I know David81 (and I) agree that an OPK ideal. But I struggle to believe that he/she is out there. In our huge strategic mess, I like the idea of a high profile, dynamic, and seasoned business man. Purdue hired Mitch Daniels. We can't pull that off, but there have to be well known and liked business people.
For an interim, it likely has to be the provost, in tandem with the prior interim-pres. board member who can bring credibility and a stern eye on financials.
If my pipe dreams could be answered, they could lure Ben Sasse, the former Nebraska senator and short-term president of the University of Florida. He was president of a small Lutheran Nebraska college prior to reaching his senate and Florida roles. He published recently on the risks of young adults not maturing fast enough. That is a less than 1% chance, Jim Carrey aka Lloyd Christmas once said, "so you're telling me their's a chance." Or... perhaps there might have before the VU deficits and debt went so far south. and they could afford a $750k+ president.
Pay is another massive issue for VU. An excellent candidate will have enormous leverage, but would also know that a big offer could walk him into a resentful faculty. Any more word on the fundraising VP?
I know David81 (and I) agree that an OPK ideal. But I struggle to believe that he/she is out there. In our huge strategic mess, I like the idea of a high profile, dynamic, and seasoned business man. Purdue hired Mitch Daniels. We can't pull that off, but there have to be well known and liked business people.
For an interim, it likely has to be the provost, in tandem with the prior interim-pres. board member who can bring credibility and a stern eye on financials.
If my pipe dreams could be answered, they could lure Ben Sasse, the former Nebraska senator and short-term president of the University of Florida. He was president of a small Lutheran Nebraska college prior to reaching his senate and Florida roles. He published recently on the risks of young adults not maturing fast enough. That is a less than 1% chance, Jim Carrey aka Lloyd Christmas once said, "so you're telling me their's a chance." Or... perhaps there might have before the VU deficits and debt went so far south. and they could afford a $750k+ president.
Pay is another massive issue for VU. An excellent candidate will have enormous leverage, but would also know that a big offer could walk him into a resentful faculty. Any more word on the fundraising VP?
@realist77 I agree that a Ben Sasse type in terms of ideas and vision would be a catch for VU, but you probably wouldn't want Ben Sasse. One reason for his short U Florida presidency was his profligate spending and cronyism...exorbitant personal travel & entertaining expenses, lots of pricey consultants, and hiring former Senate staff and allowing them to work remotely.
It's not a secret; search "Ben Sasse spending at University of Florida" and you'll see what I mean. Between his presidency of the small Nebraska college and of the U of Florida came the comfortable trappings and perks of being a US Senator, and he got too used to them.
I have come to be very watchful for academic "leaders" who come in much heralded as saviors or up and coming "stars," then proceed to spend like the cookie jar is bottomless, and leave the place no better or worse off (sometimes much worse off) than when they arrived.
That said, yes, I may be hoping for an elusive mix of heart quality, vision, and cost-conscious business sense -- a mashup of Mssrs. Kinsey & Brown and Rev. O.P. -- who doesn't exist.
For an interim, it likely has to be the provost,
We could do much worst that Eric Johnson. I had the chance to have breakfast with Eric at Homecoming and have known him superficially for many years. He isn't going anywhere and will serve in the next administration if asked. Otherwise most likely back to teaching as he is tenured. He mentioned how hard the provost spot is as you're are not calling any shots but just acting in support of someone else's shots. Nonetheless, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer, more highly regarded person to serve as the Interim.
I had no idea Ben Sasse had wasted so much money there. Wow! Thanks for the mention. He just lost all my admiration for leadership. It really contradicts his Nebraska upbringing as a child of teachers as he described in his book. That's too bad.
Any more word on the fundraising VP?
Student newspaper finally has the confirmation in their online edition: “Additionally, the position of Vice President for Advancement has been eliminated effective immediately.” (From a Nov. 3 email to campus)
Strange to frame this as eliminating a position that is outright vital to the survival of any university, but what else do we expect from Padilla at this point? Just more for the new guy to clean up.
