Dillard University News May 28, 2014 KIMBROUGH NAMED TO STEERING COMMITTEE ON THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES Dillard University is pleased to announce that Walter M. Kimbrough, president, has been named to a new steering committee of college and university presidents that will assess the future of independent colleges. The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has organized the 22-member panel to develop a plan that encourages independent colleges and universities to revitalize their missions and business models. The Lumina Foundation funds the project on the Future of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges. "I was excited to be asked to participate in this important work," said Kimbrough. "With increased pressure on private colleges to prove out worth, even with lots of evidence already existing that does just this, we have an opportunity to further strengthen our place in higher education." With the guidance of the steering committee, the project will explore new approaches to higher education, alternative college business models, and potentially disruptive trends in American society and education along with the traditional characteristics and missions of independent liberal arts colleges that are regarded as essential to their success. The project will provide a new opportunity for CIC members to lead the national conversation about what it means to offer a high-quality education in the 21st century. "Predictions about the future of higher education by politicians, journalists, and policy analysts often disregard or deride the effectiveness of traditional colleges and universities," said CIC President Richard Ekman. "CIC, however, has always tried to find an appropriate balance between innovations in higher education that show real promise for the future and the existing features of member institutions that have long demonstrated their value. In this spirit, CIC's new project will explore the future of independent colleges." During its initial meeting-which will convene September 16-17, 2014, in Washington, DC-the steering committee will focus on the development of a research agenda for the coming year. CIC staff and others will then conduct the research and prepare several framing papers based on the steering committee's guidance. The committee's second meeting will be devoted to development of an action plan to help CIC member institutions reexamine their missions and long-term strategic plans in intentional ways. The Future of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges Steering Committee Steven C. Bahls, President, Augustana College (IL) Luis Maria R. Calingo, President, Woodbury University (CA) Ronald L. Carter, President, Johnson C. Smith University (NC) Roger N. Casey, President, McDaniel College (MD) Margaret L. Drugovich, President, Hartwick College (NY) Elizabeth A. Fleming, President, Converse College (SC) Thomas F. Flynn, President, Alvernia University (PA) Christopher B. Howard, President, Hampden-Sydney College (VA) Todd S. Hutton, President, Utica College (NY) Chris Kimball, President, California Lutheran University Walter M. Kimbrough, President, Dillard University (LA) Larry D. Large, President, Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities Paul J. LeBlanc, President, Southern New Hampshire University Mary B. Marcy, President, Dominican University of California John McCardell, President and Vice Chancellor, Sewanee: The University of the South (TN) Kevin M. Ross, President, Lynn University (FL) Ed L. Schrader, President, Brenau University (GA) Elizabeth J. Stroble, President, Webster University (MO) Henry N. Tisdale, President, Claflin University (SC) Edwin H. Welch, President, University of Charleston (WV) John S. Wilson, President, Morehouse College (GA) Cynthia Zane, President, Hilbert College (NY) SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!