LIVINGSTON — Gov. Bob Riley attended the UWA Board of Trustees meeting here Monday not only to make a point, but also to bring the family back together. Riley was late in arriving, but his words brought a sense of calming to this yearlong feud.

“I’m here today because there has been a lot of speculation and a lot of controversy and a lot of hurt feelings in this community,” Riley said.

He told the crowded room that the actions of the board had left a bad taste in the mouths of many residents as well as students attending the university. Riley also said that he was here to set the record straight and to help the board get back on the right track.

“The community has been very apprehensive towards this university since being placed on probation,” Riley said.

He talked about the members of the board being very important to the overall success of the university and its mission statement.

“We have some outstanding individuals who have agreed to serve on this board,” Riley said.

He also said that board members would be a source of leadership and inspiration to the university.

“I think that they are going to offer the type of leadership, the type of camaraderie that has been needed in this university for some while now. This board is committed to making this university the best in the South,” he said.

Riley said he continues to stand behind the board and he knows that the board will do great things for the university.

“The reason I’m here today is to offer the governor’s help, the governor’s support and anything else we can possibly do to help this community,” Riley said.

Riley also thanked the people that have served previously on the board and those that continue to serve on the board.

“I’ve charged these board members with doing what’s right for this university as well as this community,” Riley said. “Let me say thanks to all the people who have agreed to serve and all those people who have served on this board.”