Remington starts out on light tone

Jennifer Knight

Monday, June 11, 2001 | 10:50 a.m.

Moments after becoming the next president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, Ron Remington stepped to the podium and, rather than beginning with a serious tone, began his speech by poking fun at the lengthy interview process.

"Oftentimes, I'm accused of not sharing my ration of abuse. I just want to say, we're even," Remington said.

It is that kind of familiarity and comfort with system officials that led the Board of Regents on Friday to choose Remington, by a 6-4 vote, over Mary Spangler of Los Angeles City College.

"We need someone who knows us and understands us," said Regent Mark Alden, who made the motion to approve Remington.

"If you want to call it safety, then call it safety, but I think he has the connections that he needs, and I feel comfortable with that," said Regent Steve Sisolak.

The vote was a culmination of an 18-month presidential search, which began after Richard Moore stepped down as president to lead the Nevada State College at Henderson.

Remington will be receive an annual salary of $160,000, in addition to a benefits package.

Remington, 60, has been president of Great Basin College in Elko since 1982.

Under Remington's leadership, the 2,864-student campus made the move from a two-year school to one that offers bachelor's degree programs.

Great Basin College gained national recognition from the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture for a workforce development project, which tailored college programs to meet specific needs of industry.

Remington, who was vice president of instruction at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno prior to going to Great Basin, holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned a master's degree and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Humboldt State University.

The concern of board members who voted against Remington (Regent Doug Hill abstained) apparently resulted from a desire to infuse new blood into a system that has not been without its problems.

A search committee last summer was closing in on a choice for president when a lawsuit halted the the interview process. The decision to restart the search came in March, as regents decided to conduct a nationwide search at a cost of $27,000.

Regent Jill Derby described Remington as the "safe choice," but said she wanted Spangler because of her record in taking Los Angeles City College from an institution in turmoil to one that relies on consensus building.

"I think he'll (Remington) be a rubber stamp for certain board members," said Regent Linda Howard, who voted for Spangler.

A series of financial irregularities during the past year left questions regarding the effectiveness of management at CCSN; more than 40 audits were conducted during the past three years, said Moore.

Faculty and staff members have said the new president must help the institution to heal.

"I am extremely pleased," said Ruell Fiant, CCSN's faculty senate chair who has known Remington for 20 years. "This is probably the most excited that I've been in a long time."

Remington promised to work to fulfill the expectations of his supporters.

"I'm the kind of person who wants to set the record clean," Remington said. "If there are things that I have to handle, then I'll do that. I'll take them one by one."

Remington said he will first take time to listen to peoples' concerns.

He also plans to deal with issues of accreditation. A commissioner on the regional accreditation board, Remington said he will develop methods to measure student outcomes and increase student advisement.

Some regents worried that Remington's amiable personality could hinder his performance as president. Regent Dorothy Gallagher believes otherwise.

"I would not like anyone to vote against Dr. Remington because you think he is a pushover," Gallagher said. "He listens, he works with people, but when push comes to shove, he has a spine of steel."

Carl Diekhans, vice president of administrative services and a friend of Remington for 12 years, described the new president as a man who enjoys life, but one who can be quiet and contemplative, as well.

"The person you see and the person you talk to is the person you get," said Diekhans.

Remington said he likes to fish, through not always successfully. He's a master skeet shooter, hitting his target 99 times out of 100.

Then there is his sense for fun. He once dropped to the floor and did 50 one-handed push-ups, a la Jack Palance, just to prove that he could.

"Leaders don't have to be jerks," said John Patrick Rice, Great Basin's faculty senate chair.

Remington, who has a background in cognitive psychology, is an avid listener.

"I think he listens more than he talks," Rice said.

Some may say he listens too much, which could force some into thinking he can't make quick decisions, Diekhans said.

"Some people might see that as indecision or a taking too long to do something," Diekhans said. "I think it's better to do something right than jump into and then try to change it later."