MSU Presidential Search Thread - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 27, 2006

RE: MSU Presidential Search Thread

Date: Mar 27, 2006

Cossack wrote:

... I do not think that there is anything left to discuss on the president search issue and I would have not posted except you asked a legitimate question in a profession manner. I hope I have answered it in turn.

Yes Sir, you have answered my question and again, thanks for taking the time to reply. As you say, any further discussion of the present IHL process is, ahhh, academic. I was just curious as to whether a middleground existed which would be acceptable to both "sides," the IHL and the USM (or any) faculty. It sounds, based on your comments, that there is a middleground. The rub is getting Meredith and the IHL to move toward it.

Date: Mar 27, 2006

Coast Resident wrote:

The reason that only IHL Board Members are on the Search Committee and are the only ones with voting rights has to do with a minor point called the Law. The laws of Mississippi establish the IHL and bestow upon it the responsibility and authority to select and approve the heads of the state universities. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, et al are restricted to serving only on an advisory committee because of the law. The citizens/taxpayers of the state vote for the Governor and it is the Governor(s) who appoints the IHL Board Members, thus the Board members are established through a legal elected process through which the voters can hold them accountable after a fashion.

Forgive me for being so direct, Coast Resident, but you sound like the Texas Governor in the Dolly Parton movie Best Little Whore House in Teaxs. Lots of fancy-footed circularity with Mug on one side of the fence and Wump on the other side.

Date: Mar 27, 2006

IHL PR

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=389

BOARD ANNOUNCES DR. ROBERT H. FOGLESONG PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

3/27/2006 (Jackson, Miss. ) - In a unanimous decision, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning announced today that Dr. Robert H. Foglesong, a four star general, is the preferred candidate for the position of President of Mississippi State University.

“We feel we have a person whose leadership, experience and courage in his past jobs can help Mississippi State succeed,” said Trustee Ed Blakeslee, Chair of the MSU Presidential Search Committee.

Dr. Robert H. Foglesong currently serves as President and Executive Director of the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation, a non-profit operating to identify and support Appalachian leaders. Previously, he was nominated by the President, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and served as a four star general in the U.S. Air Force personnel, operations, infrastructure and intra/inter governmental affairs for an organization of 358,000 uniformed members and 158,000 civilian employees. He was responsible for planning and programming for future strategies involving an annual budget of $90 billion. His jobs required almost daily interface with members of Congress, the White House and many governmental interagency offices.

On Tuesday, March 28, Dr. Foglesong will attend open, day-long interviews at Mississippi State University’s Starkville Campus with various university and Starkville community constituency groups. Individuals attending the open interviews will be given the opportunity to provide feedback to the Board regarding their impressions of Dr. Foglesong. Following the conclusion of all interviews, the Board will convene at approximately 5:00 p.m. and then go into executive session to review the feedback submitted. The meeting will be followed by a brief press conference in the Parker Ballroom of Mississippi State’s Hunter Henry Center to announce the Board’s final decision.

Tuesday’s interview schedule is as follows:...

Date: Mar 27, 2006

IHL PR

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=390

BIO OF DR. ROBERT H. FOGLESONG

3/27/2006 (Jackson, Miss. ) -

Robert H. Foglesong is the President and Executive Director of the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation, a non-profit operating to identify our next generation of leaders in Appalachia and mentor and support them financially relative to academic, leadership, and character excellence. Previously, he was nominated by the President, confirmed by the US Senate, and served as a four star general in the US Air Force. He had responsibility for policy recommendations and implementation of said policy relative to personnel, operations, infrastructure, and intra/inter governmental affairs for an organization of 358K uniformed members and 158K civilian employees. He was responsible for planning/programming for future strategies involving an annual budget of $90B (equivalent to the position of COO for a company ranked #9 on the Fortune 500 List). His jobs required almost daily interface with members of Congress, the White House, and many governmental interagency offices.

