By Neketia Taylor-Hunley
Published on October 10, 2007
The man who says “students are not numbers” but individuals, is retiring after 15 years of dedicated service.
On April 17, Dr. G. Thomas Delaino released a Statement of Intent to the PJC District Board of Trustees to retire effective May 31, 2008. At Delaino’s suggestion, a Presidential Search Process Committee was formed to advise the PJC District Board of Trustees on potential candidates.
Dr. Isaac Brigham, senior vice president for planning and administration, said the committee consists of 25 members: 12 males and 13 females, with eight being minorities and 17 being non-minorities.
“The search committee will be the committee that will entertain, receive the application, and go through the process of ensuring that they (the candidates) meet the qualifications and the criteria that we’ve established in December,” said Vincent Andry, chairman of the PJC Board of Trustees.
“We’ve gotten off to a very good start,” Andry said. “We actually had candidates that were submitting applications prior to doing any publicizing to the community.”
“Because of PJC’s reputation it looks like the word is getting out there pretty quick,” Andry said.
In order to gather input, the Search Committee held public meetings at all three campuses. At these meetings, which were held at the end of September, business leaders, college staff, students, as well as others were allowed to voice what they wanted in our next president.
John L. O’Connor, vice chairman of the PJC Board of Trustees, opened the first meeting. He explained the purpose of the campus hearings, and reviewed the make-up of the screening committee, the search process, and opened the hearing to questions and comments.
James Thomas Adams, a PJC student, asked the search committee to find someone that will keep students in mind and interact with them.
Morris Buchanan, mathematics instructor, department of developmental studies wants someone very energetic, ready to go, able to tackle the hard issues, someone focused on academics, not administration.
The first meeting was held at the Pensacola campus and the second at the Milton campus. Andry welcomed all attendees at the second meeting and thanked them for taking time out of their schedule to attend. He requested that attendees look over the minimum qualifications and desired qualities of the job description for the next president, and compare those with the PJC Strategic Goals. He then opened the floor to questions.
Mr. Buchanan asked,”How will the desired qualities on the application be measured, and how will we determine the characteristics of a candidate from their application?”
Mr. Andry said that PJC is looking for a proven track record, for competencies that have been demonstrated and the Search Committee will use those methods to quantify, qualify and clarify the candidates.
Peter Gram, professor of behavioral science, said that he “Wants it all;” vision, student centered, collaborating with legislature, obtaining outside funding, grants and support of faculty.
“We fully want the candidates to understand, as well as the community to understand that this is not a local search, it is a national search. Therefore we will utilize national publication,” Andry said.
“We’re looking for a dynamic leader. We’re looking for someone who’s had successful experience in as it relates to diversity affirmative action. We’re looking for someone who is proactive that fosters the type of relationships that will facilitate the growth of the college both in enrollment, as well as that family environment where there is ownership of the college. PJC is looking for the very best and will accept nothing less.”
Application due date for the Presidential Search is Nov. 15. Later applications will continue to be accepted. For more information or an application go to www.pcj.edu , and click on PJC Presidential Search.