Trustees name presidential search committee - 04/05/02
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University’s Board of Trustees today appointed a 18-member Presidential Search Committee to seek a successor to Dr. William E. Kirwan, who announced 10 days ago that he will leave Ohio State on June 30 to become Chancellor of the University System of Maryland.
In remarks at today’s Board of Trustees meeting, Chair David L. Brennan praised the outgoing president, adding that, “No one, in my view, could have accomplished more during recent years than Brit Kirwan has accomplished.” He also said that the board continues to strongly support the university’s direction and will seek a new president “who subscribes to the goals and broad approach that are the basis of the Academic Plan.”
Brennan also said “it would be foolish to speculate as to how long the search process will take” but that the board is “eager to complete this process as soon as possible, without sacrificing in any way quality, thoroughness or due diligence.” Before June 30, he said, the board will make a decision on interim leadership.
The Committee will be chaired by James F. Patterson, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, and will include three other Trustees: Judge Robert M. Duncan, Karen L. Hendricks and Dimon R. McFerson. Also on the Search Committee will be:
- Five members of the faculty: Bruce E. Bursten, chair and professor, Department of Chemistry; Susan W. Fisher, professor, Department of Entomology, and secretary, University Senate; David O. Frantz, professor, Department of English; Jacqueline J. Royster, professor, Departments of English and African-American and African Studies/associate dean, College of Humanities; and Marilynn Brewer, professor, Department of Psychology.
- Two Deans: Fred Sanfilippo, senior vice president, Health Sciences, and dean, College of Medicine and Public Health; and James C. Williams, dean, College of Engineering.
- Three students: Marsha Robinson, graduate assistant, Department of History; Eddie Pauline, president, Undergraduate Student Government; and a graduate or professional student to be named.
- Two administrators: Jerry A. May, vice president for University Development and President, University Foundation; and Mac A. Stewart, vice provost for Minority Affairs.
- One representative of the Alumni Association: Dan Heinlen, president and CEO.
- One non-teaching staff member: Willa N. Young, chair, University Staff Advisory Council.
Brennan’s other comments included the following:
- President Kirwan. “Members of the Board of Trustees have the opportunity to observe a president at very close range – to test his judgment, evaluate his energy and determination, see how he relates to a wide variety of people and gauge his effectiveness. This president ranks very high – practically off the scale – on these and other qualities. No one, in my view, could have accomplished more during recent years than Brit Kirwan has accomplished. He will leave Columbus with a great legacy and many lasting achievements. Foremost among them, of course, is the Academic Plan that this board approved enthusiastically in December 2000.”
- Kirwan Successor. “As we fulfill our responsibility to select the next president… we will not only seek the best possible candidate; we will also seek a candidate who subscribes to the goals and broad approach that are the basis of the Academic Plan. In short, we seek a leader who is committed and able to take us where we want to go; who will move The Ohio State University to the next level of excellence. Of course, any president worth his or her salt will and should stamp a unique, indelible imprint on our future. They will bring their own talents, their own style and certainly their own ideas. But this need not be inconsistent with maintaining our current direction.”
- Search Committee Charge: “The committee will develop a profile of characteristics, skills and qualities desired for the next president; develop a list of candidates qualified to hold this important office; and screen those candidates. It will also verify the candidates’ qualifications and interests in the position; and recommend the best possible candidate to this board.”
- Momentum. “I want to emphasize that in the period between President Kirwan’s departure on June 30 and the arrival of a new president, this board will do all within its power to encourage a continuation of the momentum that has been built over recent years. Let me be very clear: We do not see the upcoming months as a time to run in place or postpone every important decision until a new president arrives. To the contrary, we urge the administration, faculty and staff to continue to recruit outstanding faculty and students, to proceed with the Diversity Action Plan, to make the student experience as meaningful as possible, to help build Ohio’s economy and in general to make as much progress as we possibly can.”
- Future. “Looking ahead, we on the board have every confidence that our goals are realistic and that the future of our university is bright. We are likewise confident in our ability to attract another outstanding leader. The Ohio State University is a very special place. We have every reason to expect the best.”
