Speech Outlines Goals for President’s Last Year
Maire Hunter
Staff Reporter
Though this year is President Joan Develin Coley ’s last year on The Hill, she has no intention of being a lame duck, she told faculty members in her State of the College speech in August.
Coley outlined two goals: the expansion of learning opportunities for both online and non-traditional students and strengthened relationships with community colleges. Both goals reflect her long-term interests, said Coley.
“I appreciate the rich experience community colleges bring,” Coley said, “and I understand its increasing appeal when it comes to paying for college.”
Although the McDaniel Plan is unique compared to other schools’ general education plans, she does not want it to deter potential transfer students.
“As we look to community colleges more and more as feeder schools…there can’t be rigidity in course by course match ups,” she said at the Opening Faculty Meeting on August 19, 2009.
Likewise, the Office of Admissions is working on programs and scholarships designed specifically for transfers, which Coley hopes to see implemented this spring.
With respect to online courses, Coley told faculty members in August that “students want more options, more convenience and alternatives that cost less.”
“One out of every five students took online courses,” she added.
McDaniel offered 13 online graduate courses this semester. Coley anticipates that online classes will attract working adults trying to advance professionally or continue a general education. Online courses also allow more specialized programs, like Asian studies, to be offered to all students.
And though the college has made strong strides, Coley told the faculty in August, the colleges that will thrive the most as the ideal four year college experience becomes less common, will be the colleges that are flexible, that are quick to react and proactive.
In April 2009 Coley announced she will retire in June 2010, after serving McDaniel as faculty and administrator for 37 years. She became McDaniel’s first female president in 2000 and presided over the school’s name change in 2002.
A search committee of 12 was put together by Coley and Martin K.P. Hill, chairman of McDaniel College’s Board of Trustees. Chaired by board member Mary Lynn Durham, the committee includes six other trustees: Phillip G. Enstice ’71, Ralph O. Frith ’84, James I. Melhorn, Julie Mercer, Albert J. Mezzanottee, Jr. ’78, and Caryl Ensor Peterson ’58; three faculty: Dr. Deborah Johnson-Ross, Dr. Reanna Ursin, and Dr. Francis Fennell; one from the administration: Joyce D. Muller; and one student: Ben Cowman ’10. The committee also includes Hill, but he will not have a vote in the final election.
The search committee has the aid of Myers McRae, a consulting firm that specializes in higher education. The firm’s Senior Vice President, Dr. David M. Gring, is the main liaison to the school.
