Brogan promises 'incredible commitment'

He'll earn a doctorate, the lieutenant governor tells a panel interviewing FAU presidency finalists.

By ANITA KUMAR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 24, 2003

BOCA RATON -- Frank Brogan knows he isn't your typical university president candidate, and he's quick to point out why.

He doesn't have a doctorate and has never worked at a university. As Florida's lieutenant governor, he's considered more of a politician than an academician.

But he wants to be president of his alma mater, Florida Atlantic University, at a time when the national trend at universities is to hire presidents to act as chief executive officers of big businesses.

"It's not a traditional resume for a university president," Brogan said Thursday during his interview for the job. "I don't apologize for that."

Brogan was the first of five finalists to be interviewed Thursday and today at the school, which has seven campuses and 25,000 students. Each candidate was asked the same eight standard questions about his qualifications.

The 17-member presidential search committee will narrow the list of finalists to three today, and the FAU board of trustees expects to name a president next Friday.

"I want you to know that if I use the word "excited' over and over, it's not a cliche," Brogan said. "There is no other word to describe how I feel. . . . I'm humbled to even be considered."

If he is selected, Brogan will be the only Florida public university president with no doctorate and no college teaching experience. Some faculty members have expressed reservations about that. Brogan told committee members he intended to finish work on a doctorate. He spent 21/2 years working on the degree before stopping to become state education commissioner.

"It's still a lifetime professional goal of mine," he said.

Brogan shocked family and friends, including Gov. Jeb Bush, when he decided in December to apply for the job after trustees, alumni and faculty encouraged him to do so. He had declined similar invitations at Florida State University, the University of Florida and University of North Florida.

He told committee members Thursday he would stay as long as they wanted him.

"I hope that demonstrates to you the incredible commitment I have," he said. "I'm here because at this time, this place, this just seems right."

Brogan described his leadership style as "bold and decisive," saying he surrounds himself with good employees. He was a teacher, principal and Martin County school superintendent before he was elected education commissioner in 1994.

He said he wanted to increase research money, raise more private money, oversee growth and encourage more students to strive for graduate degrees. He also said he would cope with Bush's recommended cuts in university funding next year.

The other finalists are Thomas Hanley, engineering dean of the University of Louisville; Bruce Mallen, business dean of FAU; Stanley Fish, liberal arts and sciences dean of the University of Illinois at Chicago; and Gary Krahenbuhl, senior vice president of Arizona State University.

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