http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/201...f-memphis/

The 24-member presidential search advisory committee met behind closed doors at the U of M on Thursday morning before naming the finalists: M. David Rudd, provost at the University of Memphis; George Hynd, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the College of Charleston; Sharon Gaber, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas; and Guy Bailey, former president and a current professor at the University of Alabama.

I was kind of hoping for the guy in the photo. We can certainly appreciate what this guy has done in a very short amount of time.

(03-07-2014 10:58 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  I was kind of hoping for the guy in the photo. We can certainly appreciate what this guy has done in a very short amount of time.

I think we'd all love for him to stay. But everyone has made it pretty clear the he isn't. I sure hope he's had a major role in selecting the person that does get the job, though.

There is an ever increasing trend among Universitites to hire Presidents with a background in business from the private sector vs academia. We've seen an explosion in the number of universities of the past 2 decades (traditionally lower tier) with a dramatic decrease in state/federal funding. The importance on how to a) run a business "ie university" b) recruit/hire personnel and c) raise capital are key skill sets. Those from the private sector have the skills to do so. Was really hoping Brad Martin would stay on as Pres. He is set for life and I know he took this role out of his passion for the UofM. The reality is he is the EXACT the type of person to stabilze, energize, and accelerate the growth trajectory of the UofM's a) Academic Reputation b) Athletic Prowess c) Expansion Plans and d) Endowment.

At first glance, Guy Bailey intrigues me.
He was president at both Alabama AND Texas Tech, so he understands how athletics & academics should work hand in hand.

However, Sharon Gaber holds a PhD in city & regional planning, which is a big focus here now with the campus master plan being updated. I know that's not something the President will be totally hands-on with, but her expertise in that field would help.

I REALLY hope they don't go with the local guy, David Rudd. We need someone who has worked with bigger schools to keep moving us forward. But the fact that he IS the local guy makes me afraid that his political connections over the years will get him the job out of pure proximity. I just hope Martin's not a big fan of his, since he's part of the 'old guard' that Martin came in & shook up.

(03-07-2014 11:07 AM)tigergreen Wrote:  At first glance, Guy Bailey intrigues me.
He was president at both Alabama AND Texas Tech, so he understands how athletics & academics should work hand in hand.

However, Sharon Gaber holds a PhD in city & regional planning, which is a big focus here now with the campus master plan being updated. I know that's not something the President will be totally hands-on with, but her expertise in that field would help.

I REALLY hope they don't go with the local guy, David Rudd. We need someone who has worked with bigger schools to keep moving us forward. But the fact that he IS the local guy makes me afraid that his political connections over the years will get him the job out of pure proximity. I just hope Martin's not a big fan of his, since he's part of the 'old guard' that Martin came in & shook up.

Didn't Rudd just replace Faudree a year ago? I mean, he was hired by the old guard, but is he really old guard?

(03-07-2014 11:23 AM)memphis88 Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 11:07 AM)tigergreen Wrote:  At first glance, Guy Bailey intrigues me.
He was president at both Alabama AND Texas Tech, so he understands how athletics & academics should work hand in hand.

However, Sharon Gaber holds a PhD in city & regional planning, which is a big focus here now with the campus master plan being updated. I know that's not something the President will be totally hands-on with, but her expertise in that field would help.

I REALLY hope they don't go with the local guy, David Rudd. We need someone who has worked with bigger schools to keep moving us forward. But the fact that he IS the local guy makes me afraid that his political connections over the years will get him the job out of pure proximity. I just hope Martin's not a big fan of his, since he's part of the 'old guard' that Martin came in & shook up.

Didn't Rudd just replace Faudree a year ago? I mean, he was hired by the old guard, but is he really old guard?

You're right - just looked it up. I've heard that name so much that I just assumed he moved up through the ranks here.
However, his experience prior to U of M is in Utah, with an enrollment of 6000. Not exactly a large institution.

(03-07-2014 11:02 AM)memphis88 Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 10:58 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  I was kind of hoping for the guy in the photo. We can certainly appreciate what this guy has done in a very short amount of time.

