May 17, 2012

Dear Fisk Family:

On February 17, 2012, the Board of Trustees announced President O’Leary’s plan to retire at the end of this calendar year, after eight (8) years of service to Fisk. Hazel’s tenure has been heroic in many ways as she has led us through challenging times with a degree of wisdom and tenacity that has inspired us all. The Board realized that we must move ahead and select a new leader for Fisk. A Search Committee, under my leadership, has been working diligently for several months. That work has accelerated because of the tight timelines essential given Hazel’s plans and the practicalities of academic years, etc. The current Search Committee members are listed below. The firm of Diversified Search, which is deeply experienced in academic leadership searches, has been retained by Fisk and is our partner in the process of identifying and screening candidates in preparation for a final selection of the new Fisk President.

Throughout the process, the Search Committee will keep all parts of the Fisk Family engaged through the Fisk website. Further, the Committee invites you or any other interested party to forward/nominate suggested candidates. The normal protocol is to refer candidate names to Diversified Search who would then review and vet the candidate in the overall process. 

If you have a recommendation, provide as much information about the person as possible. Please forward the individual’s curriculum vitae as this document will provide Diversified Search the information they require for initial review of the candidate. Kindly indicate whether the individual is aware of your referral. Submit all applications and nominations electronically to Diversified Search at fiskpresident@divsearch.com or via fax at 404-814-2339.

Thank you for your support of Fisk University. Remember – your input in the search process is desired and essential.

P. Andrew Patterson, JD, Chairperson
Presidential Search Committee
Board of Trustees, Fisk University

Committee Members
Barbara L. Bowles
Howard Gentry, Jr.
Patricia C. Meadows
Joan T. Mobley, MD
Robert L. Mallett, JD
Linda Brown Coleman, PhD*
Sheila Peters, PhD
Jason Meriwether
Philippe Andal