September 10

To:          Members of the College Community
Cc:          Board of Trustees
From:    Bob Duelks '77 Chair of the Presidential Search Committee and Trustee
Date:     September 10, 2008
Subject:   Presidential Search Update

Welcome to a new academic year! 

 As planned and previously communicated, our consultants and search committee members were on campus last week (Tuesday through Friday).  They assisted me in hosting a series of small and large meetings.  The primary objective of these meetings was to further refine the qualities, behaviors, and characteristics desired in our next president. 

The meetings were with representatives from each of the College's constituencies.  We met with faculty, administrators, support staff, students, representatives from the Borough of Gettysburg, and the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).  In addition, smaller meetings were held with department chairs/program coordinators, Student Council of Presidents, Support Staff Council, Faculty Council, a mid-level managers group, and the Gettysburg area alumni and parent leadership group.

In spite of the heavy demands on everyone's time during the first week of classes, the turnout at most of the meetings was impressive and encouraging.  It is apparent you all care deeply about our College and are keen to assist us in the search.  We were especially pleased with the degree of openness and candor with which you shared your comments.  Thank you for your participation. Your comments and suggestions have been helpful and will prove to be even more so as we begin to develop the presidential profile that we will use to recruit candidates.  We look forward to your continued input and involvement.

You can stay abreast of the search process by visiting the presidential search website.   You may access this site by visiting www.gettysburg.edu/search.   The site includes contact information for the presidential search committee as well as our search consultants, Ms. Shelly Storbeck and Ms. Susan VanGilder.   We encourage your involvement.  Please use the website to submit your nominations, feedback, thoughts, and comments.

Thank you again for your interest in this important search. 

Regards,
Bob