President Flynn with President Loyack

As Tom Flynn steps down after 14 years leading 媚娘直播, the university welcomes John Loyack as its seventh president.

by Richard Bader

 

It鈥檚 no secret to those who know him well that 媚娘直播鈥檚 sixth president is a big fan of classic rock. The Who, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds鈥攖hese iconic bands that helped shape the music landscape more than half a century ago remain fixtures on the playlist that runs through Tom Flynn鈥檚 head. 

 

And while Flynn may have been president of 媚娘直播 for only a fraction of the time that radios (and, now, streaming services) have been playing the tunes of these immortals, his influence鈥攐n the university, in his case, not the music world鈥 has been no less profound. During his 14 years as president Flynn helped transform what had been a modest, local, mostly commuter college into a robust and thriving regional university that鈥檚 established itself as an anchor institution in Berks County. Under Flynn鈥檚 leadership, 媚娘直播 has launched new programs that expand and reinforce the university鈥檚 mission and Franciscan values, such as the Reading Collegiate Scholars Program. The O鈥橮ake Institute for Ethics, Leadership, and Public Service and the Holleran Center for Community and Global Engagement have had major impacts on and beyond the campus. 媚娘直播 exceeded its target goal in completing its first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, has enjoyed 15 straight years of budget surpluses and has seen enrollment grow to its highest level ever. In fall 2018 the university welcomed the largest, most diverse and best prepared first-year class in history. 

 

These would be noteworthy accomplishments for any university, but they are especially so for one in the demographically challenged northeastern part of the country, where many colleges struggle to hit enrollment targets and keep budgets in the black. 鈥淲hat the university has been able to accomplish during very turbulent times, that鈥檚 been both the biggest challenge and our greatest success,鈥 Flynn said. 鈥淲hat a long, productive trip it鈥檚 been.鈥 

 

Tom Flynn鈥檚 last day as president is June 30, 2019. The consensus is that he will be a tough act to follow. Which raises the question: just how do you follow him? 

 

Flynn Tailgate

 

That question became front-burner for the university when Flynn announced his retirement last year, and drove the work of a board-appointed presidential search committee鈥攁 diverse team made up of board members, faculty, administrators, students, and members of the Franciscan community aided by the professional search firm RH Perry & Associates. The bar was set high鈥攖he right person to build on a decade and a half鈥檚 worth of momentum would bring an entrepreneurial vision and would provide continued strong leadership while taking 媚娘直播 to the next level of accomplishment. 

 

Thousands of feelers went out to college leaders around the country, resulting in nearly a hundred applications for the position. Nine semifinalists were interviewed over two days in a Philadelphia hotel, before three finalists were invited to campus. The decision came in December: John Loyack, executive vice president for business and administration at King鈥檚 College, would be 媚娘直播鈥檚 next president. 

 

鈥淚t was immediately evident to the board that John Loyack was the right choice,鈥 said trustee chair Michael Fromm. 鈥淗e has a compelling personality, unique insights into what 媚娘直播 needs to stay strong and viable, and tremendous respect for our historical accomplishments and Franciscan values.鈥 

 

Loyack brings with him an intriguing skill set formed by substantial experience in both higher education and the corporate world. He returned to King鈥檚 College, his undergraduate alma mater, six years ago, after a successful career in business, most recently as president and CEO of Optim Energy, a Texas-based operator of power plants. The board saw this blend of talents as an asset. 

 

鈥淗e impressed us as being an inspired communicator with a data-driven, strategic approach,鈥 said trustee Steve Najarian, who along with Ellen Huyett, co-chaired the search committee. 鈥淲e felt John had the ability to see around the corner and see outside the box in this complex and rapidly changing world of higher education.鈥

 

媚娘直播 President John Loyack converses with students

 

Several factors have helped make the transition from Tom Flynn to John Loyack effective. One is timing. Because the board announced his appointment in December, Loyack has had half a year to get to know the university and learn from its president. Another is geography. King鈥檚 College, in Wilkes-Barre, is about an hour-and- 45-minute drive from Reading. This has made it possible for Loyack to make several visits to campus, typically for a week at a time. 鈥淲hat this has done is allow me to get a really deeper understanding of the institution鈥攖he people, the culture, the community鈥攖han one would expect from a presidential transition,鈥 Loyack said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a wonderful experience and has given me a terrific perspective.鈥 

 

The proximity of the two campuses made it possible for people from 媚娘直播 to visit King鈥檚 for a first-hand look at some of the programs Loyack has helped put in place there. 鈥淭his cross-fertilization is completely unique,鈥 he said. 

 

On July 1, the same day John Loyack begins his presidency, Tom Flynn will board a plane to begin a two-week vacation in Scotland and Ireland. He and his wife Helen plan to stay in the Reading area, where he will serve on some local boards including as vice chair with Caron Treatment Centers. He will also be a senior fellow at two national higher education associations, helping prepare future leaders and supporting the work of board chairs and presidents. Leaving 媚娘直播 is bittersweet, but he doesn鈥檛 doubt it鈥檚 the right thing to do. 鈥淢y goal all along was to have mixed emotions, but no second thoughts,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is the right time for both 媚娘直播 and the Flynns.鈥

 

鈥淭om is handing 媚娘直播 off in wonderful condition,鈥 Loyack said. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more excited to start it off at this point.鈥 

 

鈥淏etween our dreams and actions lies this world,鈥 sings Bruce Springsteen, another of those rock-music immortals. 媚娘直播 is fortunate to have been led for the past 14 years by a man who has helped define its world by narrowing the gap between its dreams and its actions. And it鈥檚 fortunate now to be bringing on board a new president with the personal traits and skill set to continue to bring ambitious aspirations to life. 

 

鈥淲e more than got lucky having Tom for all this time,鈥 said board member Ellen Huyett. 鈥淏ut change is good. New people bring new ideas and different energy.鈥