By Mary Jester
Asst. Campus Editor

Leadership is one ability several deans said they would like the next president of the University to have.

"A president of a university has to have vision, leadership, an understanding of a university and how it helps society," said Dennis Savaiano, dean of the School of Consumer and Family Sciences. "A president needs to be an agent for growth and continuous improvement. The current president has made great strides in moving the University forward."

Savaiano said the next president needs to continue to lead the University to be better.

"This includes informing and communicating with the state, with alumni, with students and their parents, with the organizations, both public and private that we partner with, corporations, federal government or foundations," said Savaiano.

Richard Cosier, dean of the School of Management, agreed with this view when he said that dealing effectively with the state legislature and the governor for funding is an important ability. Cosier said the mission of Purdue is to supply the highest quality of education to students.

L. Tony Hawkins, dean of students, said, "I would like to see a new president demonstrate the highest level of enthusiasm and appreciation for the multiple benefits of higher education, inside and outside of the classroom. It will be his or her enthusiasm that will help drive and sustain the level of energy it will take to handle the multiple responsibilities of the position." Hawkins said he expects the next president to exemplify integrity for students, faculty and staff.

Hawkins said he wants the next president to be knowledgeable about the world, national, regional, state and local issues that affect higher education and Purdue. He would also like the new president to be familiar with Purdue's history.

Don Gentry, dean of the School of Technology, said he would like the new president to be an advocate to external groups to the state of Indiana, to the business industry and to alumni and friends of Purdue. He said the next president should be a great communicator both to those inside and outside of the Purdue community.

Harry Morrison, dean of the School of Science, said, "I think we all want a president who has vision, has sort of the big picture of what a major research university is all about and what a land grant university is all about. Purdue is both of those things."

He said he would like to see a president who appreciates both qualities and uses those to Purdue's advantage.

"It would be nice if the president has experience in teaching and research and has excelled in both of those areas," said Morrison. He said this background would help the president understand faculty and appreciate the challenges they face.

Michael Stohl, dean of international programs, said the need for access to technology is increasing as well as the need for state-of-the-art classrooms and research facilities. Both Stohl and Hawkins said the need to improve diversity is increasing. Stohl said these needs require increased efforts in fund raising and in public and governmental support.