By Megan Murphy
Editor-in-Chief
Since Dr. Jennifer Methvin’s departure last semester, Crowder College has been looking for a new president. Four finalists were selected out of many applicants to come to the Neosho campus for a tour and public forum interview session. The finalists were Dr. Julie Murray-Jensen from Klamath Community College in Oregon, Dr. Harold Arnett from Arkansas City, KS, Dr. Glenn Coltharp, current VP of Academic Affairs at Crowder, and Dr. Beatriz Joseph, VP of College Services at Palo Alto College in San Antonio, TX.
Dr. Julie Murray-Jensen’s public forum was on Tuesday, November 6. However, Dr. Murray-Jensen accepted another offer from Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL. She will start her term as president there on January 14, 2019.
The next presidential candidate was Dr. Harold Arnett. He most recently was the Vice President of Academics at Cowley College in Arkansas City, KS.
“I understand classroom teaching,” said Dr. Arnett. “I’ve cut tobacco, I’ve hauled hay, I’ve milked cows, and I’ve worked as a Goodyear tire builder in Union City, TN. I think I know what hard work is, but classroom teaching is the most exhausting work I’ve ever done.”
Dr. Arnett earned outstanding teacher awards at both the high school and university levels.
“There are no jobs [at Crowder] that are unimportant,” said Dr. Arnett. “A British philosopher is credited with saying ‘Any culture or society that exalts philosophers and degrades plumbers will have both pipes and theories that can’t hold water.’ That pretty much describes me.”
On Thursday, November 15, Dr. Glenn Coltharp had his forum. Dr. Coltharp has been the VP of Academic Affairs for Crowder since 2012.
“There’s good and bad about being the internal candidate,” said Dr. Coltharp. “There’s the fact that you know me. I know you have a lot of decisions to make, in looking at strengths and weaknesses of the candidates. If you go back the seven years that I’ve been here, that’s over 60,000 hours that you’ve had a chance to assess me.”
Dr. Coltharp referred to a PowerPoint presentation during his forum meeting, discussing his experience and plans for the college if selected.. He also stated that he didn’t attend the interviews or forums of the other candidates.
“I believe that the open and honest format begins in the interview process,” Dr. Coltharp said. “I’ve found in life it’s easier to be yourself and to do what you actually believe, not what you think people want to hear. [Then] if you get the job, you can carry [it] out, doing what you believe.”
Dr. Coltharp spoke of his many years of experience and background in the educational field. He has 38 years of educational experience from K-12 to the university level.
The final candidate was Dr. Beatriz Joseph, whose forum took place on Tuesday, November 20. Dr. Joseph has been the Vice President of College Services at Palo Alto College for the past nine years.
“I have been [an] advocate for higher education, in particular, community colleges,” said Dr. Joseph. “I truly believe in the mission of community colleges, and in our role to ensure that those who we serve, the students and the community, can avail themselves of the opportunity for a better life through education.”
Dr. Joseph discussed her connections to Missouri as part of her interest in Crowder College. She graduated from Southeast Missouri State University, as did her husband, and their eldest son went to St. Louis University.
“One thing I know is that people, no matter where they come from, they want one thing, and that is a better life for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Joseph. “This is the world of community colleges. That is what we’re here for: to impact lives.”
Dr. Joseph has 26 years of experience in higher education. She also is currently working on an Aspen Presidential Fellowship as part of the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative.
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