Not an easy task ahead

The board’s Ad Hoc Governance Committee, chaired by Dr. Patrice Harris, is leading the effort to create an open, transparent search process.

“This is a responsibility we take very seriously,” Harris said. “We will engage with campus communities, university stakeholders and other interested parties as we move through this process. We want to hear from all constituents and stakeholders, to understand their perspectives on the qualities, skill sets and capabilities our next president should have. This is an exciting time for West Virginia University, and we look forward to working collaboratively in the months ahead.”

In a letter to the WVU community released Wednesday, Harris reiterated the importance of an engaging process.

“This is a pivotal moment for West Virginia University. Choosing a president is a monumental responsibility, and the Board is committed to a collaborative process as we embark upon this search,” Harrison wrote.

To accomplish that, the search committee will include the following:

Board of Governors

Faculty

Classified staff

Students

Deans

WVU Athletics

WVU Medicine

WVU Foundation

WVU Alumni Association

Regional campuses

At-large member(s)

There also is ample opportunity for those outside the immediate university community to share their input, which we believe is vital to continue WVU’s true mission of helping move the state and its residents toward a brighter future.

President Gee has been a champion of that mission, which he and many others believe is the work of a land grant institution. He has emphasized that through WVU’s work in health care, through WVU Medicine, as well as the university’s Extension Service programs. But the WVU footprint is more far-reaching as the university and its top leaders have served as key advisers on a number of economic development initiatives such as the Ascend WV remote worker program.

That type of relationship, with WVU engaged statewide in efforts to move West Virginia forward on a number of fronts, must be a strong consideration for those involved in choosing the next president.

Of course, there are other more direct-to-WVU efforts that will need to be considered as the search committee looks for the person with the right skill set and people skills to take the reins from Gee.

And it won’t be easy. Gee has served the university extremely well. While he has earned criticism over the past year in dealing with the university’s falling enrollment by leading the school through a transformational change, he has done nothing but work to put the total university in the lead, as well as help the Mountain State.

We don’t envy the search committee. Its task will be difficult, and we can only hope it finds the right person to continue the tradition of excellence that has long been the Mountaineer trademark.