Western’s vice president for financial planning and administration, Ron Olinger, announced on January 16 that he would resign his position effective March 1 to assume duties of chief financial officer at Benedictine College.

     Olinger has been at Western since July 2002, and has served the institution through rather difficult financial situations. Of all the changes he has seen during his time at Western, he considers two to be the most important. He said, “The name change was a great opportunity for Western, as was the change to the Banner system. When I came, we had a number of individual programs that didn’t interact with each other. Now, everyone can access a lot more information, and everyone is starting to see the benefits and the efficiency of the Banner system.”

     Olinger’s interim replacement, likely an on-campus appointment, will be announced around February 1, with a national search for a permanent replacement commencing soon after. The permanent new position will likely be named in July, giving new president Robert Vartabedian input on the decision.

     Western’s president, James Scanlon, said, “We should begin the national search in February, and I think we have a lot of very good people to serve as Ron’s in-house interim.”

As chief financial officer and vice president of administration, the position’s duties include budget planning, overseeing the Financial Aid department, Information Technology, the campus police department, and Facilities. Olinger said, “My job is involved in a lot of policy decisions. Oftentimes, it involves making sure projects are running smoothly, and lots of meetings.”

Lonnie Johnson, who is director of Facilities and Western’s Physical Plant, said, “Ron came at a difficult time when finances got kicked like they did. He has kept us in great shape financially, and as difficult as it was, he really helped us through it. Also, the implementation of the Banner system was a huge undertaking, and his leadership was very beneficial through that process.”

Olinger was notified of the position opening at Benedictine and found it to be something he was looking for. He said, “Benedictine is just a good fit for me personally, and meets my personal goals and objectives.”With several of Western’s upper administration either retiring or resigning to continue their work at other institutions, talk of a lack of Western knowledge on campus, and a lack of morale among faculty and staff is a concern. Olinger said, “It shouldn’t affect morale. I believe anytime an organization goes through change, it provides opportunities for people.” Scanlon feels similarly. “I think we have a lot of very good people, so there will still be quality leadership within the institution.”