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School leaders declined to name the person Thursday, and students around campus said they hadn’t been informed either.
University officials did say that the annoucnement is a big step for the school.
“We are excited to announce our 15th president and look forward to celebrating the news on campus, in Springfield and throughout our extended community of alumni and friends.”
Former President Laurie Joyner resigned abruptly from the post in late 2015 after announcing several million dollars in budget cuts. Joyner was named president in 2012 and was the first female leader of Wittenberg.
Dick Helton has served since last year as the interim president. The new president is expected to start on July 1.
Freshman Katherine Phillips said she has enjoyed her first year at Wittenberg. She believes the administration has done a good job running the university without a full-time president.
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“I am really content with how it is,” Phillips said.
However she said she believed naming a president is important.
“It would be good to have a firm, steady person to call our president, just to kind of give some consistency on campus,” Phillips said.
Sophomore Annie Carroll said she wants a president who is willing to give everyone a chance.
“To me, a Witt president is ready for positive change, and willing to help Wittenberg grow into a diverse, accepting and safe community where students are challenged to grow and learn to become well-rounded individuals,” she said. “With everything going on in our country right now, Wittenberg needs a president who can say that all people are accepted here. All people are able to come and learn here, and we give every person, no matter their race or religion, the ability to grow into their best self.”
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The search for a new Wittenberg president has been ongoing for about a year. The university isn’t required to reveal the applicants because it’s a private institution. The university released a presidential search profile that described Wittenberg, the priorities and challenges facing the campus and expectations for a new leader.
“No other single agenda item for new leadership is as critical for Wittenberg’s overall success as the need to achieve financial stability,” the document says.
Some of the university’s goals in the coming years are to grow academic opportunities, strengthen the resource base by increasing enrollment, get the university’s financials in order and renewing the sense of community, the search profile says.
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Freshman Trenton Hopson said he has adjusted well in the first couple of semesters on campus, and that it’s important to him that the new leader has integrity, loyalty and the urge to put students and others first.
“Respect is key,” he said.
He also said having a president who’s visible on campus is critical.
“It shows that the president is interested in students and cares,” he said.
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The Springfield News-Sun has provided in-depth coverage of Wittenberg University, including its presidential search and its growth into one of the top business schools. Wittenberg has a 70 million impact on the community.
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