Post by innerbarry on May 12, 2009 11:45:06 GMT -5
www.oleantimesherald.com/articles/2009/05/11/news/doc4a08649c58834374454512.txt
LEADING THE WAY: Rebuilding after an instituitional earthquake
By Kate Day Sager
Olean Times Herald
ST. BONAVENTURE - When Sister Margaret Carney speaks of taking the reins of St. Bonaventure University back in 2004, she refers to it as a time of “institutional chaos.”
In the five years since she has taken control of the university as its 20th president, many believe Sister Carney has brought stability, direction and growth to the Franciscan Institute now celebrating its 150th anniversary.
During a recent interview, Sister Carney spoke of her role in leading the university through a transition after crisis struck it in 2003, and how she is guiding it through the challenges of the current economic downturn.
“Obviously, I took over the university during a time that I like to call institutional chaos. I think it takes a great deal of effort to refocus an institution when it’s been through the kind of upheaval that Bonaventure went through,” she said.
She was referring to the resignation of the university’s previous president, Dr. Robert Wickenheiser, during the 2003 scandal that erupted with the men’s basketball team. A transfer student who was admitted to the university was allowed to play basketball without having the required associate degree, in accordance with NCAA rules. After sanctions were imposed by the Atlantic 10 Conference, Dr. Wickenheiser resigned. During that crisis, the university’s chairman of the board, Bill Swan, took his own life.
Sister Carney said when she stepped into the role as president, she knew she had a huge task at hand in revamping the university. As the first woman to receive a doctorate from the Franciscan University of Rome, as well as the recipient of five honorary doctorates, Sister Carney is no stranger to hard work.
Although her opening act as president was on rocky ground, she looked at it with optimism.
“I used to always use the analogy of an earthquake,” she said. “The earth is trembling and structures are falling. But on the other hand, you have an opportunity to rebuild, or even reconsider if you needed to build.
“It was a moment in time when you were forced into change,” she continued. “I think I was invited into leadership at a moment when that was pretty much the unofficial job description.”
She said after assuming the president’s seat, the athletic department had to regroup and take on new leadership. That department now has its third athletic director since she took over.
“With each change, we’ve moved it (athletic department) ahead and we’ve gotten a little bit stronger,” she said.
Sister Carney said the fundraising department also has gone through some changes during her tenure.
“The person who was vice president during the time this was all going on (the scandal) decided to resign,” she said. She said one of the results of this was that the university postponed its capital campaign for a year while new leadership was established in that department.
“The person who was vice president during the time this was all going on (the scandal) decided to resign,” she said. She said one of the results of this was that the university postponed its capital campaign for a year while new leadership was established in that department.
“We gradually redesigned that program ... and there have been changes in my cabinet,” she said. She said she has been pleased with the ensuing growth that resulted from the changes.
A university Web site notes that since the beginning of Sister Carney’s presidency, approximately $25 million has been invested in seven major projects on campus.
Sister Carney said that while she’s pleased with overall growth during her leadership, the economic crisis has presented new challenges.
“Just at the point where I think we have consolidated a lot of this treasure, the economic crisis comes roaring at you,” she said. “You feel like you’ve just rebuilt your house and here comes a tornado.”
Despite this, she said the enrollment figures are satisfactory for next year and a junior open house recently held on campus attracted 400 people to the facility.
“This tells us that even though the economy is uncertain, parents are not holding back from looking at a private-college option for their youngsters,” she said. “We’re very encouraged by the way in which our campaign is both advertising and improving our recruitment.
“We’ll have a healthy class this year, we would have hoped for an even larger class ... but we think people are a little slower to finalize their decision this year,” she said.
Board members who offered praise for Sister Carney’s accomplishments include Laurie Branch, president and CEO of Iroquois Group Inc. in Olean.
“Sister Margaret is a terrific leader and advocate for both St. Bonaventure and the greater Olean area,” Ms. Branch said. “She is a wonderful communicator and is fabulous with donors. Over the past few years she has attracted millions of dollars in gifts that have helped the university, and in turn helped the broader community,” Ms. Branch said.
Another board member, Vince Volpe, president and CEO of Dresser-Rand Group Inc., held similar views.
“She’s a delightful person to work with, and at times of controversy, brought stability” to the university, Mr. Volpe said. “I think she brought the leadership traits that were necessary in that time of the university’s evolution.”
Mr. Volpe said he also believes that Sister Carney’s leadership during the current economy has been admirable.
“Her great courage in making financially hard, yet fiscally sound decisions, have not always been popular, but she leads by example,” Mr. Volpe said.
Board member Tim Finan, president and CEO of Olean General Hospital, said he also believes Sister Carney has done a “remarkable job in all aspects of her position.
“A significant portion of St. Bonaventure’s physical plant has been refreshed ... and they’ve had a had a wonderful 150th celebration the entire year, Mr. Finan said. “Given where she is at with St. Bonaventure’s history, she’s the right person for the job.”
