Presidential Search

Georgia Southern Presidential Search

Welcome to the Georgia Southern University Presidential Search Web site.

The search for President of Georgia Southern University has been completed. Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D. was chosen as the 12th President of Georgia Southern University.

Letter from Chair

Welcome to the Georgia Southern University Presidential Search and Screening Committee website. The site is designed to satisfy two goals: 1) to meet the needs of candidates interested in exploring this exciting opportunity, and 2) to offer a convenient mechanism for members of the Georgia Southern family to participate in the process. The site will be updated on a weekly basis, and we hope that you visit regularly to follow the progress of the search.

Georgia Southern University has a history of courageous and effective presidential leadership...a tradition we intend to continue. This is an important time in the history of our proud institution, and today we enjoy an ever-strengthening reputation for focused progress in the state, region, and nation. Our "large scale, small feel" institution remains committed to our Mission...the "creation of learning experiences of the highest quality, informed by scholarly practice, research, and creative activities." We offer a University of first choice for those students, faculty, and staff who want a place to engage, to connect, and to make a difference. This is an institution that is always receptive to inspiration and never fearful of lofty goals. We seek a leader ready to capitalize on our strengths.

Visit this website often to stay abreast of our activities, let the Committee know the characteristics you most desire in our next President, make nominations, and strengthen the process with your participation. As Committee members and members of our University family, we promise to listen, to care, and to incorporate your ideas.

Thank you for visiting this site and for your engagement in the process.

Luther (Trey) Denton
Professor of Marketing
Chair, Presidential Search and Screening Committee

The Process

The Georgia Southern University Presidential Search and Screen Committee held its initial meeting on Monday, February 23 on the Georgia Southern campus.

The Presidential Search and Screen Committee has developed a position description; placed announcements in appropriate national media and will conduct on-campus interviews.

The campus-based committee will forward the credentials of three to five unranked candidates to a Special Regents’ Search Committee for the second phase of the search.

Regents Felton Jenkins, William H. NeSmith Jr., Benjamin J. Tarbutton III and Richard L. Tucker serve as members of the Special Regents' Search Committee chaired by Regent Donald M. Leebern, Jr.

This committee is responsible for recommending finalists to Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr., who will make a recommendation to the full Board of Regents.

For more information on the search process, please visit the University System of Georgia Web site: click here

The Timeline

Search Committee

The Georgia Southern University Presidential Search and Screen Committee include:

Dr. Luther (Trey) Denton, professor of Marketing, Chair of Search and Screen Committee
Dr. Jean Bartels, Chair and Professor of Nursing
Dr. Peggy Hargis, Chair and Professor of Sociology
Dr. Fayth Parks, Associate Professor of Counselor Education
Dr. Georj L. Lewis, Dean of Students
Mr. Brandon Cook, Past President, Student Government Association
Mr. Don Howard, Chairman, Bank of North Georgia
Ms. Caroline Harless, Georgia Southern University Foundation
Mr. Mike Cummings, Past Chair, Georgia Southern University Alumni Association

Pictured: Back row, left to right: Mr. Don Howard, Ms. Caroline Harless, Dr. Peggy Hargis, Mr. Mike Cummings, Dr. Trey Denton Front row, left to right: Dr. Jean Bartells, Dr. Fayth Parks, Mr. Brandon Cook, Dr. Georj Lewis

Search Firm

Parker Executive Search
http://www.parkersearch.com/
Five Concourse Parkway
Suite 2440
Atlanta, GA 30328

Laurie Wilder
Senior Vice President
lwilder@parkersearch.com
Telephone: 770-804-1996 ext. 109
Fax: 770-804-1917

President

Position Description

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University is Georgia's “large-scale, small-feel” research University offering the benefits of a major University coupled with the personal attention of a smaller college. Located in the classic main street community of Statesboro, Georgia, just one hour northwest of historic Savannah, Georgia Southern is home to nearly 18,000 students and a beautiful 700-acre park-like campus. Georgia Southern is a University of first-choice within the University System of Georgia and is the only institution in the System to raise its average SAT score for the freshmen class in every year since 1995 (Fall 2008 SAT average is 1111). Georgia Southern University is recognized for its culture of kindness and civility. It enjoys traditions of collegiality, shared governance, and student involvement in decision-making. The entire University community is devoted to the creation of learning experiences of the highest quality. These elements are found in the Mission of the University and are demonstrated each day in countless acts that reinforce these expectations.

