“This is a good story,” says Suzanne Shipley.
A wide smile appears on her face followed by a recollective chuckle. The seven-year president of Shepherd University is sitting on a comfortable high-back chair in her spacious, sunshine-filled second-floor office.
“My staff thought I was a lot easier to work for when I was dating,” says a grinning Shipley. She continues on to describe the eHarmony-like ad that her staff members at the University of Cincinnati had placed in the newspaper for her. When a man answered the ad, Shipley’s staff insisted that the two must meet. Although the then-German department chair was hesitant, she agreed, encouraged by her staff not to waste the $19 spent to put the ad in the paper.
A year later, Suzanne Shipley and the man who had answered the ad, Randy Wadsworth, were married.
That’s $19 that definitely didn’t go to waste.
The unstructured arrival of Shipley’s spouse is awesomely ironic for a woman so rooted in timely planning: dean by 40, vice president by 45, president by 50. This was the long-term plan the goal-driven Shipley had imprinted on her brain.
“I never left college,” stated Shipley. After three and a half years at Texas Tech, Shipley graduated and went straight into teaching. Keeping her eye on the presidency prize, Shipley moved up the ranks, holding positions such as department chair, honors director, dean and vice president before coming to be president of Shepherd University.
So what brings a Texas native to a tiny river town in West Virginia? Community.
After a presidency position opened up at Shepherd University, Shipley and her husband traveled to Shepherdstown, W.Va. one weekend to explore the campus and make an important decision: would Shipley come to Shepherd or look elsewhere?
Parking at the Frank Center, the two walked to east campus, observing the pattern of yellow brick buildings that form the university. “I particularly liked the fact that we found ourselves downtown,” said Shipley, describing the town and campus as “beautifully integrated.” A decision had been made.
In June 2007, she assumed the title as President Shipley and became the 15th president of Shepherd University.
Still sitting cross-legged in her high-back chair, a thoughtful look overcomes President Shipley’s face as she recollects her initial goals for Shepherd University.
“The first thing I noticed was that there didn’t seem to be enough professors for the amount of students,” said Shipley. “I wanted Shepherd to get out and prove itself nationally.” There was one solution to this problem: the almighty dollar.
Under Shipley’s administration, the university began steadily applying for grants and initiating programs to increase the amount of people who donate money to Shepherd. Through the current economic recession, these moneys have kept the university afloat.
But there are more aspects of the presidency that keep Shipley up at night. “Higher education is in a difficult, difficult time… People will step away from the benefit of the life-changing, traditional college experience.”
In recent years, the number of students in traditional colleges has decreased, replaced by an increase in online classes and degree programs. Shepherd University is no exception.
Nevertheless, this is not President Shipley’s greatest worry.
Asked the question of what one thing she would change over her past years as president, Shipley thought for a moment, looked up with a solemn face, and replied, “I would give the people who work here higher salaries… People like being here, but they have to have a competitive wage.”
Economic influences have prohibited the university from allowing significant raises over the past few years. Yet President Shipley still takes the issue personally, believing faculty should be rewarded for their work.
The greatest accomplishment of Shipley’s presidency leaves her well rested; it is the construction of the underpass from east to west campus.
“I can finally sleep at night,” said Shipley.
Though she refers to the underpass project as “very difficult” and “very expensive,” it is evidently the shining trophy on the shelf of her presidency thus far. Ironically, her greatest accomplishment may be in part a result of her self-described worst personal quality: impatience.
“I’m compelled by time… I keep things moving,” said Shipley. This impatience can also be a curse. Referring to her husband, Shipley stated, “He enjoys life more by not being so focused on time and punctuality.”
Without hesitation, President Shipley assured her presidency for the next five years.
But, where will she be?
“Here. Absolutely. The best job I’ve ever had… I say it every day,” confirmed Shipley.
Sonya Sholley, executive secretary to the president, offered a similar response to working with Shipley. “I look forward to coming to work every day,” said Sholley. “I think it is essential to enjoy what you do and appreciate the people you work with, and I am thrilled to be able to say I do.”
Through the good times, the bad times, and the downright rough times, President Shipley loves being president. But, if she had to choose something else; if she had to throw away the 50-year plan and do something different, what would it be?
“I’d really love to write novels,” said Shipley. Popular fiction novels to be more exact, but nothing too serious.
“There’s not enough cause to laugh in life,” states the president who claims her novels would be entertaining and funny reads. As to the characters of these novels, President Shipley shyly denied to reveal their identities.
I guess we shall all have to wait and see.
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