Owens panel reviews priorities

12/6/2000

The presidential search committee at Owens Community College yesterday met for the first time to set some ground rules and priorities.

Beginning the college's search in earnest, the 17-member group discussed a list of issues that will face its next leader. Managing growth, technology, community outreach, and improving diversity among faculty and administrators topped the list.

“If this college is going to go anywhere, [the new president] has got to understand the business community,” said Beth Heck, owner of Kennedy Printing in Findlay. Ms. Heck is one of two committee members from outside the college.

Many of the committee's concerns echoed those raised Monday when the college held a series of open forums and focus groups at its Perrysburg Township and Findlay campuses.

The college is searching for a successor to Daniel Brown, Owens president since 1984, who will retire May 31.

Among the challenges facing Owens is the need to move its Findlay campus, which can't expand because it's landlocked by the University of Findlay, Dr. Rose Kuceyski, an office administration professor, said.

Committee members agreed they would prefer presidential candidates with doctorates and senior administrative experience at community colleges.

The priorities discussed will be used to form a brochure and advertisement for the job, which the college hopes to fill by July 1, according to Dr. Narcisa Polonio, a consultant from the Association of Community College Trustees which is assisting with the search.

The panel is to meet in February for more training before members begin to review resumes in March. The group aims to interview candidates in April.