I think we'd all love for him to stay. But everyone has made it pretty clear the he isn't. I sure hope he's had a major role in selecting the person that does get the job, though.

You can rest assured on that. I heard him state that he "will not leave the room" until he is satisfied that the "right" president is in place.

(03-07-2014 11:33 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 11:02 AM)memphis88 Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 10:58 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  I was kind of hoping for the guy in the photo. We can certainly appreciate what this guy has done in a very short amount of time.

I think we'd all love for him to stay. But everyone has made it pretty clear the he isn't. I sure hope he's had a major role in selecting the person that does get the job, though.

You can rest assured on that. I heard him state that he "will not leave the room" until he is satisfied that the "right" president is in place.

Lets hope it's someone that's not affiliated with UT

Let's hope the search committee takes 10 years to find a replacement.

Story in the CA.

I've had the pleasure of working with Sharon at a number of conferences dedicated to Collegiate Leadership and Integration. She would be an absolute gem if you ended up with her. I feel like her background, both educationally and professionally would fit perfectly with your institutional goals and future plans.

Hope Elijah Cummings is not on the list

(03-07-2014 11:57 AM)dan o Wrote:  Hope Elijah Cummings is not on the list

shhhhhhut it down

(03-07-2014 11:24 AM)tigergreen Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 11:23 AM)memphis88 Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 11:07 AM)tigergreen Wrote:  At first glance, Guy Bailey intrigues me.
He was president at both Alabama AND Texas Tech, so he understands how athletics & academics should work hand in hand.

However, Sharon Gaber holds a PhD in city & regional planning, which is a big focus here now with the campus master plan being updated. I know that's not something the President will be totally hands-on with, but her expertise in that field would help.

I REALLY hope they don't go with the local guy, David Rudd. We need someone who has worked with bigger schools to keep moving us forward. But the fact that he IS the local guy makes me afraid that his political connections over the years will get him the job out of pure proximity. I just hope Martin's not a big fan of his, since he's part of the 'old guard' that Martin came in & shook up.

Didn't Rudd just replace Faudree a year ago? I mean, he was hired by the old guard, but is he really old guard?

You're right - just looked it up. I've heard that name so much that I just assumed he moved up through the ranks here.
However, his experience prior to U of M is in Utah, with an enrollment of 6000. Not exactly a large institution.

Nope, and he might well be of similar mindset of the old guard. I don't know anything about him really other that he recently replaced Faudree and doesn't look nearly as cool. Never forget my graduation a few years ago when stepped to the microphone looking just like The Most Interesting Man in the World.

Rudd WILL be the new president. Utah is smaller than UofM, but much more prestigious academically.

(03-07-2014 12:17 PM)ProfDave Wrote:  Rudd WILL be the new president. Utah is smaller than UofM, but much more prestigious academically.

Ugh if true. But not surprising in the least.

(03-07-2014 12:17 PM)ProfDave Wrote:  Rudd WILL be the new president. Utah is smaller than UofM, but much more prestigious academically.

It doesn't matter how prestigious it is....if anything, that would tend to make me pick him LESS since he lacks experience (except for a year) of dealing with the challenges of a large urban university.

I hope you're wrong about Rudd being the choice, but I could very easily see it going that way, sadly.

(03-07-2014 12:17 PM)ProfDave Wrote:  Rudd WILL be the new president. Utah is smaller than UofM, but much more prestigious academically.

Quick rise to the top, if so. I'd imagine they also like his degree from Princeton and MA and Phd from UT Austin. Interesting that prior to his being named Provost here, his scholastic and professional experience consisted exclusively of work in Behavioral Science in various forms and at various levels.

(03-07-2014 12:24 PM)memphis88 Wrote:  

(03-07-2014 12:17 PM)ProfDave Wrote:  Rudd WILL be the new president. Utah is smaller than UofM, but much more prestigious academically.

Quick rise to the top, if so. I'd imagine they also like his degree from Princeton and MA and Phd from UT Austin. Interesting that prior to his being named Provost here, his scholastic and professional experience consisted exclusively of work in Behavioral Science in various forms and at various levels.

He was a dean before provost - I agree that would be a VERY quick rise to the top....too quick, imo.