ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605220043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Charles King, Radford University's vice president for business affairs for five years, will depart at the end of June to join growing James Madison University.
"It's a clear opportunity," said King, who, as vice president for business affairs at Radford earns $91,800. At JMU, he'll earn $105,000. "It's a larger school. James Madison has an excellent regional and state reputation," he said.
As vice president for administration and finance, King will oversee a $151million budget, as compared with $80million at Radford.
"Hopefully, I'll be really involved with building the new campus," King said, referring to JMU's new College for Integrated Science and Technology. The college's first building is under construction on the east side of Interstate 81.
Radford President Douglas Covington, nearing the end of his first year in office, said King has "contributed significantly to the successful operations of Radford University over the past five years.
"He and his staff have received well-deserved recognition for the efficiency and effectiveness of their endeavors," Covington said, adding that he appreciated King's support during this first year in office.
Others who have worked longer with King lamented the Southwest Virginia school's loss.
"He's a valued colleague and friend," said Paul Harris, vice president for academic affairs at Radford. "This is a loss."
"Charlie is a very professional individual and has done an extremely good job for Radford University; I hate to see him go. He's been a steadying influence for Radford University with the legislature," said state Del. Tommy Baker, R-Pulaski County, a friend.
Minnis Ridenour, King's counterpart at Virginia Tech, calls King for advice from time to time.
"I think Charlie's a first-rate business officer," Ridenour said Tuesday. "I'm glad he's staying in Virginia. ... I will miss him locally."
Asked what he considered his biggest achievements at Radford, King said the $31million in capital construction completed in the past three years, and the launch of the RU Express card. Ten local merchants are accepting the campus debit card, now used by 64 percent of students.
JMU, only a two-hour drive from Washington, D.C., is growing and hopes to increase its enrollment by 3,000 students - to 15,000 - in the next few years. If current estimates are correct, it's well on its way: The freshman class is up 600 to 700 students over last year, to 3,200, said spokesman Fred Hilton.
Radford recently graduated a record 1,684 students, and hopes to remain steady at last year's enrollment of 8,700 students, Vice President for Student Affairs Paul Harris said. Four years ago, enrollment stood near 9,400, he said.
King said Radford probably faces "some challenges next fall with enrollment," but "there's a solid base here."
"There are a lot of good things about Radford. I think Radford's going to be fine," he said.
Mary Lou Merkt, assistant vice president for finance and former internal auditor at the school, has been named interim vice president for business affairs.
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) King.by CNB