Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 19, 1995 TAG: 9505190073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LEXINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Knapp's six-year tenure as superintendent has come at a tough time for VMI: Not only has the public college suffered major cutbacks in state funding, it also has fought the U.S. Justice Department's sex-discrimination suit against its male-only admissions policy. Knapp noted the strain in his departing statement.
"The last six years have been intense, with pursuit of the federal court case, and with declining state appropriation and restructuring," Knapp said in a prepared statement issued by VMI. "But the institute is well positioned to benefit from the period of renewal and growth that is sure to come."
Knapp's announcement came largely as a surprise, although the incoming president of the board of visitors, William Berry, said he had discussed Knapp's decision with him.
"The timing probably was governed most by the fact that we're in for a change of era," Berry said. "We're going to see, within the next year, the end of a lot of things he's had to wrestle with throughout his tenure."
The federal government has until next week to appeal the latest ruling in the lawsuit, this time to the U.S. Supreme Court. So far, the federal courts have upheld the school's right to remain all-male. At Mary Baldwin College, plans forge ahead for next fall's initial class at the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership, VMI's answer to the suit.
"As you may know, General Knapp's father went to VMI, also," said Bob Patterson, the Richmond attorney and VMI alumnus who has led the school's legal fight. "He has loved VMI since the time he was a little boy, and he has been there for many, many years."
Knapp, 62, studied civil engineering and graduated from VMI in 1954. He holds a master's degree and doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and started teaching in VMI's civil engineering school in 1959.
From 1984 to 1989, Knapp was dean of the faculty.
He also spent 35 years in the Army Reserves.
The outgoing president of the board of visitors, Harvey S. Sadow, acknowledged Knapp's leadership through the difficult years.
"He kept the institute focused on its mission and successfully engineered its required restructuring," Sadow said in a statement. "We greatly appreciate his 36 years of loyal service and leadership to VMI."
Gordon Davies, executive director of the State Council of Higher Education, agreed that Knapp "has done very well in a difficult time.
"I think we've all suffered, educationally and financially," Davies said of the past six years. "But I still think the institute is strong. I think John Knapp leaves it stronger than he found it."
The board of visitors has appointed a committee to find Knapp's successor. Berry, who will become board president July 1, will head the nine-member group of board members and alumni representatives. Berry said an advisory committee of faculty and staff will have input into the decision and there will be "a method of using cadets in the final interview process."
The arrival of the new superintendent "will depend completely on the individual selected," Berry said.
by CNB