President

Oglethorpe University

President

“Nescit Cedere: He who does not know how to give up.”

–Oglethorpe University Motto

THE SEARCH

Oglethorpe University (OU), a close-knit, student-centered, private liberal arts college in Atlanta, GA, seeks in its 17th President a dynamic, strategic, and transformational leader to ensure a future of smart and sustainable growth, innovation, and positive social impact. Following the enormously successful 15-year tenure of outgoing President Larry Schall, this is a unique and opportune moment to assume leadership of an institution with a remarkable trajectory. 

In addition to galvanizing the OU community around a distinctive course for the University’s future – vis-à-vis the architecture of a new strategic plan – the President will be charged with attracting broad philanthropic support, forging new partnerships in the region, growing enrollment, improving student success, and furthering OU’s commitment to educating and preparing a diverse student body.

Founded in 1835, Oglethorpe is a national liberal arts and sciences university named for James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia. The campus – listed on the National Register of Historic Places – is modeled after General Oglethorpe’s alma mater, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and features distinctive, granite Gothic buildings on 100 acres of wooded property.  Atlanta is a cultural and economic powerhouse; the school’s location offers all members of OU’s community the ability to connect with, and benefit from, the city’s cultural, international, corporate, and athletic opportunities, enhancing the University’s curriculum and campus lifestyle.

At OU, faculty and staff take great pride in developing the whole student, on a first name basis; bridging classroom theory and real-world experience through internships, career development, study abroad, civic engagement and undergraduate research. With an operating budget of $30M, the University offers its 1,372 students more than 60 areas of study including its business program which, through the generosity of alumnus Bill Hammack, has been newly established as the Q. William Hammack School of Business. The advent of the business school is the latest success in a dramatic period of growth for Oglethorpe that has also witnessed the grand opening of the award-winning Turner Lynch Campus Center, the new I.W. “Ike” Cousins Center for Science and Innovation, a new residential apartment complex with state-of-the-art classrooms, the establishment of five global campuses, the founding of an experiential learning incubator known as the Atlanta Laboratory for Learning (A_LAB), and an expansion of its arts programs.

Oglethorpe’s next President will partner with a committed and resourceful Board of Trustees, expert and dedicated faculty, adroit administrators and staff, inspired students, and active alumni, in the work of guiding the University toward sustained excellence. The successful candidate will bring a keen sense of the future of higher education and, specifically, small, tuition-dependent colleges. The President will be an inspiring team builder, powerful communicator and fundraiser, collaborative problem-solver, champion of inclusion, and sound fiscal manager. Candidates should offer a distinguished record of senior leadership experience and professional achievement in higher education or an equivalent level of responsibility in a business, government, or nonprofit enterprise.  A sophisticated sense of the uniqueness of liberal arts colleges and the ability to articulate their enduring value are essential. The President will be expected to champion OU’s mission and serve as its persuasive and dynamic ambassador locally, regionally, and nationally. A terminal degree is preferred but not required.

Oglethorpe University has retained Diversified Search to assist in this recruitment. Confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and expressions of interest (cover letter, CV, and the names of five references) should be directed electronically to: OUPresidency@divsearch.com