THE OPPORTUNITY

Saint Martin’s University in the City of Lacey, Washington, seeks an innovative and dynamic educational leader to serve as its next President. The University is reopening its presidential search due to the sudden death of Bryan M. Johnston, president-elect of Saint Martin’s University. Dr. Johnston was to begin his tenure as the University’s ninth President on July 1, 2008. Dr. David R. Spangler, who served as President of Saint Martin’s University from 1984 – 2005, is serving as interim President.

Saint Martin’s University is a Roman Catholic coeducational university and one of 18 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and it remains the only Benedictine University west of the Rocky Mountains. The University requires a President who will further build the academic profile of the institution, student and faculty recruitment, fundraising and financial stability. It is anticipated that the new President will assume office in January 2009 or soon thereafter. With this prospectus, the Search Committee seeks to provide helpful information for potential candidates.

The Saint Martin’s University Mission
To know, to care, to serve, to educate: the commitment of Saint Martin’s University to the student, the community, and the world. With the Catholic, Benedictine tradition as its guide, the mission is accomplished by recognizing the spiritual and ethical dimensions of all human activity and by celebrating the uniqueness and worth of each human being.

ABOUT SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY

The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees at its main campus near Olympia, WA, as well as extension campuses at Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base, Centralia College, Tacoma Community College and Olympic College in Bremerton, where a selection of degree programs for evening and weekend study are offered to military and civilian students. Further, Saint Martin’s has established international operations with colleges and universities in China, Japan and Korea. In Asia, Saint Martin’s enrolls nearly 1,000 students in non-degree business programs in Shanghai and in a degree completion program offered in conjunction with an educational partner in Hong Kong. In Korea and Japan, the University has exchange agreements in place with several colleges and universities; these agreements bring full-time degree seeking students to campus during the academic year and more than 300 English language and American culture seeking students to campus each summer.

The school's name was officially changed to Saint Martin’s University in August 2005 to more accurately reflect an institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The University offers 21 baccalaureate and six graduate degree programs, among them highly regarded programs in education, engineering, management and business administration.

HISTORY OF SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY

Saint Martin’s College was established in 1895 as a school for boys by monks of the 1,500-year-old Roman Catholic Order of Saint Benedict. They followed the order’s age-old tradition in providing an education of “mind, heart and character.” The Order, the oldest in Western civilization, was founded by Saint Benedict of Nursia in about 528.

From that early period to the present, Benedictines have worked in education. Their abbey schools nurtured and guarded the legacy of the classics of Western civilization in the Dark Ages. Monk scholars helped write the culture and educational history of Europe and, in the past 150 years plus, that of the United States.

Benedictine history in the United States began in 1845 when Abbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., established the first American abbey school, Saint Vincent College, near Latrobe, Pennsylvania. From there, Benedictines founded high schools, colleges and universities throughout the country.

Bearing the name of Saint Martin’s College from its earliest history until it became Saint Martin’s University in 2005, the institution is named for its patron saint, Saint Martin of Tours, a fourth-century European missionary and, later, Bishop of France. The University and its founding institution, Saint Martin’s Abbey, sit on 300 acres of peaceful woodlands, meadows and meandering trails.

Saint Martin's opened its doors to students on September 11, 1895, and as with other nineteenth-century American Benedictine schools, the new College first enrolled boys and young men between the ages of 10 and 20. Both boarders and “day schoolers” were accepted and taught from a curriculum of preparatory and high school classes, plus classical and commercial college courses. By 1897, 29 grammar and high school students were attending Saint Martin’s. College-level courses were added in 1900 to provide the necessary education for candidates planning to enter the Benedictine priesthood.

Saint Martin’s became a four-year, accredited, baccalaureate-granting institution in 1940. While the College virtually came to a standstill during World War II, the postwar years saw the enrollment of hundreds of “G.I. Bill” veterans and a growing list of course offerings. The College became coeducational in 1965 and began offering extension programs at nearby Fort Lewis Army Post and McChord Air Force Base in 1972. Saint Martin’s High School was closed in 1974, due to declining enrollment.

For over 110 years, monks of Saint Martin’s Abbey which shares the school's campus and their lay colleagues have provided an exceptional education grounded in the liberal arts. While Saint Martin’s initially offered what would now be considered high school to junior college curriculum, it evolved over the years into a full-fledged University in the modern sense of the word. It has been a continuously accredited University since 1937.

