August 10, 2006
Notes from the August 1, 2006 Alumni Forum in Boston
Fifteen Case Western Reserve University alumni attended the August 1, 2006 Alumni Forum at the Harvard Club in Boston. They were welcomed by board member and forum co-host Jim Bildner, who introduced board chair and search committee co-chair, Frank Linsalata. Linsalata provided an overview of the state of the University, especially in the areas of the University's leadership transition and budget issues.
Joie Gregor, board member and search committee co-chair provided the alumni with information about the process of searching for a president and defined the roles of the search firm and the search committee.
The alumni in attendance were given the opportunity to ask questions and express their opinions about the desired attributes and character of viable presidential candidates. The questions and comments that ensued included the following topics:
- Support for a clearer definition of the University and the type of institution it should be in the future
- Better and more frequent communication between the Board and the University's many constituencies
- Discussion of how the Board is constituted and how it relates to the president
- Timeline for the search and the hire of a new president
- The new president should be experienced in administering a research university, have an openly communicative style and a distinct vision, but also be conversant in the management of a complex organization