John Scott Colley: President 1998-2006
Dr. John Scott Colley became Berry College's seventh president in June 1998 and served for eight years.
Dr. Colley utilized a dynamic, collaborative leadership style to guide the college to success. Early in his presidency, he directed an extensive strategic planning process. Faculty, staff students, alumni board members and administrators worked together to create a 10-year plan that renewed the college's dedication to its mission even as it set forth new ways of accomplishing it.
He spent significant time and effort working to further strengthen and integrate Berry's “education of the head, heart and hands.” Accomplishments included the establishment of the Center for Teaching Excellence, Academic Support Center, Council on Student Scholarship and a rhetoric and writing program. Under his leadership, a new curriculum was developed for the Charter School of Education and Human Sciences, the opportunity for study abroad was emphasized, the Phi Kappa Phi honor society was established on campus and academically-linked student work was expanded through such initiatives as the Berry Information Technology Students (BITS) program and collaborative faculty/student research. Dr. Colley also oversaw the creation of the Bonner Center for Community Service and the implementation of many other service projects.
During his tenure, the student/faculty ratio decreased from 15:1 to approximately 13:1. Faculty members ratified a new constitution and a newly empowered Faculty Assembly and a new faculty sabbatical system. A departmental chair system was implemented, and the percentage of faculty members with tenure rose from 37.2 to 58.2.
During Dr. Colley's eight years as president, a new home for the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences was constructed, as was a 122-bed residence hall and a research dairy. The historic Ford complex was restored and the college's first Alumni Center was added. Renovation of the Krannert Student Center and the Charter School's Cook Building was achieved, and restoration of Green Hall for the Campbell School of Business was completed. A partnership with the WinShape Foundation resulted in a major conversion of the Normandy Barns complex into the WinShape Retreat Center. This adaptive reuse project saved the historic complex from a state of serious disrepair and brought such additional benefits as the renovation of the Gunby Equine Center to include a covered arena and creation of a paved walking and biking path between the main and mountain campuses.
Among Dr. Colley's greatest successes was the launch and completion of the $100 million Century Campaign, a fund-raising effort of unprecedented size and scope for the institution that provided funding for many of the critical college advances during his tenure. The majority of new buildings and renovations on campus were direct results of the campaign, which concluded with $107 million in gifts and pledges. In addition, the campaign funded the new Gloria Shatto Lectureship, enhanced international learning initiatives and funded a new scholarship program focused on beyond-the-curriculum learning opportunities. It also gave birth to the Campaign for The Cage, which grew into a separate initiative to provide funding for a $32.5 million student athletic and recreation center to be named in honor of Berry alumnus and trustee Steven J. Cage. Ground was broken for the facility shortly after Dr. Colley's retirement on June 30, 2006.