Earlham President Resigns
Alan Price and Avis Stewart
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAfter only a year on the job, the president of Earlham College has announced his departure. Alan Price, an Earlham graduate who took the position July 1 of 2017, said the decision came after "careful deliberation." Longtime Earlham executive Avis Stewart has been named interim president.
Price, who will spend the next month helping with the leadership transition, says departing the Richmond campus "is the best way forward at this time. He added "I would like to express my profound gratitude to the entire community for supporting me and generating an atmosphere of positive collaboration over this last year. Earlham will always hold a special place in my heart."
Prior to serving as Earlham president, Price was a member of the college’s Board of Trustees and at the time he was announced as the school’s 18th president, Price was serving as acting chief of staff for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in Washington D.C. He previously led a department within the Harvard Business School.
"Alan’s presidency has contributed to a very positive campus and community spirit and he has effectively reached out to alumni for their support," Board Chair Deborah Hull said. "His love and regard for the College and the unique educational experience it provides students has been apparent from the start. During his tenure, a strong Cabinet has been recruited and he has engaged the campus community in a re-envisioning process intended to position the College to successfully meet the challenges facing higher education."
Stewart has spent 15 years of his more than three-decade career at Earlham as a vice president. He most recently served as a senior adviser to the president and a major gift officer. Hull says "Avis has been a member of the College’s administration for many years and is respected by those on campus and off for his ability and dedication to the College. He has served in many roles including as a vice president in areas including, Institutional Advancement, Community Relations, and Athletics."
The board is working on a search strategy and says it will consult with faculty, staff and student representatives. You can connect to more about the leadership change by clicking here.