They may have needed to "restructure" as a.premise just in case the performance warnings were not early enough or clear enough to avoid a lawsuit.. IF so, they didnt want to leave the new Pres with that mess.
That mailing may have only been the acorn that broke the squirrel's back. She had no relevant experience for the hige tasks ahead.
I had no idea Ben Sasse had wasted so much money there. Wow! Thanks for the mention. He just lost all my admiration for leadership. It really contradicts his Nebraska upbringing as a child of teachers as he described in his book. That's too bad.
He disappointed me as well. I thought he might be a strong appointment for U of Florida for a number of reasons, especially his ability to work with and juggle among strong egos, political jousting and pressures, and the like. But sadly that Wash DC world can turn some good people into acting like entitled big shots.
Nevertheless, your suggestion of someone like him is on point and would be a great hire for VU. Maybe that person is out there!
Any more word on the fundraising VP?
Student newspaper finally has the confirmation in their online edition: “Additionally, the position of Vice President for Advancement has been eliminated effective immediately.” (From a Nov. 3 email to campus)
Strange to frame this as eliminating a position that is outright vital to the survival of any university, but what else do we expect from Padilla at this point? Just more for the new guy to clean up.
This is truly strange. I am all for eliminating excessive administration overhead - but one of the positions I wouid never imagine being eliminated is the VP of Advancement (which, at any university, is the head of fundraising for endowed and other donations). This is also a University President's primary responsibility, but Padilla isn't going to be able to do meaningful fundraising. ARRGGH!! My fear after reading that Torch article (credit to the students who wrote that) is that fundraising will be de-prioritized until the new President starts (maybe 1/1/26, more likely 7/1/26) and can then hire a good head of University Advancement.
Johnson would be in a better position to step up as an internal hire for president if his Provost-ship hadn't been serving Padilla's failed presidency. Unfortunately, I think Johnson has lost a lot of respect on campus since although he is the thoughtful leader you say, in the eyes of many he seemed to just become a mouthpiece for the President these last couple years. Obviously, students and faculty understand the chain of command and may have some sympathy for Johnson, understanding that even fairly high ranking officers like him may have had to toe the line and obey orders from the fuhrer. But then again, did they, do they really *have* to? And what's the point of having these other subsidiary leaders if they can't or don't do anything to save the the ship from the captain? The Provost role is supposed to be pretty distinct as the foremost academic officer on campus, so you sort of want to see somebody with their own spine there, especially if you're considering putting them in the tippy-top position. I'm not saying he doesn't have what it takes, but it's just a shame he was functionally under the aura? influence? thumb? of Padilla these last couple years. Johnson's upward potential looked a lot better 5 years ago before all these campus debacles.
Johnson should play the role of the Road Warrior and defeat the Humongous in battle to get the valuable gasoline (or cash) and take control of the Beacon wasteland.
This mad max crap is childish and frankly...getting quite old.
My campus contact indicated that there is still head of advancement position but they are not a VP but an assistant VP under Hughes and that part of it was to end departmental fiefdoms and turf wars that were occurring. Some of that seems like gossip but some does make sense. Too many chefs can ruin a stew and higher ed is quite bloated at the top levels so I guess it more depends on how the new department structure works to see if it makes sense. At least with the advancement the proof is in the (monetary)pudding that they do or do not bring in so it should be relatively easy to see if this was a good choice or not after a year or so
ok, I gotta work on some better humor, I get it....
Departures in anticipation of a new presidential appointment are to be expected, especially when an unpopular incumbent hired them. But redoing parts of the org chart is typically the province of the new president, for understandable reasons. This is odd.
There is still head of advancement position but they are not a VP but an assistant VP under Hughes and that part of it was to end departmental fiefdoms and turf wars that were occurring. Some of that seems like gossip but some does make sense.
Beacon, if you’ve got some tea, keep spilling! Sounds like the head of advancement was making campus a toxic place where collaboration was impossible, and they gave the whole department to the newest hire (Hughes) to fix/babysit? Wild.
Why not just give it to the assistant VP as an interim? Or was that person hired by the newly-ousted former VP? Keep em all on a short leash?
