Since taking office July 1, 2014, President Glenn McConnell of the College of Charleston seems to have his hands full with controversies, new ideas and decision making all trying to build his alma mater into what he calls a "flagship
institution." Four main areas
President McConnell has dabbled in include 1) hiring a new basketball coach, 2)
deciding what to do with the proposed merger with MUSC, 3) his 10 percent
concept, and 4) giving up his position as lieutenant governor. In a recent
interview with journalist Quintin Washington, President McConnell addressed these topics
and gave his personal account regarding these ongoing and past subjects.
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| Quintin Washington sits down with President McConnell to discuss events that have shaped his presidency thus far (courtesy of Youtube) |
It was President McConnell's first day on the job. He had a list
in his hand of all he wanted to get accomplished and saw the day being a
productive one. However, it was not long after he sat down for the first time
at his desk that his plans quickly changed.
McConnell had received word that the basketball team had requested to meet with him. He did not hesitate to answer this call of request for it has become known the president’s passion for some athletic teams at The College. (Within the interview alone the president repeatedly mentioned the basketball team even when the topic was no longer focused on it).
It was refreshing to hear President McConnell not harp on the controversial topic of firing ex-head basketball coach Doug Wojcik. But instead, McConnell has his focus on a stronger future with the hiring of new head coach Earl Grant. He sees The College moving forward with no “anchors” from the past holding the institution down.
With this forward movement, the question arose of whether there is confidence in Athletic Director Joe Hall to handle such movement. “We are going to be doing things a little bit differently this coming year," said President McConnell. "But that’s not a lack of confidence in anybody, it’s that we have a changed set of circumstances.” This leaves a question hanging over everyone’s heads of whether or not we will see Mr. Hall walking the halls of TD Arena within the coming year.
McConnell had received word that the basketball team had requested to meet with him. He did not hesitate to answer this call of request for it has become known the president’s passion for some athletic teams at The College. (Within the interview alone the president repeatedly mentioned the basketball team even when the topic was no longer focused on it).
It was refreshing to hear President McConnell not harp on the controversial topic of firing ex-head basketball coach Doug Wojcik. But instead, McConnell has his focus on a stronger future with the hiring of new head coach Earl Grant. He sees The College moving forward with no “anchors” from the past holding the institution down.
With this forward movement, the question arose of whether there is confidence in Athletic Director Joe Hall to handle such movement. “We are going to be doing things a little bit differently this coming year," said President McConnell. "But that’s not a lack of confidence in anybody, it’s that we have a changed set of circumstances.” This leaves a question hanging over everyone’s heads of whether or not we will see Mr. Hall walking the halls of TD Arena within the coming year.
Topic #2: The Merger:
Introducing the University of Charleston, S.C.
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| President McConnell (courtesy of cofc.edu) |
With previous talk from former President George Benson
regarding a possible merger with the Medical University of South Carolina
(MUSC), it was very interesting to see President McConnell’s creative approach
to this pressing matter.
"I was afraid The College could be 'gobbled up' by MUSC," said President McConnell. Therefore, he has decided to keep The College the “flagship institution” that it is by introducing a component within the College of Charleston called the University of Charleston, S.C. This university is going to serve as the research component to The College that will cater to graduate students and those of advanced studies (McConnell).
President McConnell says, “the university is a component of the college, the college is not a component of the university.” The College of Charleston will be the only college that President McConnell knows of where the university will be the component of the college, not the other way around.
Therefore, when you attend the University of Charleston, you will receive your degree from the College of Charleston. This is just another way President McConnell is striving to preserve The College.
"I was afraid The College could be 'gobbled up' by MUSC," said President McConnell. Therefore, he has decided to keep The College the “flagship institution” that it is by introducing a component within the College of Charleston called the University of Charleston, S.C. This university is going to serve as the research component to The College that will cater to graduate students and those of advanced studies (McConnell).
President McConnell says, “the university is a component of the college, the college is not a component of the university.” The College of Charleston will be the only college that President McConnell knows of where the university will be the component of the college, not the other way around.
Therefore, when you attend the University of Charleston, you will receive your degree from the College of Charleston. This is just another way President McConnell is striving to preserve The College.
Topic #3: McConnell’s
10 Percent Concept
One of President McConnell’s many goals is to bring about more diversity to the College of Charleston's campus. In order to facilitate this goal,
McConnell developed what he calls the “10 percent concept.”
This concept entails seeking out three counties in Charleston with low socio-economic complexions and granting students who are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class with automatic acceptation to The College (McConnell). This has already been discussed with the board and sent on to faculty to gain what is hoped to be an approval.
Not only will this concept grow The College’s diversity, but it will also positively reflect a free society. President McConnell believes, “The richness of a free society is when you include people and show mutual respect for people’s differences.”
This concept entails seeking out three counties in Charleston with low socio-economic complexions and granting students who are in the top 10 percent of their graduating class with automatic acceptation to The College (McConnell). This has already been discussed with the board and sent on to faculty to gain what is hoped to be an approval.
Not only will this concept grow The College’s diversity, but it will also positively reflect a free society. President McConnell believes, “The richness of a free society is when you include people and show mutual respect for people’s differences.”
Topic #4: Giving up
the 32-year position of S.C. Senate’s lieutenant governor
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| McConnell as former position of S.C. Senate's lieutenant governor (courtesy of fitsnews.com) |
Although there was much controversy about President McConnell’s
former position of lieutenant governor, it appears that McConnell is more
consumed in his new chapter than what occurred in the past.
As mentioned previously, President McConnell's focus now is all about moving forward with The College. McConnell said he is at peace with his decision to step down from his Senate position mainly because of the challenges he is facing now at The College. To be able to take on such challenges and already see progress being made (McConnell) is just the kind of peace The College’s new president needs.
As mentioned previously, President McConnell's focus now is all about moving forward with The College. McConnell said he is at peace with his decision to step down from his Senate position mainly because of the challenges he is facing now at The College. To be able to take on such challenges and already see progress being made (McConnell) is just the kind of peace The College’s new president needs.
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