There's no doubt officials with Mississippi State University got it right this time by hiring Jack E. Tucci as the new dean and executive director of MSU-Meridian.
Tucci was a finalist for the job a couple of years ago when Donna Clevinger was chosen. Clevinger's tenure was clouded by a poor faculty evaluation. In April, 74 percent of faculty who filled out an evaluation on administration gave Clevinger a vote of no confidence. In May, new MSU president Mark Keenum announced the university would search for a new dean with an increased role. The new position will function both as dean and executive director under an administrative structure that places an emphasis on community engagement, successful multi-faceted management experience, and academic excellence, Keenum said, adding that the expanding role of the Riley Center has added considerable new responsibilities to the dean's position.
Clevinger left the Meridian campus last week and will be teaching this semester in Starkville.
Instead of leaving the university two years ago when he was bypassed for the job, Tucci stuck around, continuing to lead the business division at the local branch. In addition to leading the business division since 2003, Tucci serves as regional director for the Technology Resources Institute and the Meridian campus' State of Mississippi technology initiatives. He is a doctoral graduate of the University of North Texas.
Aside from his lengthy credentials, Tucci has been a true friend of and a leader in the community. He has shown that he is willing to invest the time and energy to promote the 26-acre campus.
"I've been here going on seven years and it's amazing the number of people who live in Meridian who do not realize you can get a four-year degree here," Tucci said this week. "One of the things that we're really working hard toward is getting the message out that we're a university town and we need to recognize that."
We congratulate Tucci and MSU for a great choice. We welcome his increased presence in Meridian.
