Tuskegee, Ala. (March 21, 2009) - After 28 years of exemplary service and extraordinary accomplishments, Dr. Benjamin F. Payton, the fifth President of Tuskegee University, informed the Board of Trustees today of his intent to retire from the Tuskegee University presidency, June 30, 2010. The Board of Trustees accepted Dr. Payton's letter of retirement with much reluctance but great appreciation and thanks for the outstanding work he has done at Tuskegee. Dr. Payton had made it clear that he would only continue through the achievement of such major objectives as the University's third decennial reaffirmation of accreditation under his leadership by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as certain specialized accreditations of professional programs, such as architecture, veterinary medicine, nursing, teacher education, and engineering, as well as the completion of major renovation and new construction plans.
Speaking for the entire Board of Trustees, Dr. Andrew F. Brimmer, Chairman of the Board, observed that Dr. Payton's "transformative and clear sense of what Tuskegee University could and should become, and his solid leadership, including his enormous fundraising capacities, have enabled him to achieve all of these goals by mid-March 2009.
"He has led the University through some very tough times-to its current status of financial stability, academic excellence and even distinction in athletics," Dr. Brimmer said.
Other trustees at the University gave strikingly similar assessments of Dr. Payton's tenure at Tuskegee. Dr. Bernard Anderson, First Vice Chair and Chair of the Educational Policies Committee, recounted that, "President Benjamin Payton's retirement caps an extraordinary era of leadership at Tuskegee University. He led Tuskegee to unprecedented heights of academic excellence, service, and national distinction in higher education. The African-American community, and the nation at large, owes him a deep debt of gratitude."
Steve Canter, Second Vice Chair and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Board, stated that, "The academic vitality and financial strength of Tuskegee University today are directly attributable to Dr. Payton's visionary and tireless leadership over the last 28 years. He has led Tuskegee University with wisdom, grace and respect from students, alumni, faculty, administration, and the Tuskegee University community."
Sheron Rose, a state-appointed trustee and graduate of the institution, said that, "Since 1981 as an undergraduate student, I have had the privilege of watching the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Payton across the width and breadth of this country. He has always taken the opportunity to make sure that the world is informed, based on the pure facts, about the many, many contributions of this University to the world. One of my favorite examples of his leadership has been his insistence that students understand the expectations of them that come with being a Tuskegee University student and/or graduate."
The following comments came from the Tuskegee University campus community: the oldest, still active member of the Tuskegee University faculty, Professor Frank Toland, from the Department of History and Political Science, said, "There's no question that he's been a great president. It's amazing the success that Tuskegee has had in choosing good presidents. All of our five presidents have been change agents and executors. Dr. Payton is in line with the great presidents Tuskegee has had. He's been a deliberative builder and a change agent. He has also sought to preserve and expand the unsurpassed legacies of Tuskegee." The Chair of the Department of English, Dr. Loretta Burns, asserts that "Dr. Payton's presidency has been marked by expansive vision, bold initiatives, and a commitment to Tuskegee's continued growth and development. His long tenure at the University has reflected Booker T. Washington's legacy of creative resourcefulness and robust leadership;" and Student Government Association President Erick Harris was clear in his comment that, "having a University President that cares about the students is critical. Dr. Payton cares about what is going on in the lives of all his students. Being a leader is something that's not a job for him, it is a way of life. He is constantly working to advance Tuskegee University in some form or fashion."
In his 28-year tenure, Dr. Payton has: guided the University successfully through three, 10-year cycle, institution-wide, reaffirmations of accreditation by the regional accrediting body-the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); completed major capital fund campaigns, beginning with the institution's centennial campaign (100th Year), which had a goal of $20 million, but had only raised $9 million when Dr. Payton arrived in August 1981. He quickly geared up an augmented fundraising team which completed the campaign at $15 million more than the original goal. The larger campaigns led by Dr. Payton included the completion of a $150 million capital Campaign, which raised $169 million, and a $60 million Legacy Campaign, which raised in excess of $74 million.
"Dr. Payton took on some tough actions at the outset of his presidency," said Dr. Brimmer, "actions which needed to be taken if the University were going to move to the new and stronger level envisaged by him." These included changing the name of the school from Tuskegee Institute to Tuskegee University; closing the hospital that was draining the University of funds and distorting its mission; restructuring the academic programs into five colleges and reorganizing all programs; planning and constructing the General Daniel "Chappie" James Center for Aerospace Science Engineering and Physical Education; developing/constructing the Tuskegee University Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center; launching the University's first Ph.D. programs (Material Science and Engineering and Integrative Biosciences); establishing/constructing the new $30 million Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care; constructing 500-bed apartments for student on-campus living; building the new academic, research and training facility for the School of Veterinary Medicine; reconstructing and renovating the entire campus, including the historic buildings, new parking, roadways, library, science building, and enclosing the entire campus with beautiful brick and cast-iron fences and gates, including dramatic new sets of campus entrances and exits; and constructing a new $15 million home for the College of Business and Information Science. During his tenure, more than $350 million have been invested in campus construction and infrastructure, and the University's endowment grew from under $15 million to over $102 million, by July 2007.
