The committee s meetings have been, and will continue to be, very much like organized mini-forums through which we seek out the best way, or ways, to find the persons from among whom the next president of Bowie will be selected and appointed. The willingness of some officials of Bowie State University and the University System of Maryland to meet and share information and views with the committee has been of great value, and has underscored the importance of the committee s task. It is likely indeed it is almost a certainty that one s devotion of time, confidentiality and credibility to the search and screening process may be subjected to various degrees of pressure and second-guessing. It is well known that many of those who stand on the sidelines are absolutely convinced that they could always perform better than those to whom the work has been assigned. In fact, there are likely to be meetings about, not with, the committee regarding its efforts.
Every candidate stands on an equal footing.
Every candidate will be measured and judged on and by his or her record, skills, talents and potential. Finally, the committee welcomes suggestions, recommendations and observations. The challenges and actions essential to the committee s success demand the best efforts of all who are interested in helping Bowie State University to take and keep its rightful place among the academic institutions of the nation. Please be assured of my personal commitment, as chairman of the committee, to achieving the goals of our endeavor. Until that time, all members of the committee, having vowed to respect the confidentiality and privacy of the candidates, are expected to continue such protection of the process and the individuals involved.