June 29, 2008
Mark Brazaitis
So, what about WVU's next president?
The University of Michigan hired - some would say stole - West Virginia University's previous football and basketball coaches.
Why doesn't WVU return the favor and steal Michigan's president?
She would be well-qualified for the job: Mary Sue Coleman was a member of the biochemistry faculty at the University of Kentucky for 19 years before assuming administrative positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of New Mexico, where she served as provost and vice president of academic affairs. Immediately prior to her appointment as Michigan president, Dr. Coleman served as president of the University of Iowa from 1995 to 2002.
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We now have a "Sopranos-like" image. And it is justified.
The perps at WVU are still there-rewarded for their actions and keeping quiet with lifetime six figure incomes & benefits: WV "open for business" as usual.
You have to give the Devil his due... After doing all he could to damage his alma mater, appointing politicos to Board positions and creating the scenario that made the recent fiasco not only possible but a liklihood, messing up the higher education budgetary priorities, injecting himself in nominally independent college athletic departments, Manchin has finally appointed a couple outstanding Board members. Gee... I wonder why he didn't do that in the first place?
Although it is clear that a college president doesn't necessarily have to come from academic ranks, given Manchingate it would seem highly advisable to take that track now... the less connection to state politics the better.
Dear WVU Alumni and Friends: Gosh, that would be great if Duane Nellis would still be interested. My fear is that he, and others, will be reluctant after what has happened. I know we will have to pay more. Let's hope that Manchin and other political cronies of his will recognize that WVU is not their toy and keep their noses out. Nevertheless, I remain optimistic we will attract and hire a president who most of us will be proud leads the institution that we all love and call our alma mater. Also, I hope that Dave Hardesty can be persuaded to come out of retirement long enough to serve as interim president until a permanent president is named. We had made such strides. We were getting academic respect outside of West Virginia, and now this comes along to destroy what Dave Hardesty and others had worked hard for. What a mess. Thanks a lot Gov. Manchin. Bob Jacobs, Charleston High School Class of 1978, WVU Class of 1983, now in Richmond, VA.
In the wake of the recent Garrison and Rodriguez fiascos involving West Virginians in leadership roles at WVU, there could be a knee-jerk reaction to automatically reject those with connections to the state. Nor should non-natives or WVU alums be automatically rejected. For example transplanted West Virginians such as Don Nehlen and Duane Nellis are sensitive to our uniqueness and became effective leaders here.
Hopefully those who do the hiring will appreciate our unique point in history and the evolving role of a land-grant university in the context of national and international perspectives. The ideal leader’s vision will effectively merges these perspectives. West Virginians benefit most from this approach.
Perhaps Dr. Nellis, whose background is similar to the examples presented,should be invited back.He should have been selected previously.