Editor's Note: FOCUS EMU was published May 13. Because
of the announcement of the University's next president
the next day, this story, due to its importance and timeliness,
was added to the current issue.
After being named Eastern Michigan University's next president, Susan Martin's first order of business was to declare that the dark cloud that has hung over EMU for the better part of the last few years has been officially lifted.
"It is raining today (May 14), but there is no dark cloud over EMU today," she said to applause during a press conference shortly after the Board of Regents voted unanimously to name her as Eastern Michigan University's next president.
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WELCOME TO EMU: Susan Martin (above, left),
Eastern Michigan University's new president, receives
applause after making comments during a luncheon
reception for her that took place in the EMU Student
Center May 14. The EMU Board of Regents
unanimously voted Martin as EMU's 22nd president
and the first female president in the institution's 159-
year history. |
The applause for Martin, 57, started at the Board of Regents meeting and continued during a press conference and luncheon reception for EMU's first female president and its 22nd overall.
"This institution has been here since 1849. This is wonderful to be EMU's first female president," she said. "I think we'll have fun with it."
Showing the wit that won her points during the campus interview forums, Martin said she has already had discussions with University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, whom Martin said has been supportive of her.
"She (Coleman) gave me advice on how to work with a board," a comment that elicited chuckles from the audience and the EMU Regents.
Martin put her money where her heart is, announcing that
she has started an EMU Excellence Fund. Martin cast the
first $10,000 and enthusiastically urged everyone present
to contribute at least $1 to the fund, an action that drew
applause.
"If you're doing well, put in $5 or $20," she said with a smile as she held aloft a dollar bill. "Show the world that people care and are proud of EMU."
"The Board is extremely satisfied with the entire presidential search process and the selection of Dr. Martin," said Thomas Sidlik, chair of the Board of Regents.
Martin will officially take office July 7. The appointment
is for three years and her annual base salary will be $285,000,
to be reviewed anually. She also will be appointed a
rank of full professor in the College of Business.
Since July 2006, Martin has been provost and vice-chancellor of academic affairs at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The majority of Martin's higher education career was at Grand Valley State University, where she taught and published as professor of accounting and taxation. Martin served as director of the master of taxation program, director of international business programs, and chair of the accounting and taxation department.
In June 2001, Martin joined the provost's office and served in roles as assistant, associate, and executive associate vice president of academic affairs. Before GVSU, Martin was deputy state treasurer for the Bureau of Local Government Services for Michigan from June 1981-June 1984. She also was the commissioner of revenue for the state of Michigan from 1985-1988. Martin is chair of the State of Michigan Hospital Finance Authority, originally appointed by former Gov. Blanchard and then reappointed by Governors Engler and Granholm.
She also was appointed by Gov. Granholm to serve as her ex-officio representative on The Detroit Medical Center Financial Emergency Task Force in 2003-2004.
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CONGRATULATIONS: Susan Martin, EMU's new
president, receives a warm congratulations from
Howard Bunsis, an EMU professor of accounting
and president of the American Association of
University Professors (AAUP).
This scene took
place shortly after the EMU Board of Regents
unanimously voted for Martin to take over the
helm at EMU. |
Martin received her doctorate in accounting from Michigan State University in 1988 and her master's degree in accounting from MSU in 1976. She received her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in 1971.
When some members of the media asked her what she planned to do to enhance EMU's image and attract more students, she invited the media to consider reporting about "the wonderful things happening on campus."
"Focus on these stories so that we can move forward with enrollment and expand our academic excellence," Martin said.
To make her point, she pitched EMU's strengths: its strong
teaching faculty, manageable class sizes, and a small-campus
feel at a large university.
Martin said she intends to fill vice president positions (currently four of five are in an interim status) and plans to rely, in part, on Don Loppnow, EMU's provost and executive vice president, to assist with moving those searches forward before she actually arrives on campus July 7.
