Council of Independent Colleges

Flagler College President William T. Abare Jr. has been awarded the Council of Independent Colleges’ 2017 Charles W.L. Foreman Award, the highest honor given by the organization’s State Councils.

The award is presented annually to someone who has “demonstrated truly exceptional commitment and leadership.” CIC President Richard Elkman said Abare was selected because of his work over the years with the Florida Independent College Fund. The Fund works closely with the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida to provide expanded access to higher education for students from all backgrounds.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for your work, and it is particularly meaningful when that recognition comes from a highly-respected organization,” Abare said. “It is also gratifying to know that the award recognizes leadership and service to an organization that advances independent institutions of higher education.”
The award is named in honor of Foreman, who served as president of the UPS Foundation and board chair of the Foundation for Independent Higher Education, which merged with CIC in 2010.
Abare has been president of Flagler College since 2001, and has worked at Flagler College since 1971 when he was hired as director and dean of Admissions. Prior to serving as president, Abare was executive vice president and dean of Academic Affairs at Flagler for 12 years. He served as chair of the Council of Presidents of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) and previously served as chairman of the ICUF Legislative Committee for seven years.
Abare will retire as president this summer after serving in the position for 16 years.