In the 1980s, Saint Martin’s added graduate programs in education, engineering and counseling psychology to its growing list of areas of study.

SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY TODAY

The Saint Martin's community is shaped by its Benedictine heritage, characterized by a commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth, hospitality, service and creativity. The beauty of the 300-acre campus reflects the rich intellectual and spiritual nature of its presence in the Pacific Northwest. The Abbey, home of the Benedictine monks, is centrally located among the University buildings. The monks, with their vow of stability, help provide grounding in an evolving and changing world and are a focus for many students and alumni. The Abbey Church is the spiritual center for Saint Martin’s and is used for daily services. For over a quarter of a century, Saint Martin’s Abbey has produced Abbey Church events which bring gifted artists and scholars to campus.

Saint Martin’s has experienced steady growth during the past four years. Main campus enrollment is now at 1,250, and about 450 more attend classes at the University’s extensions. More than 220 people are employed at the University, which has an annual operating budget of just over $35 million.

The University is a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. It is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the Washington State Board of Education, and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. Its undergraduate civil engineering and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc. (ABET). As of June 2008, the University’s teacher education programs secured full national accreditation from the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).

The University offers 21 baccalaureate and six graduate degree programs; has a full-time faculty of approximately 72 and an average class size of 14 students. Of its approximately 1,250 on-campus students, 60 percent are female and 40 percent male. More than 30 percent of the students are minority, 35 percent are first generation students and 50 percent of the students are Catholic.

2008-2009 undergraduate tuition is $23,810, and annual room and board is $8040. Saint Martin’s is consistently amongst the most affordable of the private colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest. Following the mission “to know, to care, to serve,” a large percent of enrolled students receive some form of financial aid.

The University offers a broad range of activities for its students that include: 11 NCAA Division II athletic teams, intramural athletics, student government, clubs and other campus organizations.

Physically, the Saint Martin’s campus occupies more than 300 acres between the City of Lacey’s Pacific Avenue and Martin Way. The picturesque campus has acres of wooded areas threaded with pleasant walking trails, and many species of wildlife roam its undeveloped acres.

The University recently renovated the Saint Gertrude Dining Hall and completed construction on a library as well as a residence hall named for former (and now interim) University President, David R. Spangler, Ph.D. A number of new buildings are currently under construction, including a residence hall and a state-of-the-art academic building, while a few buildings are under renovation. The University is also building new athletic facilities, particularly for track and field sports, and is in the planning stages of constructing a new student recreational center.

SAINT MARTIN’S EXTENSION CAMPUSES

Extension campuses at Fort Lewis Army Post, McChord Air Force Base, Centralia College, Tacoma Community College, and Olympic College in Bremerton offer degree programs for military and civilian students. Master degree and teacher certification/ endorsement programs are also available at Fort Lewis and McChord. The extension programs at the military installations provide educational access at the undergraduate and graduate level to military personnel, their families, and in some instances, area residents. As a result of an increased demand for on-line education from the military bases, the institution has made a commitment to expand its on-line course offering, particularly at the extension campuses, with the full support of the Board of Trustees.

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Saint Martin’s University is located in the City of Lacey, Washington, adjacent to Olympia, the state capital. The population of the Lacey area is approximately 58,000, and that of the greater Olympia area about 129,000. Within a short drive from the main campus are the Cascade Mountains and the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. For nature lovers, the area is exceptional. The campus is surrounded by a wealth of lakes, streams and ocean inlets, and the Pacific Ocean beaches are just 50 miles west.

Nationally recognized entertainers, artists and musicians make regular stops in the Puget Sound area. Local bands and artists fill the calendar in this rich arts community. And for those who love the outdoors, the area abounds with hiking trails, lakes and mountain scenery. Lacey is nestled between two spectacular glaciated mountain ranges, the Cascades to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west. The Puget Sound, only 20 minutes from Saint Martin’s campus, offers world-class scenic and recreational opportunities. Situated one hour from downtown Seattle and only minutes from Washington’s capital, residents of the City of Lacey are able to participate in a vibrant metropolitan region of the country.

An Agenda for Leadership

After extensive interviews with a variety of campus constituencies the following leadership priorities emerged.

Provide Distinguished and Trusted Leadership
The loyalty and dedication of Saint Martin’s hard-working faculty and staff, many of whom have served the institution with unwavering support, is striking. The faculty and staff look to the President for leadership, collaboration and empowerment. The President must engage the entire community in reflecting, visioning and planning for the future of the institution. S/he must embrace diversity in thought and action, and model a life of intellectual achievement, acceptance and inclusion within the Catholic spirit. The President must engage the community in discussions of the academic mission and program, encourage the setting and achievement of high standards, and serve as an external interpreter and enthusiastic spokesperson for the University, its academic mission and its programs.

Building Community
Saint Martin’s is a caring residential and commuter community of faculty, students, staff, administrators and monks living and working together in an atmosphere of respect and common purpose. A concerted effort to improve communication between the senior administration, faculty and staff, as well as instilling a spirit of teamwork, information-sharing, mutual respect, trust, and transparency in decision-making, are essential components of a successful presidency. It is vitally important that these values not only continue, but that they grow and prosper. It is expected that the new President will provide a style of leadership that recognizes the central importance of continuing to live, model and build campus community.

Clarify Vision, Direction and Identity of Saint Martin’s
While any new president is expected to lead in establishing a clear vision, direction and identity for an institution, every place and time will present unique needs and imperatives. Saint Martin’s has experienced positive growth and change in its student population. For all the benefits of so much positive change, there are also resulting uncertainties about what University priorities are and should be for the next decade. Are academic programs sufficiently rigorous to meet the expectations of students and employers? How can sufficient funds be generated to support the University, its programs and staff? Is there a clear definition of the nature and identity of the Benedictine philosophy of higher education?

Raise Funds and Allocate Resources
Like many other religiously affiliated institutions, Saint Martin’s has since its inception depended on tuition monies and Abbey support to cover its costs. The University’s endowment is small (less than $10 million) and will need the immediate and focused attention of the President and Board of Trustees. The University has a limited history of capital campaigns. Although the University will successfully conclude a $7.5 million campaign soon, a much more ambitious campaign should be planned for the near future. It is extremely difficult to become a high-achieving independent University these days without the benefit of a healthy endowment. Clearly, fundraising must be a principal focus of the President’s attention. Although the University maintains a balanced budget and anticipates continued fiscal responsibility, as with many private institutions, the financial picture remains a concern. The faculty and staff are underpaid, and although they exhibit pride in their ability to do much work with limited financial resources, the institution cannot continue to sustain itself in this manner.

The reality is that Saint Martin’s is facing an increasingly competitive environment, an aging infrastructure and a student body heavily reliant on financial aid. Within the past few years, the institution has begun to address its substantial capital needs (a new residence hall and academic center are under construction as well as classroom updating), but much more must be done.

Implement the Strategic Plan
The Saint Martin’s community has spent a significant amount of time in the past few years redefining its strategic plan, but the plan is incomplete and will require the attention of the next President. When the new President arrives, s/he is expected to work from the base of what has already been done while engaging the University community to develop a set of clear and concise goals and priorities for the institution. The new President will play a key role in establishing and refining priorities and executing a plan, in conjunction with faculty, staff and the Board of Trustees.

Faculty and Staff Development
The University must raise salaries and provide more funds for faculty and staff development. With the large number of faculty due to retire in the next several years, the next President will be faced with the issue of replacing those individuals with new faculty at salary levels that keep pace with peers. In addition, staffing at all levels remains a concern with many taking on multiple responsibilities. Although the search for the Vice President for Academic Affairs is underway, it is anticipated that the new President will be involved in the selection of the new VPAA. It is essential that the President establish a close partnership and an excellent relationship with the VPAA to provide academic leadership and advance Saint Martin’s academic programs.

Increase University Enrollment
The President must prioritize efforts to work closely with the governing board to propose and advocate optimal enrollment goals for undergraduate and graduate enrollment. The President also needs to evaluate the various satellite and international programs and assess the continued and strengthened operation of these various initiatives.

By establishing short- and long-term enrollment goals, the President and Board of Trustees will have to bear in mind the effect that an increased student body at the Lacey campus would have on the capacity of the physical plant, faculty and staff workload, and budgetary resources. Furthermore, managed growth must also be accompanied by increasing program standards and developing assessment models that will ensure the highest quality returns for the students and community.

