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Presidential Transition Committee plans for new president
Mar 14, 2005 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
A Presidential Transition Committee has been assembled to develop a comprehensive plan to introduce incoming president Thomas C. Whitworth III and his wife, Margo, to the campus and to Darlington’s constituencies, as well as to prepare them for their roles at the School.
“We might think about this committee’s activity as working outward through concentric circles of influence, with the Board of Trustees coming first; faculty, staff and students second; others close to the School following; and key external ‘influences’ being later,” said Joe Montgomery, vice president for institutional advancement. “The desired outcome of this work is to create effective working relationships and buy-in for Toms’ leadership of Darlington’s important constituencies.”
The committee has defined six key objectives: (1) Assisting a smooth transition between Jim Hendrix and Tom Whitworth, with a clean message of seamless transfer of responsibilities; (2) Educating Tom about Darlington’s history, traditions, challenges and opportunities in order to prepare him to lead the School; (3) Establishing Tom’s leadership and helping him to work with the Board to express a vision for the School; (4) Introducing Tom to constituents in an orderly fashion and helping him to develop strong relationships; (5) Coordinating effectively to avoid overwhelming the Whitworths with contacts from the School and external constituencies; (6) Ensuring that the School maintains focus on current leadership and that Interim President Jim Hendrix is supported in his important role through the completion of his term in June 2005.
Early activities have included opportunities for the president to meet members of the School community, both during the Board of Trustees’ meetings in January and at the Washington, D.C. Alumni Gathering later that month.
The committee is led by Chairwoman Joan Brock (’74) and Vice Chairman Gordon Lee Hight II (’62). Faculty members are represented by Charla Brewster, Lower School; James Hutchins, Middle School; and Sam Moss; Upper School. Students are represented by junior day student Brittni Dulaney of Rome, Ga., and junior boarding student Trey Robinson of Charleston, S.C.
Other members include Montgomery; Jere Drummond, trustee and member of the Presidential Selection Committee; Suzy Gilbert, former trustee and member of the Presidential Selection Committee; Jan Harrison, executive assistant to the president; Jim Hendrix, interim president; John Irby, trustee and chairman of the Presidential Selection Committee; Lauren Ledbetter, alumni relations officer; Jim McCallie, former president; Pam Morgan, major gifts officer; Layton Roberts, president of the Alumni Council; Roby Robinson, chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Bruce Watterson, associate vice president for public relations.
“We might think about this committee’s activity as working outward through concentric circles of influence, with the Board of Trustees coming first; faculty, staff and students second; others close to the School following; and key external ‘influences’ being later,” said Joe Montgomery, vice president for institutional advancement. “The desired outcome of this work is to create effective working relationships and buy-in for Toms’ leadership of Darlington’s important constituencies.”
The committee has defined six key objectives: (1) Assisting a smooth transition between Jim Hendrix and Tom Whitworth, with a clean message of seamless transfer of responsibilities; (2) Educating Tom about Darlington’s history, traditions, challenges and opportunities in order to prepare him to lead the School; (3) Establishing Tom’s leadership and helping him to work with the Board to express a vision for the School; (4) Introducing Tom to constituents in an orderly fashion and helping him to develop strong relationships; (5) Coordinating effectively to avoid overwhelming the Whitworths with contacts from the School and external constituencies; (6) Ensuring that the School maintains focus on current leadership and that Interim President Jim Hendrix is supported in his important role through the completion of his term in June 2005.
Early activities have included opportunities for the president to meet members of the School community, both during the Board of Trustees’ meetings in January and at the Washington, D.C. Alumni Gathering later that month.
The committee is led by Chairwoman Joan Brock (’74) and Vice Chairman Gordon Lee Hight II (’62). Faculty members are represented by Charla Brewster, Lower School; James Hutchins, Middle School; and Sam Moss; Upper School. Students are represented by junior day student Brittni Dulaney of Rome, Ga., and junior boarding student Trey Robinson of Charleston, S.C.
Other members include Montgomery; Jere Drummond, trustee and member of the Presidential Selection Committee; Suzy Gilbert, former trustee and member of the Presidential Selection Committee; Jan Harrison, executive assistant to the president; Jim Hendrix, interim president; John Irby, trustee and chairman of the Presidential Selection Committee; Lauren Ledbetter, alumni relations officer; Jim McCallie, former president; Pam Morgan, major gifts officer; Layton Roberts, president of the Alumni Council; Roby Robinson, chairman of the Board of Trustees; and Bruce Watterson, associate vice president for public relations.
