Published: April 18, 2008 10:21 am            

Future CU president promises to lead by four L’s

ATHENS — Dr. Gregory Aloia was the last of the four finalists seeking to succeed the retiring Concord University President Dr. Jerry Beasley to make an on-campus visit. In his case, the biblical saying that the last shall be first was prophetic. He was named the 10th president in the university’s history last Thursday by the Concord Board of Governors.

Aloia, who has been the dean of the college of education and professor of special education at Florida Atlantic University since June 2001, has also served as the associate vice president for research and dean of graduate studies at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., and chair of the department of special education at the State University College in Geneseo, N.Y., in addition to carrying titles of football coach and head wrestling coach at the University of California at Riverside.

He has a bachelor of arts in history from St. Mary's College in California and a Ph.D. in special education from the University of California at Riverside. In addition, he has worked for the U.S. Office of Education in Washington, D.C., and has been a faculty member at the University of Arizona, Arkansas State University, and the State University of New York at Geneseo.

“I’m honored and privileged. Not only is Concord a great university, but Dr. Beasley has left a wonderful legacy. It’s a great opportunity to build on a great legacy,” Aloia said Monday in a phone interview.

Aloia will succeed Beasley, effective July 1. He said he didn’t know of any plans to be on the campus before then, since he hasn’t spoken to the Board of Governors since Board Chairman J. Franklin Long called him last Thursday to notify him of the decision.

“The best strength of Concord is the culture of the university, which is the faculty, staff, students, community and alumni. It has a great academic reputation with very successful graduates and very professional staff. Along with Dr. Beasley’s legacy and the alumni, that gives us a lot to work with,” he said.

He does expect a few challenges, though.

“I think there’s a lot to build upon. We need to recruit and retain high quality students. We need to be able to respond to the needs of the state of West Virginia, find ways to support our faculty in education and research and find students through fellowships and educational opportunities. It’s going to be important to have channels of communication open to all parts of the university community,” he said.

Aloia said he had no preconceived ideas concerning an agenda or short list in terms of personnel changes.

“In every new position I’ve had, I’ve gone by four “Ls” — listen, learn and get the lay of the land. Here, there is a fifth “L’ — legacy — to build on. My goal is to build an administrative team on the standards of serve, manage, initiate, lead and enhance. Wherever I’ve been, I’ve built teams who worked under those standards,” he said.

Aloia said he was looking forward to meet more of the community which Concord serves.

“I think it’s absolutely essential to integrate the community with the university, whether it is through cultural events, theatre, lectures or athletics, events were the community is actively involved. I think it’s very important that we work with the community, living in Athens, with Princeton a few miles down the road. I’m looking forward to meeting with the Athens Town Council and the other (community groups and governmental bodies),” he said.

Some students have been outspoken in favor of another presidential candidate, Dr. John David Smith, current vice president for student affairs. Aloia said he was eager to work with Smith.

“I’m sad that they were disappointed. Dr. Smith has done a fine job, and I look forward to working with him. He has a wonderful reputation on campus,” Aloia said.

He added, “My wife and I have seven children, three who are currently college students. So, I spend a lot of time with students. I’m committed not only to the quality of education, but the quality of life concerns of the students and am sensitive to the diversity of the student body. I’m very confident that I’ll be able to work with the students.”

Aloia has been involved in international programs for more than 20 years. He has lectured in Brazil, Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong and was named honorary dean of the college of education at Taegu University, South Korea. As graduate dean, he oversaw graduate and exchange programs in Mexico, Thailand, Korea, and China. Currently, the College of Education at FAU has made a strong effort to increase its involvement in international education. It hosted the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement in 2006 and has been active in South America, Malaysia, India, Russia, and the Netherlands.

Dr. Aloia has also served as a consultant to several state educational agencies and the federal government.

Throughout his career, Aloia has been an active researcher and writer. He has more than 65 publications, including a children's book entitled “The Legend of the Golden Straw.” He has presented more than 60 papers at international and national professional conferences and has been awarded multiple federal, state, and foundation grants during his career. He has also been an active fundraiser for his institutions generating several million dollars in pledges, matches, and donations.

He and his wife, Mary, a Montessori teacher, have been married for 33 years.

— Contact Jeff Harvey at jharvey1@frontiernet.net

        

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