Since President David Dockery announced that he would be resigning from his position as president of Union University, the presidential search committee formed by the Board of Trustees is working to find someone able to fill the position starting in July 2014.
During this time, Dockery has continued to work within the Union community as he transitions into the role of university chancellor.
The committee consists of nine members, administrative assistants and outside consultants.
“We just had another very productive session reviewing applications and nominations,” said Norm Hill, executive director of Trumbull Laboratories and a member of the search committee. “We are several months away from completing our portion of the process.”
Dockery said the committee has received about 120 nominations. Members are narrowing that list to determine which candidates to interview.
Following the interview, the committee’s last step will be to present a recommendation of one final candidate to the board, which will then consider who the candidate is and go from there.
A profile statement published on the university’s website states the qualifications the search committee expects to find in a president.
The committee is looking for someone who is strong in the faith, is intelligent and excels with academics, and is hospitable and well-tried. It also is important that a candidate continues to build upon Union’s foundation.
“At this point, very little has changed for me in my day-to-day work as president,” Dockery said. “Two areas have changed.”
Most long-term planning has ceased so that the new president will be able to have a hand in the process of the upcoming school year, he said.
Also, short-term acting appointments for most leadership positions now exist, rather than having national searches to fill those positions.
Many of those decisions will be left up to the new administration, Dockery said.
Hill said the process “is working extremely well, and we especially appreciate the prayer support undergirding all aspects of the search.”
“We believe the spirit of unity that pervades each meeting is a direct result of the many prayers on our behalf,” Hill said.
Students are welcome and encouraged to become involved in prayer, too.
University administration posted a prayer calendar on the website in April, where students can sign up for a time to fast and pray for the committee and its search for who the next university president will be.”
“A decision and announcement regarding the new president should take place no later than the trustee meeting in April 2014,” Dockery said. “It is possible that a candidate could be presented at the December 2013 meeting, but certainly no earlier than that.”