TO: The Grinnell Community
FROM: Paul G. Risser ’61, Chair, Presidential Search Committee
DATE: September 10, 2009
SUBJECT: Progress Report
The search for the next President of Grinnell College is on schedule and progressing according to the plan developed by the Search Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees.
Several members of the Search Committee and the Principals from the search firm, Isaacson, Miller, spent August 31 and September 1 on the Grinnell campus—with the gorgeous fall weather that all who have attended Grinnell will know and remember so well. Discussions were held with groups of faculty, staff, students, local alumni and members of the administration. These discussions were designed to provide additional Grinnell background knowledge for Isaacson, Miller, to offer the campus community further opportunities to share preferred presidential characteristics, and to discuss the goals of the College and of the search process. In all instances the discussions were thoughtful and helpful.
The Search Committee is writing a multi-page document, the Grinnell Perspective, to convey the nature of Grinnell and its values, to outline key opportunities and challenges for the next President and to identify characteristics sought in candidates. This Perspective is being written based on multiple sources including existing Grinnell documents, the many messages posted on the current presidential website and from the recent discussions on campus. This Perspective along with other descriptive information about the College is scheduled to be launched on September 24 on the official Presidential Search website.
With these preliminary steps nearly complete, the Search Committee is now turning its attention in earnest to identifying potential candidates. Many recommendations have already been submitted through the current website and others are being sent directly to Isaacson, Miller. The Search Committee requests that the Grinnell community continue to offer nominations. These may be sent directly to Isaacson, Miller, to the current website, or after September 24 to the official presidential website.
The Search Committee’s general schedule is to continue identifying potential candidates through the fall, begin detailed evaluation of candidates late in the year and during the early part of 2010, and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees in February or March.
We welcome your continued participation in this process—one that will guide the direction of the College and the next generation of Grinnellians.
