CIC Prepares Strategic Plan to Present at January Meeting
This fall, the Council of Independent Colleges completed a series of roundtable discussions held on campuses throughout the country to seek perspectives from campus leaders on the challenges faced by CIC member institutions. A total of 145 presidents and 53 chief academic officers participated in 22 strategic planning meetings (see chart) over the course of the past seven months.
    The Council is preparing a report based on the roundtable findings that will be presented to the membership during CIC's Annual Meeting at the Presidents Institute in Florida in January 2002.
    The report focuses on three key issues: What are the current challenges for independent colleges and universities? What CIC programs and services can assist institutions in meeting these challenges? How should CIC develop as an organization to provide these programs and services?
    In July, several presidents reviewed a synthesis document and helped sharpen CIC's understanding of key issues. George Kaludis, president of Kaludis Consulting, facilitated that conversation. He will also moderate a special meeting of the CIC Board of Directors on November 12-13, to explore more specifically the implications of the roundtable findings.
    For more information on the strategic planning process, visit the CIC website at www.cic.edu.

In Memoriam
CIC and the independent higher education community mourn the loss of K. Duane Hurley, the Council's founder and long-time supporter, who passed away on August 7 at the age of 86. Hurley was president emeritus of Salem International University (WV) and director emeritus of CIC.
    In 1956, Hurley organized a national meeting in Chicago for leaders of unaccredited four-year independent colleges to attempt to address what he termed as the "vicious circle: that an institution had to have accreditation before it became eligible for money, but it had to have money in order to get accreditation." His mimeographed letter of invitation drew an overwhelming response—80 officials from small colleges crowded into a small meeting room to discuss how these colleges could help themselves and each other. As a result of that and a subsequent meeting, the Council for the Advancement of Small Colleges was formed "to preserve and enhance the small college as a vital component of higher education in the United States." The name was changed to the Council of Independent Colleges in 1981.
    Hurley's commitment to the advancement of private higher education was evident throughout his career, exemplified by his continued presence at meetings of the CIC Board of Directors, 40 years after the Council's founding. He was appointed president of Salem College in West Virginia in 1951 and held that office for more than 20 years. Throughout his career, Hurley provided leadership for numerous organizations, including the Harrison County Planning Commission, the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority, and the West Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
    Hurley earned his master's degree from the University of Southern California and a life credential in education from the University of California at Berkeley. He was awarded honorary doctorates from several institutions nationwide.
    A memorial service for Duane Hurley was held in Salem, West Virginia, on August 18. Dorothy MacConkey, president emeritus of Davis & Elkins College (WV) and former CIC Board member, represented CIC at the service.

Council Receives Grant To Strengthen Private Colleges
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) this summer received a $450,000 grant from the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, Inc. to strengthen and extend existing CIC initiatives aimed at improving the quality of independent higher education. The three-year grant will assist CIC in its efforts to help small and medium-sized private liberal arts colleges and universities strengthen their educational programs, improve their administrative effectiveness and financial performance, and increase their institutional visibility.
    Julie Johnson Kidd, president of the Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation, said, "The mission of small liberal arts colleges is more important than ever in this rapidly changing world of ours, and CIC is strategically organized to help support this important mission."
    Some of the funds will support aspects of CIC's presidential leadership activities, including: expanding and tailoring current program offerings to reach more presidents at more and different types of institutions, and launching programs that will help presidents to share effective practices and compare perspectives on selected topics. Also contemplated are conferences and expanded information dissemination activities.

CIC Encourages Faculty to Apply for History Fellowships
Faculty members in American history and related fields at CIC member institutions are encouraged to apply for fellowships offered by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City.
    The fellowships provide generous support for periods of research and study at four leading institutions in New York City: the Pierpont Morgan Library, the New-York Historical Society, the Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Collection, and the New York Public Library.
    In a recent letter to chief academic officers, CIC President Richard Ekman indicated that "while there can be no guarantee that applicants from CIC will ultimately receive fellowships, I have been impressed by the [Institute's] keen interest in small, private colleges, and especially in the quality of teaching about American history and civilization."
    Since it was established in 1994 by businessmen and philanthropists Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, the Institute has been fulfilling its mission of promoting the study of American history through a wide variety of programs, seminars, and exhibitions throughout the country.
    Interested faculty members should contact Lesley Herrmann, executive director of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History at herrmann@gilderlehrman.org or (646) 366-9666.

Staff Notes
CIC President Richard Ekman recently joined the board of directors of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, the nations's largest nonprofit private-sector scholarship and educational support organization. In addition, Ekman was asked by Maryville University President Keith Lovin to chair the university's planning task force for the School of Liberal Arts and Professional Programs. Jake Schrum, president of Southwestern University; Benjamin Lantz, former president of the University of Indianapolis; and Steve Jennings, president of the University of Evansville and former president of Oklahoma City University are also members. The Task Force is developing recommendations regarding the integration of liberal and professional learning.
    Executive Director of CAPHE Michelle Gilliard attended the 18th Symposium of the Salzburg Seminar, Universities and Social Transformation, in Salzburg, Austria, during the week of September 10. The Salzburg Seminar Universities Project brings together representatives of higher education from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Russia, North America, and Western Europe. The seminar promotes the higher education reform process in CEE and Russia as the universities integrate themselves into the global intellectual community. An invited fellow, Gilliard also served as rapporteur for a discussion group entitled, "International Cooperation as a Means to Strengthen the Civic Awareness of Higher Education Institutions."
    Jacqueline Skinner, Associate Director of CAPHE, co-presented a program, "The Engaging Communities and Campuses Initiative: Enhancing Student Learning and Deepening Community Engagement" at the Eighth National Conference on Students In Transition, October 27-30 in Oak Brook, IL. The session highlighted the work of CAPHE's Engaging Communities and Campuses grant program.

Thank You!
CIC wishes to thank our member campuses for your assistance on many fronts. First, we are thrilled with all the wonderful framed paintings and photographs you sent in response to our call for campus artwork—they are still arriving, and enliven the appearance of our offices. Second, we thank you for your tremendous response to our request for descriptions and photos of your campuses' activities related to the tragic events of September 11. We hope you like our feature story. Finally, we are grateful for your help in our website redesign project—photos and drawings of your campuses will rotate on CIC's new website, scheduled to be launched in January.

New Members
The Board and Staff of CIC Extend a Warm Welcome to the Following New Members Since July 2001:

New Institutional Members
Brevard College (NC)
Dickinson College (PA)
Endicott College (MA)
Hillsdale College (MI)
Keystone College (PA)
Mars Hill College (NC)
Mitchell College (CT)
North Carolina Wesleyan College (NC)
Ottawa University (KS)
Ouachita Baptist University (AR)
Union University (TN)
University of Puget Sound (WA)

New Affiliate Members
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
National Humanities Alliance

Independent
The Council of Independent Colleges
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 320 • Washington, DC 20036
tel: (202) 466-7230 • Fax: (202) 466-7238 • e-mail: cic@cic.nche.edu • www.cic.edu

Last updated: November 26, 2001
Copyright © 2001 The Council of Independent Colleges