The UM System Board of Curators announced the resignation of Curator David Steward because of personal reasons, effective immediately on Feb. 1.

“It has been a great honor to serve the four campuses of the University of Missouri System in the role of curator, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity,” Steward said in a written statement.

Steward has served on the Board of Curators since 2011 where he represented the 2nd Congressional District which includes the St. Louis area. His term was set to expire on Jan. 1, 2017.

“We have been blessed with substantial opportunities to continue to expand our business globally,” Steward said in a written statement. “This ultimately will create more jobs for the state of Missouri, and I am choosing to make that my primary focus.”

The Board of Curators is the governing body of MU, which consists of nine members who serve for six-year terms. They are each appointed by the governor with the Senate’s consent.

Steward’s resignation is the third Board of Curator’s resignation within the past three months. Ann Covington [resigned](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/11/19/ann-covington-resigns-um-system-board-curators/) Nov. 19, 2015, and Yvonne Sparks [resigned](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/27/newest-curator-yvonne-sparks-resigns/) last week. This leaves the board with only six curators and no minority representation.

“It was a pleasure getting to know David Steward during our time on the board, and he will be greatly missed,” current board chairwoman Pam Henrickson said in a written statement. “David’s passion for both the university and higher education in general, and his outstanding personal story of professional excellence, lent an important perspective to the board. His contributions to the University of Missouri system are much appreciated. We wish him the best.”

The governor may appoint a new curator to carry out the remaining duration of Steward’s term.