A Special Opportunity

Georgia Southern University has a history of effective leadership. The tenure of our last three Presidents was marked by 9, 11, and 12 year terms. Even during a difficult economic era, the University is financially sound. Georgia Southern has a history of athletic excellence and enjoys superb athletic facilities including a new baseball/softball complex and a recently refurbished football stadium (known affectionately and enthusiastically as “Our House”). The campus exhibits a consistent architectural style with an effective master planning process and the Georgia Southern campus is frequently recognized for both its beauty and function. The newly expanded Recreation Activity Center is a point of pride on campus and provides evidence of our commitment to wellness and recreation. The University maintains four Outreach Centers including a Performing Arts Center, a Museum, a Botanical Garden, and a Wildlife Center offering programs and facilities that link campus and community. Georgia Southern enjoys a town/gown relationship that is characterized by mutual respect, collaboration, and unique traditions supporting the University's success. Georgia Southern is a historical and demographic champion of diversity with a strategic commitment to producing transcultural opportunities. Recently, Georgia Southern was reclassified as a Carnegie “Doctoral Research University” offering the new president an opportunity to recast University strategic objectives while preserving our cultural, historical, and mission-related traditions.

Position Qualifications

Successful candidates should have:

•  An earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree.
•  A keen interest in student success.
•  The ability to recognize, articulate, celebrate, and reinforce University traditions of kindness, civility, collegiality, shared governance, student involvement in decision-making, and engagement with students.
•  Proficiency in strategic planning and the articulation of strategic objectives.
•  The ability to manage large, complex budgets in support of strategic objectives.
•  A record of scholarly achievement.
•  A track record of achievement in higher education leadership demonstrated through successful progression to senior-level administration.
•  The ability to recognize, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff.
•  Excellent communication skills and the ability to inspire success.
•  Experience building an infrastructure conducive to research and collaborative research relationships.
•  Experience managing/championing diversity and transcultural opportunities.
•  The ability to interact successfully with internal and external constituencies for the purpose of fundraising and building partnerships.
•  The ability to maintain and strengthen community and alumni relations.
•  The ability to maintain and strengthen relations with other members of the University System of Georgia including other presidents, the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, and BOR administrative officers.
•  Experience managing risk across university functions.
•  A global perspective on the essential nature of higher education.
•  Passion, courage, and a sense of urgency related to the duties of the Presidency.

For more information about Georgia Southern and the presidential search, access the Presidential Search website at http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/presidentsearch/.

Georgia Southern is part of the University System of Georgia, created in 1931 and managed by the Board of Regents of the State of Georgia. The University System is composed of 35 institutions, and Georgia Southern is one of the largest among the state's colleges and universities. The President of Georgia Southern reports to the Executive Vice Chancellor of the University System. The University System website may be found at: www.usg.edu.

The Presidential Search and Screen Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting Georgia Southern. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to July 20, 2009.

Respond to:

Laurie C. Wilder, Senior Vice President
Bryan Hanson, Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway
Suite 2440
Atlanta, GA 30328
770-804-1996 ext: 109
lwilder@parkersearch.com

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Contact Us

Georgia Southern University Presidential Search and Screen Committee:

Luther (Trey) Denton
Professor of Marketing and Chair PSSC
Post Office Box 8154
Statesboro, GA 30460-8154
Telephone: 912-478-3300
Fax: 912-478-3350