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.
