News

Candidate very personable, very high energy

Posted August 06, 2007 11:00 pm

JACQUELINE KOCH

Wearing a red top, black pants and BU pin, Bradley University presidential candidate Joanne K. Glasser looked at home on the Hilltop on Monday afternoon.

But she joked she'd immediately have to add more school colors to her wardrobe if she were hired as the university's 10th - and first woman - president.

It was that down-to-earth charm and sense of humor that had faculty, staff and students praising the merits of the president of Eastern Kentucky University, who's expected to be named Bradley's next president.

For her part, Glasser praised the community's friendly atmosphere.

"I'm thrilled to be here," Glasser said of her first visit to Peoria. "It's a wonderful opportunity for me to meet the campus and community and see if we fit."

Glasser said she's committed to being accessible and visible to students. And she doesn't find the prospect of serving as Bradley's first female president daunting. Glasser was EKU's 10th president and also its first female president.

"I think being a woman brings very strong and unique leadership skills," she said. "My passion is my compassion."

If named president, Glasser said she hoped to be at Bradley by the time school begins. She said she'd toured houses with a real estate agent, though she hadn't purchased one. Classes start Aug. 29.

Glasser met with about 200 faculty and staff members, and had them laughing as she shared bits about her personal life and sense of humor. She poked fun at her height - 5 feet - and her favorite way to relieve stress - eating chocolate.

Richard Johnson, the dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, has heard Glasser speak twice and said her dynamic personality enthralled those gathered in the Michel Student Center Ballroom.

"She's obviously a very high energy individual," he said. "She's very optimistic."

Johnson said he thinks Glasser's best asset may lie in her ability to relate well to people, which could aid her fundraising powers.

"I think her strongest skills will be working with people," he said.

Glasser also met with about 20 students to share her thoughts about Bradley and gain feedback.

Glasser said it'd be presumptuous to come to Bradley announcing plans for immediate change. She said her first goal would be to meet students and understand the campus culture.

"I'd listen and learn," she said.

Bradley Student Body President Jordan Ticaric said she thinks Glasser's bubbly personality is needed at the school.

"She's really in it for the students," Ticaric said. "She always says students first. We need something fresh."

Ticaric noted that Glasser would be a deviation from former president David Broski, who was skilled at internal things such as fundraising, but didn't always project a friendly exterior.

"It will be a change," Ticaric said. "However, she is the whole package."

Eastern Kentucky University junior Albon Holyoke said Glasser genuinely cares about students.

"She is definitely visible on campus," said the fire service and administration major who worked with Glasser in student government. "One of her most prominent aspects is that she's on campus, at events. I'm sure the majority of campus has a pretty good relationship with her."

Holyoke added that he wasn't surprised to learn Glasser was applying for other jobs because rumors had floated around the campus of about 16,500 undergraduates in Richmond, Ky.

"I'm sorry to hear that (she may be) leaving," he said. "We like her."

The secrecy surrounding Glasser's visit to Peoria came as the result of her status as sitting president. A Bradley trustee and search committee member said Glasser wanted to notify EKU of her interest in Bradley's position before anyone else.

"She's still under contract," he said, adding there may be an announcement about the position in the next week. "She wanted to make sure this was a place she wanted to come to."

Jacqueline Koch can be reached at (309) 686-3251 or jkoch@pjstar.com.

Article Categories
News