Administrative Reactions to Presidential Nominee

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Dr. Samuel L. Stanley

By Michael Kelly

Earlier today, Stony Brook University announced that Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., the vice chancellor for research at Washington University in St. Louis, has been nominated to be the next president of the university. Members of the presidential search committee seemed excited about the prospect of Stanley taking control of the school.

"Everyone is very energized and excited that he will be taking office," said Richard Nasti, chairman of the presidential search committee. "The committee and council, and everyone who has met Dr. Stanley, is very excited about his appointment as president. He is a tremendous academic and a terrific leader."

Washington University in St. Louis has a renowned medical school that was recently ranked third among research-oriented schools in the 2010 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s "America’s Best Graduate Schools." The university has approximately 6,000 undergraduate students.

Those talked to today stressed that Stanley is hardworking, organized and not only interested in the sciences, though his academic and professional history is firmly grounded in research and medical work.

"When I first saw his application, I was a little worried," said Peter Manning, a search committee member and a professor in the English Department. Manning said he was concerned that Stanley came from such a heavy science background and worried that he woud neglect things like student life and what Manning referred to as his “side of campus.” But after talking with Stanley, Manning said he was won over by him.

"As we talked to him, it became evident to me that he was a man of wide culture," Manning said. He noted that Stanley remarked during his interview about having a great interest in Russian literature. "He’s not a one trick pony," Manning said.

Dr. Larry Shapiro, the Dean of the Washington School of Medicine in St. Louis, agreed with Manning’s assessment that there is more to Stanley than just science. Shapiro noted that the presidential nominee is a sportsman who regularly plays pickup basketball and is a big baseball fan.

"He’s an avid Cardinals fan," Shapiro said, referring to the St. Louis baseball club. "When I see him in a Mets hat, I’ll know he has completely crossed over."

Shapiro said that Stony Brook was fortunate to be getting Stanley to fill the void left by the outgoing president, Shirley Strum Kenny. He said Stanley has performed in his current role admirably, and that Stanely's a person he trusts a great deal.

"Dr. Stanley is first and foremost a person of very high integrity," Shapiro said. "We think you guys are very lucky to be getting him."

Manning appeared to agree with Shapiro's assessment, saying that he could tell Stanley was eager to accept the nomination to come to Stony Brook University. Manning said that the school hopes to bring Stanley to the university sometime in early May to meet with students and faculty alike.

Reporting contributed by Chris Hessel and Erin McKinley