Presidency candidates make cases at Owens

Mike Bower, president of Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, N.D., addresses a forum at the Perrysburg Township campus. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Owens Community College could have its sixth president by the end of the week.

Three finalists conducted community forums Monday and Tuesday, presenting their respective cases for the job and answering questions. And Owens' board of trustees met Tuesday night with a presidential search committee to discuss the candidates. A selection should be made within days, probably by the end of the week, trustees Chairman Dee Talmage said.

Ms. Talmage said Tuesday she had not yet decided on her choice for president.

"They all are so different," she said, "that it will be a difficult decision."

The finalists are Mike Bower, president of Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, N.D., Dorey Diab, provost and chief academic officer at Stark State College in Canton, and Randall R. Miller, a senior consultant to the chancellor of Wayne County Community College District in Detroit.

Whoever is selected will replace former president Larry McDougle, who planned to retire from Owens in June but moved his retirement date up to Sept. 30 after suffering a heart attack. John Satkowski, Owens' chief financial officer, has been interim president.

Dorey Diab, provost and chief academic officer at Stark State college in Canton, speaks. Selection of a president is likely this week. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The finalists were selected from a field of 67 applicants. A fourth candidate, Maureen Murphy, president of a Texas college, withdrew her candidacy after she and the finalists interviewed Feb. 9 behind closed doors with Owens' board of trustees.

College staff and community members said they appreciated the open forums, a chance they saw to get to know the candidates and ask questions about their visions for Owens. The candidates visited both the Perrysburg Township and Findlay campuses.

Douglas Mead, fine and performing arts department chairman, lauded the finalist field, calling them all strong candidates. Mr. Mead, who is also co-interim dean of the school of health sciences, said the goal of a presidential search is to "make the decision as hard as possible," a goal he said the search accomplished.

He said he wanted a president who would make "data-driven decisions" and collaborate with others. Increasing student retention was a common topic in the forums, he said.

The choice in a new leader is a balancing act between finding a person with a perspective of what works, and what needs transformational change, Mr. Mead said.

Chris Giordano, dean of student life, said he wants a leader who sees Owens as having a global role. The college has been through a period of transition in recent years, timing that lends itself well for an institution to make significant leadership changes, Mr. Giordano said.

"I think we need to be reflective," he said, "and take a hard look at the way we do things."

Randall R. Miller, a senior consultant to the chancellor of Wayne County Community College District in Detroit, makes a point. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Ron Matter, Penta Career Center superintendent, praised Owens for allowing the public to be part of the search process. He spoke with the candidates individually and gauged their views on Owens' relationship with K-12 educational institutions and how to prepare students for work, among other topics.

And he wanted to see if the candidates would work with partners, such as Penta.

"I'll work with anybody that wants to work with us," Mr. Matter said.

Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086.