USM Chancellor Forms Search Committee for New Coppin President

ADELPHI, Md. (January 29, 2007) - William E. Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland (USM), announced today the formation of a search and screening committee to consider candidates for the presidency of Coppin State University (CSU). Outgoing president Stanley F. Battle recently announced he is stepping down after four years at CSU to become chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University as of June 2007. The committee will conduct a nationwide search for his successor over the next six months.

"President Battle worked diligently to advance Coppin as a university and as a community and educational resource for Baltimore City," said USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan. "With representatives from the campus and the surrounding community, the committee will seek the kind of leadership that best serves Coppin's vital and multifaceted role."

In accordance with the Board of Regents' "Guidelines for the Selection of Presidents," the committee will develop a broad pool of candidates, conduct interviews, and forward the names of three to five finalists to the board. The board has the responsibility of making the final selection and offer of appointment.

Baltimore attorney Leronia Josey, a former USM Regent, will chair the committee. USM Regent A. Dwight Pettit will serve as the committee's liaison to the board. USM associate vice chancellor of communications, Anne Moultrie, will serve as the committee's liaison to the chancellor. They will be joined by the following committee members representing CSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni as well as the university's surrounding community:

Dr. Habtu Braha, professor, department of management science and economics

James Brown, auditorium technical liaison, department fine and communication arts, and chair of CSU Staff Senate

James Camphor, president, CSU National Alumni Association

Stephen Davis, chair, CSU Development Foundation, Inc.

Don Fry, president, Greater Baltimore Committee

Andrew Hall, CSU student senate president

Dr. Warren Hayman, CSU alumnus and former assistant dean of education, Morgan State University

Ms. Johnnye S. Johnson, assistant professor, Helene Fuld School of Nursing

Dr. Leontye L. Lewis, director of education, curriculum and instruction

Michelle McEachern, executive director, Coppin Heights Community Development Corp.

Dr. Fred Medinger, assistant professor, department of social work, and chair of CSU Faculty Senate

Dr. Rolande Murray, assistant professor and alcohol/substance abuse coordinator, department of applied psychology

Dick Rader, director of telecommunications, office of information technology

Dr. Frank Reid III, senior pastor, Bethel A.M.E. Church

Jennifer Rodgers, CSU student 

Coppin State University is an historically black, four-year liberal arts university offering 23 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate-degree majors. A fully accredited urban, residential campus, the university serves Baltimore residents and students from around the world while focusing on the problems, needs, and aspirations of Baltimore City residents and those residing in the immediate metropolitan area. The university has received numerous information technology awards, including the 2006 Computerworld Mobile and Wireless World "Best Practices in Mobile and Wireless" Award for Innovation and Promise, and U.S. News & World Report recognition as #19 on the magazine's list of top-50 colleges and universities nationwide with absolute wireless capability.

Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu