Rose-Hulman Announces President’s Departure
Jim Conwell
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRose-Hulman Institute of Technology has announced the resignation of President Jim Conwell. Senior Vice President Rob Coons will serve as acting president. In 2013, Conwell became the 15th president of the institution. A news release from Rose-Hulman says the decision was mutual, citing "board concerns and President Conwell’s need to focus on a family health issue that is requiring more of his time and attention."
The board of trustees is scheduled to meet later this month to discuss a transition plan. Board Chair Niles Noblitt says "Jim has moved this institution forward – we have a beautiful new student union, additional land on which to grow, and a new academic building in the works. We wish him well."
Rose-Hulman is currently working toward a $250 million goal in its Mission Driven campaign, which entered its public phase last month. Noblitt says the fundraising initiative continues to move "full speed ahead" through the leadership of Coons and Vice President Steve Brady. "The campaign has real energy," Noblitt added, "and the Board has every confidence that Rob and Steve will continue to keep that momentum going." The private phase of the campaign, which the institute says began before Conwell’s appointment, raised around $165 million.
Last year, Rose-Hulman received a 1,100-acre donation from the Hulman George family. The property is adjacent to the campus and it was owned by former Terre Haute-based Hulman and Co. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Board Chair Mari Hulman George, who died last weekend.
Conwell was inducted earlier this year into the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering’s Academy of Distinguished Alumni. In July, he oversaw groundbreaking of a $2.2 million engineering and design laboratory on the Terre Haute campus. Conwell’s resignation is effective November 15.