The Emporia State provost and vice president search committee has chosen four finalists – Warren G. Sandmann, David P. Cordle, Bonnie D. Irwin and Gersham A. Nelson – among the list of candidates for the new provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. Sandmann and Cordle were on campus in the Emporia community this week for interviews and a public reception.
“I have spent my time over the years at institutions very similar to ESU,” Sandmann said. “I’ve worked with schools with a lot of working-class students and Midwest students.”
Sandmann, currently the associate provost and associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Minnesota State, Mankato, met with faculty and community members on Tuesday in Webb Hall.
“I think people need to be heard,” Sandmann said. “I think people need to be listened to.”
Sandmann spoke with community members at a reception held on Monday at the Emporia Arts Center.
“One of the things I want to be able to bring to ESU as provost is that I want to be part of the student and ESU community,” Sandmann said. “You would see me at events, at the football and basketball games, at the symphony and choir concerts, at the debate tournaments, at all types of events.”
Sandmann said he liked that ESU “serves its students.”
“The visit has been really good,” Sandmann said. “It’s really good that every group I have met here in Emporia has been really committed and involved. Students and community members are asking some really good questions.”
Cordle, currently the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, is in Emporia through Friday.
“ESU needs a provost with a certain kind of experience,” Cordle said, “an understanding of current issues that schools and students are facing.”
Cordle spoke with community members last night at a reception held in the Trusler Gallery at the Emporia Arts Center.
“(ESU) is a university that is small enough so that individuals can be easier heard,” Cordle said. “It’s a good size. It’s the kind of university that is very well positioned to prepare students for the 21st century. This is the kind of university I believe in.”
President Michael Shonrock said it was “fantastic to have them come here and meet faculty and students and see what makes ESU great.”
Candidates Irwin and Nelson will visit ESU next week to hold forums for faculty and students. Both Irwin and Nelson are planning to attend receptions at the Emporia Arts Center at 5 p.m. April 8 and April 10, respectively.
Irwin, currently the dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Eastern Illinois University, will meet with faculty at 3 p.m., campus and community at 4 p.m. and be at a public reception at 5 p.m. April 9 in the KSTC Ballroom.
Nelson, currently the dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Central Missouri, will meet with faculty at 3 p.m., campus and community at 4 p.m. and be at a public reception at 5 p.m. on April 11 in the Skyline Dining Room of the Memorial Union.