Strengthen Governance Structure
The University has a two-tiered governance structure, with the Members of the Corporation of the Religious House holding reserved powers. The Board of Trustees currently consists of a total of 23 members (maximum 35), with seven positions held by monks as Corporation members of the University. The relationship between the lay and religious members of the Board is particularly strong, as is the relationship between the members of the monastic community and the institutional community.

Over the past three years, there have been concerted efforts to raise the Board’s level of performance through a structured work plan, the more intentional recruitment of new trustees, and a proactive involvement of trustees in fundraising, and by exposing Board members to “best practices” in board conduct. However, the Board is still not structured for a strong, direct role in fund-raising. Although the Board is beginning to evolve from a relatively passive group that relied too heavily on management to direct policy, the Board, under the leadership of board chair Ken Parsons, is beginning to engage more directly on key institutional issues.

The current Board lacks the financial capacity to provide philanthropic support at a level commensurate with the University’s needs and ambitions. The Board recognizes this limitation and will work collaboratively with the new President to place emphasis on recruiting new board members who are persons of access and influence to assist the University in its continued growth and development.

Presidential Attributes

Extensive rounds of conversations were held with the campus community to discern the qualities sought in its next leader. What emerged were the following traits for the new President:

The ability to demonstrate that he or she is a knowledgeable, committed, active, practicing member of the Roman Catholic faith;

An appreciation of Saint Martin’s distinctive culture and values in the Benedictine tradition, and a commitment to continue its strong Catholic identity and maintain its special niche in higher education;

An ability to communicate the University’s mission and vision with spirit and conviction;

An aptitude and passion for asking others to support a distinctive institution financially;

A particularly strong skill in financial management and experience in developing and maintaining fair and effective budgets;

The ability to demonstrate a collaborative leadership style that builds upon relationships and a sense of community;

A dedication to, and support for, principled leadership and transparency in dealing with all constituencies;

The ability to listen closely, make decisions firmly, and communicate those decisions clearly and effectively;

An ability to set agendas and account for their achievement;

The ability to excel as a leader in a consultative environment, and skill in negotiating with all groups;

A diplomatic, tactful, and collaborative manner in working with colleagues;

An open, friendly, and approachable style of interaction with the University community;

The ability to balance intellectual arguments with practical reality;

An informed commitment to the ideals of liberal education and professional programs and the ability to articulate those ideals persuasively;

A principled view of the world and the confidence to make decisions, in part, founded upon those principles;

An appreciation for faculty work in teaching, learning, and scholarship, and a willingness to support and enhance these endeavors; A commitment to the continued development and implementation of an effective on-line educational program for the University;

A commitment to an international/global perspective of education and the role Saint Martin’s University can play in continuing to develop and strengthen its international programs;

Significant and successful administrative experience;

A genuine interest in building and maintaining positive relationships with alumni and friends of the University;

Excellent communication skills, with a comfortable public presence;

Energy, stamina, enthusiasm and a sense of humor.

About the Search

A 12-member Board-appointed search committee is now at work. Its membership includes five trustees, an Abbey representative, two faculty members, as well as representatives from the executive team, staff, alumni and student body. The search committee chair is Richard Panowicz, the vice chair of the Board of Trustees. The current board chair, Ken Parsons, also serves on the search committee. Visit the institution’s website, www.stmartin.edu, for further information on the search process and progress.

The search committee will begin a review of applications in mid-September, 2008. The committee expects to conduct neutral-site interviews on October 13 & 14, will invite finalists to campus the week of November 5, and hopes to conclude an appointment by the middle of November, 2008. The successful candidate would assume office by January 1, 2009 or soon thereafter.

To apply, candidates should address a reflective letter of interest addressing the ways in which they meet desired presidential characteristics and their background in relation to the challenges and opportunities described above. Applications should include a current resume and the names and phone numbers of at least five professional references and their relationship to each reference (these will only be called at a later, semi-final stage, with the candidate’s foreknowledge). Letters of nomination and reference are not requested. By University policy and search-committee affirmation, information from and about all candidates will be kept in strict confidence in perpetuity. Send materials as an e-mail attachment in Word to and addressed to:

SaintMartin@academic-search.com

Assisting in the search is:

Maya Ranchod Kirkhope, Senior Consultant
Academic Search, Inc.
maya.kirkhope@academic-search.com or (703) 440-1008

Saint Martin’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator