The Griffon News

 During the course of the last two semesters, many of Western’s top administrators and high-ranking academic positions have resigned. This is due, in part, to the naming of a new president, and to the fact that high turnover is a somewhat common practice at institutions of higher education.

 The president’s position has been filled by Robert Vartabedian, replacing James Scanlon as top administrator at Western as of June 30.

 Another top position for which a replacement will be named includes Ron Olinger, the vice president for financial planning and administration. He will resign his position as of March 1 to assume chief financial officer duties at Benedictine College.
 With Olinger’s resignation announcement, only two upper administration members, Dan Nicoson, vice president for University Advancement and Judy Grimes, Student Services dean, have more than two year’s experience at Western.

 Provost Joseph Bragin came during the summer of 2006, dean of Professional Studies Steve Estes came this year, and Financial Aid director Lisa Siudym  came here in fall of 2006. President James Scanlon said, “We have a lot of very good people, so there will still be quality leadership within the institution.”

 Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Martin Johnson, will be retiring effective June 30. He has served Western in various capacities for 35 years.

 Chris Shove, the dean and executive director of the Western Institute, will be relocating to a new university in Saudi Arabia. Joseph Bragin will carry out those duties until a replacement is named.

 Susan Bracciano was named Western’s registrar after the retirement of Gene Eulinger. Bracciano had served as assistant registrar since 2002, and has been a Western employee since 1997.

 A replacement for Paul Shang, the dean of student development, should be named quickly. He announced he would be serving as vice chancellor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City last summer.

 Director of athletics Mark Linder returned to his home state of Alabama to serve as athletic director for the University of North Alabama. A replacement for his position has yet to be named.

 Max Schlesinger is another Western employee for which a new face will fill the position. He retired in January as director of the Instructional Media Center.

  Talk of this mass exodus has students, faculty and staff wondering what changes the coming months will bring. Sophomore Kelsey Breckenridge welcomes new faces. She said, “I think that new administrators are great. Hopefully they will bring new eyes and a fresh perspective to Western.”

 Western’s payroll coordinator Gyla Buffington feels similarly. She said, “So many administrators leaving does concern me, but I’m excited about all of the new ideas that will benefit this campus. It should be an interesting year.”

 Physical Plant and Facilities director Lonnie Johnson welcomes the shift in power. He said, “Every department is affected differently, and losing people with so much knowledge and history of Western will be different, but quality people will be chosen to move the institution forward.”