Converse Names Interim President

Dr. Thomas Joseph Reeves has been named Interim President at Converse College by the college’s Board of Trustees. He began his duties Jan. 10, 2005.

“Dr. Reeves has an outstanding background and brings excellent credentials and experience to the position,” said current Converse President Nancy Oliver Gray, who is leaving her post at the end of December to assume the presidency of Hollins University in Roanoke, Va.

The appointment marks a homecoming of sorts for Dr. Reeves. He served as a member of the Converse faculty from 1966-1985, first as Assistant Professor of Religion and the college’s Chaplain, then as Vice President for Student Affairs, and finally as Vice President for Planning and Development. He left the college in 1985 to serve as President of Hastings College in Hasting, Nebraska, an office he held for ten years. Following his tenure at Hastings College, Dr. Reeves served as Interim President at Presbyterian College (Clinton, S.C.).

“Converse College has always occupied a very special place in my heart because it is where I began my profession as an educator,” said Dr. Reeves.

According to Tom Hannah, Chairman of the Converse College Board of Trustees, the selection of Dr. Reeves as Interim President is particularly important because of his familiarity of Converse. “Dr. Reeves has a clear understanding of the mission of Converse, and brings a wealth of leadership experience to the college,” said Hannah.

During his tenure as President of Hastings College, Dr. Reeves developed and implemented numerous programs including the college’s first master degree program, oversaw a substantial increase in student enrollment, and tripled the college’s endowment. He was also elected to serve as chairman of the board of Nebraska Independent College Foundation, and chairman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Nebraska.

With Dr. Reeves in place as Interim President, the search for the ninth Converse College president continues. A search committee comprised of Converse trustees, faculty and administrators, and a representative of the Converse SGA is leading the search and has retained the services of Korn/Ferry International, the world’s largest executive search firm.