BY AXEL HALVARSON, STAFF WRITER
After months of uncertainty and confusion, Bellarmine has finally chosen a new president. Dr. Susan M. Donovan will become president of Bellarmine starting July 1, 2017. This announcement comes almost a year to the date after the sad and unexpected death of Dr. Joseph J. McGowan, who died on March 1, 2016, at age 71.
After McGowan passed, Bellarmine appointed Dr. Doris Tegart as interim president of the university. Tegart’s final months before the announcement of a permanent president were highlighted by a campaign for Bellarmine to become a sanctuary campus, which was met with a lack of transparency and inconsistency by Tegart.
Although the decision was the board of trustees’, Tegart’s statement regarding the sanctuary campus was contradictory to the beliefs and values of what a welcoming Bellarmine campus should be like. Howevern, Tegart’s job was to sustain the university during a trying time, and she did it well.
She did her job to the best that she could with completely unexpected circumstances. Now, finally, the madness has been settled and Donovan has been chosen to lead the university.
Donovan comes from Loyola University Maryland, in Baltimore. At Loyola, she served as the executive vice president for the last five years.
Donovan worked at the university for 32 years. It may seem strange for a faculty member who has been committed to one place for so long to eventually leave; however, a job as president of a college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should be embraced as such.
This should be exciting for the Bellarmine community. We should expect Donovan to take advantage of this opportunity.
Donovan’s hire comes at a time of great division in our country. With political and racial splits at the forefront of conversation in America, it is impossible for every single person’s wants and needs to be met in a decision such as a presidential hiring. However, Donovan seems to be off to a good start.
“Our students continue to speak out against injustice… and I applaud their right and responsibility to do so,” Donovan said.
Having a leader in charge who firmly believes in what she says is a marvelous characteristic that should be recognized and applauded by the Bellarmine community.
Of course, there are more societal problems that need to be solved. One of which includes gender equality.
Donovan will be the school’s first woman president. This seemed like an elephant in the room during her press conference, and she was asked what it meant to her to be the first.
“I think it’s time to break the glass ceiling.” Donovan said.
Again, in a small example, we see that Donovan has thought about the important issues of our nation.
The timing of her presidency falling during this divided time in our country is unfortunate, but having a leader who cares about social justice is extremely important, especially at a university that prides itself on diversity and difference of opinion.
So, the Bellarmine community should not expect perfection from Donovan. Instead, we should look for Bellarmine to grow as a school and for students to continue to be well-rounded and educated citizens in our society.
The community needs to be open-minded and have a positive outlook towards her presidency. Students and faculty should not expect Bellarmine to become radically different anytime soon, but all members of the Bellarmine community should expect to have a more personal relationship with Donovan.
After her introductory speech in Frazier Hall, Donovan took the time to chat one-on-one with anyone who attended the event. For BU students, faculty members, staff members and alumni hoping to have a more personal relationship with their university’s president, the hiring of Donovan is a true win.