Jen Noel
Staff Reporter
When Dr. Joan Develin Coley arrived at McDaniel in 1973, she didn’t envision becoming the first female president of then Western Maryland College. She began her tenure as the director of the graduate reading program and now has announced that she will end her time here on the Hill as McDaniel’s eighth president.
Sitting in her office on a rainy afternoon, President Coley expressed her deep admiration for the Hill, but explained that she has spent most of her professional life here and it is time to move on.
“Being the president is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week job,” said Coley. “I want to retire while I’m still young and energetic.”
Energy is key for Coley’s daily activities; on alumni weekend, she had a list of 11 dinners she was to attend in one day.
“I didn’t get a chance to eat at any of them,” she joked.
Coley was elected president of the college on October 20, 2000. It was not long after that she placed a plan into action to change the name of the college.
“The name change was something we new needed to be done for a half century,” noted Coley. “I think that is my biggest accomplishment while on the Hill.”
President Coley has to decided to leave McDaniel after the 2010 school year, as she feels at that time all the major projects she was a part of will be coming to a close.
Dr. Ethan Seidel, Vice President of Administration and Finance, also noted the historic nature of the name change under President Coley as well her dedication to making fundraising a high priority.
“Her largest impact has to be presiding over the largest and most successful fund raising campaign in the College’s history,” said Seidel. “The goal of $65 million has already been exceeded, and the campaign does not end until December 31, 2009.”
President Coley also hopes that future generations remember that she worked hard to put the College’s needs in the forefront and do what was best for everyone involved.
Students recognize the efforts President Coley puts forth in order to connect with them on a personal basis.
“I’ll be interested to see the difference between her [Coley] and the new president,” said junior, Brittany Cooper. “I hope they care about the students as much as she does and as much interest in them.”
President Coley is known for her monthly dinner gatherings with students at the President’s House; each student is guaranteed at least one dinner with her during their four years on campus.
“The dinners she hosted really mean a lot especially because she is so busy,” said sophomore Diana Desmond. “I will be sad that I have a new president my last year here; it won’t be the same.”
As President Coley prepares for her last year on campus, she admits the experience will be bittersweet.
“I feel I will be content I made the proper decision,” said Coley. “But it’s difficult to leave a place you spent almost your entire life.”
“The people are what I will remember most and the kind of warm community McDaniel is—that’s why I’ve stayed for so long.”
The search for a new president will begin this summer by a committee of trustees, three faculty members and a student. An advertisement with the committee’s criteria will be released nationally somewhere between July and August.
As for the President’s plans after retirement, she hopes to travel with her new husband, Lee Rice, take classes, and read books that have been a few years in waiting.