By Mary Milligan
Monday began with Dr. Anne E. Rondeau who served in U.S. Navy serving her last active duty assignment as president of National Defense University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history and social science form Eisenhower College, her master’s in comparative government from Georgetown University, her doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University, and an honorary doctorate in public service from Carthage College.
Rondeau began her time with the students by going through the rows by asking everyone their name, major, and where they are from. Once getting introduced to everyone she opened by stating, “You are why we exist.” She conveyed her belief that the students are why Hood College lives and breathes.
There was a large emphasis from Rondeau on her want to be at Hood. She has always been around young people through teaching at the Naval Academy and she finds that is where her purpose is- in young people.
When it came to her ideas Rondeau wanted to focus on what the students think and what will fit Hood. “Your success is the success of Hood,” she said when she commented on the cost and wanting to keep tuition affordable.
She believes that leaders should be present and visible therefore Rondeau will attend various events including sporting events that she really loves. She loves athletics and finds them good for the health of the college.
Rondeau finds the current traditions at Hood a good element to the culture; she believes that they should be preserved. As they continue to grow she finds that it would be her job to preserve them.
Rondeau considers her leadership style as collaborative, “You see what you get, and you get what you see.” She believes that it is the obligation of students to help the president succeed by sharing and knowing the students.
On Feb. 4, Dr. Jonathan Gibralter discussed his plan for Hood if appointed president. Currently he resides as the president at Frostburg State University. He received his bachelor’s from the State University of New York at Binghamton, his master’s from New York University, and his doctorate from Syracuse University.
The single most important thing in being president is students, according to Gibralter, the college operates for the students. It is essential that the president spends time with students in his eyes.
At Frostburg Gibralter has developed a group called “Presidents Leadership Circle” which includes a close relationship with a few students after a rigorous application process. They have monthly fireside chats, shadowing opportunities, and international service projects. This is something he plans to carry over to Hood. He also plans to be an active member of the Hood community
Gibralter would also like to expand the school, whether or not that is by land or addling levels to buildings would be determined later. He would also look into off campus institutions that students in specific programs would be able to utilize.
In order to attempt to make more scholarships available for students he would do an assessment to have a capital campaign. He would also like to help students take the next step after graduation by ensuring that they have resources available to them with the process.
In order to protect student Gibralter would like to reduce high-risk drinking. This is something that he works on at Frostburg; he would like to prevent students from being in bad or dangerous situations.
Gibralter believes that in the case of diversity, not only would he hope that the campus would become more diverse, but that he would be able to further diversify the faculty.
Each candidate was asked about Greek life at Hood and had varying opinions. Rondeau would need a sense from the community and their opinions on the matter before making any decisions. Gibralter sees the good in bad, if they follow the rules as written it can be good for the community, however if they do not they can cause trouble.
The relationship between Hood and the Frederick community is believed to add to cultural depths. Rondeau thinks that it would be beneficial to strengthen volunteer relationships between the two and make it a better place. Gibralter finds that it is a part of the president’s job to form relationships both on and off campus and those relationships he forms with outside people would further benefit students.
On Feb. 6, students met to discuss the candidates both positives and negatives of both.
Students found Rondeau to be personable and hard working, according to Raymond Rivera “she would be able to adapt well here.” She had a different type of connection in Washington DC that students may not be able to have otherwise.
On the other hand students found her intimidating and different than what Hood is used to. Ilana Adler said, “I just found that I wasn’t comfortable going up to her and talking to her,” which is different than students ability to talk with President Volpe.
According to SGA President, Tim Hulyk, “She wants Hood to be successful… She’s an active woman, she likes to be around.”
Hulyk said “She talked about having open office hours which is not something a president usually does. I think she’s a great candidate, all that’s missing is her never have being president.”
Students noticed Gibralters energy and focus for Hood and all of the changes he made at Frostburg and how that would be possible at here as well. According Hulyk, he was “most obviously qualified on paper.”
A fear of students is that he is far into his career and he may retire soon. Students seemed to notice that he is not as keen on keeping the liberal arts a major focus, which is a negative to his approach as a potential president.
“Regardless of whoever we decide on, we need to give them a fresh start and the chance to bring their own traditions. You might see other qualities they just didn’t have time to present in their session,” said Rivera.
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