Presidency search narrowed to two candidates

Friday, February 1, 2008
Brian W. Casey

Two finalists for presidency of DePauw University will be in the community next week.

"After nine months of talking with 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," says Sarah Reese Wallace, chair of the presidential search committee. "I am free today (Friday) to announce 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," she added.

The first visitor, Michael Fischer, is vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Trinity University in San Antonio. Dr. Fischer will be on campus Tuesday, Feb. 5, for the following public events:

Michael Fischer

* 10-10:50 a.m. Meet with the 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, Feb. 8 on the DePauw campus, is associate dean for academic affairs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. Casey will have a similar schedule:

* 10-10:50 a.m. Meet with the 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 have 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," says Wallace. "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."

Wallace is leading a committee of 17 individuals -- which includes nine other Trustees, four faculty members, two students and one administrator -- in the search for DePauw's nineteenth president. They are being assisted by Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive search firm headquartered in New York.

Robert G. Bottoms, who has led the University since 1986, announced in April that he will be stepping down from the post and becoming Chancellor of the University following the 2007-08 academic year. He is the longest-serving president in DePauw's 171-year history.

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  • Isn't Trinity University the school that had that gazillion lateral play to win a football game on a last second kickoff this past year?

    -- Posted by boilerup on Fri, Feb 1, 2008, at 2:51 PM
  • Beware Harvard in MA! I don't know anything about Trinity, but the reputation from the very liberal east is enough to turn me toward Mr. Fischer. That probably means that the other guy will get the job.

    -- Posted by not gullible on Sun, Feb 3, 2008, at 12:30 PM
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