ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 20, 1996 TAG: 9601220055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
A committee of Hollins College alumnae, trustees, students, administrators and faculty has launched a search for a successor to President Jane Margaret O'Brien, who is leaving at the end of the school year.
O'Brien announced last month that she had accepted a position as president of St. Mary's College of Maryland, a public, coed, liberal arts college south of Annapolis.
In a letter to the college community this week, Jane Bassett Spilman, chairwoman of the board of trustees, wrote that the college hoped to name a new president soon but would not be held to a specific deadline.
Spilman said last month that a new president may or may not be in place by the time O'Brien leaves June 30 - the day her five-year contract with Hollins expires.
"In view of the high standard of excellence established by Maggie O'Brien, this task will not be easy," Spilman wrote. O'Brien "has heightened the visibility of Hollins among the academic community, our alumnae and, most importantly, among prospective students. This will be valuable to us as we seek to attract a pool of strong candidates to the presidential search."
The search committee will be headed by Anna Logan Lawson of Troutville, an alumna and trustee. Lawson is an anthropologist with a doctorate from the University of Virginia.
Linda Steele, director of college relations, will represent administrative staff on the committee.
Other committee members include: trustees Spilman, Brooke Morrow, Bittle Porterfield and Wyndham Robertson; Drue Barker, associate professor of economics and department chairman; George Ledger, dean of faculty and professor of psychology; Bob Sulkin, associate professor of art; Elizabeth Luhn, a senior who is president of the Student Government Association; Lillian Potter, a junior; Carol Greene Donnelly, a member of the alumnae association's board of directors; and Nancy Blue Thomas, a member of the board of overseers.
The committee is selecting a consultant from a list of companies experienced in college and university presidential searches, Spilman wrote in her letter.
Students, faculty, staff, alumnae, parents, community leaders and any other interested people are invited to let the committee know what qualities Hollins' ninth president should possess.
Those wishing to comment should call the committee at (540) 362-6451 or write to: Presidential Search Committee in care of Linda Steele, P.O. Box 9657, Roanoke 24020-1657.
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