DSU still considering presidential candidates

Looking to fill the empty position by the end of the year, Delaware State University has accepted its second round of presidential candidates.

The first set of three finalists came to naught last March when a consensus couldn’t be reached on who should be the university’s 10th president, said spokesman Carlos Holmes. The finalists visited the university to meet with faculty, staff, students, alumni and the 12-person Presidential Search Committee.

The search committee and board of trustees have the final say in who is hired, but Holmes said they want to make sure they have the right person for the job, which is why so many people meet the candidates.

“It’s foolish to not consider the people who would work with them,” he said.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the president is the chief executive officer of the university and responsible for implementing the vision and mission of the institution. The new president should have a clear record of fund development, demonstrated skill in leadership, an understanding of the unique history of historically black colleges and universities, and a record of involvement and effectiveness with a board array of campus and community groups, according to DSU’s website.

With the continued help of a Chicago firm, a new round of applications were due by July 20. Holmes said that nine months after the first search was started, the candidates in the market for the job would be different and perhaps those who didn’t make the finalist list last time might be considered.

When asked about the final cost of the search, he had no specific comment.

“It’s the most important position we need to fill. We need the best person for the job,” Holmes said. “We can’t just take an ad out in the paper and expect to hit gold.

“We’re not just going to hire somebody for the sake of hiring somebody just because people outside the campus are getting impatient.”

The last president, Dr. Allen L. Sessoms, left DSU Aug. 31, 2008, and was replaced on an acting basis by Dr. Claibourne Smith, former chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Smith said he has a long history with the university, which has helped him know it well, and a deep abiding passion for education.

“I fully appreciate the mission and challenge of the university,” he said. “It’s just an extension of what I care about.”

He has served on the Board of Trustees since 1987, acting as chairman for more than 15 years. Smith also was a liaison to the then-Delaware State College from the DuPont Corporation in the late 1960s.

Smith is committed to filling in until a new president is named.

“There’s no rush to judgment that puts [DSU] in a position to make a mistake and that’s something we don’t want to do,” Smith said.

So far in his nearly one year as president, he said the biggest challenge has been resources, especially with regard to the state.

“It was hard when they had money,” Smith said. “When they don’t have money, it’s impossible.”

At the same time, he has enjoyed getting to know the students better. He said he doesn’t want students to think there is a barrier between them and the presidency. He has a strong commitment to them and in turn has high expectations of the students.

“I enjoy the challenge of trying to inspire them,” Smith said.

Holmes said when Smith first became president he went to lunch in the cafeteria to meet students, which surprised them.

As acting president, Smith said there’s little difference to what he does than any other president would do; he’s only been hesitant to accept any long-term commitments with outside associations.

This presidency hasn’t been in any kind of holding pattern, he said, adding that he’s continued with the long-term goals and objectives set by the board.

“There’s nothing holding about this job, this role,” Smith said.

Smith, the second acting president in the university’s history, plans to return to the board of trustees once a permanent president is found.

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Tags: candidate, delaware state university, position, president, smith