As she stressed during her campus forums, Martin wants to help make EMU #1 in terms of student enrollment (outside of the "Big Three" research universities), a goal she said could be reached if EMU increased its enrollment 2.4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, over the next two years.
"In two years, we'd be back to where we were," a reference Martin made to 2002, when EMU had roughly 24,500 students.
"I am thrilled to be chosen for the honor of leading this great university, which has a strong history of excellent education and a bright future," said Martin.
Martin's husband, Larry; Diana, one of their three children;
and her grandson, Owen, clad in green and white, were present
at the announcement and visibly excited.
"I'm thrilled about this. I always wanted her to become a college president. I always thought she would do a great job for any university smart enough to hire her," said Larry Martin, a professor of economics at Michigan State University. "She has integrity and boundless energy. We'll enjoy living in the (University) house and filling it up with many activities."
"This is a great day for the University. This is one EMU
got right," Sidlik said.
Campus reaction positive, Martin given ringing endorsement
Campus excitement after the announcement was palpable and those positive vibes carried over during the luncheon reception, which drew a large cross-section of campus to the Student Center.
"I am thrilled that Dr. Martin is going to be our next
president," said Howard Bunsis, an EMU professor of accounting
and president of EMU's American Association of University
Professors (AAUP). "She's
an academic and an accomplished scholar. She has a wealth
of academic administrative experience, been a department
head, an accounting professor and a provost...She has the
financial experience that is unique among presidential
candidates. I think it's a perfect fit."
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SCHOOL SPIRIT: Susan Martin, Eastern Michigan
University's new president, is all smiles after
receiving an EMU gift bag that included an EMU
shirt.
Don Loppnow, EMU's provost and executive
vice
president, and EMU Regent Vice Chairman Roy
Wilbanks applaud. |
"This is good. This is good. She is well-steeped in the complexities of higher education," said Ronald Woods, an EMU professor of African-American Studies. "From what I've been able to determine, she has the sympathies, the persona and the overall intuitive feel for a university that we need at this point."
"This is a bolt from the blue," said Kirk Nagel, who was
pleased, but surprised at the swiftness of the decision
and the choice of Martin, with which he agreed. "This was
perhaps a decision based on moving the University forward."
During the reception, Loppnow and the Regents presented Martin with a welcoming EMU gift bag, which included an EMU sweatshirt, T-shirt, EMU license plate, note book and address book.
"My husband is thrilled we'll be wearing green and
white again," said Martin, whose husband works at
Michigan State University, which has the same school colors.
Students excited, too
"I'm thrilled. I think this is the best possible thing
that can happen at EMU at this time," said Glenna Frank
Miller, assistant vice president for student affairs and
executive director of the Student Center. "The students
I've spoken to felt that, by far, she's the best choice."
Students believe EMU has broken a monumental barrier with
Martin's appointment. Student Jess Klein believes Martin
is exactly what this University needs and said EMU has
made a statement about the importance of diversity.
"We have said that we are not afraid of hiring a woman
for this position," said Klein, who works at EMU's Women's
Resource Center.
Students identified different qualities Martin possesses
that they believe will be beneficial to EMU. Senior Jasmine
Stock appreciates Martin's honestly. After attending all
four candidate forums, Stock thought Martin excelled in
providing concrete examples when asked a question.
Her "EMU Excellence Fund" initiative is important, students
said. They added that her personal donation illustrates
her commitment to EMU and, especially, to the students.
"She's enthusiastic about excellence and expects nothing
less than the best. She wants this University to symbolize
excellence," said senior Brittney Davis.
Christopher Bylone, a recent EMU graduate who attended
all of the forums and asked difficult questions of the
candidates, said Martin is well liked by students and her
ease among them is well known. Bylone witnessed firsthand
her relationship with students when he interned in the
University of Michigan-Dearborn Student Activities Office
last year.
"She is the right person at the right time and she will
lead us to greatness," said Bylone.
For video excerpts of Martin, go to http://www.emich.edu/multimedia/prez0508/— Ward
Mullens and Krystin Jarrell contributed to this report.
