Field narrows down to three

With student government elections a thing of the past and as the semester lingers into its final full week, the university searches for one more thing to close out the year – a new president to succeed outgoing President David Adamany, who will leave the university effective June 30.

According to Faculty Senate President Jane Evans, the Presidential Search Committee, of which she is a member, has narrowed its pool of candidates to succeed Adamany to three.

Because of a confidentiality agreement drawn up by the university counsel – a normal procedure in such searches – Evans could not reveal any further information about the candidates but did say that the committee received about 50 applications.

All the candidates, Evans said, are “experienced fund-raisers” and have been “experienced for a long time in higher education.”

Sources familiar with the search have said the pool of applicants still being considered for the position is down to three current university presidents.

The committee has set a target date of May 3 to recommend a name for president to the Board of Trustees, Evans said.

Evans stressed that May 3 is merely a target date and is not definitive. She said the decision could “slide back a little if we can’t make that date.”

Also a member of the Committee is outgoing Temple Student Government President Oscar Chow, the committee’s only student member. In looking for the new president, Chow said three things were of focus: credentials, ability to lead and vision.

Chow said he was concerned about the university’s goal and how a new president would follow through on that goal of keeping Temple an institution of “access” – an academic institution dedicated to allowing average students to succeed.

“I feel there will be a lot more understanding, support for a student’s perspective” from the new president, Chow said.

Chow said that during his tenure as student body president, administration lacked those qualities.

“We haven’t had support and urgency from administration at all times but it has been better than in past years,” he said.

The Presidential Search Committee is made up of members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, senior administrators and alumni.

Charmie R. Snetter can be reached at charmie.snetter@temple.edu.