After many weeks of searching for a new president for the college, the Board of Trustees has made their decision. John Paul “Jay” Dowd III, PhD., will step into place as the college’s twelfth president on July 1st.
President Dowd brings great experience in leadership and service. He currently serves as the president and chief executive officer in The Citadel Foundation. He has spent over three decades working in senior roles focused on higher education planning, development efforts, organizational growth and leadership at the executive level. His background as a graduate of Winthrop University and the University of South Carolina have also greatly prepared him for the new position. Dowd states that it is an honor to serve as the twelfth president of Wofford College.
“I have so much appreciation for the power of a Wofford College education and am grateful for the college’s commitment to student success and the impact the Wofford experience made on our son,” Dowd said.
President Samhat’s thirteen years of leadership will be fondly remembered as part of the college’s legacy.
“Serving as the 11th president of Wofford College has been a singular honor and a great privilege… When Prema and I came to Wofford, we were committed to putting our all into this presidency. We didn’t realize how much this place and, more importantly, the people, would affect us. We came to Wofford on a professional journey, and we will leave as family,” Samhat said.
The roles and responsibilities of a college president are quite extensive– serving not only students but faculty, staff, parents of students, the board of trustees and coordination with nearby collegiate institutions. Wofford defines its president as the chief executive of the college.
The president is “elected by the board of trustees, attends all meetings of the board, and serves as an ex official non-voting member of all standing and special committees of the board. In addition, the president attends meetings of the faculty, ensures that the directions of the trustees affecting the administration and work of the college are implemented, provides for the internal governance of the college, directs, is subject to the authority of the board of trustees, [is involved in] internal affairs of the college, and leads all campus constituents,” according to Wofford’s presidential search catalog.
Dowd eagerly dove into the community atmosphere by hosting various engagement events as an opportunity to meet students, staff and faculty. His efforts to connect with the community offers a smooth transition into his upcoming role as the twelfth president of Wofford College.
Read more about the presidential search and Dowd’s recent induction at www.wofford.edu.
