University Updates

SEARCH COMMITTEE WORKING TO FIND NEXT PRESIDENT

News broke in November 2021 of Dr. Harley Knowles’ departure from TWU in June 2022. A search committee was immediately assembled to seek out the next leader for TWU.

A committee of 24 individuals, representing the TWU Board of Trustees, the community, faculty, staff, and a student representative, have been tasked with finding the next TWU president. Jim Winer, a TWU trustee, leads the group, which included in the early stages of the search process a survey to all TWU faculty and staff, seeking their input on the state of TWU and their hopes in the new president.

The committee has advertised the position in early 2022, hoping to have a board vote on candidates in time for a smooth transition and for the incoming President to get to know President Knowles and his great team.

SACSCOC REAFFIRMATION WITH ZERO RECOMMENDATIONS

In late 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to affirm Tennessee Wesleyan University’s 10-year Accreditation Certificate. The committee in charge of TWU’s reaccreditation issued zero recommendations, a rare feat for any university. “Tennessee Wesleyan University’s 10-year reaffirmation approval from SACSCOC signifies that the institution is of educational quality and effectiveness,” said Dr. Stephanie Smallen, TWU’s VP for Institutional Effectiveness and Research. “The process of reaffirmation is extremely rigorous, involving countless hours of planning, writing, and preparation. To have a successful reaffirmation represented so much more than a process, but rather recognition by our peers for all the years of hard work and dedication to excellence. To have no recommendations after the virtual on-site committee visit positioned the University amongst the elite, as this is a rare outcome.”

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

The 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings were released in September, with Tennessee Wesleyan University landing on three of the ranking lists:

#17 Top Performers on Social Mobility #19 Regional Colleges South #23 Best Value Schools

“We are proud to be in the top tier again in the regional U.S. News rankings this year,” said TWU President Dr. Harley Knowles. “Our high standing is a credit to all of the University staff, faculty, and students and their collective commitment to excellence.”

CONTINUING TO BATTLE COVID-19

The University has continued to wade the changing waters of COVID-19. With a continued focus on the balance between student safety and a robust academic experience, TWU has remained free from a major outbreak or shutdown since the initial shutdown in March 2020. Among other guidelines, the primary ways in which the University has combatted the spread of the coronavirus include:

•Masking and social distancing in indoor spaces, including labs and classrooms

•Strongly encouraging students, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination

•Closely watching and adopting CDC guidelines, with emphasis on current local numbers

HARDAWAY HALL ACQUIRED AND DEDICATED

In 2021, TWU acquired the property located at 202 Green Street, adjacent to campus and across the street from the downtown CVS Pharmacy. The building has been renovated and was dedicated at Homecoming as Hardaway Hall, in honor of the Hardaway family and their many years of service to Tennessee Wesleyan University. The building now houses a pair of programs that embody the Hardaway’s commitment to serving their community.

The Love Thy Neighbor Project, Upward Bound, and Facilities now work from Hardaway Hall. The Love Thy Neighbor Project runs their full operation out of the bottom floor, including the food pantry made available to students and the community, and home base for the mobile food pantries run each month. Upward Bound is a federally-funded program which aims to serve potential first-generation college students during their high school years, helping them reach their goal of a college degree. GOODFRIEND NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

The TWU Board of Trustees has a new chairman as of the 2021-2022 academic year. Dr. Robert Goodfriend is leading the board into one of its most challenging tasks, finding a new president for the University.

Dr. Goodfriend’s generosity was instrumental in the development of the Goodfriend School of Business in 2016. The Goodfriend School of Business is home to TWU’s undergraduate business program, the management excellence degree completion program, and Master of Business Administration program. Dr. Goodfriend is the retired CEO of the national chain Goody’s Family Clothing.