Thom Chesney is one of the top three candidates in the running for university president. He met with students March 21 as a part of an open panel discussion.
Chesney has been the university president of Brookhaven College in Texas since 2011.
Chesney went to Washington University in St. Louis for Spanish and business administration, got his masters degree in creative writing from Minnesota State University and has a Doctor of Philosophy in English Literature from Florida State University. He has served in leadership positions at seven higher education institutions and held several offices on community boards and committees.
Throughout the discussion, Chesney addressed topics including fundraising, enrollment, student safety, improving facilities, and the differences between different types of universities.
“I always start by looking at the mission and the value,” he said. “I’m interested in working at an institution where people want to go. I’ve been very selective in choosing to leave where I am.”
Chesney spoke about his connections and peers and said he has built a network that would travel with him to Oklahoma.
“The president’s role at any institution is related to resources and funding,” he said. “In Dallas, we’ve brought in millions of dollars of resources from the National Science Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from industry partners like American Airlines.”
Chesney said he is in communication with other university presidents across America and recently spoke to the president of NYU about free speech on campuses.
“We share in the solutions,” he said. “It’s just a bunch of women and men who have the same problems and who are trying to do the same thing.”
Students inquired about what sets Chesney apart from the other two candidates and asked why he chose OCU.
Ashleigh Robinson, music theater junior, attended the session and asked about how he plans to lead a private university after his leadership in community colleges.
“He seems like a nice guy,” Robinson said. “I enjoyed getting to hear him talk, and I’m sure he would do a fine job if he was selected. Most of his work is in community colleges with 2/3 part time students, and that worries me.”
Robinson also said she feels like he doesn’t have the same fundraising resources that the other two candidates have, which is because Chesney is not from in-state. Robinson said she enjoyed attending Dr. Myron Pope’s luncheon March 20 and considered him more qualified.
“He seemed the most qualified and was really interested in the student experience on campus,” she said. “He seemed more than prepared to take on the responsibilities of president while having a great personality.”
Robinson said she feels confident in the search committee to hold the students’ interests at heart.
David Hall, sociology/music education junior, also attended the luncheon. He said he felt confident in the candidate, especially after researching his background.
“He seemed very well-rounded in his experience and actively has worked for out-of-the-box ways to address the complex needs of the community, student learning, and university financing, which is something that I personally have wanted to see in the new president,” Hall said.
Hall said what he values in a university president is someone who enhanced collegiate and and community partnerships and enriches students’ experiences, which he thinks Chesney achieves.
“He meets the needs I feel will leave a legacy that will ensure further distinguishing of OKCU from universities across the country,” Hall said.
Contributing: Associate Editor Sage Tokach
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