The Western Concept

 by Ashley Martin 
           
The Presidential Search Committee has narrowed the selection down to three candidates. The three candidates chosen to move forward are Dr. Richard J. McCallum, Dr. Bruce W. Speck, and Dr. Joseph W. Bascuas. Dr. William A. Nevious and Dr. John Ryder were chosen as semifinalists, but did not get voted in with the three finalists. Dr. Gregory Aloia was also a semifinalist, but he withdrew from the search for personal reasons. 

           
Dickinson State University’s current president, Dr. Lee Vickers, announced April 30^th, 2007 that he would be retiring. The Presidential Search Committee was formed shortly thereafter. When the Search Committee narrowed the presidential candidates down to the six semifinalists, each candidate was invited to DSU.

When the semifinalists arrived on campus, they were interviewed individually, and subjected to a number of qualifications. Each member was given a tour of DSU and of the community. Finally, the semifinalists all had to participate in a campus and a community forum.

Finalist Dr. Richard J. McCallum is currently employed as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Missouri Southern State University. During his community forum on November 8, McCallum stated that he has “developed a very strong commitment to higher education.” 

One of the features that attracted McCallum to out campus is DSU’s wide range of international students. “Your commitment to international education and to global awareness is one of the great strengths of this University,” he stated.

Finalist Dr. Bruce Speck stated at his community forum on November 13, that he would like to see Universities strive to incorporate spirituality into their programs. His definition of spirituality is “whatever brings meaning to your life.” An example he gave for this idea was teaching doctors and nursing students to be empathetic with patients to help comfort people.

Speck is currently employed at Austin Peay State University. He is Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. He mentioned that, if he became DSU’s president, he would like to look into recruiting more Native American Students.

Dr. Joseph Bascuas, the third finalist, was formerly president of Medaille College. Bascuas stated that one of his major contributions to Medaille College was his effort to increase enrollment by fifty percent.

“I’m passionate about having really good instruction” and “seeing students succeed,” Bascuas stated at his community forum on November 13.  He also stated that he believes Universities need to work on making classes, such as math and science, “relevant” to students.

The next step for the three finalists is to have an interview with the State Board of Higher Education. They are scheduled to do so on December 5. The new president of DSU will assume office in January of 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter.