An Open Letter to Mr. R. Jack Fishman and The University of Memphis Presidential Search Advisory Committee:
We the undersigned include six University of Memphis Eminent Faculty Awardees, six Dunavant University Professors and four faculty Directors of State of Tennessee Centers of Excellence. We are concerned and alarmed bythe exclusion of the two remaining internal candidates, Interim President Ralph Faudree and Dean Richard Ranta, from the list of candidates to be further considered for the university presidency.
Such an action cannot bejustified in terms of credentials or experience or potential. Collectively these men represent over 50 years of academic achievement and leadership at The University of Memphis. In very different ways, each has built a solid international reputation in his field. If the pool of applicants' qualifications were examined anonymously, it is clear to us that both candidates would be very near the top.
A primary concern shared by us is that the next president should fully understand, through his or her own experience, what constitutes a major research institution. Should the next president lack such a background of quality research and scholastic accomplishment, it will only exacerbate the serious university problems of retention of accomplished faculty and the ability to recruit faculty at the highest level.
To exclude the two internal candidates, especially the sitting Interim President, from further consideration is an affront not just to them but to the entire university community. Along with our fellow faculty, staff and students, we are the university. We call for you to reinstate both internal candidates and let the process play out fairly. At least that you owe The University of Memphis.
Arch C. Johnston
Director, Center of Excellence, Center for Earthquake Research & Information (CERI)
Lorelei H. Corcoran
Director, Center of Excellence, Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology (IEAA)
Arthur C. Graesser
Director, Center of Excellence, Center for Applied Psychological Research (CAPR)
Co-Director, Institute for Intelligent Systems
Eminent Faculty Award, 1999, Psychology
John W. Schifani
Director, Center of Excellence, Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP)
Also signed by 10 other professors.
