The Trustees today elected John M. McCardell Jr., president emeritus of Middlebury College, following a national search that began in February 2009.
McCardell’s appointment is effective July 1. He succeeds Joel Cunningham, who will retire June 30, 2010, after 10 years as Vice Chancellor.
“John McCardell’s record of achievement as a scholar, as the chief executive of one of America’s finest liberal arts colleges, and as a respected national figure in the public discussion about higher education and student life extends the work of his predecessors and the pursuit of the vision of Sewanee’s founders: to establish a national university located in the South,” said the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Chancellor of the University and Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“He is an inspirational leader who will strengthen Sewanee’s historic commitment to excellence in the liberal arts and service to the Episcopal Church. We are delighted that he has answered this call to service.”
“Vice Chancellor” not “President”
Both, according to Sewanee’s [url=http://about.sewanee.edu/vcannounce]website[/url]: [blockquote]The Board of Trustees of the University of the South has elected a distinguished historian and national leader in liberal arts education to be the University’s 16th president and vice chancellor.[/blockquote]
An outstanding choice–and a rare combination: great leader and excellent scholar. Plus a fine human being.
#2, joe episcopalian:
The only reason the website uses the word “president” is because most non-Sewanee folks have no idea what either “chancellor” or “vice-chancellor” mean; it’s there for clarification. But the actual title is “Vice-Chancellor.”
As a 1988 Graduate of the University of the South, I am THRILLED with this development. I watched both his videos on the site. In his video to the Trustees he says that only through the “Grace of the Cross of Christ we Glory” can we accomplish things. Trust me folks, those are NOT words I ever expected to hear from a VC of the University of the South again (needless to say, Robert M Ayres said similar things all the time!!, but that was a Long time ago!!). In his address to the Sewanee community (the other video) he constantly refers to “The University of the South” and describes it as a “Southern, National University.” Again, these are very pleasing words to this alumnus. For the last few years, they have been emphasizing “Sewanee” as the name rather than “The University of the South” in order to “de-Southern” the place. He actually praised the founders (Otey, Elliot and Polk) as well as the “re-founder” (Quintard). Others of the University community have done everything possible to remove them from memory other than sandblasting their names from the side of the buildings. (And I would wager that there are some who would have done that if they could have gotten away with it!!).
So, maybe he will “go downhill” as did Dr. Williamson, but for now:
Yea, Sewanee’s Right!!
Ecce Quam Bonum
RECChip — how do you not know that that’s just not some rhetoric he decided to use in order to appeal to alumni like you?
Sarah,
Because none of the other recent “Admin types” at the University have even tried to use rhetoric. I would rather be “pandered to” than ignored!!!
Chip
Hmmm.
Thanks for the response, Chip. ; )