The Presidential Succession Process Committee launched a new website on Feb. 1 that allows users to give their input and recommendations on who should be Harding University’s next president.
The Presidential Succession Process Committee consists of six members of Harding’s Board of Trustees and is chaired by Dr. John Simmons from Columbia, Tenn.
“[Since the last search for Harding’s president] the technology has changed; people are much more connected now to electronic media of all different types. People want to have an opportunity to have input … about things and organizations they have passions about,” Simmons said. “We wanted this to be an open process for this type of input.”
After Harding’s current president, Dr. David B. Burks, announced his plans to retire in June of 2013, Simmons said he asked the Board of Trustees to compose a list of qualities they wanted in the next president. He said they compiled a list of 200 desired characteristics and distilled the list down to nine major points. After they had the guidelines set for the kind of person they were looking for, Simmons said the Board decided to create the website to receive outside input.
One of the initial decisions the Board had to make was whether to build a totally new website for the selection process or to incorporate it into Harding’s website, Simmons said. The Board chose the latter option and has made a link to a page where people can put their name, affiliation with the school, whether they would like to recommend a specific person, and comments about the qualities they would like to see in the next president or make general comments about the school without recommending a person.
Simmons said the search process for a new president is usually a closed, private matter among the Board of Trustees and allowing outside input through the Internet has never really been done before at Harding.
As for who is able to access the Web page to make recommendations, Simmons said the website is open to anyone with Internet access and is interested, not just to the Harding community. He said the Board is also very interested to hear from citizens in Searcy.
“Because the process is online, I believe we will have a large pool of applicants,” said Nathan Copeland, assistant to the president. “I’m certain the special committee of the Board in charge of this process will take every application seriously and through much prayer, discussion, research and thought will select the best person to lead Harding into the future.”
Copeland also said he will continue to work in the president’s office after Burks retires but will take on a larger role within the College of Business Administration.
“I think the website is a wonderful idea,” Burks said. “It is great that the Board is opening up to receive input from the Harding family.”
While Simmons said the website has already been a success and the Board has received a significant amount of feedback. The Board is not yet looking at any one person specifically to succeed Burks as president.
In order for a person to be considered a candidate to become the next president, he must apply by June 30 of this year, Simmons said. He said these applications will be handled within the Board with the highest level of confidentiality respecting the privacy of the applicants.
Simmons said the name of Burks’ successor should be announced by February of next year.
To access the website to make a recommendation or comment, go to www.harding.edu and click on “Presidential Succession Process.” Go to the bottom of the webpage to “Recommendations” to make comments or suggestions.
