College Gathers Committee, Consultant, Focus Groups to Learn What to Look For in Next Leader

Juliann Guiffre

Co-Editor-in-Chief

On April 18, 2009, President Joan Develin Coley announced her plans to retire after ten years in service to McDaniel College.

Immediately after her announcement, seven trustees –including Board Member and committee chair Mary Lynn Durham –gathered together to answer one question: how would they find the ninth President of McDaniel College.

This “transition committee” formulated a plan including soliciting proposals from various consulting firms around the country. Most were firms specializing in higher education and by June the committee had over 500 pages of proposals to read.

After on-campus interviews, Myers McRae was hired in a unanimous decision, with their Senior Vice President, Dr. David M. Gring as the main liaison to the school.

“Our role is multi-faceted,” said Gring. “We created materials for the website and went forward with advertising – we wanted a national search that was not limited by any specific region.” There is a big emphasis on the web because, unlike past years, more people can obtain information and follow the search on the internet.

A new committee of 12 was put together by President Coley and Martin K.P. Hill, chairman of the Board of Trustees. Chaired once again by 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.

Their next undertaking was to meet with Jim Lightener, who put the past eight Presidents in perspective. “He made clear that each person was different and right for the school at that time,” said Gring. “We’re not looking for a clone of past Presidents.”

Within weeks after the advertisements, phone calls, and over 15,000 emails went out, the campaign was known across the country. “Word has gotten out,” said Durham. “My son in California heard about it. The response has just been overwhelming.”

“It’s an indication of the regard with which McDaniel is held,” said Gring. “We’ve been involved in searches where the response wasn’t as strong.”

From the beginning, the committee planned to conduct focus group meetings as soon as everyone returned to campus. Starting on August 31, six meetings were held – two for faculty, one for alumni, one for students, one for community leaders, and one for staff members.

With the students, talk focused on clubrooms, less strict alcohol policies, a better reputation for Greek Life, increased diversity, and the campus becoming more environmentally conscious. There were also large discussions on more resources to keep students on campus over the weekend, and whether freshman dorms should be co-ed or not.

“The student focus group was more fun than I’ve had in a long time,” said Durham.

The overall consensus, according the Gring, was that the students want the new President to be engaged – “and accessible,” added Durham, “They really want someone who cares for the community in a personal way.”

SGA President David Castle concurred, saying, “as much as our school is going to love them, they are going to love us.”

According to Durham, the first half of the faculty meeting focused on Ira Zepp and the deep feelings that he brought out in this campus. “They talked about him as the paradigm for what the best of this community had always been,” she said. “There is a missing spiritual presence in his absence.”

Also discussed were the McDaniel Plan and financial constraints about implementing it, more student-faculty research opportunities, and the need for the new President to fully support student-faculty relationships.

“The alumni session was a love fest,” said Gring. “They think there has been no better influence in their life, and they are interested in the reputation of the college and doing what we can to market the college.”

Durham said during the community leaders meeting, the Chief of Police, William Spaulding, said that he is happy with the mutual understanding and cooperation with he campus, and wants that to continue.

The staff focus group talked about honoring the community feel, developing the athletic programs to keep up with competitor’s upgrades, putting more resources into the Graduate program, retention, fundraising, studying abroad, and the role of the staff at McDaniel.

Some members claimed that it’s important to preserve the ideal of “personal touch and human contact” over electronics and technology. However, others wanted a President “who realizes the importance that students place on technology.”

Both Gring and Durham emphasize that this search should be all-inclusive and a participatory process.

“Our company only works on one search at a time, and McDaniel has my full and unfettered attention for the next few months,” said Gring. “The search is on. And we are looking for the next President of McDaniel College.”

Additional Reporting by Kaitlyn Vadenais and Samantha Lambert

Angela Baldwin

Copy Editor

Verses from the Bible.

The Lord’s Prayer.

The Qur’an – in both English and Arabic.

The rousing sound of an African-American spiritual.

And a Muscogee Creek Blessing played on a flute.

All of these diverse cultural and religious elements marked the Memorial Service of Ira G. Zepp, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, which took place in Big Baker on August 29.

Photo By Pamela Zappardino

The service was a celebration of Zepp’s life – a life which many speakers and attendees noted was packed to the brim with family, friends, former students and former colleagues.

“He wove threads of compassion and integrity into our lives,” said former student Charles Moore in his memorial speech.

President Joan Develin Coley told the crowd that filled every inch of space in the chapel that Zepp was also an influence on her life. She joked that she keeps Ira in her top drawer in the form of mementos, emailed advice, and words of inspiration that he shared with her.

