Elaina Eakle
ehe001@marietta.edu
Marietta College aims to hire a new president after President Joseph Bruno exits this May, rather than finding an interim president for the 2016-17 academic year.
George Fenton, chair of the Board of Trustees, included this announcement as well as other updates regarding the presidential search in an email to the Marietta College community on Jan. 18.
“It has become apparent there are more searches being conducted over the course of the spring semester, instead of the more traditional time frame of starting in the fall,” Fenton said in the email. “We have learned that these searches are equally as successful in attracting high-quality candidates.”
In a separate email to The Marcolian, Fenton said he also believes that an interim presidential hire may slow the progress of the college’s goals.
“Due to the nature of an interim assignment, there can be progress on short-term problems but long-term strategic issues get delayed,” he said. “Having a permanent president sooner allows progress on all issues and we have been encouraged by those knowledgeable in searches that we will be able to complete a search by the end of the academic year.”
This decision was based in part on a recommendation from R. H. Perry & Associates (RHPA), a search firm that will be assisting with the search. One of RHPA’s senior consultants is former MC president Jean Scott, and though she will not be directly involved in the search, Fenton believes she will be able to provide the firm with background information and context.
“Part of what a search firm does is facilitate the conversation on campus of what we are looking for,” Provost Dr. Janet Bland said. “Big picture, any college or university president should be able to see both traditional strengths of the institution and be visionary, forwarding thinking and yet aware of our history.”
According to Fenton, two senior consultants plan to be on campus on Feb. 5 to gather information.
“There will be open meetings to gather input on the skills and experience desired in a new president,” he said. “Students, faculty and staff will all have times when they can provide their ideas to the consultants.”
Additionally, Fenton announced in the email that the search committee has been approved by the Board of Trustees, and will be chaired by Grant Callery and Barbara Fitzgerald. Senior and Student Body President Kennedy Clyde will serve as the student representative on the committee.
“I am incredibly honored to have been chosen by the Board of Trustees to serve on the Marietta College Presidential Search Committee, and I look forward to representing our student body, faculty, and staff throughout this process,” Clyde said. “As the student representative, I will have the opportunity to speak and interact with candidates, and participate in discussions with committee members that will influence the selection of Marietta College’s 19th President.”
MC’s goal is to have a permanent president by the summer of 2016, though the search committee maintains the option of hiring an interim if they are not able to find a suitable candidate.
According to Fenton, internal candidates may apply for the position, and will be given the same consideration as external applications.
Associate Provost Dr. Mark Miller emphasized that the right candidate should be able implement positive long-term changes as well as manage the day-to-day operations of the college.
“A president of any college needs to be able to really be visionary for the future, or in general, higher education in America, but also specifically what role Marietta College has to play in that future,” he said. “Particularly in the last 10 years, we’ve seen a lot of changes in higher [education], so we want somebody who can say, ‘here’s where I see the trends in higher [education] going, and here’s the special vision I have for Marietta College to be a leader.’”
Senior and Student Government Association Treasurer Daley Buckwell believes that a transition directly to a new president will benefit students as well as the college as a whole.
“I think it’s good that they’re doing it now, because it can be disheartening for a freshman class coming in with an interim president,” she said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty.”
If students are unable to attend meetings but would like to provide feedback for the search, Fenton encourages them to email Tara Meagle at tara.meagle@marietta.edu to have their thoughts considered.
