Smith bids adieu to SRU

Slippery Rock University's search for the next school president is progressing as planned, as a narrowed down group of candidates are now being interviewed at off-campus locations.

The school's Presidential Search Committee spent several months receiving applications from candidates seeking to replace President Robert Smith, who is set to retire in January.

The Committee concluded what was called "Phase I" of the process on Nov. 15 and began "Phase II" by reviewing the applications to pick out the most promising candidates to be interviewed.

Following the first round of interviews currently taking place, the field will again be narrowed down to about five candidates who will then be invited to Slippery Rock for a two-day interview session.

The Committee expects to hold the on-campus interviews in February.

While the process is moving along as planned, the new president likely won't be in place until summer. With the gap between President Smith's departure and the naming of a new president, the university is also seeking an interim president.

Dr. William Williams, SRU's provost and vice president for academic affairs, will likely be the man to fill that role. Although the Board of Governors will make no official decision until December 16, Williams is the only candidate currently in consideration for the position.

President Smith has already spoken to Williams about the position, providing advice on the wide range of responsibilities of the president.

"We've talked about it at some length," Williams said. "I'm fully aware what happens in academic affairs, but he is helping me get up to speed in the other areas."

The biggest challenge Williams thinks he'll have to adjust to is the increased interaction with a broad academic community, but he is confident he can make the adjustment.

"I know people, I just haven't had to work with them directly," Williams said. "It'll be an adjustment."

While Williams will likely serve a couple months in office, he isn't looking to make any changes to the university, rather he hopes to maintain status quo.

"It's an interesting position," Williams said of being interim president. "The primary job is to stabilize everything for the new president coming in, then help the new president move forward in the transition. I don't see myself changing anything, just try to keep everything stable as is."

One of Williams' most important duties will be to help the new president get situated.

"I'll help the president understand how we've done things in the past, and get him or her up to speed," Williams said. "I'll try to give the person a better sense how to move forward."

The opportunity will be one final career accomplishment for Williams, as he already has in mind what he wants to do after the experience.

"I'm going to retire," Williams said. "After the new president gets acclimated, I'm going to ask him or her to seek a new provost."

Williams sees the job as a nice way to end his career in academics.

"It's an opportunity," Williams said. "It's a good thing. I'm okay with it."