Search Committee Confirms Westmoreland as Candidate
The following message was distributed via campus-wide electronic mail Dec. 1 by the presidential search committee to Samford employees and students. The messages in the last paragraph were similar for faculty, staff and students.
"In our web update following our November 11-12 committee meeting, we stated that we had narrowed down the list of potential candidates and were working toward the time when we would involve the constituent reference panels in the process. These reference panels were part of the process approved by the Board of Trustees in April. We are now at the point that the panels are being formed. This week the Board of Trustees approved three panels: Faculty/Staff, Student, and Alumni/Friends. Proposed members were contacted yesterday and have until Friday to confirm their availability to serve.
"These panels will convene on December 6th. They will meet with Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, President of Ouachita Baptist University. Dr. Westmoreland will also be meeting with the university's key leadership. Prior to the sessions, panel members will be receiving biographical materials on the candidate. The reference panels are not voting bodies, but will be given the opportunity to submit individual feedback to the presidential search committee. The Board of Trustees has the ultimate responsibility to select the next President of Samford University.
"As we stated in our original request for your participation, the staff members of this institution are invaluable assets during this process. We want to thank you for taking an active role. Your nominations and suggestions, submitted in response to our solicitations for your involvement, have been vital to the success of the selection process thus far."
ANDREW WESTMORELAND
Ouachita Baptist University
Biographical Information
Dr. Andrew Westmoreland became the 14th president of Ouachita Baptist University on January 1, 1998. Prior to his selection as president by the Ouachita Board of Trustees, he had served on the Ouachita administrative staff for over 19 years in various capacities.
Dr. Westmoreland is a graduate of Ouachita, having received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1979. He earned a master's degree in political science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A native of the Batesville, Arkansas area, he graduated from Batesville High School in 1975. He is married to Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland, who serves as associate professor of education and dean of Ouachita's School of Education. The Westmorelands have one daughter, Riley Elizabeth.
As Vice President for Development, Dr. Westmoreland was responsible for the coordination of all areas of institutional advancement, including student recruitment, public relations, alumni relations, and fund raising. When he was named Executive Vice President in 1995, he assumed oversight responsibilities for all administrative operations, including internal affairs and student services.
Dr. Westmoreland directed the Decade of Progress Campaign, which surpassed its phase-one goal of $26.7 million with gifts and pledges totaling $27.8 million. He planned and directed the second phase of the campaign which surpassed its goal of $40 million. During his tenure as president, Ouachita launched the Circle of Excellence Campaign in March, 2002, the first phase of which exceeded its goal of $62.5 million in May of 2005.
In addition to his duties as president, Dr. Westmoreland serves as professor of political science and education. He teaches a course in political science each semester. In 2005, his book, Leading by Design, was published by Baxter Press.
Dr. Westmoreland is a member of many boards for charities and corporations. His current service includes: vice-chair of the board of Arkansas' Independent Colleges and Universities; chair of the board of directors of the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools; trustee for the Baptist Health Corporation Board; director for the Foundation for Independent Higher Education; director for Elk Horn Bank and Trust and chair of the bank’s Executive Committee; vice-president of the Gulf South Athletic Conference; chair of the Consortium for Global Education; and director for the Southwest Arkansas Technology Learning Center. He also serves as a consultant-evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission.