Hardesty to Retire in 2007
August 19, 2006 04:38 PM | General
August 19, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia University President David C. Hardesty, Jr. announced today (Aug. 19) his plan to retire effective Sept. 20, 2007. At that time, he will have served as the longest permanently appointed president in WVU history.
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| WVU President David C. Hardesty, Jr. and his wife Susan cheer on the Mountaineers at a recent basketball game. Hardesty on Saturday (Aug. 19) announced plans to retire as president effective Sept. 20, 2007, giving the University a full year for the search and transition to a new president.
WVU Photographic Services |
“It goes without saying that it has been an honor beyond description for my wife Susan and me to have served our alma mater,” Hardesty said.
Citing both personal and professional reasons, Hardesty informed the WVU Board of Governors by conference call this morning of his plans to retire as president next year, giving the University a full year for the search and transition to a new president.
“Susan and I are at a point in our lives when we are looking forward to more time to ourselves and with our family and friends. Our hearts are filled with joy and anticipation as we make this decision.” Hardesty said timing played a role in his decision.
“It is an excellent time for a transition at the University. A new strategic plan and capital campaign are likely to begin around 2010, and a new president should play an important role in designing and implementing both initiatives. An experienced leadership team is in place and the Board of Governors is strong and well led. Gov. Joe Manchin is a visionary leader who cares deeply about WVU, as does our Legislature and Congressional delegation.”
He added, “Obviously, there has to be a transition at some point and this seems like the right time for the University and for my family, but I plan to stay in Morgantown and will enjoy watching the continued successes of the University.”
Hardesty will continue to stay active in the life of the University. After completing his final year, he plans to teach at the WVU College of Law, beginning in the spring of 2008. He has taught a seminar on lawyers and the legislative process at the law school for nine years.
Hardesty’s tenure has been marked by records in enrollment, research and sponsored programs, and private giving. Facilities and academic programs have also flourished under his guidance. But his student-centered initiatives may stand as the hallmark of his legacy.
Some of those innovative student programs include placing Resident Faculty Leaders in the residence halls to guide and mentor students; establishing a Parent Advocate to assist families of students; and reinstating the Festival of Ideas lecture series; introducing an alternative weekend program WVUp All Night; among others.
Hardesty’s wife of 38 years, Susan, is also a WVU graduate and the two met during their college years in Morgantown. She is nationally known for leading the Mountaineer Parents Club, a network of 15,000 active families of WVU students. The Hardesty’s created the program in 1995 and Mrs. Hardesty has been a tireless volunteer in helping families stay connected with their students' education and life at WVU.
WVU Board of Governors Chairman Stephen Goodwin praised Hardesty’s long service, "A fellow alumni and one of this institution's 25 Rhodes Scholars, President David Hardesty will not only leave WVU as the longest serving president in University history, but with a remarkable record.
“On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to express our gratitude to President Hardesty for his distinguished service to West Virginia University. During his tenure, the national promise of WVU has grown exponentially; enrollment has increased; research and sponsored program funding has been augmented significantly; and alumni and corporate giving in support of this institution is now greater than ever before. While we will unquestionably miss his leadership, we certainly respect his wishes and forever remain grateful to both Susan and David for their unparalleled service to their alma mater.”
Since becoming president in 1995, Hardesty has led WVU to record-breaking enrollments, increasing student enrollment by more than 5,000 full-time students over the past 10 years. Research funding has achieved record levels, more than doubling from 1995 levels. A technology transfer operation has been launched, and several teaching and research initiatives have achieved national and international accolades, including neurosciences, energy, forensics and biometrics, and the Industries of the Future program, among others.
Over the past decade, WVU has made nearly one billion dollars of capital investments in the campus, including a new library, life sciences building, student recreation center and numerous expansions at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center and affiliated hospitals.
The University’s first new residence hall in 40 years was just dedicated with another to be constructed this year. Lincoln Hall, a residential college experience, builds on WVU’s highly successful resident faculty leader program.
A record-setting $334 million capital campaign was completed by the WVU Foundation, Inc., and ground will soon be broken for a new alumni center. The WVU Extension Service doubled the number of clients it serves throughout West Virginia, with its 4-H program growing to touch approximately 1 in 5 youth across the state. Hardesty is currently the first university president to serve as chairman of the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees.
He is also one of 17 presidents on the National Security Higher Education Advisory Board, and currently serves as the vice chair of the Big East Conference and as representative on the BCS Presidential Oversight Committee. He is also a member of the Presidential Task Force on the Future of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Susan and I have worked for our alma mater as hard as we could every day since coming to WVU in 1995,” Hardesty said. “We will continue to do so through this year and then it will be time to begin a new phase of our lives.”
The WVU Board of Governors is responsible for the search process. According to Goodwin, “the Board will begin soon the process of undertaking the selection of the next president of this great institution.”
Hardesty is WVU’s 21st president. A native of Shinnston, he graduated from WVU in 1967 with a degree in political science and attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1973 and prior to joining WVU practiced law with Bowles Rice McDavid Graff and Love in Charleston. He also served as state tax commissioner.
