4 The Compass Friday, March 8, 1996
Dr. Mickey Burnim
submits application
for permanent job
Dr. Mickey Burnim, interim chancellor for ECSU, has formally applied for the
chancellor’s position. Burnim has been working hard to keep himself and ECSU
Involved In the community. He ttelleves his vision for the University, his ability
to “articulate clear expectations” and “hold people accountable, ” along with his
strong academic background will enable him to be an effective administrator of
the University. PHoio by Jamie Jordan
by Latisha Edwards
Interim Chancellor, Dr. Mickey L.
Burnim, has formally applied for the
position of chancellor at ECSU.
Burnim was appointed interim chan
cellor in August, 1995 by UNC-System
President C.D. Spangler, following the
resignation of Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins. At
that time Burnim was assistant vice
chancellor for academic affairs and pro
vost at N.C. Central University.
"I would like to be the next chancel
lor at ECSU," said Bumim. "Very much
so. I can articulate clear expectations
and hold people accountable for them
so that we can operate more effectively
at educating our students. This will
help give students the support they
need."
Bumim had high praise for faculty,
staff, and administrators at ECSU. "If
given the support they will perform at
a very high level."
When he was appointed to the in
terim chancellor's position, Burnim
promised he would not be a "caretaker"
of ECSU and that he would "make de
cisions based on what's best for the
University."
Since then, he has visited most of the
academic departments on campus to
better understand the needs of the fac
ulty and staff. "Everyone likes to feel
he or she is making a difference," he
said. "Things are better when we feel
appreciated for what we are doing."
Burnim has worked hard to keep
himself and ECSU involved in the com-
mxmity. He has visited churches, inter
acted with local political and economic
leaders, spoken at area functions, and
generally made himself known in the
area. He has also agreed to serve on
the Board of Directors for the Eliza
beth City Chamber of Commerce.
"ECSU is a major economic factor in
this area," Burnim said. "Our mission
is to improve the economic develop
ment of the Albemarle area. We must
interact with the business commimity
and the nonprofit sector."
During a reception last November
for faculty, staff, students and mem
bers of the community, Bumim stressed
that he wanted ECSU to be seen as
"their University." He added that ECSU
was here "to serve the state and region
in particular."
Bumim is pleased with his reception
by students and faculty and says he is
glad he has had an opportimity to work
with "energetic, enthusiastic students."
A petition voicing support for
Bumim's nomination to the permanent
position has been circulating among
faculty, students, staff and alumni. At
last count 40 faculty members had
signed the petition.
Burnim said he was "humbled" by
the petition and gratified to know that
its signers believe he possess the quali
ties the University desires in a
chancellor.
If he is not selected as the next chan
cellor at ECSU Burnim said he plans to
return to NCCU.
"I am a tenured professor," he said.
"I think I can return to that slot."
Burnim feels his vision for the Uni
versity, his energetic straightforward
nature, and his academic orientation
will be assets to ECSU. Regardless of
the search's outcome, however, Bumim
believes the next chancellor should be
"someone who is committed to serv
ing ECSU and its broader mission—to
serve an active part in the develop
ment of northeastern North Carolina."
Committee hard at work to replace Jenkins;
nationwide search produces 60 applicants
by Latisha Edwards
The ECSU search committee for a
new chancellor is back to work after a
13-year break.
The 15-member corrunittee of faculty,
alumni, students, administrators, and
community leaders is trying select a
new chancellor for ECSU after the sud
den resignation of Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins
Aug. 3,1995.
"This is very important," said Lois
Green, education professor and search
committee member. We are all taking
this responsibility very seriously."
After meetings with students, fac
ulty, administration, alumni, and the
community, the connmittee has defined
the qualities ECSU would like to see in
a new chancellor and transformed them
into criteria.
The committee narrowed an original
list of 100 criteria down to 15, accord
ing to committee member Shawn
Smith, an associate professor in the de
partment of Language, Literature, &
Communications.
"The purpose of the committee is to
get the best possible chancellor at
ECSU," Smith added.
After several forums last semester
with students, community, and faculty,
the search committee acquired a gen
eral idea of what ECSU wanted in a
chancellor.
"Students were mostly concerned
with a chancellor interested in the arts,
such as music and drama," said Stanley
Green, chairman of the search commit
tee. "Students were also concerned
about a chancellor who desires pursu
ing a graduate program at ECSU."
Above all, search committee mem
bers want a new chancellor who is
familiar with the University's mission,
and who will help improve the school's
public image and relations.
"The chancellor has to recognize the
importance of the relationship between
the chancellor and the community and
the students, too," said Green. "The
chancellor must have some experience
in fund raising, and an awareness of
the new and rising technology."
The search committee will use these
criteria to narrow the applicants to two
or more nominees. The committee will
submit them to the ECSU Board of
Trustees who will present them to C.D.
Spangler, President of the UNC Sys
tem. Spangler will nominate one can
didate to The N.C. Board of Gover
nors, who will make the final decision.
Green said the committee will make
its nominations according to the crite
ria expressed in the fomms. The job
opening for a chancellor has been ad
vertised in The Chronicle of Higher Edu
cation, and The Black Chronicle of Higher
Education. The committee has also no
tified chancellors of the other 15 UNC
System schools of the position's avail
ability.
"The search committee is looking for
a candidate who holds a doctorate de
gree and has administrative qualities,"
said Green. "Familiarity with the UNC
education system is also a plus."
After the Feb. 10 deadline, the search
committee had received 60 applications
for the position. "Only five or 10 will
receive an interview," said Green.
Green declined to comment on who
has applied for the position.
The search committee plans to have
a decision made by June and the new
chancellor on the job by July 1.