In the fall 2015 semester, University of Hartford President Walter Harrison, announced that he will be retiring at the end of the 2016–17 school year once his contract ends.
Harrison is not only the president of the University of Hartford, but also stands on multiple boards.
The process of finding a new president has already started; right now the board that will help in the hiring of a new president is looking for different opinions on what will make a good candidate for a new president.
When asked on what he believed would be important characteristics for a University of Hartford President, Harrison said, “I think it’s very important for the next person to have a good sense of community. This is a very small campus so it is important to have good strong relationships with everyone campus. Also, I think whoever succeeds me should be different, change is good.”
Harrison also mentioned how difficult it will be to step back from his role at the University of Hartford.
Harrison mentioned, “For the last almost 20 years, I’ve dedicated everything I’ve had to the University, so it’s a bit difficult to step back. For the first time in my life I’m going to have to figure out what to do with my free time. I’ve always been so concerned with helping others that I’ll need to find something to take up my time.”
University of Hartford President Walter Harrison to retire https://t.co/dF6lzzGR2r pic.twitter.com/rIULv8qwe8
— Hartford Courant (@hartfordcourant) November 20, 2015
There is a long process that had already been started and will continue until next spring. Some of the steps that are being taken to ensure that the University finds a great match are by surveying students, faculty and staff. The survey questions will be very general and will ask about general characteristics they would like to see in the new president.
Harrison is very confident that the University will find a replacement that will only help the University keep on growing. Harrison is not allowed to put any input in who the next president will be, but looks forward to passing all the knowledge he can once someone is selected. There will be a shadowing period for the new president to learn the ropes from Harrison during the spring 2017 semester.
Although Harrison is sad to walk away from the University, he finds solace in knowing that he will be able to focus on different hobbies that he hasn’t been able to give much attention to in many years.
Harrison has a background in English from Trinity College and the University of Michigan, and would like to dedicate time to his passion for writing; more specifically writing about baseball. Harrison also plans to visit Cape Cod, Massachusetts more frequently now with his wife in their vacation home.
When asked what would be the first thing he will do when he is officially retired, Harrison replied, “My wife and I will have to pack up the large presidential house and try to downsize. That’s going to be the first thing and possibly the hardest. Many things have accumulated over the years.”
During the process the board will be looking to the younger crowd at the University of Hartford.
The freshmen and sophomores today will play as a major key into selecting a new president since they will be seniors and juniors during the first official year with a new president.