The first action of the search committee was to identify a search consultation firm to assist with the process.

Press Release

The nationwide search for the 23rd president of the University of Evansville is underway. The new president will replace Stephen G. Jennings, who recently announced his retirement effective May 31, 2010.

Board of Trustees chairman, Niel C. Ellerbrook has announced the appointment of two trustees to head the Presidential Search Committee. M. Stephen Harkness will serve as chair and Barbara J. Price as vice chair. Additional members of the committee were selected in accordance with established University procedures. The members represent the wide variety of constituencies of the University including the Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, faculty, alumni, students, administrators, the United Methodist Church, and the community.

The members of the Presidential Search Committee include:

· Five (5) members of the Board of Trustees:

M. Stephen Harkness ’70, chair, retired president of Duke Energy Generation Services
Barbara J. Price ’66, vice chair, retired vice president of health, environment and safety
at Phillips Petroleum Company
Andrew E. Goebel ’74 M’78, retired president and chief operating officer of Vectren Corporation
Lawrence J. Kremer ’67 M’72, retired vice president at Emerson Electric Company
Linda E. White ’76 M’83, president and chief executive officer of Deaconess Health System

· Three (3) members of the Faculty (3) elected by the Faculty Senate

Brian R. Ernsting, associate professor of biology
Daniel J. Gahan, department chair and professor of history
James C. Schaefer, professor of accounting

· One (1) member of the Alumni Association

C. W. Raines ’97, general counsel, Aearo Technologies LLC, a 3M Company

· Two (2) Students

Joshua L. Fletcher, senior, majoring in communications
Jasmin Paniagua, junior, majoring in international studies

· One (1) University Administrator

Amy R. Brandebury ’93, university registrar

· One (1) Community Representative

Larry A. Rascoe, Sr., pastor of the Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church in Evansville

· The Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Niel C. Ellerbrook H’06, chairman and chief executive officer of Vectren Corporation

· Representative from Indiana Area United Methodist Church

Glenn B. Howell, Evansville District Superintendent

· Representative from the University of Evansville Board of Visitors

Peter B. Mogavero, president and chief executive officer of Anchor Industries

· Staff Liaison

Rebecca L. Simpson ’94 M’04 (ex-officio), administrative assistant to the president and assistant secretary to the Board of Trustees

"We are proud that the committee includes two students and seven others who have earned degrees from the University. The Presidential Search Committee has the responsibility to bring forward the best finalist to the Board of Trustees for consideration at the February 2010 Board meeting,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Niel C. Ellerbrook. “I want to express my appreciation to these members of the UE family who have generously agreed to contribute their time and expertise to this process which is so critical to the University's future. Because of the importance of identifying the best possible candidates, the Board of Trustees has approved the resources to provide the committee with the expertise of a nationally recognized search firm to assist with the process. ”

The first action of the search committee was to identify a search consultation firm to assist with the process. The committee selected Witt/Keiffer ,a preeminent executive search firm serving the not-for-profit community – higher education, health care, cultural organizations, and community service institutions – nationwide. Dennis M. Barden, Senior Vice President and Director of the firm’s Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Practice, will lead the search effort and will be assisted by Dr. Katherine Haley Will, Senior Consultant and former president of Gettysburg College and Whittier College. With over 60 consultants in 17 locations, Witt/Kieffer conducts senior academic and administrative search engagements, including presidents, chancellors, vice presidents, deans, directors, and other leadership positions. The Board of Trustees will have the responsibility for the final choice and appointment of the next president. The new president is expected to be named in mid-February.

A Web site is available at www.evansville.edu/presidentsearch which will be updated regularly as the search process unfolds.

In May, President Stephen G. Jennings announced to the Board of Trustees and to the campus community his plans to retire at the end of the 2009-10 academic year. He became the University’s 22nd president in 2001 after serving as president of three other institutions since 1983: Oklahoma City University, Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and the College of the Ozarks in Branson, Missouri.

Source: University of Evansville