Frequently Asked Questions

When will President Westmoreland become president of Samford University?  How long will he continue to serve at Ouachita?
Andrew Westmoreland was named to become the 18th president of Samford on June 1.  Samford’s current president, Dr. Thomas Corts, will retire on May 31.  Dr. Westmoreland will continue to serve as Ouachita’s 14th president until May 31.

Who will select Ouachita’s next president?
The Ouachita Board of Trustees has sole responsibility for selecting the President.  A Presidential Search Committee was appointed to assist the Board in gathering information about possible candidates.

How was the Presidential Search Committee selected?
The responsibility for naming a Presidential Search Committee belongs to the Board of Trustees.  The Chairman of the Board prepared and recommended to the Board a slate of individuals to serve on the Committee.

Will a national search be conducted?
Yes.

How has the presidential search been advertised and publicized?
Advertisements have been placed in national publications, state Baptist newsmagazines, and on appropriate web sites.  In addition, letters have been mailed to the presidents and chief academic officers of all member institutions of the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools.

Are nominations of possible candidates welcome?
All applications and nominations of qualified candidates are welcome.

Will an interim president be named after Dr. Westmoreland leaves?
If a new president has not been named by May 31, 2006, the Board of Trustees will consider options for interim leadership.

Has a job description for the next president been prepared?
The position announcement approved by the Presidential Search Committee includes the preferred characteristics, qualifications, and general responsibilities of Ouachita’s next President.

How will the search committee balance the need to find a president with strong credentials against the need to relate effectively to our Baptist constituency and to give priority to Ouachita’s historical relationship with Arkansas Baptists?
The Committee will seek candidates who would inspire the trust and confidence of the entire campus community, as well as Ouachita’s Baptist constituency, and who understand and value Ouachita’s relationship with the churches of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

Will the next president be a Baptist?
The Committee desires to recommend a candidate whose assets will provide the best possible match to Ouachita’s current needs.  There is no stated requirement that the President will be a Baptist, but it would be highly advantageous.

Will the search committee provide reports about the progress of their work?
The search website will include periodic updates.  As circumstances warrant, other communications and reports may be provided during the course of the search.

How will feedback from the campus community be heard?
The Chair of the Committee and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees hosted a forum for faculty and staff members on February 1.  Subsequent comments and questions may be sent via e-mail from the web site, or directed to the Committee Chair, Ken Shaddox, or Vice Chair, Charles Wright.