Presidential search firm Parker Executive Search holds a special listening session, the first of several, on Tuesday. The firm listened to Northern Michigan University campus members on what makes a proper campus president. (Journal photo by Antonio Anderson)

MARQUETTE – Presidential search firm Parker Executive Search held the first of many listening sessions on Tuesday to get the varying opinions of Northern Michigan University campus members on its quest to locate a new president after Brock Tessman departs in July.

The event saw more than 50 campus members ranging from administrator, to professors and even students.

“It’s very important to the Board of Trustees that we provide the campus community opportunities to be engaged in our national search for a new president,” said Steve Young, Chair of the NMU Board of Trustees. “This isn’t the only chance, but it’s a great way to kick off the search before everyone gets busy with their summer activities.”

The event took place at Reynolds Recital Hall and was moderated by Parker Executive Search President Laurie Wilder. This forum will be used to provide a clear description of what the role of NMU’s president entails and needs.

“I think we have established some real momentum and a real identity for the University and you knew exactly what that was when you searched it before,” said Head of the NMU Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting program and Assistant Professor, James Ludwig. “I look forward, really look forward to the candidates that you bring to us in the fall.”

Other forum attendees spoke on the importance of having a president who interacts, supports and recognizes the Native American groups on campus and in the community, as well as being interactive with the campus in a way similar to Tessman. The growing changes to academia from the Federal government was brought up as well, and the desire to have a president who can help navigate that was spoken. A lot of students could not speak at this event or attend it as it came four days after NMU’s finals week and three days after graduation. So many undergraduate and graduate students were already off campus or in the process of returning home for the summer.

However, there are still opportunities to add input into the conversation of a new president, as well as seeing what was brought up during this specific forum and listening session.

“In the coming months, there will be additional opportunities to share your input. Those activities will include virtual Zoom webinars, online surveys and other engagement options,” said Young. “Keep an eye on your NMU email over the summer for all the details. The board of trustees will announce a search advisory committee in the near future, with the hope of having a new president selected in the fall.”

For those who were unable to participate, a link to the livestream can be found here:

https://nmuwildcast.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=68a5175a-2131-44b6-b21d-b2d00130bfcb.

Feedback can be sent to Wilder at Lwilder@parkershearch.com and Pwilliams@parkersearch.com.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.