MINUTES OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION COMMITTEE
AND THE PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
October 4, 1974
A joint meeting of the Presidential Selection Committee (Board of Visitors)
and the Presidential Search Assistance Committee was held on Friday, October 4,
1974, at 2 p.m. at The Islander, Gwynn Island, Virginia.
Present were Drs. Banks, Blake, Blanton, Burgart, DiBiaggio, Graham,
Gwathmey, Langston, Neal, Raper and Willett; Messrs. Dabney, Darby, McFee,
McGehee, Norris, Obenshain, Scott, Seaborn, Shumate and Temple; Mesdames
Goodman, Jordan, Satterfield, Segal and Stone; Ms. Winters; and Mrs. Price.
Absent were Messrs. Morgan, Sheffield and Taylor and Mrs. Thalhimer.
Dr. Blanton called the afternoon session of the meeting to order. He
indicated that the session would be very informal and that he hoped all members
would participate. The entire gathering would operate as a peer group. He
stressed the need for the members of both committees to feel free to express
their ideas.
A discussion of the role and qualifications of the next president of VCU
followed.
Dr. Gwathmey indicated that he had found an article in The Atlantic entitled,
"Searching for the 'Perfect' President," by Warren G. Bennis; he felt that all mem-
bers of both committees should read the article. Dr. Willett indicated that he
would have copies made and mailed.
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The afternoon session of the meeting adjourned at 6 p.m. for dinner.
The evening session of the meeting was called to order by Dr. Blanton
at 8 p.m.
It was decided that a major listing of desirable characteristics for a
new president would be made, with numbers used for identification purposes
and not for ranking. Following a discussion which resulted in the listing of
major categories of desired qualities, the meeting broke up into four smaller
groups and divided these major categories into three priorities: essential,
very desirable and desirable. These listings follow:
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group
1.) Administrative Ability E E E
2.) Health Sciences Background D VD VD D
3.) Flexibility (bold, innovative
leadership) VD E VD VD
4.) Communication Skills (interpersonal
relations, personal characteristics,
PR) E E E E
5.) Financial Skills D E VD VD
6.) Urban Orientation (understanding,
articulation (S, implementation of
our mission) E E E E
7.) Stature (public image, attainments) D E VD VD
8.) Belief in participatory management VD D VD E
9.) Health (vitality, physical, emotional,
stable family relationship) E E E E
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Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4
10.) Academic Understanding E VD VD/E VD
11.) Integrity (deep human understanding) E E E E
Dr. Blanton thanked the Presidential Search Assistance Committee and the
Presidential Selection Committee for their spirit of cooperation and involvement.
An announcement was made concerning Saturday's meetings.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Approved:
Chairman
