Applications, lists of accomplishments and recommendations are more than familiar to Saint Louis University. This year, however, the University will receive more than the typical influx of letters from high-school seniors trying to make a good impression.
Some of the country’s top administrators will apply to SLU, as they vie for one of the University’s top positions.
This past summer, Dean Shirley Dowdy, Ph. D., announced her plans to retire from the College of Arts and Sciences after this academic year. Her early announcement has allowed the College time to hire a new team without the use of an interim.
A selection committee has been formed, headed by Patricia Hagen, Ph. D., associate graduate dean for research. Hagen said she was chosen to head the committee because she is outside of the College of Arts and Sciences.
“My role is a coordination role; to head the search for the best individual candidates,” said Hagen.
Filling the remaining seats of the committee are several faculty members of the College, Alumnus A. Charles Heimenz (A&S `76), president of Donovan Industrial Supply Corp and senior Kara Driscoll.
Members of the committee were selected by Provost Sandra Johnson. Faculty members were chosen based on recommendations from the faculty senate. Driscoll is a student in the College who was chosen because of her previous committee experience with SLU2000. Heimenz was solicited from alumni relations.
A job description and list of candidate criteria will be placed in appropriate publications such as the Council of Arts and Sciences Schools Newsletter and Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) publications as early as this week.
The committee will also practice active recruiting for individuals outside the University, at the faculty assembly and to the chairs of the College.
“We will screen applicants based on the criteria outlined, check references, talk to the candidates, and check publications so we know what we’re getting into,” said Hagen.
After this initial process, four or five candidates will be chosen through formal interviews with members of the committee, Dowdy, Johnson and President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
Dowdy expects to answer questions the candidates may have that only she would know best. She also intends to sell the campus to them.
“I believe that the current strong state of the College and the University will make this a very attractive job for a well-qualified individual. There has been considerable progress in the last several years, and there is currently potential for even further enhancement,” said Dowdy.
The committee will also hold public meetings where the candidates can speak with the faculty, students, and administrators. A type of evaluation form would be provided for all those who attend.
In the end, a selection will be made by Johnson and Biondi.
“We want someone with real leadership qualities and who is committed to Jesuit ideals. They must also have management skills because Arts and Sciences is one of our largest schools,” said Johnson.
Interviews for the position will be held in January and February with Hagen’s “fingers crossed” that an individual will be chosen in March. This would allow the appointment to begin July 1, 2001.
