Corporate veteran selected to lead Heidelberg College

12/5/2008

TIFFIN - Heidelberg College has a new president.

Robert H. Huntington, who brings 15 years of higher education and 25 years of corporate experience, will become the college's 14th president, effective July 1.

Mr. Huntington said he was honored to be selected to lead the college, which has 1,600 students.

"Everyone whom we have met in Tiffin has impressed us in so many ways," speaking of himself and his wife, Susan McCafferty. "The spirit and momentum of Heidelberg is inspiring."

The college's board of trustees yesterday announced his appointment from a pool of 75 candidates from a nationwide search.

He succeeds F. Dominic Dottavio, who led the school since 2003 and left in August to become the president of Tarleton State University in Texas. James A. Troha, vice president for student affairs, has been the interim president.

Mr. Huntington of Medfield, Mass., has served in management roles at Dunkin' Brands Inc. for more than 21 years.

He has been a member of the board of trustees at Lasell College, Newton, Mass., for the last decade, where he served as a member of several major committees.

He also has been a teaching fellow, an instructor, and a teaching assistant at Harvard University.

Mr. Huntington received his undergraduate degree and a master's degree in German literature from Middlebury College, a master's of business administration from Dartmouth College, and a doctorate of higher education administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University.

"His experience with planning, budgeting, and fund-raising, combined with his fine understanding of the issues facing higher education, impressed all of us," said Sondra Libman, chairman of Heidelberg's board of trustees.

"We were as impressed by his warmth, intelligence, and understanding of Heidelberg," she said.