Internationally recognized physician-scientist Michael R. DeBaun, MD, MPH, and President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis Flint W. Fowler, PhD, have been elected to the Maryville University Board of Trustees.

“The unanimous election of Dr. DeBaun and Dr. Fowler to Maryville’s Board of Trustees demonstrates our eagerness to have such talented and distinguished leaders join us as we accelerate efforts to revolutionize higher education,” said Ed Ryan, chair of the Board of Trustees. “We look forward to their involvement in our work as we guide and support Maryville’s mission.”

DeBaun is founding director of the Vanderbilt-Meharry Center for Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease in Nashville. His advocacy and research have resulted in fundamental medical advances in the care of children and adults with sickle cell disease.

DeBaun has a strong connection to Maryville University. His mother, Everlouis Rutledge DeBaun, was Maryville’s first African American graduate in 1958. She served as a longtime teacher in St. Louis Public Schools. In lasting tribute, the DeBaun family supports the Everlouis Rutledge DeBaun Endowed Scholarship at Maryville, established by the Class of 1958 in her memory.

Through Fowler’s leadership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) provides after-school, teen, sports and summer programs while also providing a safe place for children to learn and grow. BGCSTL serves youth across St. Louis City and County at seven locations, a dropout prevention program in two high schools and through its Mentor St. Louis and St. Louis Internship programs.

BGCSTL has been a longtime partner of Maryville, and the University introduced its successful life coaching model into the K-12 space through its work with the organization. Additionally, BGCSTL members learn to flourish in the areas of technology and STEM through college immersion programs and on-campus and club-site experiences like robotics.