Richard Hyatt: Columbus State needs to find new leader quickly
When the University System of Georgia is looking for a new president at one of its colleges or universities it often moves with the speed of a 300-pound sprinter on a muddy track.
Frank Brown gave more than a year's notice when he announced his retirement from Columbus State University in 2007, but the heavy lifting on finding his replacement did not begin until he was ready to pack up his office.
His successor was Tim Mescon and 12 days ago he announced he's retiring Dec. 31.
That's three months notice, which follows state guidelines for a university leader.
When you are the governing body for 31 colleges and universities scattered across a large state it can be hard to get moving, especially when CSU, Georgia Southwestern State University and Dalton State College are currently shopping for presidents.
In addition to those schools, interim presidents are presently leading four institutions -- Albany State University, Darton State College, Georgia Perimeter College and Southern Polytechnic State University.
In today's marketplace, this number of openings is not that unusual. The University System has hired nine permanent or interim presidents in the past 27 months and the search process as laid out by the chancellor's office isn't simple.
If Chancellor Hank Huckaby decides a national search is in order at Columbus State, he must appoint a committee composed of faculty, alumni, foundation members, students and community leaders.
Advertising the job will take time and so will the interview process, so CSU could easily be without a permanent leader until the latter part of 2015.
With so many decisions and issues on the table, our appointed regents, Donald Leebern Jr. and Kessel Stelling, must suggest a strong interim president is needed.
CSU hopes to raise $125 million by 2019 and on Tuesday the university held a "wall-breaking" ceremony for an overdue update of the oldest classroom building on campus.
Plans are underway for relocating the nursing program to the downtown campus and a renovation of the baseball stadium is also in the works.
More than a caretaker is needed. CSU needs someone aware of the needs and someone who understands the stakeholders. Two suggestions come to mind: former President Frank Brown and Linda Hadley, the Dean of the D. Abbott Turner School of Business.
Either is capable of keeping alive the momentum that is vitally important to the future and over the years both have shown a deep commitment to nurturing CSU's growth. Brown could be effective on the short-term and, given the opportunity, Hadley might be a viable option for a permanent appointment.
Whoever is selected, we really can't afford that 300-pound sprinter.
This story was originally published September 16, 2014 at 10:37 PM with the headline "Richard Hyatt: Columbus State needs to find new leader quickly."