Members of DPU Presidential Search Committee announced, web page launched

A committee of 18 individuals has been formed to search for DePauw University's 20th president, search committee chairman Kathy Patterson Vrabeck announced Monday.

Vrabeck also noted that the national executive search firm of Isaacson, Miller has been appointed to assist in the process.

"We have an important and exciting task ahead of us," Vrabeck, a 1985 DePauw alum, said. "DePauw is well positioned as it begins the search for its next leader and the committee members and search partner are now in place to begin that process."

The university's current president, Brian W. Casey, announced last month that he will be leaving DePauw in July 2016 to assume the presidency of Colgate University.

The search committee consists of the following:

Alumni trustees:

-- Kathy Vrabeck '85, Search Committee chairman and DePauw trustee

-- Marshall Reavis '84, chairman of DePauw's Board of Trustees

-- Susan Ansel '82

-- Justin Christian '95

-- Newt Crenshaw '85

-- R. David Hoover '67

-- Kyle Lanham '79

-- Doug Smith '85

-- Tim Ubben '58

-- Sarah Reese Wallace '76

Faculty members:

-- Howard Brooks, professor of physics and astronomy

-- Jeff Kenney, professor of religious studies

-- Caroline Smith, professor of music

-- Karin Wimbley, assistant professor of English

Administration members:

Cindy Babington, vice president of admission and financial aid

Brad Kelsheimer, vice president of finance and administration

Students::

Craig Carter '16, student body president

Perrin Duncan '17, vice president of academic affairs - student government

"We are fortunate to have such a diverse and accomplished committee," Vrabeck noted. "Our search committee includes: trustees representing classes from the decades of the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s, including three previous board chairs and the current chair; faculty members, who were selected by the Faculty Priorities and Governance Committee from a pool of 43 nominees, representing a balance of disciplines and experience with the university; two members of DePauw's administration; and, two outstanding current student leaders."

One of the committee members, Sarah Wallace, led DePauw's search for its 19th president eight years ago.

Isaacson, Miller is a premier retained search firm in the higher education and non-profit industry and its president, Elizabeth C. Ramos, is a 1981 graduate of DePauw. Jane Gruenebaum, a vice president with the firm, will lead the Isaacson, Miller team working on behalf of DePauw.

Vrabeck says the committee has launched its work with a conference call and will meet in person this week. It hopes to begin interviewing candidates in early 2016 with a goal of announcing DePauw's 20th president in the early spring.

"To ensure candidate confidentiality and that we are able to attract the very best individuals, this will be a 'closed' process, meaning there will be no public sessions on campus with the candidates," Vrabeck pointed out. "We are committed to involving as many people in the process as is possible, and are determined to successfully balance the need to maintain confidentiality while getting input from the University's many constituents."

A web page has been created where information on the search process is posted. Visitors are also able to recommend candidates and offer input electronically.

"I know that many in the DePauw community share my excitement as we begin the process of identifying the next great president of our wonderful university," Vrabeck added.