled, he is confident the University will be able to carry on with the progress that has been made.

Turner also says during his retirement he will be able to pursue personal interests such as spending time with his family and getting more involved with his church.

Turner was appointed Vice President for Business Affairs at McNeese in 1982, a post he maintained until his 1997 appointment at 四色AV. Prior to that, Turner served as McNeese's Chief Fiscal Officer and Controller in 1977, after a seven-year position as Assistant Professor of Accounting at the college. His career in higher education began with the position of Assistant Professor of Business, then Assistant Professor of Accounting, at Nicholls State and McNeese State, respectively. Turner began his education career as a high school educator from 1961-1966.

Also a widely-published authority on accounting concepts, procedures and applications, Turner has co-authored high school texts used nationwide. A professional speaker at local, state and national levels, Turner has participated in accounting seminars and conventions in 45 states, making over 275 presentations during his career.

Originally from Hodge, Louisiana, Turner and his wife, Carolyn, have one daughter, Leah Turner Moore.

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