Ira’s daughter, Jody Zepp, remembered her father as being an advocate. Pam Zappardino said in her speech, Ira “lived and breathed nonviolence.” David Carrasco talked about how Ira loved the word “liberation,” and how he made a commitment to it. Carrasco also pointed out how Ira often used words such as “love,” and “grace,” in his vocabulary.

Even students who might not have known Ira Zepp can hear his lessons, his advice, through the words others remember him by as well as the words he left behind in his novels and other written works.

Even though Ira has passed away, his teachings still impact all of those who knew him.

Mahlia Joyce, Acting Director in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, can attest to this.

“In many ways, I credit Ira’s teachings, wisdom, encouragement, questions and commitment to justice, with shaping me to become ready to take on my current position,” Joyce said.

“I learned from Ira the importance of being both educator and student and to not only question the world as it is, but also to work on behalf of what it can be. Ira lived diversity. He didn’t just teach about it.”

Ira’s impact on Joyce’s life did began when she was first a student of his in 1993. Joyce emphasized that Ira was willing to understand where students were coming from and encouraged further development and exploration of their beliefs.

In addition, Joyce said that Ira and his classes caused for her a “huge shift in thinking,” by encouraging her to not only stand up for her beliefs, but to also reflect deeper on their origins.

For all the current students who never had the pleasure of knowing Ira, the one word that Joyce would use when referring to him is “healer.”

Joyce said, “Ira wasn’t afraid of questions and seeking truth. He taught us about how powerful questions can be to unite us, to facilitate dialogue and to bridge our differences. He said that, ‘teaching is about repairing the world, mending the world, restoring the world, perfecting the world.’ I can’t think of many things that are more healing than that.”

Here are some of Ira’s words as seen in his final book, The Pedagogy of the Heart, and read at the memorial service.

Administration Urges Students to Stay Smart, Practice Healthy Habits

Katelynn McGinley

Staff Reporter

As the H1N1 virus – commonly referred to as the swine flu – continues to spread, colleges and universities across the country are doing their best to prepare students for outbreaks. While, as of press time, there were no reported cases of swine flu in Carroll County or at McDaniel, there have been documented cases at nearby universities like Towson, Johns Hopkins, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The Baltimore Sun reports that the University of Maryland, College Park, is dealing with 172 flu cases that according to campus officials, is “probably” the H1N1 virus.

With a vaccination at least a month away from being distributed, schools are dealing with the issue of H1N1 in different ways. The University of Florida has set aside “sick rooms” for students infected with H1N1, while others, like Loyola College in Baltimore, are strongly advocating flu vaccination shots for all students and faculty members. Sick students are being advised to return home if possible, or otherwise isolate themselves in their dorms or apartments until they have gone 24 hours symptom free.

Despite the widespread panic the spread of H1N1 is causing, many people still have questions about the virus, its effects, and what can be done to prevent it. So here, in a nutshell, is everything you as a student need to know about the H1N1 virus, as stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mayo Clinic.

First of all: What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by Influenza A viruses. Like people, pigs can get influenza (the flu). Usually, cases of swine flu do not infect humans, and in the past the infection was usually limited to people who had direct contact with pigs. The current strain of swine flu is globally widespread, and the chain of person-to-person transmission is no longer clear in most areas. In other words, just because you have not fed a pig in the last three months does not mean you’re safe from H1N1.

Can I get swine flu from eating pork?

Nope! H1N1 cannot be spread through food. Food cooked to an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C) will kill the virus, so eating properly cooked pork is still perfectly safe.

Why all the fuss?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a level 6 pandemic alert for H1N1 – the highest alert level of its kind. This relates more to how widespread the virus is, and is not a reflection of its severity.

What are the symptoms?

Basically, the same as the regular flu. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, coughing, body aches, runny nose, chills, and fatigue. Most people who have the plain old flu exhibit at least two of these symptoms, so the only way to know for sure that you have H1N1 is to have a series of lab tests done. Like seasonal flu, swine flu has been known to cause neurological symptoms in young children. All of these symptoms will be more intense in people of advanced age, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems.

So, you’ve got swine flu…

Say you do have a lo and behold, you actually do have swine flu. The good news is that most people infected with swine flu recover without needing any special medical attention beyond that which you would normally treat the regular flu with. So, get mom (or your roommates) to make you some chicken noodle soup, notify your professors that you’ll be out of class for a few days, drink plenty of fluids, take some Tylenol, and get lots of rest.

If you wish to be seen at McDaniel’s Health and Wellness Center, call ahead (410-857-2243) so that the clinic can be prepared to treat you.

Keep reading The Free Press for more updates on the swine flu story as it develops.

Scott Welkos

Staff Reporter

“Think of everything that you touch,” urges dean of Student Affairs Beth Gerl. Indeed, if one does consider all that they touch throughout the day, then the thought of germs isn’t too far behind. Well, not anymore.

