Board of Trustees Testimony - Jim Winer

WITH Gratitude

I first met Harley 11 years ago at the Knoxville Airport for the first round of interviews to hire the next Tennessee Wesleyan President. I was instantly struck by his personality. He was comfortable, warm, upbeat, engaging, thoughtful, and energetic. The campus needed his healing personality. Harley balanced the internal and external responsibilities that the position demands with humility and humor.

Over the more than 10 years of his tenure, we witnessed a wonderful cultural, academic, administrative, and physical transformation. The faculty and staff began proposing and developing initiatives and new programs. Despite the challenging higher education environment, the financial management and finances began to improve. Investments in institutional growth were made from the endowment, and the endowment has doubled since Harley’s arrival. Giving began to improve. Student support initiatives have improved retention.

The confidence of the trustees was clear and expressed in so many significant ways. Bill Kilbride donated the Kilbride Nature Sanctuary. Claire Tucker made the acquisition of Reece Hall a reality. Bobby Goodfriend made significant contributions to the business school, which now carries his name, the Goodfriend School of Business. Allen Carter contributed to athletics, and the baseball stadium now carries the name of his company, Athens Insurance Stadium. Carl Colloms gave the lead gift that brought the dream of having a campus center to reality.

Harley has always been the first to highlight the accomplishments of others and to thank people for their contributions. At the end of 2021, SACSCOC finalized the 10-year reaffirmation with no findings. That is a rare accomplishment in higher education and a fitting testimony to Harley and the great team at TWU.

Great leaders attract great people. Leadership matters, and Harley has been a humble and highly effective leader that we are forever thankful for. He is a friend who has positioned Tennessee Wesleyan for continued growth and ever greater success in the future.

Jim Winer Board Member & Former Chairperson