Nov. 30, 2006

DeWine could be leaving MC
Provost a finalist for president position

Jon Moffett
jrm001 @marietta.edu

One on Marietta College’s own has might be leaving as early as June of next year. MC Provost Sue DeWine has been named as one of four finalists for the position of president of Coastal Carolina, a university in Conway, South Carolina. DeWine is one of 76 candidates to apply for the job, and has made it all the way to being a finalist. Adecision is expected to be made by Coastal Carolina sometime in January.

If DeWine were to be offered the job and accept it, she would be replacing current president Ron Ingle, who will retire from his position on June 30, ending his nearly 14 years of tenure.

“It’s not that I’m unhappy at Marietta College-- I love Marietta College,” said DeWine. “But I’d really like to have an opportunity to lead a campus.”

DeWine has been at Marietta College since 2000, and is the chief academic officer. Prior to arriving at MC, DeWine was director of the School of Interpersonal Communications at Ohio University for 15 years. DeWine graduated from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in English and speech education, and a master’s in rhetoric and public address. She earned her Ph.D. in interpersonal and organizational communication from Indiana University.

Along with her academic duties as provost, DeWine also teaches at least one class per year, ranging from a freshmen FYSE course to a master’s course in corporate media. DeWine also serves on several committees, which range from the planning committee to the academic standards board.

If DeWine is not offered the position at Coastal Carolina, she is uncertain as to whether or not she will try to pursue any other open position at another college looking to fill a vacancy.

“That remains to be seen,” DeWine commented. “I have really mixed feelings. The charm of the people here have really created a family for me and I hate the thought of leaving. It’s a hard position to be in.”

Coastal Carolina University has roughly 7,600 students, which is significantly more than Marietta. However, DeWine thinks that her background and her time at MC will help her in her possible endeavors with the institution.

“Coastal Carolina is a public, liberal arts school so I think it would combine my background in public universities with my experience here in liberal arts,” she commented.

If DeWine does leave Marietta, she’ll leave a great number of fellow faculty and staff members with fond memories, and valuable friendships.

Dr. Bill Bauer, assistant professor of education said of DeWine, “She’s been a phenomenal leader on this campus and I think it’s because she’s such a good listener”