Derr tapped as interim college head

By Lauren Heaton

The Antioch College Board Pro Tempore announced on Wednesday, Dec. 9, the appointment of Matthew Derr as the college’s interim president. Derr was the chief transition officer who helped lead the two-year effort to win the college’s independence from Antioch University this past summer.

“It’s been a group effort,” Derr said on Wednesday, adding that he has appreciated the support the village has provided to help the college get to this new place of stability.

As president, most important to Derr is the continued effort to renovate the physical plant as the college works toward the vision of inaugurating its first class in 2012, Derr said. The college plans to continue hiring administrative staff, such as director of admissions and director of the college’s capital campaign. Derr will also continue talking to alumni groups around the country to work to build a curriculum and raise the necessary funds, now in excess of $15 million, to support the effort.

The pro tem board, chaired by Lee Morgan, will soon begin its search for a permanent president who is “committed to the values of the college and will want to lead it,” said Derr, who is excited to be a part of that process. The board is scheduled to interview search firms this month and hopes to appoint a search committee and a search firm at its meeting in January.