Tim Keane Selected After Nationwide Search
Webster University selected Tim Keane, PhD, to serve as its next Chancellor, effective Aug. 1. A search committee, comprised of Webster trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students, selected Keane after a nationwide search.
Transcript
[Music]
[Footage of Webster University sign and of Webster students wearing graduation attire, celebrating commencement]
Text on screen: Sumit Verma – Chair, Board of Trustees
Sumit Verma: Hello, Webster Community. It is my pleasure to welcome Doctor Tim Keane as our next chancellor.
[Photo of Chancellor Tim Keane Smiling]
I would like to thank our selection committee led by Gay Burns, who did a very thorough review of all the candidates and selecting Tim.
Text on screen: Gay Burns – Vice Chair, Board of Trustees & Search Committee Lead – Webster MBA, ’94
Gay Burns: In the beginning, the Board of Trustees wanted to ensure we had representatives from all of our stakeholder groups: our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, as well as trustees.
Text on screen: University Representation: Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, Donors, Trustees
One of the things that amazed me is how we could be so diverse in the groups that we represent, and yet we all were very similar in how we saw our candidates.
Verma: Tim stood out from all the candidates because of his unique blend of experience both in the private sector, as well as in academia.
[Footage of students in Webster’s audio production studio, a professor teaching and online class to business graduate students, students walking into the East Academic Building at sunset]
Burns: He spoke about the business model of Webster University and that we had the opportunity to continue to build this global presence. And he seemed to understand the impact people in Saint Louis want to have on the world.
[Footage of a professor teaching students in a biology lab; Webster’s various global campuses, including Webster Tashkent, Geneva, Leiden and Vienna; a banner that reads “Global Citizenship”]
Verma: We are very fortunate that we have some of the best staff, faculty and leadership that are helping strengthen that student experience here.
[Footage of various students and faculty interacting, teaching and learning]
Verma: Our financial well-being and the growth trajectory we have with the international and domestic enrollment is an area we will see Tim further fortify in the upcoming years.
Text on screen: John Nickel – Incoming Chair, Board of Trustees – Webster BA, ’75
John Nickel: Tim has a long history of being able to build relationships with donors, alumni, and other influential community leaders. Tim is a native Saint Louisan who is looking forward to returning to his hometown and making a big impact on Webster University.
[Drone footage of St. Louis skyline, Busch Stadium, and Webster University’s main campus in Webster Groves]
Text on screen: Tim Keane, PhD – Chancellor, Webster University
Tim Keane: Well, I'm very excited to be here at Webster. This is home for me in Saint Louis. I grew up with Webster. It's an iconic institution.
[Drone footage of Webster Hall]
[Footage of several nations’ flags hanging from the ceiling in the University Center; student walking up an outdoor stairway with a banner in the foreground that reads “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion;” panelists on stage in Browning Hall Auditorium during Webster’s Annual DEI Conference]
Nobody has the global footprint that Webster does. The diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that Webster has embarked upon are phenomenal. That is a stake in the ground, it’s what we believe in.
[Footage of a Professor talking one-on-one with a student, students smiling and walking down a hallway, an instructor teaching an online class, Nurse Anesthesia students performing a simulated medical procedure, an exercise science student walking on a specialty treadmill while a professor speaks with her, a student working with the large LED wall in Webster’s film program]
Keane: I think the people are probably the biggest asset for Webster. You have people that are intrinsically connected, people who have gone through a lot together, who are innovative, who come up with new programs when the market tells them they need to, and so this is just a wonderful opportunity, and I'm excited to be part of.
[Footage of students walking in Webster’s quad]
What I hope to do in, let’s say, the first 100 days her at Webster is really get to know people. I'd be out just introducing myself, meeting people where they are, asking them for ideas, including them in all of what we decide to do moving forward, and learn from everyone.
[Footage of students collaborating in Sverdrup Hall, a music student playing saxophone, two international students from Uzbekistan sitting outside of Emerson Library, several student athletes laughing and having fun on campus, student laughing with group of friends at a table, an instructor having a discussion with students in class]
Keane: I hope that we can together grow Webster to new heights. The innovation that we all share is going to be critical in the future. So, thank you to everybody. I'm excited to be here at Webster.
[Footage of women’s soccer team celebrating on the field, a basketball player jumping over opponents to score]
Nickel: When you have the opportunity and when you see Tim, please give him a warm Gorlok welcome.
Burns: I am so looking forward to having Tim on this team leading Webster University into the future.
[Drone footage of a plaza on Webster’s main campus that shows the Gateway Arch overlayed with a world map]
Verma: Webster's future is really bright. We are very fortunate to have Tim, and I can't wait for him to join our community. After all, Tim, you are now a Gorlok!
[Photo of Chancellor Tim Keane smiling and standing next to Webster’s mascot, the Gorlok]
Text on screen: Welcome Chancellor Tim Keane, PhD
A St. Louis native, Keane has decades of experience in the private sector and academia. Most recently, Keane served as the dean of the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego.
Announcements have been sent to students, faculty, staff, alumni and other Webster community members.
