THE ROTUNDA VOL.
LV:
LONGWOOD COLLEGE, FARMVILLE, VIRGINIA TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER9,1980
NO. 2
President Of College Resigns Henry I. Willet Jr. has announced that he will resign the position of President of Longwood College, effective August 1981. President Willett's resignation was presented to the Board of Visitors at their annual meeting in August. The resignation came after a year of constant disagreement
with the Administration and the College's Board of Visitors. President Willett received two votes of confidence during the year, both 5-4, from the Board. President Willett has been here for the past 13 years. He came to Ixmgwood from the Tidewater area as an Administrator in the Public School system. According
Photo by Barbara Stonikinn
School Officially Opened By BETH PARROTT Convocation, or the official opening of the academic school year, was held September 4 at 1 p.m. in Jarman Auditorium with President Henry I. Willett, Jr., presiding. Some of the faculty and senior class were present in their full academic attire. The Reverend John H. Loving, Rector of Johns Memorial Episcopal Church, gave the invocation, after which Dean Carolyn Wells recognized the Longwood Scholars present. They are : Cynthia G. Poore, Mary B. Johnson, Sharon P. Wooten, Melinda C. Allman, Charna E. Moore, Carol A. Parrish, Patricia A. Paschall, Donald N. Roland, Jr., Susan A. Watford, Gilbert Bates, Leigh A. Goddin, Connie Reeves, and Janet Smith. Ms. Jan Jennings, Senior Class President, introduced the speaker for the service, Dr. George R. Healy, vice president for academic affairs and provost at the College of William and Mary. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Healy holds the B.A. degree from Oberlin College, the M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of
Minnesota. His career in higher education has included teaching history at the University of Minnesota, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Bates College (Maine) where he also served as chairman of the department of cultural heritage, dean of the faculty, and provost. Dr. Healy spoke to the seniors and others present trying to encourage them to do their best. He presented the future in somewhat uncertain terms. In another ceremony last week, President Henry I. Willett, Jr. spoke to the seniors about Longwood after graduation. He told them that they would probably not see much visible change in the college ten years from now. Willett spoke to them at Senior Capping, September 3 at 7 p.m. in Jarman Capping ceremony is the first senior ceremony of the year. After his talk, Dr. Willett presided over the ceremony where the little brothers and sisters placed caps and varying tassels on the seniors' heads. A reception given by the sister green-and-white class followed in the Gold Room of Lankford.
to the President, he has no plans prior to our going coed. The as of the present, although he has impending challenges of that move, however, caused me to had several job offers. remain until those challenges had The president's resignation been successfully met. As senior college president in reads as follows: Virginia, I am probably more Members of the Board of cognizant than most of the length of service of most administrative Visitors: positions. I am convinced that It is with mixed emotions that I you will not see college announce that I will give up the presidents, city or town presidency of Longwood College managers, or superintendents of effective August 31, 1981. This schools remain in positions for date is based upon (1) giving the extended periods of time that sufficient time to secure a once was the case. Many factors, replacement, and (2) it is the of course, contribute to this anniversary date when I entered situation. One may simply be the State service which will be accumulation of the number of important for me in the years times that you have to say "no" ahead. I will announce my over the years. In any event, I decision in early September, feel that my time, too, has come. possibly at either capping or I will expect to go into more Convocation, but no later than detail in regard to some of my September 10. I need some time thoughts during the executive to notify the Governor, key session on Thursday. I, also, will members of the General want to discuss several related Assembly, and other supporters matters at that time. of the College before they read it There are two other points in the newspaper. The best which I feel compelled to make in interests of the College dictate this communication to you. that there be no leaks of this Governor Dalton, in my opinion, information prior to that time. had given a clear mandate to this The decision to leave after board in his selection of Board some 13 years is not an easy one appointees. The reappointment of to make but it is one that I have Mrs. Pretlow and the weighed on and off over some 5 appointments of Mr. Rust and years. Some are aware that I Mr. Smyth constitute a clear-cut gave serious thought of leaving rejection of the contentious
candidates suggested by some members of the faculty and their allies. This is a major victory for the institution. Mrs. Pretlow's record as a Board member is exemplary. While I have met Mr. Rust and Mr. Smyth only briefly, my initial reaction to them as Board members is extremely positive. I regret that I will have the privilege of working with them only one year. In the interest of candor, I must, speak to a second major issue. There are several on the Board who have misconstrued the call for increased Board responsibility to include involvement in the day-to-day operation of the institution. The most important lesson a Board member can learn is the distinction between policymaking and administration. If the College is to move forward in the difficult days of the 1980's, then every Board member must clearly understand this distinction. It is a distinction that was understood on this Board for better than 10 years. I shall always have a warm spot for this institution and wish her continued prosperity and success in the years ahead. Sincerely, Henry I Willett, Jr.
New Administrators Appointed State College in Minnesota for three years. He has also served as a residence hall area coordinator at Pennsylvania State University and a counselor at North Dakota State University. He holds the B.S. and M.Ed, degrees from the University of Kansas and the doctorate in education from the University of North Dakota. He is married and has one son. Dr. Ralph P. Hundley has been named Director of Institutional Advancement. He will supervise the college's development and private fund-raising activities and alumni relations. A native of Roanoke, Dr. Hundley holds the bachelor's degree in business administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, the master's in business administration and the Ph.D. in management from California Western University. Dr. Hundley just retired in August as a Marine Corps officer, with extensive management rnoto by Pam Winger experience in assignments Seniors receive Caps from little sisters or brothers, Wednesday throughout the world. In his most night. (Continued on Page 8)
Longwood College has announced the appointment of three administrators. Dr. Leo C. Salters has been named vice president for students affairs and dean of students, replacing Dr. Mary A. Heintz who has resigned her administrative duties to return to teaching. Coming to Longwood from a
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position as assistant vice president and dean of students at State University of New YorkGeneseo, Dr. Salters has extensive experience in student life administration and counseling. He has been associated with the office of student affairs at SUNY since 1969. Prior to that, he was associate dean of students at Moorhead