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McDaniel searches for its ninth president College gathers committee, consultant, focus groups to learn what to look for in next leader JULIANN GUIfFRE Their next undertaking was to meet with Jim Lightener, out in this campus. "They talked about him as the paradigm Co-Editor·in-Chief who put the past eight Presidenrs in perspective. "He made for what the best of this community had always been," she said. dear that each person was different and right for the school at "There is a missing spiritual presence in his absence." that time," said Gring. hWe're not looking for a clone of past Also discussed were the McDaniel Plan and financial con- On April 18, 2009, President Joan Develin Coley announced her Presidents." straints about implementing it, more studene-faculty research plans to retire after ten years in service to McDaniel College. Within weeks after the edvertisemenrs, phone calls, opportunities, and the need for the new President to fully sup- Immediately after her announcement, seven trustees -in- and over 15,000 ernails went OUt, the campaign was known porrstudem-facultyrelationships. eluding Board Member and committee chair Mary Lynn Dur- across the country. hWord has gorren out," said Durham. UMy "The alumni session was a love fest," said Gring. ~They ham --gathered together to answer one question: how would son in California heard about it. The response has JUSt been think there has been no better influence in their life, and they they find me ninth Presidem of McDaniel College. overwhelming." are interested in the reputation of the college and doing what This "transition committee" formulated a plan includ- "It's an indication of the regard with which McDaniel is we can rc market the college." ing soliciting proposals from various consulting firms around held," said Gring. ~We've»been involved in searches where the Durham said during the community leaders meeting, the the country. Most were firms specializing in higher education response wasnr as strong. Chief of Police, William Spaulding, said that he is happy wirh and by June the committee had over 500 pages of proposals From the beginning, the committee planned to conduct the mutual understanding and cooperation with he campus, to read. focus group meetings as soon as everyone returned to campus. and wants that rc ccndnue. After on-campus interviews, Myers McRae was hired in Starting on August 31, six meetings were held - rwo for faculry, The staff focus group talked about honoring the commu- a unanimous decision, with their Senior Vice President, Dr. one for alumni, one fot students, one for community leaders, nity feel, developing the athletic programs to keep up with com- David M. Gring as rhe main liaison to the school. and one for staff members. petitor's upgrades, putting more resources into the Graduate "Our role is multi-faceted," said Gring. "We created ma- With the students, talk focused on clubrooms, less strict al- program, retention, fundraising, studying abroad, and the role terials for the website and went forward with advertising - we cohol policies, a better reputation for Greek Life, increased di- ofthestaffatMcDanieL wanted a national search that was not limited by any specific versiry, and the campus becoming more environmentally con- Some members claimed rhar it's important to preserve region," There is a big emphasis on the web because, unlike scious. There were also large discussions on more resources to the ideal of "personal touch and human contact" over elee- past years, more people can obtain information and follow the keep srudenu on campus over the weekend, and whether fresh- rronics and technology. However, others wanted a Prest- search on rheinrernet. man dorms should be co-ed or not. dene "who realizes the lmpcrrance that students place on A new committee of 12 was put together by President "The srudenr focus group was more fun than I've had in a technology," Coley and Martin K.P. Hill, chairman of the Board ofTrusrees. long rime," said Durham. Both Gring and Durham emphasize that this search should Chaired once again by Durham, the committee includes six The overall consensus, according the Gring, was that the be all-inclusive and a participatory process. other trustees: Phillip G. Ennice '71, Ralph O. Frith '84,}ames students want the new President to be engaged _ "and accessi- "Our company only works on one search at a time, and I. Melhorn, Julie Mercer, Albert J. Mezzanottee, Jr. '78, and ble," added Durham, "Ihey really want someone who cares for McDaniel has my full and unfettered attention for the next few Caryl Ensor Peterson '58; three faculty: Dr. Deborah Johnson- the community in a personal way." months," said Gring. "The search is on. And we are looking fot Ross, Dr. Reanna Ursin, and Dr. Francis Fennell; one from the SGA President David Castle concurred, saying, "as much the next President of McDaniel College." administration: Joyce D. Muller; and one STudent: Ben Cow- as our school is going eo love them, they are going to love us." man' 10. The committee also includes Hill, but he will ncr have According to Durham, the first half of rbe faculty meet- Additional rqorting WIlS th;nt by Kaitlyn Vadrnais and Sa- a vote in the final election . ing focused on Ira Zepp and the deep feelings that he brought mantha Lambert. ., h 'd t to eome in with a fresh set of eyes ond take 0 slep ba.ck ond reevelcete the eom'pu1. Toke feedbock ~o:o~:~e;e~;~S~th;rities and students ond look ot 0 number of issues: leaVing less of 0 !orbon footprint, woys to 50"8 money without hindering our education, why so mOllYstudents leove on weekends, ele. -Colin Miller, '11 "The president has to keep the odivitie ~o!~: :~~:e,~~dt~:t:~~;~~~o:~:'~f:~e s;;:el~t~~~:~~~~III ~~~::~fe:l,s~~~o!h:r bond to come to campus. Other than h to, I I really liked about MeDonie!. ~ . Don White, '09