In previous positions, Foglesong had CEO responsibilities for field units with budgets up to $3B per year (110th on the Fortune 500 List). These organizations ranged up to 87K personnel and dependents and were often geographically separated from corporate headquarters. Most organizations involved mission-oriented operations and included responsibilities for housing, medical services, personnel force development, equal-opportunity programs, training, education, and other services for skilled technical and line employees.

He has most often been asked to lead and manage large organizations in establishing a sense of relevancy given a constantly changing national and international environment. A significant amount of the past decade was spent as a national security advisor at Cabinet and Presidential levels. In this capacity, he had opportunities to travel extensively with the most senior members of this government, directly engage with the most senior civilian and military levels of foreign governments, and witness education and personnel development programs around the globe.

As a practical matter, Foglesong has spent 33 years in public service with a clear understanding of the role leadership plays in establishing a sense of integrity/ethics, encouraging service above self, and fostering an attitude of excellence. He has received numerous awards for his demonstrated leadership. In addition, he has continued his education by attending professional military education schools as well as advanced civilian education forums. He is a member of several professional aviation organizations and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. His 57 publications cover a range of subjects including technical and leadership topics. A graduate of West Virginia University (BS, MS, PhD), he was a member of Tau Beta Pi (President), national engineering honorary; Mountain, ranking men’s honorary on campus; and numerous other academic and leadership honoraries.

He has accumulated 30 military awards for leadership and technical skills. He has an honorary Doctorate of Strategic Intelligence. He has been honored as a Distinguished Alumni of West Virginia University, selected by the West Virginia Education Alliance as a Graduate of Distinction, and was selected by the West Virginia Executive Magazine as the Patriot of the Year for 2005.

Doctor Foglesong’s educational experience includes countless hours instructing aviation in both the classroom and in the cockpit. He was a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at West Virginia University (1971), taught the theory of economics for Montana State University (1979), was a Professor of Joint and Combined Warfare at the National War College—a graduate-level school primarily for military and State Department personnel (1989-1990), and is currently President of United States Air Forces Europe University. He is married to Mary Thrasher Foglesong. Hobbies include running marathons, collecting slide rules, collecting potato mashers, and public speaking.

Date: Mar 27, 2006

Stay tuned for blogger news, observations, and speculation on what went on behind closed doors:

http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs/ssalter/sidblog.html
http://edwardsanders.blogspot.com/
http://markagoodman.blogspot.com/

Date: Mar 28, 2006

CL

http://clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060328/NEWS/603280390/1001/NEWS

March 28, 2006

'Preferred' MSU chief named
College Board made its choice, but final voting takes place today

The state College Board on Monday picked a man few people in Mississippi had ever heard of as the likely new president of the state's largest university.

"I thought if they were going to go outside of academia, they'd at least go with a name someone would recognize," said Peter B. Wood, a sociology professor at Mississippi State University and vice president of the faculty senate....

...State Sen. Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, an MSU alum, said he expects great things from Foglesong....

...Gordon said Foglesong's lack of experience running a university was no big deal.

"I'm not concerned about it," he said. "I mean, a four-star general, you know the guy has got a lot of savvy."

But it worries others.

"Leadership skills from the military don't necessarily carry over to an academic setting," said Mark Goodman, an MSU communications professor and president of the faculty senate. "They can get very frustrated trying to herd cats."...

Date: Mar 28, 2006

NE MS DJ

http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=215843&pub=1&div=Opinion

ROBBIE WARD: Corey, public still await inclusion in president search

3/27/2006 7:27:57 AM
Daily Journal

Richard Corey drove to Jackson on Sunday morning to protest the public being left out of the Mississippi State University presidential search. ...

...Corey - a MSU student and employee and member of the Starkville Board of Aldermen - said he represented many groups left out of the process.

He knew before driving from to Jackson the chances were slim that he would be a part of the interview process. However, Corey said sitting outside the boardroom while the candidates were peppered with questions represented the entire process.

