To the Haverford Community:

As the calendar year draws to a close, we write with a progress update on the Haverford College presidential search, which is progressing well and on schedule.  First, we want to thank so many of you who, over the past two and half months, have met with or written to the search committee to share your views about Haverford, our aspirations and challenges, and the characteristics we seek in our fourteenth president.

Since our committee was formed in late September, we have held several meetings via conference call and on campus.  We have also engaged the firm of Storbeck/Pimentel to serve as our search consultants, and we are now working closely with Managing Partner Shelly Storbeck and her colleague Sue May.

Campus and Constituency Input The search committee and search consultants have read the many comments submitted on the search website from on-campus constituents, alumni, parents, and past parents.  In addition, we have conducted a number of one-on-one and group meetings with faculty, students, staff, the Board, the Alumni Association Executive Committee and the Corporation Advisory Committee.  We found our conversations stimulating, helpful, and productive.  While the articulation of opportunities and challenges varied somewhat, the messages were consistent: all constituencies care deeply about the College, value what’s distinctive and special about Haverford, and remain committed to its future success.

Search Prospectus and Advertisements Our committee—working in collaboration with the College’s terrific communications team—integrated the messages and perspectives we heard to develop a written prospectus for potential candidates that describes what Haverford is today, what we stand for and value, the opportunities and challenges facing our next president, and the characteristics we seek in a new president.  This document is now being shared with potential candidates and with each of you.  In addition, the position has been advertised in a variety of relevant print and online publications.  We hope that you and our candidates will enjoy reading the prospectus and share our excitement about Haverford and the next presidency.

Recruitment The weeks and months ahead will be the time of active recruitment of a deep pool of highly-qualified candidates.  If you review the last pages of the position prospectus, you will see an articulation of the qualities we seek in our next president.  After your review, we invite you to share the names of potential candidates with our search consultants, Shelly Storbeck and Sue May, Storbeck /Pimentel & Associates, 1400 North Providence Road, Suite 6000 Media, PA 19063, via e-mail to Haverford@storbeckpimentel.com, or through our form on the presidential search website.

The ultimate goal is to enable the new president to start on July 1, 2012.

Next Steps in the Process Our committee will continue to meet periodically to discuss candidate materials, conduct in-person interviews, and check references.  An important part of a successful search is to respect the confidentiality of the candidates.  The experience of our search consultants (and the view of “best practice” shared by every prospective search firm we interviewed) and of other peer liberal arts colleges’ search committees is that confidentiality is essential to attract successful current leaders at other institutions into our pool. Many prospective candidates will only be willing to engage in dialogue with us if the search process respects the confidentiality of their candidacy. They must balance their commitments to their current institution even as they explore the possibility of joining our community.  This fundamental reality constrains our committee’s ability to bring candidates to campus or update you as frequently and thoroughly as would otherwise like.  We will, however, look for ways and opportunities to keep you informed to the extent that we may do so.  Ultimately, the College’s Board of Managers has asked us to lead a process designed to bring the best candidates forward in order to find the most outstanding candidate available for the presidency of Haverford.  The Board holds the final responsibility to select and appoint the president.

Our Invitation We hope that each of you, especially those with contacts in higher education and related fields, will take the time to make nominations of candidates as soon as possible.  We know that many in the Haverford community have connections and contacts that will provide great ideas for potential candidates, so we look forward to hearing your nominations.  Again, the e-mail to use for nominations is: Haverford@storbeckpimentel.com.

If you have other questions or comments, you may contact us at haverford14thcochairs@gmail.com or you can send thoughts through the presidential search website.  Finally, we hope that you will visit the presidential search website regularly for updates and information.

With best wishes for a healthy and happy 2012,

Jon and Garry

Jonathan W. Evans '77 and Garry W. Jenkins '92 Co-Chairs, Haverford College Presidential Search Committee