Wichita State News: Presidential Search

John Bardo takes oath as Wichita State president

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:27:00 CST

John Bardo used his formal inauguration as president of Wichita State University on Friday to describe "storm clouds" in Wichita's future and outline his plans for moving the university and the regional economy forward.

At WSU's Hughes Metropolitan Complex at 29th North and Oliver, Bardo took the formal oath as WSU's 13th president, three months after he unofficially took over, and reminded hundreds of listeners that Wichita has prided itself for decades on past achievements in entrepreneurship. Pizza Hut was founded here, as was Rent-A-Center, but "that entrepreneurial spirit is not what it once was," he said.

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Wichita State University names Bardo 13th president

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:54:00 CST

John William Bardo has been named by the Kansas Board of Regents as the new president of Wichita State University, effective July 1.

Bardo will become the 13th president of Wichita State, following President Donald Beggs' resignation June 30.

"My wife and I are very excited to be part of the WSU family," Bardo said. "Wichita State is a wonderful university with great potential. Wichita is a tremendous community and we're delighted to be back. I look forward to working closely with the university's students, staff and faculty, as well as with Wichita's business and civic leaders, in advancing WSU's mission."

Leadership experience

John William Bardo

Bardo served as the chancellor of Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, in North Carolina from 1995-2011. In 2011, he returned to the classroom as a professor of education.

Bardo started his career at WSU. From 1976-1977 he was graduate coordinator of the Master of Urban Studies program. And from 1978-1983, he was chair of WSU's Department of Sociology and Social Work.

From 1983-1986, Bardo was dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

From there he went to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, serving as provost and vice president for academic affairs from 1986-1989 and as assistant to the president for planning and evaluation from 1989-1990.

From 1993-1995, Bardo was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Mass.

Bardo holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Ohio State University; a Master of Arts in sociology from Ohio University; and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Cincinnati.

"The board is proud to announce that Dr. Bardo will be the next Wichita State University president. He rose to the top of an exceptional field of candidates," said Ed McKechnie, chair of the Board of Regents. "The board believes his leadership experience and vision for WSU are an outstanding fit to honor the traditions and shape the future of WSU."

Finalists for WSU president selected

Fri, 6 Apr 2012 08:24:00 CST

The Wichita State University Presidential Search Committee announced five individuals have been selected as presidential finalists for Wichita State and will visit the WSU campus in the next two weeks. During the visit, candidates will tour the campus and interact with various WSU constituent groups. A portion of each visit will be open to the public.

Here are the five candidates.

Glen Hahn Cope is the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor of public policy administration and political science at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in economics, a master's degree from Syracuse University in public administration and her Ph.D. from Ohio State University in public administration. Cope will visit WSU Sunday and Monday, April 8-9. The open forum will be held from 4-5 p.m. Monday, April 9, in 209 Hubbard Hall.

Chuck Staben is provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of South Dakota. He earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. from the University of California in biochemistry. Staben will visit WSU Monday and Tuesday, April 9-10. The open forum will be held from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, in 209 Hubbard Hall.

Lisa A. Rossbacher is the president of Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga. She earned her bachelor's degree from Dickinson College in geology, a master's degree from State University of New York at Binghamton in geological sciences, a master's degree from Princeton University in geological and geophysical sciences, and her Ph.D. from Princeton University in geological and geophysical sciences. Rossbacher will visit WSU Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10-11. The open forum will be held from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, in 211 Hubbard Hall.

Bjong Wolf Yeigh (pronounced be-yong wolf yeah; prefers to go by Wolf) serves as president of the State University of New York Institution of Technology. He earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in engineering science, a master's degree at Stanford University in mechanical engineering, and his Ph.D. from Princeton University in civil engineering and operations research. Yeigh will visit WSU Sunday and Monday, April 15-16. The open forum will be held from 4-5 p.m. Monday, April 16, in 209 Hubbard Hall.

John William Bardo served as chancellor of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., from 1995-2011. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Cincinnati, his master's degree from Ohio University in sociology, and his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in sociology. Bardo will visit WSU Monday and Tuesday, April 16-17. The open forum will be held from 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in 209 Hubbard Hall.

Candidate information available
Additional information about each candidate and the open forums is available on the WSU Presidential Search website at www.wichita.edu/presidentialsearch.

The WSU and Wichita communities are invited and encouraged to meet the candidates at the open forums, which have been scheduled for each candidate. Feedback from the campus and community will be facilitated via an online survey.

A link to the survey will be located on the WSU Presidential Search website at www.wichita.edu/presidentialsearch. The survey instrument for each candidate will be open from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. the day of their visit.

Donald Beggs

WSU President Donald Beggs announced his resignation effective June 30, 2012, after serving the university for 13 years. In November 2011, the Kansas Board of Regents selected the members of the search committee, composed of 20 individuals representing WSU constituencies such as faculty, students, administration, staff, alumni/foundation, the Wichita community and the Board of Regents.

The Search Committee will submit to the Board of Regents its unranked candidate recommendations at the conclusion of the campus interviews. The board hopes to name the 13th WSU president in May 2012.

Regents name WSU presidential search committee

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:20:00 CST

The Kansas Board of Regents selected the 20 individuals who will guide the search process for the next president of Wichita State University and adopted the charge for the WSU Presidential Search Committee.

The search committee, comprised of individuals representing WSU constituencies such as faculty, students, administration, staff, alumni, foundation, the Wichita community and the Board of Regents, will be led by former Regent Steve Clark of Wichita.

Clark, president and CEO of Clark Investment Group, served on the Kansas Board of Regents from 1999 to 2002.

WSU President Donald Beggs announced in September plans to resign as president once the Kansas Board of Regents names a successor to be in place during the summer of 2012.

For the complete story, go to http://www.wichita.edu/j/?1332.

WSU President Don Beggs announces resignation plans

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:28:00 CST

Don Beggs

Wichita State University President Don Beggs has announced plans to resign as president once the Kansas Board of Regents names a successor to be in place during the summer of 2012.

Beggs, 70, has been president of WSU since January 1999. He is the 12th president in the history of Wichita State.

Wichita State will suspend the search for provost until the new president is in place. Keith Pickus is serving as interim provost.

In a message to faculty and staff, Beggs said: "The Kansas Board of Regents is determined to identify a person who is committed to our students, faculty, staff and alumni. The success of our university is a reflection on each of you and the special city and region that we serve. We are continuing to change to be prepared to address new challenges as our world changes. We will continue to do more to be more.

"I am committed to full speed ahead to make this a positive year in every way," said Beggs.