"It's sort of symbolic of how the community has been left out," Corey said. "I don't like the lack of transparency to it." ...

...Corey said Sunday he'll spend the rest of the day - and much of today - sitting outside the boardroom protesting a bad public policy. Many agree that the public has been left out of selecting the leader for the state's "People's University."

"When you get to the top candidates, the public has a right to know," Corey said. "The public wants to be a part of this."

Date: Mar 28, 2006

Cheer up, Starkville. Count yourself lucky. MSU could have got some burned-out good-old-boy professional politician as its new president.

Date: Mar 28, 2006

Save the last dance for me wrote:

Cheer up, Starkville. Count yourself lucky. MSU could have got some burned-out good-old-boy professional politician as its new president.

No, I told Bill he couldn't accept the MSU position even if offered. I wouldn't trust him around those coeds and besides, he'll be assisting with my own presidential campaign.

Date: Mar 28, 2006

Hillary wrote:

No, I told Bill he couldn't accept the MSU position even if offered. I wouldn't trust him around those coeds

Hillary, there's a simple medical solution to your problem. Might I suggest chemical castration? It's probably something you should have insisted on years ago.

Date: Mar 28, 2006

NE MS DJ

http://www.djournal.com/pages/story.asp?ID=215940&pub=1&div=News

NEWS UPDATE: MSU presidential candidate tours campus

3/28/2006 5:21:13 PM
Daily Journal

Daily Journal reporter Robbie Ward is following Robert "Doc" Foglesong on the Mississippi State University campus today as the "preferred candidate" to become MSU's next president meets with campus groups. Check back throughout the day for updates:...

...9:45 a.m. - Foglesong met with campus leaders, including the department heads and university deans. He said he was committed to staying at MSU for the long term. Foglesong admitted he had a limited academic background and will depend on the faculty for guidance. "I'll need you help on the academic side," he said.

11 a.m. - Foglesong met with faculty members at Hunter Henry Center. He said in order for MSU to retain quality faculty members, they must be paid fairly. Foglesong also said he would bring passion to the university. "My vision is for this to be the most respected land-grant university in the Southeast," he said. ...

...5 p.m. - Foglesong met this afternoon with the MSU Foundation. He said the university needs to take more credit for its accomplishments. He said much of time will be spent raising money for the MSU. "My guess is 60 percent of my time will be spen talking to state government, private and corporate donors," he said. Also said his biggest challenge is receiving support from the faculty. "My Ph.D doesn't entitle me to their trust," he said. Foglesong would to see the growth of diversity on campus and wants to build on the university's relationship with the community. The College Board is going into executive session, and it's likely to select Foglesong as MSU's 18th president....

Date: Mar 28, 2006

info wrote:

...- Foglesong .... said his biggest challenge is receiving support from the faculty. "My Ph.D doesn't entitle me to their trust," he said. Foglesong would to see the growth of diversity on campus and wants to build on the university's relationship with the community. The College Board is going into executive session, and it's likely to select Foglesong as MSU's 18th president....

Music to my ears...Bring it on, General.

Date: Mar 28, 2006

Edward Sanders' blog

http://edwardsanders.blogspot.com/

....Interesting facts and rumors:

1. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright wrote a letter of recommendation for Foglesong (likely true)

2. Dr. Lee wrote one for Keenum (unsubstantiated)

3. Keenum had the support of the Ole Miss Board members (seems to be true)

4. Dr. Thomas Meredith had the last laugh (very true). Just wait until Khayat retires though

5. General Foglesong is a good replacement for Dr. Lee (true)

6. Dr. Wendler as President of SIU not only marched in a pro-life rally but came out against same-sex partner benefits at SIU which he said "promoted a sinful life style". (true and documented). I have a special place fin my heart for the rare conservative President of a public university. By all accounts, he is the "George W. Bush of academia."

