By Deion Broxton
Only eight students showed up for a town hall meeting Monday to give their input on what Towson University should consider as it searches for a new president.
The students who spoke urged members of the Presidential Search and Screening Committee to find a candidate who will focus on fund raising, provide more money for the school’s fine arts program, and increase the university’s involvement in getting internships for students.
Gayan Sampson, a political science major at Towson, said large universities like Arkansas target presidents who have experience in law and doctoral studies. The Maryland native also said that many of his elementary and middle school teachers were graduates from Towson.
“An important part of being president is raising money,” Sampson said. “If you invest in Towson, you invest in the future of Maryland.”
Towson student Josephine Hill said the next president needs to address issues of students not staying on campus on the weekends. She said the university should consider providing an activity that will keep students at Towson on the weekends. Hill said potential students in tour groups miss the excitement of Towson being lively.
Hill also asked what role the interim president, Timothy Chandler, was playing in the search process. Chandler took over in December 2014 when Maravene Loeschke announced her retirement for health reasons. Chandler has said he will apply for the job.
Dave Kinkopf, who is the chairman of the search committee, said Chandler is providing feedback to the committee on what qualities the next president should bring to the university.
Kinkopf said the search will take about six months. He said the committee has received applications and will be conducting interviews. He said the university has hired a national search firm to help develop a pool of candidates. He did not say how much the firm was charging the school.
Kinkopf said some candidates have requested closed searches, meaning candidates who apply may remain anonymous because their careers can be tarnished if they are not selected.
Kinkopf reiterated many times that the committee does not have any “preconceived notions” regarding the selection process of candidates.
The next meeting is scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday in the University Union, Chesapeake Room.
Kinkopf is a member of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents and a partner with the Baltimore law firm Gallagher Evelius & Jones, LLP.
The other members of the committee are:
Myrna Cardin, chair of TU Board of Visitors
Don Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee
LaVern Chapman, program specialist, TU Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
Janese Daniels, associate professor and graduate director, TU College of Education
Matt Durington, associate professor and director, TU International Studies Program
Karen Eskow, professor and chairperson, TU Department of Family Studies and Community Development
Tim Leonard, TU director of athletics
Tom Maronick, professor, TU Department of Marketing
Robyn Quick, professor and chairperson, TU Department of Theatre Arts
Kelly Rogan, TU Graduate Student Association
David Vanko, dean, TU Fisher College of Science & Mathematics
Alex Vigo-Valentin, associate professor, TU Department of Kinesiology
Brandon Wharton, TU Student Government Association