LEADING THE WAY: Rebuilding after an instituitional earthquake
By Kate Day Sager
Olean Times Herald
ST. BONAVENTURE - When Sister Margaret Carney speaks of taking the reins of St. Bonaventure University back in 2004, she refers to it as a time of “institutional chaos.”
In the five years since she has taken control of the university as its 20th president, many believe Sister Carney has brought stability, direction and growth to the Franciscan Institute now celebrating its 150th anniversary.
During a recent interview, Sister Carney spoke of her role in leading the university through a transition after crisis struck it in 2003, and how she is guiding it through the challenges of the current economic downturn.
“Obviously, I took over the university during a time that I like to call institutional chaos. I think it takes a great deal of effort to refocus an institution when it’s been through the kind of upheaval that Bonaventure went through,” she said.
She was referring to the resignation of the university’s previous president, Dr. Robert Wickenheiser, during the 2003 scandal that erupted with the men’s basketball team. A transfer student who was admitted to the university was allowed to play basketball without having the required associate degree, in accordance with NCAA rules. After sanctions were imposed by the Atlantic 10 Conference, Dr. Wickenheiser resigned. During that crisis, the university’s chairman of the board, Bill Swan, took his own life.
Sister Carney said when she stepped into the role as president, she knew she had a huge task at hand in revamping the university. As the first woman to receive a doctorate from the Franciscan University of Rome, as well as the recipient of five honorary doctorates, Sister Carney is no stranger to hard work.
Although her opening act as president was on rocky ground, she looked at it with optimism.
“I used to always use the analogy of an earthquake,” she said. “The earth is trembling and structures are falling. But on the other hand, you have an opportunity to rebuild, or even reconsider if you needed to build.
“It was a moment in time when you were forced into change,” she continued. “I think I was invited into leadership at a moment when that was pretty much the unofficial job description.”
She said after assuming the president’s seat, the athletic department had to regroup and take on new leadership. That department now has its third athletic director since she took over.
“With each change, we’ve moved it (athletic department) ahead and we’ve gotten a little bit stronger,” she said.
Sister Carney said the fundraising department also has gone through some changes during her tenure.
“The person who was vice president during the time this was all going on (the scandal) decided to resign,” she said. She said one of the results of this was that the university postponed its capital campaign for a year while new leadership was established in that department.
“The person who was vice president during the time this was all going on (the scandal) decided to resign,” she said. She said one of the results of this was that the university postponed its capital campaign for a year while new leadership was established in that department.
“We gradually redesigned that program ... and there have been changes in my cabinet,” she said. She said she has been pleased with the ensuing growth that resulted from the changes.
A university Web site notes that since the beginning of Sister Carney’s presidency, approximately $25 million has been invested in seven major projects on campus.
Sister Carney said that while she’s pleased with overall growth during her leadership, the economic crisis has presented new challenges.
“Just at the point where I think we have consolidated a lot of this treasure, the economic crisis comes roaring at you,” she said. “You feel like you’ve just rebuilt your house and here comes a tornado.”
Despite this, she said the enrollment figures are satisfactory for next year and a junior open house recently held on campus attracted 400 people to the facility.
“This tells us that even though the economy is uncertain, parents are not holding back from looking at a private-college option for their youngsters,” she said. “We’re very encouraged by the way in which our campaign is both advertising and improving our recruitment.
“We’ll have a healthy class this year, we would have hoped for an even larger class ... but we think people are a little slower to finalize their decision this year,” she said.
Board members who offered praise for Sister Carney’s accomplishments include Laurie Branch, president and CEO of Iroquois Group Inc. in Olean.
“Sister Margaret is a terrific leader and advocate for both St. Bonaventure and the greater Olean area,” Ms. Branch said. “She is a wonderful communicator and is fabulous with donors. Over the past few years she has attracted millions of dollars in gifts that have helped the university, and in turn helped the broader community,” Ms. Branch said.
Another board member, Vince Volpe, president and CEO of Dresser-Rand Group Inc., held similar views.
“She’s a delightful person to work with, and at times of controversy, brought stability” to the university, Mr. Volpe said. “I think she brought the leadership traits that were necessary in that time of the university’s evolution.”
Mr. Volpe said he also believes that Sister Carney’s leadership during the current economy has been admirable.
“Her great courage in making financially hard, yet fiscally sound decisions, have not always been popular, but she leads by example,” Mr. Volpe said.
Board member Tim Finan, president and CEO of Olean General Hospital, said he also believes Sister Carney has done a “remarkable job in all aspects of her position.
“A significant portion of St. Bonaventure’s physical plant has been refreshed ... and they’ve had a had a wonderful 150th celebration the entire year, Mr. Finan said. “Given where she is at with St. Bonaventure’s history, she’s the right person for the job.”
