2008 Woodie Awards
Presidential candidates' visits cause mixed reactions
By: Andy Bruner
Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: News
It's been more than 20 years since DePauw last went through a presidential search process, but as the two finalists to replace President Robert G. Bottoms are scheduled to visit campus this week, levels of enthusiasm seem to be mixed.
Michael Fischer, currently Trinity University's vice president for academic affairs, will be on campus today for open meetings with students, faculty, staff and administrators. On Friday, Brian W. Casey, associate dean for academic affairs at Harvard University, will do the same, giving DePauw its first personal glimpse of presidential candidates at any level of the search process so far.
Sarah Wallace '76, chair of the University's Presidential Search Committee, said this week's visits "are a two-way street."
"It's an opportunity for DePauw to meet the finalists," Wallace said. "It's also an opportunity for the candidates to look at us and decide if the DePauw presidency is, in their opinion, a good fit for them."
Some students, however, said activities or a lack of interest mean they plan not to attend the candidates' forums. Freshman Matt Norton said he would like to attend, but track practice means he likely will have a scheduling conflict. Still, Norton has concrete ideas on what he hopes DePauw's next president will stand for.
"We need somebody environmental, and they need to know that we are strongly for a green campus," he said.
Senior Cody Shoemaker said he doesn't feel much is at stake for him personally in the presidential search.
"To be honest, seeing as I'm going to be gone in May - I'm a senior - it won't affect me much," he said.
Professor Francoise Coulont-Henderson said she plans to attend the faculty forums with both finalists, and that she hopes DePauw's next president will build a strong relationship with faculty and emphasize diversity, a topic which has been repeatedly emphasized by the search committee. Wallace said the fact both Fischer and Casey are white males doesn't compromise the University's commitment on the issue.
"Both of these candidates have a very strong record in embracing diversity, and that's the important thing," Wallace said. "Look at Dr. Bottoms. He's been a champion of diversity, and he's a white male."
Wallace said that above all, both finalists bring strong career qualifications for the job of University president.
"They both have very strong academic credentials, great experience in the jobs they've been in, just great skill sets," she said.
Wallace said that there is no specific timetable for the search committee to name its choice following this week's visits.
Michael Fischer, currently Trinity University's vice president for academic affairs, will be on campus today for open meetings with students, faculty, staff and administrators. On Friday, Brian W. Casey, associate dean for academic affairs at Harvard University, will do the same, giving DePauw its first personal glimpse of presidential candidates at any level of the search process so far.
Sarah Wallace '76, chair of the University's Presidential Search Committee, said this week's visits "are a two-way street."
"It's an opportunity for DePauw to meet the finalists," Wallace said. "It's also an opportunity for the candidates to look at us and decide if the DePauw presidency is, in their opinion, a good fit for them."
Some students, however, said activities or a lack of interest mean they plan not to attend the candidates' forums. Freshman Matt Norton said he would like to attend, but track practice means he likely will have a scheduling conflict. Still, Norton has concrete ideas on what he hopes DePauw's next president will stand for.
"We need somebody environmental, and they need to know that we are strongly for a green campus," he said.
Senior Cody Shoemaker said he doesn't feel much is at stake for him personally in the presidential search.
"To be honest, seeing as I'm going to be gone in May - I'm a senior - it won't affect me much," he said.
Professor Francoise Coulont-Henderson said she plans to attend the faculty forums with both finalists, and that she hopes DePauw's next president will build a strong relationship with faculty and emphasize diversity, a topic which has been repeatedly emphasized by the search committee. Wallace said the fact both Fischer and Casey are white males doesn't compromise the University's commitment on the issue.
"Both of these candidates have a very strong record in embracing diversity, and that's the important thing," Wallace said. "Look at Dr. Bottoms. He's been a champion of diversity, and he's a white male."
Wallace said that above all, both finalists bring strong career qualifications for the job of University president.
"They both have very strong academic credentials, great experience in the jobs they've been in, just great skill sets," she said.
Wallace said that there is no specific timetable for the search committee to name its choice following this week's visits.
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