What FSU wants in its next president...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Florida State University
1

<p>
[quote]
Scholar, fundraiser sought to lead Florida State University</p>

<p>The search is on for a new president for Florida State University after T.K. Wetherell made it official that he's stepping down from the school's top slot.</p>

<p>BY SHANNON COLAVECCHIO
Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau</p>

<p>TALLAHASSEE -- Just minutes after Florida State University President T.K. Wetherell made official his plans to step down after nearly seven years, trustees of the state's third-largest research institution shifted their attention to the kind of candidate they want to take his place.</p>

<p>Trustees chairman Jim Smith said FSU's continued push toward national academic prominence, coming amid steep cuts in state funding, will require a leader who is equal parts scholar and fundraiser.</p>

<p>''We need someone with a very, very strong academic background,'' said Smith, a Tallahassee lobbyist who once served as Florida's secretary of state. ``And we need someone who will eagerly wake up every day and work at raising $1 billion for Florida State University.''

[/quote]

For the rest, see: Scholar</a>, fundraiser sought to lead Florida State University - Florida - MiamiHerald.com</p>

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<p>Would Condi Rice be a good choice?</p>

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<p>In the past the logic behind selecting ex-politicos for these positions was that they could bring in more money FROM THE STATE.</p>

<p>Those days ARE OVER.</p>

<p>Hopefully the days of hiring such people is over also!</p>

<p>Bring in some new blood.</p>

4

<p>US Senator Mel Martinez is out: <a href=“http://blogs.tampabay.com/files/martinezltr.pdf[/url]”>http://blogs.tampabay.com/files/martinezltr.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>FSU needs an AAU research leader.</p>

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<p>The public may submit potential candidates and suggestions to the search firm retained by the FSU trustees: <a href=“mailto:presidentialsearch@fsu.edu”>presidentialsearch@fsu.edu</a>. </p>

<p>News related to the search will be posted at: [FSU</a> Presidential Search](<a href=“http://president.fsu.edu/search]FSU”>http://president.fsu.edu/search)</p>

6

<p>Per Jim Smith (former State Attorney General of Florida):</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>FSU Trustees: [Board</a> of Trustees - Florida State University](<a href=“http://trustees.fsu.edu/org/index.html?trustees]Board”>http://trustees.fsu.edu/org/index.html?trustees)</p>

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<p>any names surfacing?</p>

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<p>Favorite in faculty and alumni discussions so far is:</p>

<p>[Mark</a> S. Wrighton](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Wrighton]Mark”>Mark S. Wrighton - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>Safe pick: [Larry</a> Abele](<a href=“http://provost.fsu.edu/abele/index.html]Larry”>http://provost.fsu.edu/abele/index.html)</p>

<p>Others have been mentioned but in my opinion they are under-qualified or are politicos.</p>

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<p>Your links are appreciated. Judging from what I just read, Dr. Wrighton is the far better candidate to achieve the desired goals. If FSU truly wants to become an upper level academic institution, it needs leadership up to the task. The goal should not be to become the best University in Florida; the goal is to become the best University in the nation. Clearly, Dr Wrighton has the chops to move the University in that direction. </p>

<p>Besides nostalgia, what do you think will attract Dr Wrighton back to FSU? He must be made to feel that conditions exist for him to succeed. A candidate like Wrighton will not step into a role with the deck stacked against him.</p>

10

<p>I agree with the poster above. Dr. Wrighton does seem like the far better candidate, especially to students, like me, who are participating in the sciences at FSU. </p>

<p>One of the main reasons I chose FSU over UF was for the rising Computer Science program. I felt it gave me more opportunities to learn from some of the rising <em>stars</em> in the field and more importantly participate in research. </p>

<p>Having a President who is from an academic background sounds like an ideal fit for this institution if their goal truly is to become a top university in the nation. I would only hope if offered he would accept, otherwise it may not be a good sign for FSU.</p>

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<p>I agree completely with the national focus. I want to see FSU, as well as UF, in the top universities nationally. </p>

<p>I have no way of knowing the mind of any candidate for the office of FSU president. A complete guess would be the fresh scientific assets that FSU has to work with in terms of the [NHMFL[/url</a>] (which was reassigned to FSU from MIT), the [url=<a href=“http://med.fsu.edu/]new”>http://med.fsu.edu/]new</a> med school](<a href=“http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/]NHMFL[/url”>http://www.magnet.fsu.edu/), the [new</a> chemistry facilities](<a href=“Florida State University”>Florida State University), the [faculty-designed</a> integrated FSU Pathways investment to research](<a href=“http://pathways.fsu.edu/]faculty-designed”>http://pathways.fsu.edu/) and programs like [MARTECH[/url</a>] and [url=<a href=“http://www.gradstudies.fsu.edu/Academics-Research/Degree-Programs/Interdisciplinary-Graduate-Degree-Programs/Materials-Science]Materials”>http://www.gradstudies.fsu.edu/Academics-Research/Degree-Programs/Interdisciplinary-Graduate-Degree-Programs/Materials-Science]Materials</a> Science](<a href=“http://www.physics.fsu.edu/research/martech.html]MARTECH[/url”>http://www.physics.fsu.edu/research/martech.html) as well as the [High</a> Performance Materials Institute](<a href=“http://www.hpmi.net/]High”>http://www.hpmi.net/), combined with products like bucky paper and Taxol might tempt highly motivated AAU academics to come to Florida State. </p>

<p>Not to mention strong programs in the Arts, social sciences, business and law. </p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

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<p>Dr Abele has had a great career, but he has little or no experience outside of Florida. If the University wants a national status, it needs a leader with a national reputation and experience handling the complexities of University politics. From my point of view, Knighton wins hands down.</p>

<p>I assume the the search and selection committee has a longer list. Part of the selection process naturally involves discussions with each candidate. At that time, the committee will get a good feel for the candidate’s interest in FSU. They will never offer the position to any one that is one that is not enthusiastic about the position. Hopefully, the committee can sell FSU to Dr Knighton.</p>

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<p>The process is just starting and may take a long time. The trustees just voted to hire a search firm.</p>

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<p>I would be worried if they were planning to find a perm replacement in the next few months. What they need to do is plug an interm president and keep them there for whoever long it takes to find someone… even if it takes a few years.</p>

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<p>^Agreed.</p>

<p>TK will continue to serve as president until his replacement is hired. As UF took some time to find the right person so should FSU. There should be no hurry at all. Superb candidates would have to be recruited and likely are not looking for a new job…especially the best candidates.</p>

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<p>Wrighton would be a bona-fide slam dunk if they can pull it off. Smart guy with a national reputation and ties to FSU. I like.</p>

<p>Regardless, the next president has to be of academic origin - no ifs and buts. Too many of these politicos have ruined the school. The last thing the university needs is another Wetherell.</p>