presidential Search
Updates
from Sarah Reese Wallace '76, Search Committee Chair
February 21, 2008
Dear DePauw Friends:
I am pleased to inform you that DePauw University's Board of Trustees has confirmed the recommendation of the Presidential Search Committee and appointed Brian W. Casey as the nineteenth president of DePauw University. Board chair R. David Hoover, current President Robert G. Bottoms and I will introduce Dr. Casey at a news conference this morning at 10 a.m. The announcement will take place at Independent Colleges of Indiana, 3135 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis.
So that everyone in the DePauw community can witness the event -- wherever they are in the world - a live webcast will be available via this link: http://www.ihets.org/webmedia/asx/ici/022108.asx. Upon its completion, the program will remain archived and can be accessed at any time.
You are also cordially invited to meet with our new president at a reception in the Great Hall of the Green Center for the Performing Arts, Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served.
Dr. Casey comes to us from Harvard University, where he is associate dean for academic affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. He will be a dynamic, engaging and intellectual advocate for the value of a liberal arts education and the national jewel that DePauw is becoming. A historian, he has great respect for our University's great lore and traditions and will build upon the foundations that generations of DePauw students, alumni, faculty members and others have established over 171-years.
Dave Hoover and I recently discussed how this presidential search process has been life-changing. As we arrive at the point where we welcome our new president into the DePauw family, I can say that these past nine months have reinforced the strong love I have for DePauw and the University's constituencies. I adore what this place and its people have meant to me throughout my life, and I am excited about what the future will bring us under Brian Casey's leadership.
I wish to thank each and every one of you for your support of the presidential search process and hope you'll be able to share in the excitement tomorrow this morning as a new chapter in our institution's impressive history is written.
Sincerely yours, Sarah Reese Wallace '76
Chair, DePauw Presidential Search Committee
February 8, 2008
Dear Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends of DePauw:
It's been an exhilarating and inspiring week on the DePauw campus, as we welcomed the two finalists for the presidency of our University to the Greencastle campus.
Michael Fischer, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, spent Tuesday interacting with members of the campus community, while today brought Brian W. Casey, associate dean for academic affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to campus for a similar schedule of sessions.
I was delighted to see that so many people -- students, faculty and staff, alumni and community leaders -- availed themselves of the opportunities to meet Drs. Fischer and Casey. Both candidates were asked thought-provoking questions and had the chance to interact with many of our stakeholders, which is extremely important to this process.
After a series of interviews, the committee wanted to see how these two individuals fared in what amounted to very intensive visits which demanded a lot of energy. Drs. Casey and Fischer literally went from one meeting to the next -- some with small groups, some in auditoriums -- and I sensed that they both connected well with their DePauw audiences.
As the presidential search committee enters the final phase of its work - the selection of our new leader - I urge those of you who have observations and thought's you'd like to share about either or both of the finalists to do so by sending an e-mail to presidentialsearch@depauw.edu. If you prefer to make your comments anonymously, you may do so via this anonymous candidate feedback form.
Over the next few weeks, presidential search committee will come together to discuss and distill all of the information that has been collected about the two finalists and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees about who the next president of DePauw should be. The Trustees will then take a vote and a final announcement will be made.
I trust you share my excitement about the future of our great University and the new leadership that this process will bring to our community. Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm and feedback. We look forward to announcing the new president of DePauw very soon.
Sincerely yours,
Sarah Reese Wallace '76
February 1, 2008
Dear Students, Alumni, Faculty, Staff and Friends of DePauw:
After nine months of talking with the members of the DePauw community about what they love about this institution, reviewing applications and interviewing candidates, it is time to meet the two finalists for the University's presidency. I am pleased to announce today that the two candidates who have emerged from this thorough and invigorating process are Brian W. Casey and Michael Fischer. We are quite excited to welcome both to campus next week.
The first visitor, Michael Fischer, is vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas (see his curriculum vitae). Dr. Fischer will be on campus Tuesday, February 5, for the following public events:
- 10 - 10:50 a.m.
Meet with Staff
Thompson Recital Hall, Green Center for the Performing Arts - 4 - 4:50 p.m.
Meet with Students
Kresge Auditorium, Green Center for the Performing Arts - 5 - 6 p.m.
Faculty Forum
Meharry Hall, East College
Brian W. Casey, who will spend Friday, February 8 on the DePauw campus, is associate dean for academic affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (see his curriculum vitae). Dr. Casey will have a similar schedule:
- 10 - 10:50 a.m.
Meet with Staff
Thompson Recital Hall, Green Center for the Performing Arts - 4 - 4:50 p.m.
Meet with Students
Kresge Auditorium, Green Center for the Performing Arts - 5 - 6 p.m.
Faculty Forum
Meharry Hall, East College
Both candidates will also hold meetings with alumni and leaders of the Greencastle and Putnam County communities.
We are nearing the conclusion of a process that has affirmed the belief that I share with others on the presidential search committee -- that DePauw is a very special institution and that we have much to be proud of. The quality of the applicant pool was stellar, and we are thrilled with the two finalists we will welcome in a few days. I encourage everyone to attempt to make these sessions and be a part of the process. It is truly an historic time for DePauw.
Sincerely,
Sarah Reese Wallace ‘76
November 2007
Dear Members of the DePauw Community:
The search committee has just completed the first round of candidate interviews for the DePauw Presidency. The weekend went very well. We are extremely excited about the strength of the candidate pool and are confident that we have met our new leader.
Following hour-long interviews with the top applicants, the committee made some very tough decisions in order to further narrow the pool. Next, smaller rotating groups of my colleagues will spend an entire day with each remaining candidate. Our day together will give search committee members the opportunity to get better acquainted with the current front-runners in less formal settings and varied formats. This also will ensure that candidates get to know the University community as well as possible, so they can assess whether DePauw’s presidency is a good match for their personal goals.
The committee looks forward to bringing finalists to campus, at which time the process will become public. Until then, it is critical that complete confidentiality is upheld by those involved. You can expect further updates on our progress a few weeks into the second semester.
The search committee is working very well together and is receiving wonderful support from the DePauw community. We hope we continue to merit your trust.
Most sincerely,
Sarah Reese Wallace ‘76
Search Committee Chair
October 2007
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have communicated with us in recent months concerning the search for our new president. Your input is extremely valuable to us as we search for our next leader. In addition, I want to provide you with an update on the progress of the search itself.
Over the past several months, we have been actively recruiting candidates. Our search consultant, Nancy Mistretta from Russell Reynolds in New York, has been talking to both nominees, as well as individuals who have sent us their letters of interest in the position. Later this fall the search committee will begin reviewing resumes in order to select the candidates whom they wish to interview for the position.
Our efforts have resulted in a significant number of qualified applicants and numerous other persons who have expressed interest in the position but who have not yet agreed to formally enter the search process.
The search committee is looking forward to the opportunity to meet with qualified candidates to learn more about them, as well as to share with them our enthusiasm about the exciting things happening at DePauw.
