If some faculty members have their way, Al Gore, Jr., former Vice President of the United States, may soon hold a new title -- president of The University of Memphis.
Cherrie Holden, 7th Congressional District representative for Tennessee State Department of Education, said some faculty have contacted her about a petition to have Gore listed as a finalist for the position. She said faculty members have urged her to present their thoughts to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in Nashville next month.
Several faculty members have said they felt left out of the presidential hiring process, noting their disappointment that interim President Ralph Faudree and Richard Ranta, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, had been eliminated from consideration.
"In all my years at this University, the faculty have not had much to say in choosing who becomes president," said Philli Deboo, professor of anthropology at The U of M. "I was the one who nominated Faudree."
"I think Gore would be a healthy choice for this University," Deboo said. "He would land us on the map, and he would bring in much needed money to the campus. He also would be a unifying factor for all the factions in Memphis."
A Gore aide Monday confirmed the former vice president had been considering seeking the post. "He feels like Memphis is a second home to him and Tipper. He thinks as president (of The U of M) he could do a lot of good."
David Mason, chair of the political science department, agreed.
"I think he'd be good for it," Mason said. "It would put us on the map. As a political scientist, I think it would be an excellent opportunity. We have some courses he could teach."
"It's something we should consider. How often does someone from our state serve as vice president, almost win the presidency and then come home? It would be a natural position for him," said Mason.
However, Gore does not meet the selection criteria set for the new U of M president. He does not have a doctorate, has no experience as a university administrator, nor "a distinguished record of teaching experience in public higher education."
Gore was ruled out by the presidental search committee at Harvard University because he "...lacks the necessary academic credentials to be considered."
However, at least three other former vice presidents have served as presidents of universities.
Former Vice President Charles G. Dawes accepted the presidency of the University of California after leaving office in 1928. Henry A. Wallace, who served a single term under Franklin D. Roosevelt before being defeated for re-nomination in 1944, ended up at the University of Iowa. Hubert H. Humphrey, who served under Lyndon B. Johnson, later served as president of the University of Minnesota, Louisiana State University and MacAlester College in Minnesota.
"I honestly don't think he has the academic credentials," accounting professor Kenneth Lambert said. "I would like to think we have the standards of excellence (in education) of the three people that vie for (the presidency). I haven't seen anyone talk about departing from them. I have never heard of (Gore) holding a higher post of administration, and while he has skills, I don't know if they are ones we need."
Tim Luke, campus minister for Baptist Student Ministries, said he was surprised by the suggestion that Gore should be considered for the U of M presidency.
"Wouldn't The University have to re-open the process? And would that be fair (to the three other finalists)? I think it would be surprising to go from vice president of the United States to president of a university with his apparent plans to run for president in 2004."
