The search for Longwood’s next President has begun. As I mentioned in the
March Update, Longwood President, Dr. Patricia Cormier announced her retirement and will move to the next phase of her life June 30, 2010. Since that point, I have been asked to assist in the process of discovering the University’s next leader. I have been selected as one of fourteen members that comprise the Presidential Search and Screening Advisory Committee. The Committee’s responsibilities include finding candidates that possess similar goals and visions to that of Dr. Cormier’s and to select a president who shares the values, mission, and vision of Longwood University.
As a committee, we are dedicated to interviewing and assessing the best possible candidates to fill the Presidential position. The position is to be posted this summer and candidate screening will begin early in the fall semester. Once the final recommendations are submitted, the candidates will be invited to campus to expose them to Longwood’s environment and community. After their on campus interviews, the Committee will recommend no more than three finalists to the Board of Visitors to be considered for the presidency. At that point a qualified candidate will be selected from the group by the Board. An announcement of Dr. Cormier's successor is planned for early 2010.
Dr. Cormier’s has had a profound effect on Longwood and she will be an extremely difficult position to replace. With her great leadership and vision, she has changed the physical face of campus for the better and ensured Longwood Athletics reclassification to Division I. I am honored to serve Advisory Committee and undertake daunting task of recommending the next President. As such, I would like to welcome your input and thoughts regarding the qualities in a person you feel represent Longwood and its ideals. You may also post your comments on the Presidential Search website
http://www.longwood.edu/president/search.htm. This site also provides information on the presidential search and will serve as a resource to keep you updated.
