The OrangeLine Online, Vol. 2 Issue 3
March 3, 2005
An electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of West Virginia Wesleyan College
www.wvwc.edu

Welcome to the March edition of the OrangeLine ONLINE! This monthly newsletter is to keep you abreast of activities at and about West Virginia Wesleyan College, your "Home Among the Hills.” In each edition, you will find articles about students, faculty, and staff as well as student organizations, activities and athletic team successes. You will also find a link to Class Notes to help you keep up with classmates, as well as information on alumni events in your area.

President William R. Haden Announces Upcoming Retirement
West Virginia Wesleyan College President William R. Haden announced his plans to retire in the spring of 2006. Haden, who has served as the College’s president for the past decade, made his announcement at a campus convocation for faculty, staff and students. At the conclusion of a report on the College’s successful capital campaign, President Haden stated, “The end of the Campaign also marks, for me, ten years of service as President of the College. I have advised the Board of Trustees this morning of my intention to retire at the end of the 2005-2006 academic year. When I accepted this position in the fall of 1994, I committed to the chair of the search committee to stay for ten years. During this past decade, Wesleyan has been our College and our home. Betsy and I feel very much a part of the Orange Line that connects together the Wesleyan community—its past, present and future. We believe in West Virginia Wesleyan’s mission to transform the lives of young men and women. We will continue to support that mission during our time remaining here and into the future.”

“It is with both appreciation and regret that I, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, accept President Haden’s decision to retire at the end of the 2005-2006 academic year,” stated Wesleyan Board Chair Joseph Beeson ‘68. “I greatly admire President Haden’s dedication to Wesleyan and the personal sacrifices he has made to lead our College in the beginning of the twenty-first century.”

Under President Haden’s leadership, Wesleyan has seen many positive changes and achievements including:
  • The successful conclusion of the largest capital campaign in the College’s history, one that raised over $46.4 million. This includes the upcoming construction of a new performing arts center and an addition to the science hall.
  • Expansion in international exchange, travel and study, particularly in Asia, bringing greater knowledge and awareness of the world to Wesleyan’s campus and its students.
  • The development of an information technology program that supports teaching and learning in a ubiquitous computing environment for which the College has received national recognition.
  • The establishment of an endowed outdoor recreation program.
In the time between now and the summer of 2006, President Haden will continue to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the College and work on a number of specific tasks, including:
  • Sustaining his leadership of the College’s strategic planning effort, including the continuing implementation of previously approved programmatic changes.
  • Maintaining close relationships with key major gift donors and prospects while helping to complete the priority capital fundraising projects.
  • Working to further strengthen the Wesleyan Society and unrestricted giving to the College.
  • Enhancing the student and faculty exchange agreements that Wesleyan has with key international partners.
  • Counseling the Board and senior College administration on the transition.
A Presidential Search Committee will be appointed by Chairman Beeson and chaired by Board of Trustee member Christine Rapking Cox, Class of ’69 of Princeton, NJ. The committee will include representatives from the Board of Trustees, Alumni Council, faculty, students, and administration. The goal is to have a new president in place by the beginning of the 2006-2007 academic year.

Interim Academic Dean Larry Parsons will extend his service through the 2006-2007 academic year in order to allow the new president to participate in the selection of a new academic dean.

“President Haden will have served in excess of 11 years at the time of his retirement,” commented Chairman Beeson. “This is a long tenure for a college president in today’s world. We owe him a vote of thanks for his commitment to this College and for all that he will continue to do for the remainder of his presidency.


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