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Lincoln College President Starts Work on Campus

Posted on: Thursday, 11 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

John Hutchinson

Age: 57

Family: Jean Ann, wife; four sons, and one daughter

Background: Raised in Montana, also has lived in California, Indiana, Michigan, South Dakota, Missouri and Georgia.

Education: Bachelor of arts degree, University of Redlands; doctorate in philosophy, speech pathology and speech science and master of science degree in speech pathology, both at Purdue University.

Previous presidency

He was president at Thomas University, Thomasville, Ga., from 2002 to 2005. He:

* Launched a comprehensive long-range planning process for the college.

* Revitalized institutional advancement and development office.

* Initiated new academic programs in nursing and education.

* Led efforts that resulted in a nearly 30 percent increase in enrollment.

Other positions

* Chief executive officer, Northern State University, Aberdeen, S.D.

* Commissioner of higher education, Montana State University System.

* Academic vice president, dean of graduate school, speech pathology professor, Idaho State University.

* Speech pathology faculty member, Michigan State University.

* Clergyman, Episcopal Church.

SOURCE: Lincoln College-------

LINCOLN -- If Lincoln College President John Hutchinson has learned one thing in his career, it's that campus culture doesn't take kindly to a new boss arriving with directives in hand.

Shared governance is at the heart of a college, said the 57-year- old, who on Monday started as the school's 19th president.

"If I came in here and said 'These are my goals,' it would be ridiculous. It wouldn't go anywhere," he said, sitting in his University Hall office.

He'd rather develop priorities alongside campus leaders. The next few weeks will bring a flurry of meetings with his Cabinet, trustees, faculty, staff and students. Classes start Aug. 24.

Hutchinson's first impressions of Lincoln College? It's a smooth- running institution with two uniquely suited campuses and one admirable mission.

The small residential Lincoln campus, which offers associate's degrees, has an almost-family atmosphere, he said. And he sees enormous potential for the college's Normal campus, which also offers bachelor's degrees.

What drew the recent Thomas University (Thomasville, Ga.) president, trained speech pathologist, former clergyman, and one- time Montana higher education commissioner to Lincoln was its unique mission.

"It really resonates with me," he said of the 140-year-old school. "It touches my heart."

There's a very special place in American higher education for smaller private institutions, like Lincoln, said Hutchinson. Lincoln has about 1,300 students in Lincoln and Normal.

"Lincoln educates all sorts, but the mission is especially responsive to students who might not be ready for a larger environment. Lincoln gives the extra attention and help they might need," said Hutchinson.

He's looking forward to being able to immerse himself in the campus.

And he seems eager. His first day on the job, he arrived to University Hall just before 8 a.m.

"But that was only because I didn't have any keys to the building yet," he said.

The self-described morning person said he was delighted to learn Monday during a campus tour that the school's natatorium opens early each morning.

An avid swimmer, Hutchinson recalled working as a lifeguard to pay for college, then never losing his love for the sport.

Among his other hobbies, Lincoln's new leader counts travel at the top of his list. He and his wife, Jean Ann, a consultant in municipal development, spent a week in Portugal and Spain this summer, and last year visited Germany.

The couple, who reside at the Lincoln Avenue presidential house, met in Rolla, Mo., when Hutchinson was an Episcopalian clergyman and his wife a city planner. They have five children.

Ben, the youngest, just turned 18 and will finish high school in Georgia. He may attend Lincoln, said Hutchinson.

The longtime higher education professional took the clergy position because he'd "gotten a bit burned out on higher education," he said. But the hiatus was brief.

Fate had the pastor's office window looking onto the University of Missouri campus at Rolla.

"I missed it," he said, of the community of scholarship a campus offers.

Source: Pantagraph

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