From the Rector to the Longwood University Community

July 27, 2012

As Longwood moves forward in the search for its next president, the Board of Visitors is committed to ensuring that the process is transparent, inclusive and keenly focused on the complex issues affecting the University's future success.

Critical to this process is the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, which will advise the Board of Visitors in the search process. I am pleased to announce today the members of the Committee, who represent many of the constituencies within the Longwood community.

We were very fortunate to receive outstanding nominees from the Faculty Senate, the Staff Advisory Committee, the Longwood University Foundation, the Longwood Alumni Board and the Student Government Association. In addition, I am grateful to the members of the Board of Visitors who generously offered to commit their time to this important task. 

Jane Maddux from the Board of Visitors will chair the 15-member Committee with assistance from Dr. Derek Taylor, Professor of English, who will serve as vice chair. The first meeting of the Committee is scheduled for September 13.

The Committee and the Board of Visitors will also be seeking input from the entire Longwood community. There will be multiple opportunities to provide this input, including an online system for submitting comments.

The Board is receiving additional guidance from Dr. Stephen Portch, Chancellor Emeritus of the University System of Georgia and a higher education consultant, and has begun the process of hiring a search firm.

Please be assured that the Board of Visitors and the members of the Committee recognize how critical the decision regarding Longwood's next president is to the University and we are committed to successfully accomplishing this responsibility.

This Presidential Search website will provide regular updates during the search process.

Sincerely,

Marianne Radcliff '92, Rector
Longwood University Board of Visitors