Volume 29, No. 17
January 16, 1998
Scott A. Miller
Contact: MU PR Office 662-4844
NEWS
Committee narrows presidential search to finalists
President Search Committee Chairman Lewis B. Lee writes:
On behalf of the Presidential Search Committee, I am very pleased to announce that we have invited five outstanding candidates to visit the campus and the area beginning on Monday, January 19, 1998. These persons have been selected from among 10 well qualified candidates who were interviewed last weekend in Harrisburg by the full search committee.
It gives me great pleasure to announce, on behalf of the committee, the names of the finalists and a brief sketch about each of them. They are listed in alphabetical order:
Dr. Teshome Abebe: Dr. Abebe served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Ferris State University from August 1993 until June 1997. He currently serves in a faculty position at Ferris State University. Education qualifications are as follows: Ph.D. in Economics from Northern Illinois University, 1980; M.A. in Economics from Illinois State University, 1976; B.A. in Business/Economics from Illinois State University, 1974. Dr. Abebe resides in Big Rapids, MI.
Dr. Charles Clevenger: Dr. Clevenger has served as the Executive Dean of the University Center at Harrisburg/Dixon University Center since 1988. Education qualifications are as follows: Ph.D. in Higher Education from SUNY-Buffalo; M.A. in Political Science from SUNY-Brockport; B.S. in English with minors in History and Philosophy from Fordham University. Dr. Clevenger resides in Carlisle, PA.
Dr. John R. Halstead: Dr. Halstead serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Maine. Education qualifications are as follows: Post-Doctoral studies at Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management, 1990; Ph.D. in Student Personnel Administration from The Ohio State University, 1980; M.A. in Student Personnel Administration from Michigan State University, 1972; B.A. in Sociology from Colgate University, 1970.
Dr. W. Richard Ott: Dr. Walter Richard Ott has served as the Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer and Professor at Alfred University since 1988. Education qualifications are as follows: Certificate, Institute for Educational Management, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, 1997; Ph.D. in Ceramic Engineering from Rutgers University, 1969; M.S. in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois, 1967; B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1965. Dr. Ott resides in Wellsville, NY.
Dr. Samuel H. Rankin: Dr. Rankin serves as the President and Professor of History of Chadron State College. He has held this position since 1986. Education qualifications are as follows: Ph.D. in History from Kent State University, 1971; M.A. in History from The University of Wyoming, 1966; B.A. in History, Magna Cum Laude, with a minor in Education, from Saint Joseph College, 1964. Dr. Rankin resides in Chadron, NE.
It obviously is not possible to capture the full professional and personal competence of these outstanding persons in the above sketches. Therefore, copies of the resumes of each will be placed, beginning Friday, Jan. 16, 1998, at the Main Circulation Desk in North Hall for those who wish to obtain a more complete picture. Even more important will be the opportunities provided for everyone to meet the candidates during their visits to the campus.
This is the final phase of our recruitment effort, and it is a point where many of you can be very helpful to the candidates and their spouses, as well as to the committee and the Council of Trustees. While the candidates have agreed to visit the campus, we cannot take their interest for granted.
There are two basic purposes of the candidates' visits to Mansfield and the area. First, these visits provide a setting for us to become better acquainted with the candidates. Second, and perhaps of even greater importance, the visits are designed to acquaint the candidates and their spouses with Mansfield and the region. The candidates should leave here well informed about both the many strengths -- as well as the challenges -- of Mansfield, and with an appreciation that this is an excellent professional opportunity. In addition, we want them to develop a good feeling about the Borough of Mansfield as a place to live.
In addition to the Search Committee's previous meetings with the finalist candidates, we have had conversations with several individuals who have been associated with them. Clearly, there is a consensus among the members of the Committee that these are distinguished persons who are capable of providing effective leadership for our university.
In addition to meetings with representatives of the various constituencies, we will schedule an open forum for all members of the campus community to meet with each of the candidates. These forums will occur in Steadman Theatre from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on the following dates:
Upon the completion of the visits, the Search Committee will meet to assess the candidates -- including their level of interest at that time -- and to complete its report to the Council of Trustees, which will then forward at least three names to the Chancellor and the Board of Governors.
Thank you for your help in providing a warm welcome to our finalist candidates and for your assistance with their orientation to Mansfield University.
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The men's basketball team held on after leading by 14 points midway through the second half to beat Millersville 70-67 in a PSAC East match up Saturday afternoon. With the Mountaineers leading 66-65 with just under two minutes to play, Tommy Harvey hit a driving lay up. After a Millersville score, Steve Shannon hit two of four free throws over the last :41 seconds to pull out the game. Shannon led the Mountaineers with 19 points and a game high seven rebounds while Harvey added 11 points and Zardezed eight. Mansfield improves 4-8 overall and is tied for first place with Bloomsburg in the PSAC East at 2-0. The Mountaineers traveled to Bloomsburg Wednesday for an early first place showdown. The team hosts Houghton Monday, Jan. 19, at 8 p.m. in Decker Gym.
The women's basketball team continued to struggle in dropping a 84-44 decision at Pitt-Johnstown Monday night. The game was makeup from a Dec. 30 snow out. Senior Jill Masker led the Mounties with 16 points including three 3-pointers. Colleen Doherty added 10 points. Mansfield was playing without injured center Tracy Masker and was out-rebounded 51-36 in the game. MU fell to 0-13 overall and traveled to Bloomsburg Wednesday evening. The team hosts Houghton Monday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. in Decker Gym.
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