Wittenberg Faculty and Staff,
As I mentioned in my inaugural address just over a week ago, the Wittenberg Way of learning engages students holistically, through academics, athletics, community leadership, and spiritual formation. As the semester passes the halfway mark, our students are taking exams, our recruitment efforts are showing great progress, and we are making changes in our leadership as well.
This past week, we announced that we are pursuing new leadership of our football program. As a result, Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler 鈥�80 and I are moving quickly to convene a search committee for this high-profile position to avoid any disruption in our recruiting efforts. Following our normal procedures, I will formally charge the committee today, and upon the conclusion of the committee's work and with its recommendation in hand, I will make the final decision regarding the next leader of our football program in consultation with VP Agler.
In order to gather a broad perspective, the search committee includes not only our campus representatives, but also a number of alumni who have agreed to serve on the committee. I wanted to introduce the full committee to you and thank all the members for their willingness to serve. The committee is:
- Melissa Kolbe '99, Committee Chair, Women's Head Basketball Coach, Senior Woman Administrator, and Former Women's Basketball Player
- Brad Beals '88, Assistant Director of Athletics for Operations and Former Cross Country Runner
- Michael Daiga, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Faculty Athletics Representative
- Michael Brown, Vice President for Enrollment Management
- William D. 鈥淏ill鈥� Edwards 鈥�89, Board Chair, Attorney, and Former Linebacker
- Wendy Ford '76, Board Member and Retired Human Resources Director
- Matt Gallatin '01, Middle School Principal, Former Wittenberg Assistant Football Coach, and Former Punter
- Bill Hauser '78, Retired Account Executive, Author, and Former Quarterback
- Paris Hilliard, Director of Cross Country and Track and Field
- Alicia Sweet Hupp '82, Emerita Board Member and Retired Business Owner
- Zach Hurtt '12, Business Owner and Former Linebacker
- Josh McKee '12, Banking Executive, Former Wide Receiver, and Former Basketball Guard
- Ron Szuch '87, Board Member, Business Executive, and Former Defensive Lineman
- Kirby Thompson '81, Sales and Marketing Executive, and Former Quarterback
As noted, this search will follow established procedures for searches at Wittenberg. If you or anyone you know is interested in applying, please encourage them to do so once the position is posted this week on our HR website.
Thank you again for welcoming me so warmly as Wittenberg's 16th President. I look forward to continuing to walk with you all on the Wittenberg Way.
Yours,
Christian