Pierce Selects New President

Dr. James Birge will officially be the fourth president of Franklin Pierce University and will be taking up his duties later this year. The university's decision was announced April 6th and concluded a national presidential search that came down to three potential candidates. This came after the announcement by current President Dr. George J. Hagerty that he would be retiring this June after 14 years in the position. According to the press release from Franklin Pierce University, Dr. Birge was recommended by the search committee composed of members of the faculty, staff and board of trustees The committee also included the president of the student body, and the president of the Alumni Association Executive Committee. Dr. Zeddie Bowen, Chairman of the Franklin Pierce University Board of Trustees, made the announcement of the filling of the presidential position. "The board was impressed with Dr. Birge's potential to bring strong and collegial leadership to the university in this time of national economic stress," said Bowen. The press release said that Dr. Birge had recently served as the Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating Officer at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia. He also served as Interim President there from 2006 to 2007. Franklin Pierce's own radio station, The Talon 105.3 FM, grabbed an interview with the soon-to-be president soon after the announcement. According to the interview, Birge was raised and educated in New England and sees his new position here as "a return home." He has not gotten the chance to explore all of the student life programs available at the university, but is making that a priority when he assumes his position. He sees such student activities as an important method to helping students grow. He wants to focus on positive residence hall experiences in order to "integrate learning and living." The students will be the primary focus for Birge and he has had experience working for student affairs in previous schools. He is looking forward to working with the student government and interacting with students when his schedule allows. "Students are enjoyable to be around. They are full of new ideas. Full of curiosity. They are very passionate about what they want to do," said Birge. Birge sees enrollment concerns as a common factor in private schools across the nation and wants to look into emerging recruiting markets. He wants to optimize revenues to the university while keeping it accessible at the same time. He understands that greater enrollment will bring less pressure to the budget, but said that the school needs to grow intentionally with enrollment in order to not overwhelm facilities on campus. The future president is hoping to find a residence in Rindge because he "Wants to be a member of the community" and not just the president of the university. He has always lived in the communities where he has worked and understands the important of town-school relations. Watch out for the next issue where we will go into greater detail on our school's next leader.