Two survive cut for Nevada State College chief

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 | 9:29 a.m.

Only two of the five finalists vying for the presidency at Nevada State College made the cut Wednesday after hourlong interviews with the 15 members of the joint regents and college search committee.

Andrew Bodman, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Western Washington University, and Fred Maryanski, current interim provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at the University of Connecticut, will visit the college's campus in Henderson early next week.

One of the men may be named president of the college as early as Wednesday.

In an initial vote meant to generate discussion on the final five candidates, Bodman and Maryanski received overwhelming support from members of the search committee to be invited back.

Committee members said they were impressed with both men's ability to articulate the mission and vision of Nevada State College, and their knowledge of the growing institution's needs.

"I think both of these candidates really knew our campus culture," Erika Beck, director of liberal arts and sciences and psychology professor, said.

Francine Mayfield, director of education, said the two candidates "bring a nice marriage of experience in higher education as well as an excitement to build something new.

"I think they are ready to meet the challenges."

As provosts of their respective institutions, both candidates run the academic side of the campus, including overseeing all personnel and budgets. Bodman began his career as a professor in geography and worked his way up the ladder at the University of Vermont; Similarly Maryanski was a computer science professor at the University of Connecticut before moving into administration.

Both men impressed many committee members with their articulation of Nevada State College's story, one of the questions posed by Beck to all of the candidates.

Bodman gave several metaphors and illustrations for how the college could be viewed, including an "oasis in the desert," an essential part of a three-tier university system and a flagship for future state colleges in Nevada.

But Bodman also stressed that the "story is not yet clearly written," and that one of his goals as president would be to better develop the college's academic plan, increase its visibility and maintain public support for higher education.

Maryanski said he was attracted to the position for the chance to "put his stamp" on something that would affect thousands of students and promote the economic diversification of the state by training its professionals like teachers and nurses.

"I think what is exciting about the story (of Nevada State College) is the individuals it serves," Maryanski said, noting that he would sell the college by selling the success stories of its students.

Maryanski said working at Nevada State College would also give him the opportunity to effect change without "having to deal with 100 years of this is how we have always done it."

Maryanski has visited Las Vegas about twice a year for the last several years, he said, because of a daughter in Los Angeles. But the only time he's been to Henderson is when "I got lost trying to turn a rental car in at the airport."

For Bodman, however, his interview in Las Vegas Wednesday was his first trip to the city, and subsequently was a "culture shock." Bodman said he would have to look around more to see if he could handle living here, but his wife was eager to get out of Washington because she is "climatically challenged."

A tour of Henderson will be part of their visit to the college's campus, committee members said. The two candidates will also have the chance to meet with college faculty, staff and students in open forums Monday and Tuesday.

The committee meets again Wednesday at 1 p.m. to decide which, if any, of the two men should be college's next president.