July 22, 2004

 

Antioch vice chancellors resigning

Photos by Dennie Eagleson/Courtesy of Antioch University.

Glenn Watts, the Antioch University vice chancellor of finance, left, and Lois Mann, the university’s vice chancellor of development, plan to resign at the end of the year.

Both of Antioch University’s Vice Chancellors officially notified the Board of Trustees last month that they would resign from their positions, effective at the end of 2004.

Glenn Watts, the vice chancellor of finance, and Lois Mann, the vice chancellor of development, each said that their concurrent decisions were personal and had nothing to do with the other.

Watts, who came to Antioch as vice chancellor in 1995, said he decided early last fall that “there are other things I want to do with my life.” The job of vice chancellor is a 24/7 responsibility, he said, which has been “all-consuming” for him. He views his leave as a retirement, he said, though he has not had time to consider what he wants to do next year.

“I don’t have another job, and I wasn’t looking for another job,” Watts said, noting that he is ready to have free time to spend traveling and with family and friends. “In a job like this you lose your personal life,” he said.

Watts said that the jobs he has had in his 38-year career as a financial officer have always been controversial. Whenever there is controversy and money is tight, he said, some will always be unhappy with the decisions he is sometimes forced to make.

“And they’re not reticent about making that known,” he added.

Yellow Springs residents have been particularly vocal in criticizing his decisions, which doesn’t bother Watts until it gets personal. The nine years he has spent at Antioch have been “challenging,” he said, but he has found it rewarding to work with the university staff and the Board of Trustees, he said. He hasn’t ruled out the option of continuing to work for the university in a different capacity in the future, but he needs a change right now, he said.

Though Mann is also resigning her position, she is taking a year sabbatical to travel and see family before she makes a final decision about leaving Antioch University. She also described her work as “fairly intensive,” noting that a true break would be welcome. She said she has made no final decisions about what she will do next.

Mann joined Antioch College in 1992 as the vice president of development and alumni relations. In 1996 Mann joined the Antioch University’s vice chancellor’s office shortly after it was created, taking charge of drawing money into the school. Her 12 years at Antioch have been positive, she said.

“It’s bittersweet to be leaving Antioch,” she said. “I feel I worked hard for the college’s viability, and it’s sad I’m not going to be part of the college’s renewal.”

Antioch College is implementing the renewal plan, which includes adopting a new curriculum and major improvements to campus facilities. In addition, the college has raised $35 million in a capital campaign, which Mann believes is a result of the excitement alumni feel about the renewal plan.

Antioch University Chancellor Jim Craiglow said that the two retirements give him an opportunity to evaluate the vice chancellor positions. This process will include a review of the posts for their efficiency and effectiveness in the scheme of consolidation and centralization of services between the college, Antioch University McGregor and Antioch University, Craiglow said.

Mann’s position is being revamped into a new office for a vice president of development and alumni relations at Antioch College. The new position will focus mainly on the college’s fundraising needs. The university will recruit to fill Watts’s position this fall.

Both chancellors made their decisions last fall, allowing Craiglow a chance to incorporate the change into the college’s renewal plans. The university expects to hire replacements for both positions before December, Craiglow said, allowing for a smooth transition and opportunity for orientation and training.

“Both Glenn and Lois have made a tremendous contribution to Antioch University,” Dan Kaplan, chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, said. “Any personnel change, especially a leadership one, is a challenge for an organization, but I’m confident that Antioch is in a better position than we have been in years.”

Craiglow echoed Kaplan’s assertion.

“They’re cherished colleagues, and we’ll miss them dearly,” Craiglow said. “But every challenge provides one with an opportunity to move forward.”