Webster University Chancellor Search Committee
- Gay Burns, MBA ’94 – Co-Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; Search Committee Lead
- Mike Claiborne – Board Trustee
- Nathan Coleman, BA ’17, BM ’17, MM ’20 – Webster Staff Alliance Chair; Coordinator, Office of the Dean, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts; Adjunct Faculty
- Alicia Elsner – Board Trustee
- Rayna Friedman, BA ’23, MBA ’26 – President, Student Government Association
- Laura Herring, BA ’70 – Former Board Trustee
- Stuart Chapman Hill, PhD – Associate Professor of Music; Director of Music Education, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts; Vice President, Faculty Senate
- Michael R. Hulsizer, PhD – Dean, College of Science and Health
- Daniel Lisella, BS ’04 – President, Alumni Board of Directors
- Greg Malone, MA ’19 – Chief Information Officer; Adjunct Faculty
- Lisa Melandri – Board Trustee
- John Nickel BA, ’75 – Board Trustee
- Julie “J.P.” Palmer, PhD – Professor of Management, George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology; President, Faculty Senate
- Atul Sharma – Board Trustee
- Charles Stucke – Board Trustee
Webster University Chancellor Search Updates
The following message was posted in the Webster Today newsletter and sent to faculty and staff on Feb. 10 on behalf of Gay Burns, who is leading the search committee:
Thank you to the 800-plus individuals who participated in the needs survey regarding the Chancellor responsibilities and capabilities. The search committee has finalized the job profile, identifying the highest priority needs, and it is posted on the University's website. The search is currently underway, and the committee looks forward to providing an update on the progress in a few weeks. If you would like to nominate someone for this opportunity, please send submissions to webster@russellreynolds.com.
The following message from the search committee leader, Gay Burns, has been shared with Webster University faculty, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders:
Thank you to the over 800 people who participated in the January survey that asked about the needs and expectations for the next Webster University Chancellor. The findings from the survey were combined with in-person feedback from faculty, staff, students, alumni and trustees from domestic and international campuses.
The feedback was used to develop the job description and will be used to assess candidates. The search committee is pleased with the interest shown in the opportunity by talented candidates from a variety of backgrounds. The committee will begin the interviewing phase of the search in the spring with the goal of announcing the Chancellor by this summer.
I am also pleased to share with you that the top 5-7 responses to the survey questions were quite consistent among our stakeholder groups when asked the following three questions:
- What do you see as the top priorities for the next Chancellor?
- Articulate a vision and strategy for the University’s future.
- Secure the University’s financial strength and future.
- Recruit, develop and retain talented faculty and staff.
- Improve the University’s reputation and rankings – regionally, nationally and internationally.
- Enhance the student experience and enrollment.
- What do you see as the most important experience candidates must have?
- Ability to successfully collaborate with faculty and staff.
- Managing a complex organization with some experience turning around organizations.
- Higher education leadership. (The source of this leadership was not deemed as critical if other capabilities exist and the candidates have a strong understanding of higher education.)
- Financial acumen.
- International experience and global mindset.
- What are the most important qualities for the next Chancellor to demonstrate?
- Transparent, approachable, collaborative, consultative and thoughtful leader. Humble servant-leader. High emotional intelligence.
- Highest integrity and strong moral compass.
- Visionary and strategic leadership.
- Stellar communication skills, including writing, public speaking, critical feedback and active listening.
- Financial management acumen.
Again, thank you to everyone who met to provide feedback or participated in our stakeholder survey. Your input will make a difference in our pursuit to select the best candidate to lead Webster University.
Gay Burns
Webster Board Trustee Co-Vice Chair and Search Committee Leader
The following message was sent to Webster faculty and staff via email:
Dear Webster Community Members,
The Search Committee has continued to narrow candidates for the Chancellor position
at Webster University. The committee has been impressed with the capabilities of the
candidates we have interviewed. Our plan is still proceeding to be able to gain acceptance
by the most qualified candidate, positioning us to have a new Chancellor in place
for the start of the Fall semester.
The committee gathered input from students, staff, faculty and community members through
a survey that was sent in January. Those responses were helpful as the committee determined
the top qualifications, which are detailed on the University website.
Sincerely,
Gay Burns
Co-Vice Chair, Board of Trustees and Search Committee Lead
The following email was sent to faculty, staff and students on July 2:
To the Webster community,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is my pleasure to announce that we have hired Dr. Timothy Keane, the current dean of the Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego (USD), as the next chancellor. Tim is a St. Louis native with decades of experience in both private enterprise and academia and holds a long list of impressive accomplishments in both realms. He will assume his new role on Aug. 1.
During Tim’s accomplished academic career, he has raised millions in donations for several universities, established numerous academic projects that are still creating amazing results, and attracted significant support from the community. In private enterprise, his accomplishments are equally significant. He founded several business units that improved the way companies worked, revolutionized how businesses market to niche markets, and founded his own company that attracted the attention of Fortune 500 clientele.
And he once was a professional soccer player, which demonstrates the sense of teamwork and camaraderie in him that is clear the moment you meet him. He is the right person to lead Webster into the future.
Look for this afternoon’s Webster Today and Webster’s online newsroom (news.webster.edu) to read a more comprehensive story about Tim. In the weeks after he takes the office, we anticipate he will work to hold meetings with students, faculty and staff so that they can get to know him personally and also share their thoughts and opinions about the University. In his interactions with Webster’s faculty and staff during the search process, Tim has expressed how impressed he is with the Webster community and the amazing accomplishments achieved over the years. He is eager to work closely with everyone to deliver a timely and thoughtful financial turnaround, building upon Webster’s foundation, successes and recent enrollment momentum.
In the interim between Dr. Beth Stroble’s last day as chancellor on June 30 and Tim coming on board on Aug. 1, I will act as interim chancellor on an unpaid basis.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank Trustee Gay Burns for overseeing the search process, as well as the students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community who sacrificed a great deal of their personal time to help review all of the applicants for the position and for pointing the board to Tim. The entire Board is grateful that President Julian Schuster has been here to lead the teams in growing our enrollment and addressing financial strategies that put us in a much better financial position today. We look forward to his continued leadership.
Additionally, we would like to thank Beth for her many years of service and accomplishments at Webster, and we wish her the best in her retirement.
Sincerely,
Sumit Verma
Chair
Webster University Board of Trustees