Harrison up for Hartford presidency

Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison is one of three finalists for president at the University of Hartford.

"I'm very flattered to be asked and very excited to be learning about the university," said Harrison, who was informed he was a finalist about two weeks ago.

Harrison currently is visiting Hartford to become acquainted with the students and campus, although he said he is familiar with Hartford from his days as a student at nearby Trinity College, where he graduated from in 1968.

"I'm very happy at Michigan, but this was a good opportunity to see if I would like to lead a university," Harrison said. "I'm here to learn about the University of Hartford and for them to learn about me."

The two other candidates are Rosanne Wille, provost at the City University branch of Lehman College in New York and Stuart Fagan, provost of Roosevelt University in Chicago.

In addition to his post as vice president, which he has held for nine years, Harrison was also appointed as secretary of the University this past January when University President Lee Bollinger combined the two jobs.

As secretary, Harrison oversees the uses of the official University seal on documents and diplomas and acts as a liaison between the University Board of Regents and the rest of the University Community.

Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) said that if Harrison were to leave the University, the loss would be felt by the board.

"It will have a pronounced impact because he is a liaison between the Board of Regents and the community," Power said. "Obviously someone would have to be found to fill that position."

Power added that Harrison brings to his current position a wealth of information about the University community and its internal systems.

"He brings to the post great knowledge and understanding of the University," Power said. "He's a very able guy."

Associate Vice President for University Relations Lisa Baker said no discussion has taken place in connection with the replacement of Harrison.

"He's a finalist in this search, but he's still (at the University)," Baker said. "It would be premature to speculate."

Hartford President Humphrey Tonkin announced that he would step down from his position this past July to return to teaching and spend more time with his family. Tonkin will finish his presidential term June 30.

His departure follows a decade-long term during which he improved the school's financial situation by eliminating a sizable budget deficit.

Hartford recently started a $150-million fund-raising campaign to be spread across 10 years. Tonkin said he wants the new president to be able to shape the campaign.

"We weren't getting as much income as we had hoped. This is also a chance to build our alumni base," said Tom Jones, director of media relations for the University of Hartford.

The presidential search committee is chaired by Peter Eio, vice chair of the University of Hartford Board of Regents and president of LEGO Systems, Inc.

The search committee will seek input from all of the University's constituencies - including faculty and staff, students, alumni and others in order to establish the criteria used to select a new president.

04-15-98