The start of a new school year brings yet another camaraderie speech by President David B. Burks. This year was the last chance for students to correctly spell the word meaning “good-fellowship” or “brotherhood.”
Burks will retire at the end of the 2012-13 school year, and the finality of it all is beginning to sink in for both Burks and the committee looking to replace him.
“My role is to answer questions and give advice, when asked, but otherwise I am not keeping up with the process,” Burks said. “The decision is entirely that of the Board of Trustees and not one that I will make. That’s the way it should be.”
According to Chairman of the Process Committee, Dr. John Simmons, applicants are currently responding to a series of questions on a number of issues regarding the presidential position. After that, the applicants will take a variety of different psychological tests to further discern their personality traits and tendencies, values and leadership aptitude. They will then be interviewed individually before more elimination, culminating in the final questions and interviews that will decide who Harding’s next president will be.
“Our belief is that God had prepared a person for this position, and our prayer is that He will lead us to that person and open our eyes to see that preparation,” Simmons said.
Both Simmons and Burks expressed the need for prayer from the entire Harding community during this process. Burks said his main objective throughout this process is to ensure a smooth transition for the new president and prepare the university community for new leadership.
To assist with the changes coming, Burks appointed a transition committee as well as a prayer committee. The transition committee will focus on communication as well as helping to plan events to celebrate the past and future of the university, Burks said. Burks called the prayer committee “prayer warriors,” who are scattered across campus and praying for all aspects of the presidential process. Both committees consist of faculty, staff and students.
Though Burks is not involved in the selection process, Simmons said Burks has been helpful in answering questions the Board has had without trying to promote any particular individual over another.
Burks is also willing to advise whoever will be chosen for the job.
“The most important advice is to just realize that God is faithful and that God has blessed this university in an enormous way over its 80-year history,” Burks said. “I am confident that God will continue to bless this university and, by relying on God, wonderful things will happen.”
This year is Burks’ 26th year as president of the university. His successor will be named in January or February of 2013.
