Dr. Myles Seghers excited about future of Our Lady of Holy Cross College

The Clarion Herald had a chance this morning to sit down for 30 minutes with Dr. Myles Seghers, the interim president of Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Here’s a short take on what he wants students to know about the transition that is now underway at the college.

Dr. Myles Seghers, a veteran of Catholic schools in the greater New Orleans area for more than 40 years, said he is excited about serving as interim president of Our Lady of Holy Cross College and working Dr. Patricia Prechter as the college’s new provost.

Prechter will serve as the chief academic officer of the college and as second in command to Seghers.

What would Seghers like students to know?

“I would like them to know that the college is in good hands with two people who are familiar with the administration of the college and who are dedicated to the mission of the Marianites and their success in meeting the needs of the students,” Seghers said.

“I would certainly want students to know they have nothing to be concerned about. We really believe we’ll be able to attract an exceptionally qualified candidate for the position (of president). We’ve always had a high level of interest from people wanting to come here as president of a Catholic college, and we think we’ll continue to draw interest in that regard.

“I really believe whoever becomes the new president down the road is going to be very well qualified, very talented. I think students will see a very, very smooth transition.

“I think the emphasis here is that Dr. Prechter and I both have a lot of administrative experience, both here and at other places. At one point, Dr. Prechter was the highest-ranking nurse in the National Guard in Louisiana. She has that administrative background as well as background in education. She’s a quality educator and a wonderful person.

“We’re going to work hard. One of the reasons I did this is because I do view this as a ministry. I love the college and I want to make sure the college is successful. I want people to know I’m willing to put in the time and effort for the college to be successful. I want them to know I’ll work as hard as I can for them and am willing to put the time and effort into it. And so is Dr. Prechter.”

Seghers said the Board of Regents is being reconstituted and will begin a search for a permanent president. The Marianites Corporation Board, which owns the school, will select the new president.

Seghers said he would be permitted to apply for the position, but he said “that’s not my intention at this point.”

“But I wasn’t told this is just an interim position and we don’t want you to move forward,” Seghers said. “It’s not something that I’m really considering right now. Before this happened, I was thinking that this would be my last year at the college, that I would retire from the college. Whether I moved on to something else or not, I was thinking this would be my last year. I’m still thinking in that way. We’ll just see.”

Seghers said he did not know the circumstances surrounding the departure of Holy Cross Father Anthony DeConciliis.

“He would have to address that,” Seghers said. “My sense is that with him stepping down, (the Marianites) felt it would be a good time to reorganize and restructure the relationship between the Marianites Corporation Board and the Board of Regents. In order to do that, they basically had to redo the board.”

Seghers said Father DeConciliis left the college in “pretty firm”  financial shape.

“The endowment has increased and the college isn’t in any debt,” Seghers said. “They have been operating that way all the way back when Father (Thomas) Chambers was president. That’s unusual for a higher ed institution not to have any indebtedness, and Father Anthony continued that. It’s a good foundation.”

Seghers said enrollment for the 2011-12 academic year is at 1,100 students, about 100 fewer than last year.