7. Wendler tried to limit tailgating at SIU to 3 hours to avoid the appearance of supporting people coming to game intoxicated. (true)

Opinion:

Good compromise candidate but the IHL will have a rocky relationship with some alumni for years to come. If you think Keenum's supporters were vocal, just wait until Khayat retires because the Ole Miss faithful aren't going to sit on their hands and "let the IHL pick who's best for them."

Date: Mar 28, 2006

Sid Salters' blog

http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs/ssalter/sidblog.html

Gen. Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong has excellent credentials and this is one MSU alumnus who stands ready to support him 100 percent. Those who refuse to give Gen. Foglesong every courtesy in welcoming him to MSU and resist helping to facilitate his success there are doing the university a great disservice.

That said, the secretive search process used to choose Foglesong remains disappointing. About the only group pleased with the process is IHL Commissioner Tom Meredith and his small coterie of folks who believe the taxpayers should be shut out of the process of selecting a public officer who makes twice as much as the governor.

Only those members of the MSU community hand-picked by Meredith had ever heard of Foglesong prior to him being named as the new president. The "preferred candidate" status was a complete farce. By that stage in the process, the deal was done....

...The final analysis of this transaction will come down the road. Will Meredith let Gen. Foglesong "command" MSU or does he want a military XO on the job who will perpetuate Meredith's desire to maintain "strong commissioner" status?

Date: Mar 28, 2006

Sid Salters' blog

http://www.clarionledger.com/misc/blogs/ssalter/sidblog.html

MSU Search: Did Advisory Committee recommend Foglesong?

The Starkville Daily News is reporting that new MSU President Gen. Robert "Doc" Foglesong's name was not among the six recommended by the MSU Presidential Search Advisory Committee to the College Board. Their source is Dr. Mark Goodman, a MSU professor who served on the committee.

That report would suggest that even the pretense of input from rank-and-file MSU stakeholders into the presidential search at MSU was a farce. If Dr. Meredith and consultant Jan Greenwood didn't like the deck of cards handed them by the Advisory Committee, they just reshuffled the deck.

Date: Mar 28, 2006

info wrote:

"3. Keenum had the support of the Ole Miss Board members (seems to be true)"

Why would the Ole Miss Board give a royal rip about who wound up as Mississippi State's new president? Will they be that attentive to USM's welfare in its presidential search?

Date: Mar 29, 2006

IHL PR

http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/newsstory.asp?ID=391

BOARD ANNOUNCES FOGLESONG AS PRESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

3/28/2006 (Jackson, Miss. ) -

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning today unanimously named Dr. Robert H. Foglesong as President of Mississippi State University. The announcement followed open, day-long interviews with the Board, Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas Meredith, Dr. Foglesong and various community and university constituencies. The Board solicited and reviewed feedback from the university and community representatives who participated in the open interviews prior to making its decision.

"I’m excited about it," said Trustee Ed Blakeslee, Chair of the MSU Presidential Search Committee. "I think we have someone who is truly going to be an outstanding president for Mississippi State."

"Dr. Foglesong is the right choice for Mississippi State at this time in its history," said Dr. Thomas C. Meredith, Commissioner of Higher Education. "Dr. Foglesong brings proven leadership and a level of integrity that we all deserve in our institutional heads."

"I’m delighted and honored to have this opportunity," said Dr. Foglesong. "I’m excited to take this institution, with its incredible reputation, and have the opportunity to help navigate it to the next level."

Dr. Robert H. Foglesong currently serves as President and Executive Director of the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation, a non-profit operating to identify and support Appalachian leaders. Previously, he was nominated by the President, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and served as a four star general in the U.S. Air Force personnel, operations, infrastructure and intra/inter governmental affairs for an organization of 358,000 uniformed members and 158,000 civilian employees. He was responsible for planning and programming for future strategies involving an annual budget of $90 billion. His jobs required almost daily interface with members of Congress, the White House and many governmental interagency offices. Dr. Foglesong earned degrees from West Virginia University, including a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Dr. Foglesong and his wife, Mary, have two grown sons, one of whom was born at Columbus Air Force Base.