BRISTOL, Va. (ABP) — Michael J. Puglisi unexpectedly resigned as president of Virginia Intermont College Jan. 25, apparently at the request of trustees of the Baptist-affiliated school.
And in what college administrators and trustees said was a move unrelated to the president’s resignation, the school announced it will reduce its staff by about 40 persons.
Michael Puglisi, shown during his inauguration as president of Virginia Intermont five years ago, had struggled with the school’s financial challenges. (Virginia Intermont photo)
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Puglisi had served as president of the college for five years and had shepherded the institution through severe economic challenges that threatened to close it three years ago.
Puglisi avoided a financial crisis by raising funds for operating expenses, including $3.5 million last year.
In a statement to the press, Wayne Kennedy, chair of the college’s board of trustees, said, “I know I speak for the entire VI community — students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, the community and trustees — in thanking Mike deeply for taking on a difficult job and leading this college with determination through severe challenges. The college is stronger because of these challenges and because of Mike’s leadership.”
Robert Rainwater, a religion professor and dean of religious life who will serve as interim president, echoed Kennedy’s sentiments. “Everybody related to VI — students, staff, faculty and the trustees — think very highly of [Puglisi],” he said. “He is one of the straightest arrows on campus. Even though the change had to be made the trustees still grieved over it. They like him as a person.”
“Higher education in general is experiencing a lot of change and significant reorientation in some ways,” said Rainwater. “In changing conditions, leadership is also changed at times. The trustees had some changing priorities and changing goals and they decided to change leadership. It seemed prudent and although it appears to be a sudden move, the decision had been in process.” He was adamant that no allegations of misconduct of any sort had been leveled.
For his part, Puglisi emphasized that it was simply time for new leadership.
“With 2010 beginning, the time is right following the hard work of these last several years for the college to have new leadership and fresh perspective,” the former president said in a press release. “I was asked to serve as president when the college faced significant hardships. I am enormously proud to have helped navigate those hardships.”
Attempts to contact Puglisi were not successful.
In a separate press release, trustees announced cost-cutting measures, including personnel reductions. Rainwater emphasized that Puglisi’s departure was not related to the cost-cutting measures being taken by the college.
The press release said Virginia Intermont “implemented a bold vision and restructuring … to reduce expenditures, enhance revenue and accomplish a solid financial foundation….”
“The college is reducing discretionary budgets and examining all operations to identify and reduce inefficiency or duplication. The reductions include a loss of personnel,” the statement said.
“This is a very sad necessity that impacts approximately 40 employees personally, their families and the entire VI community,” Rainwater was quoted as saying. “These losses are painful. Virginia Intermont is like a family. Each individual is valued and will be greatly missed. All of the affected employees will be contacted individually, and the college has committed to provide them with support services and counseling as needed, to help them through a difficult period of transition.”
The 126-year-old Virginia Intermont, located in Bristol, Va., has around 550 students and 75 faculty members. It is widely known for its equestrian program. Its varsity equestrian team won national championships in 2006 and 2007.
Rainwater remains optimistic about the future of VI, citing increased enrollment of 40 percent in the fall of 2009 with enrollment in the 2010 fall term projected to be even larger.
“By establishing a solid and sustainable financial foundation today, the college will be stronger and more capable of meeting our vision to be one of the best Christian-based colleges in the Appalachian region,” Rainwater said in a press release.
Rainwater said trustees will mount a national search for a new president and plan to name a successor to Puglisi this summer.
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Jim White is editor of the Virginia Baptist Religious Herald.