Statement from College of Charleston Board of Trustees Chair Greg Padgett

Dear College of Charleston Community,

I’m writing to you today to address speculation about the College of Charleston presidential search process that you may have read or heard in various news outlets, and to address rumors that may be circulating about the integrity of the search process.

As the chair of the search committee and the chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, and as an alumnus of the College, I assure you that the presidential search process has been conducted appropriately, and that the Board of Trustees is on schedule in its discussion of potential finalists for the position. Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate and should be ignored.

The members of the search committee and all members of the Board of Trustees signed a confidentiality agreement and pledged not to publicly discuss any of their deliberations. The search committee forwarded the names of potential candidates for consideration by the Board of Trustees. Only the Board of Trustees has the authority to decide on a list of finalists. Discussions among the Board of Trustees are underway, and no decisions have yet been made.

In a confidential search process, it is always possible that speculation will lead to incorrect information. I ask you to put aside speculation and rumors that you may hear or read, and to know that the process put in place will result in the Board of Trustees, with the input of the College of Charleston community, identifying the best person to serve as the next president of the College.

Greg Padgett ’79

Chair, College of Charleston Board of Trustees