The list continues…
Other University, College, and Seminary Presidents who are HSU Alumni William Ellis, BA 1975, Howard Payne University, 2009-present Eddie Hadlock, BS 1967, North Central Texas College, current David Hales, BS 1966, College of the Atlantic, 2006-present Tony Celelli, BBS 1993/MDiv 2000, South Texas School of Christian Studies, 2005-present Jeff Iorg, BA 1980, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004-present Paige Patterson, BA 1965, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003-present Bill Crews, BA 1957, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, past president Joseph Ilori, MA 1970, Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, past president Bill Thorn, BA 1948, Dallas Baptist University, past president Nathan Ivey, BS 1948, four universities in Colorado, Michigan, and Illinois, retired Homer Taylor, BS 1958/MEd 1963, Texas State Technical College, retired Bryce Jordan, Ex 1948, Penn State, deceased Gerald Martin, BA 1948, Hannibal-LaGrange College, deceased
| Winter 2009/2010
I want to be a university president when I grow up!
48 Range Rider Magazine
Gracie Carroll, associate vice president for academic advising and retention, offers the following advice to those who aspire to ascend to the position of a university president and wonder how to get there: As an undergraduate, study anything you like and excel in this academic program. Enroll in graduate school, leading to a PhD or EdD, the common pathway to this position. Though academic backgrounds of college presidents vary, a PhD in liberal arts may give you a slight upper-hand. After completing your graduate studies, concentrate on obtaining experiences—specifically in higher education. Start by having a successful college
teaching career. Nurture professional relationships. See if you yearn for more leadership by becoming involved in administration. The initial goal should be in becoming a department chairperson, then a dean, eventually securing a vice presidency position (typically, the vice president of academic affairs). Along this journey, it could prove beneficial to have published several scholarly articles. One cannot be in a hurry to be president—it takes a great deal of time. Lastly, I would recommend to consider what comes after presidency since the “shelflife” of a college president averages seven to ten years.