Gray to stay at PSU
Dr. Gregory Gray enjoyed his five years at the helm of Penn State Fayette so much that he could not leave. “Basically, the closer it came for me to leave, the less I wanted to leave. I called the university last week to make sure I could stay, and they obliged me,” he said.
Gray, executive officer at the local Penn State campus, planned to leave at the end of August to become president of the International Academy of Design and Technology in Pittsburgh, a division of the Chicago-based Career Education Corp.
Penn State Commonwealth College Dean Diane M. Disney announced Tuesday morning that the university called off the search for Gray’s replacement because Gray had decided to remain on the job.
“Dr. Gray was both happy and productive in his five years as Fayette’s CEO, but his record made him attractive to other institutions in search of leadership. One of them made him an offer that he believed he could not refuse, so he made plans to leave us at the end of this month. However, after serious reflection, he has realized that his heart really belongs with the Fayette community,” Disney said in a prepared statement.
The university had launched a search, placing an announcement in university and national publications for applicants and nominees, and set a Sept. 15 notification deadline. University officials got to work to put together a search and screen committee that was set to meet in mid-September. They also named Sandra Gleason, associate dean of faculty and research for the Commonwealth College, as interim CEO.
Disney, in her comments on Gray’s reversed decision, observed that Gray repeatedly has said, “Fayette offers the best undergraduate education in the state.” She said Gray has pledged to keep the campus moving forward for many years to come.
“While such a change of mind is unusual, it is not unprecedented,” Disney said. “We are simply pleased that Dr. Gray will now be able to build on the legacy he has created.”
Gray said he is a Penn State alumnus and always had great affection for the university.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1970, his master’s degree in business from the University of Pittsburgh in 1973 and his doctorate in vocational education from Penn State in 1977.
Gray said he had good years with Penn State and simply wanted to stay.
“My 10 best friends asked me why I was leaving, and I didn’t have a good answer,” he said.
As for the future, Gray said he would like to continue what he has started. He listed among recent initiatives the campus’ new associate degree in nanofabrication manufacturing technology, growth in the administration of justice program and planning for new classrooms. He said the campus also is experiencing enrollment gains.
“In my first five years, we just scratched the surface. We are poised to do some great things,” he said.
Gray said he had not yet closed the door to his Penn State Fayette office when he decided to stay.
“I am back to work. Actually, I never left. I had a few vacation days, but I’m back,” he said.