Page 95 - UB Church and Shen Univ
P. 95
Volume 6 Relation of U.B/EUB Virginia Conferences to Shenandoah University Dec. 26, 2013
Retirement and Transition. In April 2007 the president announced his plans to retire from the
University in June 2008 and started the process of preparing the Board of Trustees for a transition to a
new leader. Jim Wilkins, Harry Smith, and Bill Brandt were chosen to lead the transition team for the
trustees and Academic Search, Inc., was chosen to assist with the search for a new president. Dr. Tom
Courtice, President of Academic Search, was chosen by the Board to lead the search. A profile of the
University was prepared that described the current status of the institution and the desired characteristics
of a new leader. As is often the case, senior leadership under the president become nervous during these
transitions. Indeed, the Vice-President for Development, Harley Knowles, took a position in Maine, and
Dr. Fitzsimmons was courted by another college in the Commonwealth. Since the latter was an obvious
candidate for president at Shenandoah, the Search Committee and consultant were faced with a
challenge as to whether a decision could be made in a short timeframe to consider Dr. Fitzsimmons
before she might chose to leave for another institution.
After a week of consultation and meetings, the Search Committee and Board of Trustees voted
unanimously to elect Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons as the 16th president of the University. This decision
created a year-long mentorship between president and president-elect while Dr. Davis performed his last
year of service. During the year, gradual turnover of responsibility was achieved in an orderly fashion,
and the community celebrated the 26 years of leadership by Dr. Jim Davis. In more than 20 events
across the University, faculty, students, trustees, and community groups honored Dr. Davis and his
family for their work on behalf of the University. The Wilkins Trust and Jim Wilkins, Jr., worked
diligently to pay for and lead celebrations that helped everyone express appreciation for the progress that
had been achieved during his 26-year tenure. A surprise announcement by Jim Wilkins of a $1 million
scholarship fund that had been raised in honor of the president was a crowning example of the
outpouring of support and friendship.
In June 2008, Dr. Fitzsimmons had effectively assumed leadership for the University, and the
former president and his wife left the community for 3 months of travel and relaxation. Dr. Davis
owned his own home in Winchester and therefore did not have to relocate. During the next year, he
served as interim President of the Chamber of Commerce and eventually joined Academic Search, Inc.,
as a Senior Consultant to help colleges and universities choose new presidents across the country. The
University was under new leadership and a new era was about to begin.50
50 The years 1982 to 2008 are now history, and the descriptions of events and actions are dependent on memories and
records such as this writer has attempted. Since the writer [Dr. Davis] was a major player in the history described, the
reader is asked to forgive any omissions, errors, or opinions that might offend.
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 85
Retirement and Transition. In April 2007 the president announced his plans to retire from the
University in June 2008 and started the process of preparing the Board of Trustees for a transition to a
new leader. Jim Wilkins, Harry Smith, and Bill Brandt were chosen to lead the transition team for the
trustees and Academic Search, Inc., was chosen to assist with the search for a new president. Dr. Tom
Courtice, President of Academic Search, was chosen by the Board to lead the search. A profile of the
University was prepared that described the current status of the institution and the desired characteristics
of a new leader. As is often the case, senior leadership under the president become nervous during these
transitions. Indeed, the Vice-President for Development, Harley Knowles, took a position in Maine, and
Dr. Fitzsimmons was courted by another college in the Commonwealth. Since the latter was an obvious
candidate for president at Shenandoah, the Search Committee and consultant were faced with a
challenge as to whether a decision could be made in a short timeframe to consider Dr. Fitzsimmons
before she might chose to leave for another institution.
After a week of consultation and meetings, the Search Committee and Board of Trustees voted
unanimously to elect Dr. Tracy Fitzsimmons as the 16th president of the University. This decision
created a year-long mentorship between president and president-elect while Dr. Davis performed his last
year of service. During the year, gradual turnover of responsibility was achieved in an orderly fashion,
and the community celebrated the 26 years of leadership by Dr. Jim Davis. In more than 20 events
across the University, faculty, students, trustees, and community groups honored Dr. Davis and his
family for their work on behalf of the University. The Wilkins Trust and Jim Wilkins, Jr., worked
diligently to pay for and lead celebrations that helped everyone express appreciation for the progress that
had been achieved during his 26-year tenure. A surprise announcement by Jim Wilkins of a $1 million
scholarship fund that had been raised in honor of the president was a crowning example of the
outpouring of support and friendship.
In June 2008, Dr. Fitzsimmons had effectively assumed leadership for the University, and the
former president and his wife left the community for 3 months of travel and relaxation. Dr. Davis
owned his own home in Winchester and therefore did not have to relocate. During the next year, he
served as interim President of the Chamber of Commerce and eventually joined Academic Search, Inc.,
as a Senior Consultant to help colleges and universities choose new presidents across the country. The
University was under new leadership and a new era was about to begin.50
50 The years 1982 to 2008 are now history, and the descriptions of events and actions are dependent on memories and
records such as this writer has attempted. Since the writer [Dr. Davis] was a major player in the history described, the
reader is asked to forgive any omissions, errors, or opinions that might offend.
Davis on History of S.C., 1982-2008 85
