Dozens of people, including Athens State University professors, staff and community members, greeted the school’s 37th president Tuesday as part of a press conference at Founders Hall.

Dr. Philip K. Way was unanimously appointed Friday by the university’s board of trustees. In his remarks Tuesday, he explained nothing is broken and that he would simply be “adding another floor” to the house.

“Whatever we decide to do, we’ll move forward together and make sure all the stakeholders are involved in this process,” Way said.

The president’s position was previously held by Dr. Robert Glenn, who resigned last July to accept a position at the University of Texas-Victoria. Dr. Ronald Ingle was named interim president shortly after Glenn’s departure and will stay on at the school until Aug. 1.

Ronnie Chronister, chairman of the Athens State University board of trustees, said Way was “enthusiastically” recommended by an executive committee tasked with narrowing down four candidates to one.

Chronister said “a couple of things” set Way apart from the others, including his academic credentials, his understanding of business and how to tie the two together.

“The world is changing, and institutions of higher education are going through a lot of challenges right now,” Chronister said. “We felt like we needed a candidate who could not only help guide us through the threats that are out there, but one that could also loom for the opportunities in this changing environment.”

Chronister said he was also struck by Way’s interpersonal skills and empathy for people, which Chronister described as a “very critical skill.”

“Those are the things that made him jump out to us,” he said.

Experience

Way most recently served as interim president at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. He holds the following degrees: doctor of philosophy in industrial and business studies, master of arts in industrial relations from University of Warwick and bachelor of arts in economics from Selwyn College, Cambridge University.

During his remarks, Way said he was trained in economics, but he also had experience with human resources management.

“People matter a great deal to me. At the end of the day, it’s about people,” he said. “We’re in the business of transforming students and making them more prepared for a career and life. We’re also an organization filled with humans and employees. I want to make sure this is not only a great place to study, but also a great place to work.”

Chronister said Way’s experiences at other institutions prepared him for leadership at Athens State University, which caters to a mix of traditional and nontraditional students. He taught at the University of Cincinnati for 21 years, and half his teaching credits were in graduate studies.

“I would teach masters students in human resources and most of those would be in their 30s, 40s and 50s,” he said. “I’m committed to and used to teaching nontraditional students.”

He also worked as associate provost at the University of Alabama in Birmingham from 2006 and 2013 and visited Athens State as part of a workshop on online education.

“I spent a day here to see how you did it,” he said. “Some of the things I was shown at that time have been superseded by new technology, but nevertheless you’ve been true to your mission and you’ve continued to service adult students to the best of your abilities.”

Looking ahead

In discussing goals, Way pointed out state leaders have expressed a desire to see colleges increase their numbers of bachelor’s and master’s degrees by as much as 4% by 2025. He said he believes Athens State University is the type of institution that can deliver on that need and provide a trained workforce.

Way said the school needs to continue asking a host of questions, including what do employers need, what do students want and how can the school work with its own Alabama Center for the Arts to improve cultural offerings.

In discussing what he admired about Athens State, Way mentioned the school’s ability to help Alabama achieve workforce goals, the fact the school is doing it in a flexible way and the school’s relationship with the local community.

“I get a kick out of the tagline, ‘Your University, Your Way,’ because that says it all,” Way said. “It says whoever you are, whatever your constrains in life, we can find a way to educate you and you can graduate with a degree or certificate.”

Impressions of Athens

When asked about his impressions of Athens, Way said he hasn’t spent much time in the city. He’s familiar with the Huntsville area through previous work-related trips or sightseeing.

“My experience so far has been limited to the campus,” he said. “I look forward to living a couple hundred yards away and exploring Athens in more detail.”

He also introduced his wife, Cheryl, whom he said would be an active presence at the school.

“You’ll see a lot of her around campus,” he said.