Presidential Search - Update

June 10, 2024

We are writing to share some important updates from the recent Board of Trustees Retreat, held May 15-16th, at which we discussed and defined steps in the Presidential Search Process and welcomed new members to our board.

At the start of the meeting, the Board of Trustees elected two new members:

• Kathleen Kelly, co-owner of a family-owned retail company and great granddaughter of Lila Berry Graham, Martha Berry’s sister; and,
• Alexander "Whit" Whitaker, IV, Berry alumnus (‘81C) and former Chief of Staff, who is President Emeritus of King University in Bristol, TN.

The Board also welcomed newly appointed representatives, Karen Houghton, Chair of Board of Visitors and Meredith Roberts, President of the Alumni Association. Karen (‘01C) is CEO of Infinite Giving, a financial technology platform that modernizes how non-profits raise and manage money, and Meredith (’07C) is Director of Strategic Advancement at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.

At the retreat, the primary focus was organizing our search for the next President of Berry. We are pleased to announce that the Presidential Search Committee has chosen CarterBaldwin as our search firm and has finalized a comprehensive timeline to guide us.

Here's a quick overview of the next steps and timeline updates:

• May-June: Developing the Presidential Search Profile
• July-September: Advertising and Outreach September-October: Reviewing Applicants
• November-December: Finalist Selection

To ensure direct access to information, we have launched a webpage specifically for the Presidential Search Process. You can find updates, FAQs, and relevant documents at: www.berry.edu/presidential-search/.

As we continue to shape the Presidential Profile, we value your input. We invite members of our community to contribute their thoughts and preferences regarding the qualities and qualifications of the next president by completing a brief survey.

Please submit your responses by Monday, June 24, for full consideration. Your participation will help us consider a variety of perspectives, and we appreciate your willingness to engage with us in this important process.

If you have any further questions or require additional information about the Presidential Search, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at presidentialsearch@berry.edu.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to Berry's future.

All the best,