PHILIPPI, W.Va.—October 31, 2019—Alderson Broaddus University has appointed Stephen M. Fowler ’80, Delegate Chris Phillips, Dr. J. Soren Sofhauser ’76, Dr. F. Joseph Super, and Thomas Wilmink to serve on the Board of Trustees & Governors.
Trustee Stephen M. Fowler ’80
Fowler received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Alderson Broaddus University in 1980 and earned his degree in law from the University of Denver in 1983. Fowler is an attorney and managing member of the firm Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe, PLLC.
Fowler has served as Counsel to the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management since 2003. Fowler’s trial experience includes more than 50 trials to a jury or the court. In 2011, Fowler was awarded a rating of AV Preeminent, the highest possible rating, in both legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell. The AV Preeminent Rating is the pinnacle of professional excellence earned through a strenuous Peer Review Rating process that is managed and monitored by the world’s most trusted legal resource, Martindale-Hubbell.
He is licensed to practice law in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and Colorado. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Virginia/West Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Fowler and his wife, Kim, reside in Charleston, W.Va. They are the parents of two sons.
Governor Chris Phillips
Phillips is a native of Barbour County and the president of family-owned CGP Foods, Inc. based out of Elkins, West Virginia.
Phillips was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2018 serving Barbour and Tucker counties representing West Virginia’s 47th House District. He sits on the Agriculture and Natural Resources, Small Business and Economic Development, Government Organization, and other committees in his role as a West Virginia delegate. Phillips serves as a board member of the Barbour County Development Authority and is a member of the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce.
Phillips resides in Buckhannon, West Virginia. He has one son who is majoring in criminal justice at Alderson Broaddus University.
Trustee Dr. J. Soren Sofhauser ’76
A 1976 graduate of Alderson Broaddus, Sofhauser is the Vice President of Early Childhood Business Development for School Specialty, Inc. out of Greenville, Wisconsin.
Sofhauser has spent more than 40 years in sales and management in the education industry. During his time in the early childhood industry, he has been honored by the National Head Start Association for the support of children and families in need. He has spent his career collaborating with early childhood educators and in support of early childhood programs throughout the United States and abroad.
Sofhauser received an honorary doctorate from Alderson Broaddus University in May 2018. He is a current member of the AB Alumni Council and serves as the Senior Advisor to the Delphic Alumni Association.
Sofhauser resides in Granger, Indiana with his wife Cyndi who is a 1980 graduate of Alderson Broaddus. They have two sons, Christian and Britton and one grandson, Isaiah.
Trustee Dr. F. Joseph Super
Super earned his Doctor of Education in education administration and special education from West Virginia University in 2014. Super is a retired public school superintendent and retired dean currently serving as an adjunct professor at Alderson Broaddus University.
With over fifty years of teaching at all levels, Super brings an excellent array of experiences to his current teaching position. Before coming to AB, Dr. Super served for four years as the Superintendent of Schools in Barbour County and five years in the same capacity in Pleasants County. Under his leadership, Pleasants County passed a Bond project that totaled $30,000,000 and renewed its five-year excess levy. Previously, Super worked in Randolph County for nineteen years as director of special education and as the assistant superintendent for secondary curriculum and special education.
Married for close to 38 years to his late wife Debbie, Super resides in Elkins, WV. Their son Josh has his Ph.D. and teaches.
Trustee Thomas Wilmink
Wilmink joined Northwestern Mutual in January 1988 as a Financial Representative immediately following graduating from Marshall University, where he received his degree in finance. Tom has continued his education, earning his Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations. He is a Founding Member of FORUM, representing the top segment of our industry-leading field force.
Wilmink has committed his career to helping his clients prioritize their goals and developing a personalized financial plan designed to help the client achieve their visions for the future.
Wilmink lives in Huntington, West Virginia with his wife Beth. He has two kids, a son and daughter.
All new members visited the Alderson Broaddus campus and attended the first meeting of the 2019-2020 academic year in October.
Persons elected to the Alderson Broaddus Board provide insight and guidance to the planning and future direction of the University; help determine appropriate policies for effective governance and management; help assure financial stability through appropriate fiscal policies and controls; provide encouragement and support to the president, administration, faculty, staff, and students; provide and help obtain needed capital and operating funds; and encourage the interest and involvement of potential supporters of the University.
“We are very pleased to have these five professionals join us on the Board of Trustees & Governors,” said Dr. James “Tim” Barry, president of Alderson Broaddus University. “The breadth of their experiences and their commitment to the University are a great asset to AB.”
About Alderson Broaddus University
Alderson Broaddus (AB) University is a private, four-year institution of higher education located on a historic hilltop in Barbour County in Philippi, West Virginia. Since its founding in 1871, AB has been a leader and innovator in higher education, with accolades in the health and natural sciences.
The mission of AB is to provide students with the highest quality education, striving to prepare students to succeed in their chosen disciplines and to fulfill their roles in a diverse society as well-rounded and responsible citizens.
