Search profile created for new DePauw president

Friday, November 6, 2015
Kathy Vrabeck

Based on input from the DePauw University community, the committee charged with identifying DePauw's 20th president has created a Presidential Search Profile.

"We have heard from many in our community, and the feedback from these conversations provided us with important perspectives about the qualities we should be looking for in our next president," advised Kathy Patterson Vrabeck, a 1985 DPU alum, in a note to the university community.

"We also heard a lot about what makes DePauw distinctive, and what issues and opportunities we are likely to encounter in a changing environment for higher education."

Vrabeck, a member of DePauw's Board of Trustees, was appointed to lead the presidential search after the university's current president, Brian W. Casey, announced in August that he will be leaving DePauw in July 2016 to assume the presidency of Colgate University.

"This document will be used by the search committee and Isaacson, Miller -- the firm that is assisting DePauw with this process -- as we discuss prospective presidential candidates," Vrabeck noted. "The profile illustrates DePauw's assets and aspirations, attempting to balance the university's many strengths with anticipated challenges facing the institution in the years to come."

In the next phase of the search, the committee will focus increasingly on the consideration of specific candidates, she added.

"By necessity, and out of the respect for prospective candidate requests for confidentiality, we are limited in what we can communicate during this part of the process," Vrabeck said. "It remains our plan to begin interviewing candidates in early 2016 with a goal of announcing DePauw's 20th president in the early spring."

The profile notes that DePauw "seeks a visionary, ambitious and energetic leader to serve as its next president."

"For more than two centuries DePauw has provided a student experience of extraordinary quality in an intentionally small-scale residential setting," it continues, "With academic programs in the liberal arts and a highly regarded school of music, the university has a rich history of educating leaders in disciplines as diverse as the sciences, government, the arts, and business.

"DePauw is well positioned to build on its strong academic and financial foundations in pursuit of its long-term aspirations. By fostering an inclusive campus environment, enhancing the University's academic programs, strengthening its faculty ranks and the programs that support faculty teaching and engagement, and continuing to grow endowment resources in support of student access, DePauw has an opportunity to move into the top tier of American colleges and universities."

The next president will unite the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni around an ambitious vision for DePauw's future; oversee the execution of key strategic objectives; and serve as a compelling and effective advocate and ambassador for the university. The president will continue DePauw's tradition of fostering community-wide engagement toward short- and long-term institutional goals. Finally, the president will expand, leverage and wisely manage the university's resources, including playing an active role in DePauw's ongoing capital campaign.

The Board of Trustees seeks a president "who will lead DePauw to new levels of academic excellence, financial stability and national prominence."

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: