By Lian Bunny
Photo Editor
After serving nearly 12 years as university president, Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., announced Tuesday the spring 2016 semester will be her last.
Sister Margaret’s time as president ranks as the fourth longest, behind Fr. Tom Plassmann, O.F.M, 29 years; Fr. Joseph Butler, O.F.M., 24 years; and Fr. Mathius Doyle, 15 years.
At the Tuesday afternoon press conference, Sister Margaret said her decision to step down stems from the new strategic plan for the university, which is due to the board of trustees in June of 2016.
“(The new president will) lead the university into … the new fundraising efforts that (the new) plan will require of us and also really provide some sufficient time for a thoughtful survey of our current needs,” said Carney.
During the 2016-2017 academic year, Sister Margaret will be on sabbatical and will be available to give support to a few specific projects. She said she will not be employed by Bonaventure during that year, but she felt obliged to continue to help the university.
According to Sister Margaret, the plans include staying on the committee for the construction of the university’s new ministry center and helping with a two-year-off project for the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, celebrating the centenary of St. Bonaventure’s birth.
In addition to these projects, Sister Margaret said she would like to use the sabbatical to complete scholarly writings and to improve her technology skills.
“I want to become more of a digital native, not a digital tourist,” she said.
According to Bob Daugherty, newly elected chair of the university’s board, Sister Margaret announcing her plans to retire now gives the trustees time to find and prepare her replacement.
The board is assembling a committee to begin the search, which will help keep the efforts collaborative, said Daugherty. He added he believes the small size of the university will lead to a smooth transition from president to president. The search could take 12 to 18 months, according to Daugherty, and the board is prepared to select an interim president if necessary.
When asked what characteristics the next president should have, Daugherty said he or she should be someone who can anticipate and look to the future so the board can react to it. And he has a specific model to reference.
“We’ve got a great example of what it looks like when it’s right,” he said, referring to Sister Margaret.
During Sister Margaret’s presidency, Bonaventure obtained the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditations for the business and education schools respectively.
Sister Margaret said the school’s academic standing is one of the largest accomplishments during her presidency.
“We’ve had the best middle states accrediting visit in modern history for the university,” she said.
Sister Margaret added the university has also recruited talented faculty. But ultimately, she said the university’s focus has remained on its most impressive achievements: its students.
“In a sense, (these) accomplishments leave us every four years, but they come back to us in the person of alumni who continue to participate with us in building up the university with gifts of time, resources and participating in networking for career placement,” she said.
According to Sister Margaret, 95 percent of Bonaventure undergraduates are hired or begin higher level education studies within six months of graduation.
Sister Margaret also said she wishes she had delegated more in the beginning of her presidency. She said she didn’t understand how to work with all the members of her cabinet.
For the future Bonaventure president, Sister Margaret said the main focus should be working with others.
“The dilemma for this institution, and it’s not unique to us, is how does the board and administration keep communication lines open?” she said.
But Sister Margaret said other people’s confidence in her and her faith gave her the strength for the job.
“It was believing in the truth of Francis’ legacy and believing it can be expressed in the 21st century, that’s what helped me,” she said.
bunnyla13@bonaventure.edu
