During the May meeting of Dickinson’s Board of Trustees, progress was made regarding the presidential search, the operating budget was approved, new construction projects were reviewed and updates were shared on the Report on Strategic Direction.
Members of the Board of Trustees officially elected Neil Weissman, provost and dean of the college, to serve as interim president beginning July 1. The vote was taken during their meeting held May 5 to 7, during which board members reviewed and discussed plans for the presidential transition and committed to engaging more intentionally with faculty, staff and students during the transition and beyond. On Thursday evening, the trustee, faculty, staff and student members of the Presidential Search Committee held their first organizational meeting.
Also this weekend, the trustees discussed and approved the operating budget of the college, interviewed graduating senior candidates for the Young Alumni Trustee position, approved tenure for seven faculty members and deliberated on plans for a number of pending construction projects. Those projects included plans for a new residence hall, which remains on schedule to break ground in spring 2017 with a goal of occupancy in fall 2018. The board was also updated on plans for an expansion of the Central Energy Plant, which will include a new tri-generation system, one of the largest Climate Action Plan projects that the college will undertake. The plant will reduce annual carbon emissions by 1,800 metric tons while simultaneously reducing utility expenditures and providing a valuable on-campus educational opportunity for students.
Trustees acknowledged the success of the record-breaking Day of Giving, held April 19, which raised $765,124 from 2,833 alumni, parents and friends of the college. Kirk Swenson, newly appointed vice president of advancement, joined the trustees for much of the meeting. He will officially begin his work at Dickinson June 10.
Stefanie Niles and Helen Takacs, co-chairs of the Strategic Planning Committee, reviewed the Report on Strategic Direction, drafted after a 10-month communitywide effort. Takacs, associate professor of international business and management, said the plan supports Dickinson’s existing emphasis on global education, sustainability, interdisciplinarity and active learning, and seeks ways to build on those strengths. Niles, vice president for enrollment, marketing & communications, told the board the document will be used to guide priorities during the presidential transition period and will be useful as Dickinson makes difficult decisions about where to invest finite financial resources.
The committee identified three themes to inform Dickinson’s strategic direction: inquiry, inclusion and engagement.
Trustees also attended The Founders’ Society celebration. Membership in the society, which recognizes individuals, families and corporations whose lifetime giving to Dickinson exceeds $1 million, is the highest distinction a donor can achieve. During the celebration four new Founders’ Society members were officially installed: Barbara Rynk Reynolds ’34 (in memoriam), Robert Weinstein ’50 (in memoriam), Emil R. Weiss ’53, P’80 (in memoriam) and Tamar Ellis Weiss P’80.
President Nancy A. Roseman was recognized by the board for her leadership during the past three years and thanked for her efforts to move Dickinson forward.
Two current trustees whose terms have ended received special acknowledgement. R. David Wechsler ’93, who began as an alumni trustee in 2004, and Margot Cardamone ’14, who is finishing a two-year-term as the Young Alumni Trustee and who worked to reach out to students and bring their views to the board, were thanked for their service. Three additional trustees—Wynne Stuart Amick ’62, Sherwood D. Goldberg ’63 and Carol Jones Saunders ’62—were elected to emeriti status.
Published May 12, 2016