LHU Presidential Search Underway
LOCK HAVEN — The search process for Lock Haven University’s 15th president officially has begun with this weeks’s endorsement from the state Chancellor’s office. The first meeting of the Presidential Search Committee, chaired by trustee Guy Graham, was held Thursday to discuss the vacancy.
The position opening comes following the announcement of current president Michael Fiorentino, Jr.’s retirement in March 2018. Fiorentino has led the university since July 1, 2011.
During Fiorentino’s time at LHU, the university has seen numerous improvements and reached significant milestones including being ranked first among PASSHE institutions for performance funding in the 2017-18 cycle. A focus on high-impact learning practices and experiential learning has increased opportunities for students in and out of the classroom. LHU student-athletes continue to excel on and off the field, routinely earning academic and athletic honors. Major renovations to the physical campus also have created an enhanced learning environment for students.
“We are very happy with how Michael has led the university throughout his tenure as president,” Graham said. “We look forward to working with a new leader who will continue to advance the university forward and create opportunities for the Commonwealth’s students far into the future.”
The committee is looking for interested and qualified candidates to fill the vacancy in the hopes of submitting their final candidates to the Board of Governors in April 2018 and having a new president in place by summer 2018.
The university will be working with RPA Inc., located in Williamsport, Pa., one of the leading executive recruitment and consulting firms for higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations. Richard Allen founded RPA Inc. in 1988 with the specific mission of assisting institutions of higher education in recruiting highly qualified senior personnel and in enhancing capacity to raise philanthropic income.
The search committee consists of 13 voting members, and five non-voting members. In addition to Graham, the committee members are:
• James Gregory, trustee
• Daniel Elby, trustee
• Deana Hill, staff
• Matt Girton, faculty
• Mark Cloud, faculty
• Rich Heimer, staff
• Nicole Rall-Miller, staff
• Trevor Dietz, student
• Ed Wright, alumnus
• Cindy Allen, retired faculty emerita
• Jill Mitchley, staff
• Lynn Gray, staff
• Mike Driscoll, Indiana University of Pennsylvania president
• Peter Garland, PASSHE representative
• Lois Johnson, PASSHE representative
• Rep. Mike Hanna, BOG representative
• George Durrwachter, trustee, ex-officio
• Gwen Bechdel, coordinator
• Dana Cohick, search firm liaison
• Richard Allen, search firm liaison
