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Institutional Profile

Students walking around fountain The University of Southern Indiana, a public, comprehensive, residential university, invites nominations and applications for its third president.

The trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends are united in their desire to recruit a person of vision who will embrace the institutional values -- focused on students, committed to excellence in teaching, concerned for cost containment, and responsive to regional needs in an atmosphere accepting change -- and will clearly and passionately articulate the values and the needs of the institution.

The previous two presidents have created many opportunities for this third president. Under founding President David L. Rice, who served the institution for 26 years, important foundations were laid. A 1400-acre tract of land was acquired, master planning for the campus was undertaken, the University’s commitment to outreach and service was established, and the first major instructional facilities were constructed. Working with the faculty, he also guided the development of the curriculum, broadening course offerings through the master’s level to meet the needs of southwestern Indiana, which had been unserved by public education before the institution’s founding in 1965.

President H. Ray Hoops has served as president since 1994. Under his leadership, the undergraduate curriculum was expanded and strengthened, additional master’s programs and the first doctorate were approved, and there were major additions to the physical plant, including academic buildings, residence halls, and social, athletic, and recreational spaces. He also initiated the University’s first major capital campaign, which exceeded all expectations and fueled an impressive rise in charitable giving. During his tenure, the focus on private investment in the University has resulted in a dramatic increase in USI Foundation assets. Following his retirement as president on June 30, 2009, Dr. Hoops will serve as chancellor, with part-time responsibilities for resource development.

Both presidents have been careful stewards of institutional resources and earned the respect of community and state leaders for their creative management. Both leaders also forged strong relationships in the state, region, and community, resulting in partnerships which mutually benefit the institution and those entities.

The University community will expect the new president to build on the success of predecessors, undertaking planning processes that will give a fresh and focused view of the institution’s future. The University will look to the new president to enhance and promote excellence and take the institution to a new level of academic distinction. Advocacy and superior communication and motivation skills will be expected of this collaborative and creative leader.

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