Carson-Newman University News Office
JEFFERSON CITY — Tennessee State Representative Harry Brooks of Knoxville, chair of the board of trustees of Carson-Newman University, has announced the formation of two separate search committees as the university seeks a new president following the retirement of President J. Randall O’Brien, who will conclude his 10-year service in December.
A Presidential Search Committee will be tasked with finding the institution’s 23rd president, while an Interim Presidential Search Committee will seek leadership for the office until a new president can be named.
Comprised of 13 members, the Presidential Search Committee represents a cross section of the C-N community, including trustees, faculty, staff and alumni, along with student and community representation. Board trustee David Ogle will serve as chair of the committee and lead the members in the university’s search.
The Interim Presidential Search Committee has seven members also with campus and board representation. It is chaired by trustee Jeanette Blazier of Kingsport.
The Presidential Search Committee incudes:
Brooks, trustee chair and vice chair of the search committee; Ogle, committee chair and member, of First Baptist Church, Gatlinburg; Khya Allen, president of the campus Baptist Collegiate Ministry, student representative; Bob Brown, executive director of Lakeway Christian Schools and member of First Baptist Church, Dandridge;
David Crutchley, professor and chair of C-N’s Religion Department and member of First Baptist Church, Dandridge; Sheryl Gray, university registrar, secretary of the Presidential Search Committee and member of Lakeshore Road Baptist Church; Tom Harmon, retired trustee and member of First Baptist Church, Dandridge; Janet Hayes, trustee, attorney and member of Lyons Creek Baptist Church, Strawberry Plains;
Caroline Keenan, assistant professor of chemistry and member of Faith Lutheran Church; Tori Knight, professor and chair of C-N’s Business Department and member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alcoa; Sterling Owen IV, retired alumnus and member of First Baptist Knoxville; Ted Russell, retired alumnus and member of Sevier Heights Baptist Church; Knoxville; and Richard Wallace, alumnus and attorney and member of First Baptist Church,Sevierville.
In addition to Blazier, former mayor of Kingsport and member of First Baptist Church, Kingsport, the Interim Presidential Search Committee includes:
Jeremy Buckner, Kitty Coffey and Angela Wood of the Carson Newman faculty and trustees Bob Gay II, Jack Owenby and Hong Tjoa.