As of Tuesday, September 1, students and faculty alike may have noticed McDaniel College’s latest investment: 17 brand new hand sanitizer dispensers. They have been scattered throughout common areas campus wide. It’s an attempt to “encourage people to keep their hands clean,” said Gerl. “Something people take for granted,” she added.

Prior to their installment, McDaniel College had approximately 45 of the sanitizing units. However, based on a recommendation from the Wellness Center, the school decided to make them even more readily available. George Brenton, McDaniel College’s director of Maintenance, explained, “It’s something we’ve been doing, the latest recommendation just sped up the process.”

Gerl added, “With new H1N1 information, the Center for Disease Control is communicating that preventative measures are the most important piece of preventing the spread.”

According Brenton, the sanitizers cost about eight dollars apiece. However, he explained that the real cost lies in keeping the units functioning: 50 dollars to replace the cartridges which contain the sanitizer. And with 62 of them on campus, that can really add up.

In addition to the mounted sanitizing units, McDaniel has also purchased 2 new self-standing units in addition to the 4 that the school already had. Gerl explained that these can be easily moved to different events as needed, even if they’re outside, in order to “provide different locations to continually cleanse.”

So keep your eyes open and your hands clean. New hand sanitizing units can be located in the fitness center, gymnasium locker rooms, Decker Center, the library, as well as various computer labs and common areas throughout campus. “Spread the love,” said Gerl, “just don’t share the germs.”

Jenna Little

Staff Reporter

On the first day of classes, many students walked into the dining room, got into the beverage line and were about to fill their cups with a refreshing Coca-Cola when they were met with an array of Pepsi products instead. What happened?

McDaniel College’s five-year contract with Coke ended, and the college decided to switch to a Pepsi contract, according to Ethan Seidel, vice president of Administration & Finance.

The college made the switch soon after graduation to avoid as much disruption as possible to students’ daily routine. The transition from Coke to Pepsi products was not a simple bottom-line budget decision, Seidel explained.

Seidel opted not to disclose the actual costs linked to the college’s contracts with either business, noting that he didn’t want the companies to have the opportunity to know the specifics of the competition.

Additionally, the contract is not based on simple monetary differences but a variety of factors behind the scenes. For example, Seidel explained, the contract includes such financial benefits as support for academic departments. The companies also donate cups, beverage dispensers, and beverages to the athletic teams.

The contract also includes marketing support such as promotions that could be used throughout locations on campus like Englar Dining Hall. The Pepsi recycling containers found throughout campus were part of the current contract and were donated to the college by Pepsi as part of an environmental program.

The contract also makes available future funding for different programs including scholarship donations made to the college, Seidel explained.

Students have had mixed opinions about the change.

“I’m not a soda fanatic, really, so simply changing the brand wasn’t a big deal to me,” said sophomore Leanna Webb. “Sure, some of the Coke products are great, but Pepsi’s are, too,” she added.

“I was never able to muster much passion for either brand,” said sophomore Masha Makhlyagina .

Sophomore David Habel had a stronger reaction: “I was really upset. When I suddenly saw that my good buddy Coke was no longer present at McDaniel, my line of orbit was completely thrown out of whack. Although I learned to accept it and over time have even come to enjoy the alternative Pepsi products.”

Administrators charted and compared qualities of both products. Seidel said, “You have to dig below the surface; everyone has a preference of Coke or Pepsi but you have to ask what else you get with that company? We felt the Pepsi product mix was at least as good as Coke.”

The past two beverage contracts have been for five years, and each has been with Coke. At the end of the last Coke contract, both Pepsi and Coke offered a contract to the college.

McDaniel always considers both companies’ offers in order to ensure good competition between the companies, Seidel explained. Both companies agreed to give the college a percentage of their sales, called profit sharing. McDaniel then considered sales potential for both products. The numbers were close.

“There was no huge money difference between the two contracts. When you added up all the money; it was almost dead even,” Seidel said. “It was extremely close and a lot had to do with talking to our sister colleges. There were rave reviews of Pepsi and what tipped the balance was the strength of satisfaction with the service of Pepsi.” Pepsi included incentives similar to Coke’s previous contract and promised timely service and quality products.

“This time around, everything considered, Pepsi deserved a chance at it,” Seidel said. “And I hope they prove that.”

David Castle, president of Student Government Assembly, said that the contract came down to incentives for the college; and he is happy with the decision because of Pepsi’s product package.

“I like having the option of Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, Mug Root Beer, and Swasha,” Castle said.

“Pepsi and Coke bid against each other constantly,” Seidel said. “And it really comes down to their recent track record of service. It seemed Pepsi was going to be aggressive in providing good service and products and it was worth giving Pepsi a try.”