Alabama State University News November 7, 2013 Four Finalists Announced for President of ASU (Updated) The Alabama State University Presidential Search Committee met on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and after an executive session, released the names of the four finalists for ASU president. They are Samuel T. Nichols Jr., Jorge Haddock, Gwendolyn E. Boyd and Quinton T. Ross Jr. "I am proud of the work done by this committee," said committee chairman Marvin Wiggins. "I think we had a great selection of individuals. The four names that we have announced tonight are all strong candidates for the top leadership position of the University. "Dr. Haddock has great credentials in the academic community and seemed to have a great track record on raising money. Brig. Gen. Nichols's military experience speaks for itself, and he has a proven ability to command. We also have two ASU graduates who have a great love for the University. Dr. Boyd has an impeccable professional record and a great level of professionalism. And Dr. Ross is a proven leader and a current senator, who would automatically bring great presence to the position." Wiggins said the next step for the committee is to set up individual meetings with each candidate. "We will engage them in personal interviews in December. It will be a chance to get behind the written applications to see who they are and what they really bring to the table. Since they are all qualified, the issue is going to be determining which one has those intangible qualities that are the best fit for the University," added Wiggins. Wiggins said he hopes that the committee will be able to forward the names to the Board of Trustees by the end of December. About the Candidates Samuel T. Nichols, Jr. Nichols currently serves as the Commanding General of the 289th Police Brigade in Nashville. As Brigadier General of the United States Army Reserve, Nichols is "responsible for command and control of five Military Police battalions with a combined strength of 4,500 soldiers supported by more than fifty civilian employees." Nichols also has served as Deputy Commanding General of the Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Commanding General of the Regional Support Group, United States Army Reserve, Birmingham, Ala. Nichols has 35 years of distinguished military and civilian leadership, having received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Education: Master of Science, Education, Mississippi State University (1979); Bachelor of Science, Education, Mississippi State University (1976); Seminar, U.S. Air Force War College, Montgomery (2002); and Resident, U.S. Army War College, Tufts School of Internal Law and Diplomacy, Medford, Mass. (2001). Jorge Haddock Haddock served as dean of the School of Management at George Mason University from 2009 to 2013 and currently serves as a full professor. He led the transformation of the school into one of the nations' most rapidly advancing business schools, an institution that partners with liberal arts, engineering and public policy programs to deliver cutting-edge academic programs aligned with the needs of business, government and non-profit sectors. Haddock previously served as dean of Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond where he also held the rank of professor. He served as professor and associate dean of the Lally School of Management and Technology at Rensselaer. Haddock also has served in faculty positions at Clemson and University of Puerto Rico. A noted fundraiser, Haddock has generated more than three million dollars for the School of Management at George Mason University and $12 million over a two-year period for the Robins School of Business building. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Master of Science in management engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University. Gwendolyn E. Boyd Boyd is an executive leader with more than three decades of experience in higher education administration. She currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff for the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Md. Boyd is a mechanical engineer and recognized leader in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). She supports the management of the $1.2 billion APL, its more than 5000 members and 600 programs with various government agencies, including the Navy, Air Force, Army and NASA. In addition to her diverse work in academia, Boyd has a strong record of community engagement and service. She led Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc,, an international service sorority with more than 200,000 members, as the 22nd National President. Boyd is an alumna of Alabama State University, having earned a baccalaureate degree in mathematics. She also holds master's degrees from Yale University and Howard University and a doctoral degree from Howard University. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. Ross is currently serving his third term in the Alabama Senate, where he is vice chair of the Education Committee. He also serves on the Veterans and Military Affairs; Commerce, Transportation and Utilities; and the Tourism and Marketing committees. Ross is employed as the director of Adult Education at H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College. His responsibilities include budget preparation and management, resource allocation, professional development training and compliance oversight with the Alabama Adult Education Family Literacy assessment plan. Ross is a career educator, having served as an English instructor, an assistant principal and principal at various public schools in Montgomery, Ala. Ross received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, a Master of Education in Secondary English Education and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Policy and Law, all from Alabama State University. The above information was taken from the candidates' applications. 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.