Dr. Payton also led the development of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, including successfully working with the Governor, President and the Congress to secure $29.1 million to fund the initial stage. In addition, he launched the Charles "Chief" Anderson Aviation Science Program at Tuskegee University.
Dr. Payton, a native of Orangeburg, S.C., holds earned degrees from South Carolina State University (B.A.), Harvard University (B.D.), Columbia University (M.A.) and Yale University (Ph.D.). He came to Tuskegee University from the Ford Foundation in New York City, where he served as Senior Program Officer for Higher Education and Research for ten years. Dr. Payton has served on many corporate boards such as ITT Corporation, Sonat Corporation, AmSouth Bank (now Regions), Liberty Corporation and Praxair Inc., among others in the business world. He has also served on the boards of many volunteer organizations, including serving as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Association of Governing Boards for Colleges and Universities; Chairman of the Lowndes County Public School Science and Math Program sponsored by the General Electric Corporation; and currently serves as Chairman of the Presidents of the United Negro College Fund, and Chair of the Council of Presidents of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). In recognition of his leadership, intellectual and scholarly achievements, he is the recipient of nine honorary doctorates and many other honors.
Founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee University is home to approximately 3,000 students from more than 30 countries. The campus, a National Historic Site, is spread across 450 acres of land that reach out to encompass another 4500 acres of forest and experiment/research station facilities and spaces.
Tuskegee University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award doctoral, professional, master's and bachelor's degrees. It awards accredited professional degrees in allied health fields, architecture, business, chemistry, dietetics, teacher education, engineering (aerospace science, chemical, electrical, mechanical), clinical sciences, nursing, social work, occupational therapy and veterinary medicine. In addition, Tuskegee University's programs in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as its overall mission, purpose, governance and management processes and structures all enjoy approval by SACS.
The Board of Trustees has formed a Presidential Search Committee (PSC) that is chaired by Dr. Andrew F. Brimmer, who also serves as Chair of the Board. Other trustees who serve as members of the search committee include: Dr. Bernard Anderson, First Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Educational Policies Committee; Mr. Stephen E. Canter, Second Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Finance Committee; Mr. Howard G. Paster, Chair of the Development Committee. The following trustees also serve on the PSC: Dr. Willene Johnson, Mr. Solomon Banks, Jr. '64, Mr. Raamel Mitchell '03, Ms. Sheron Rose '83, and Mr. Felker W. Ward '53. Non-trustee members of the PSC are: Mr. Kwesi Daniels, Chair, the Faculty Senate; Mrs. Darlene Adams, Chair, the Staff Senate; Mr. Erick Harris, President, the Student Government Association (08-09), Miss Dunnie Onasanya, SGA President-elect (09-10); Dr. Loretta Burns, Professor and Head, the Department of English; Dr. Gregory Pritchett, Professor and Head, the Department of Chemistry; and Ms. Kimberly Woodard, President, the Tuskegee University National Alumni Association.
The task of the PSC is to search broadly and intensively to identify, recruit and thoroughly review persons who have the outstanding/extraordinary, national, leadership, management, fundraising and scholarly characteristics required, together with the stamina, integrity, work ethic and passionate commitment to the mission of Tuskegee University that are needed to become Tuskegee's next president. The PSC will recommend its conclusion(s) to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will elect the individual to the presidency.
The deadline for submitting applications for the position will be June 30, 2009. Interested individuals must have an earned doctorate from an accredited and reputable institution of higher learning; be a measurably successful administrator with experience at a senior level position in higher education, and have a strong understanding and knowledge of the private business sector. Application materials should be sent to: Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, Secretary, Board of Trustees and of the Presidential Search Committee, Tuskegee University, 308 Kresge Center, Tuskegee, AL 36088. More detailed information about the Search and application requirements will be posted on the University's Web site.
NOTE TO FUTURE APPLICANTS
The deadline for accepting applications for the Presidency of Tuskegee University has been extended to July 31, 2009. All future applicants should submit materials in electronic form to cpmsearch@tuskegee.edu.
