Georgia college president tapped to lead Point Park University

Deb Erdley, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Apr. 12—Point Park University's board of trustees Monday announced the appointment of Donald J. Green as the school's eighth president.

Green, who is president of Georgia Highlands College, a multi-campus state college in the University System of Georgia, will take the helm at Point Park this summer, officials said. He succeeds Paul Hennigan, who has been with the university since 2000 and president since 2006.

In October, Hennigan announced his plans to retire this summer.

Trustees settled on Green following a national search that officials said attracted a number of well-qualified candidates.

"Among a group of highly qualified and diverse candidates, Dr. Green's commitment to educational excellence, diversity and fiscal responsibility stood out," said Joe Greco, chairman of the school's board of trustees. "His long career of university-level leadership and his ability to form strong internal and external partnerships will serve the Point Park University community well."

Officials said Green has a strong foundation in higher education leadership, including 13 years at a state university, six years at a private university and six more at a state college. Prior to Georgia Highlands College, Green spent 15 years in several leadership roles at Ferris State University in Michigan.

Officials at Georgia Highlands described Green's tenure there in glowing terms.

"President Green's outstanding work has emphasized student success both in the classroom and in the workforce, helping GHC expand its degree programs and carry out its mission as an access point to higher education," University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley said.

Green will inherit a dramatically different university than the one Hennigan joined two decades ago. Over the last 20 years, Hennigan — a former city of Pittsburgh finance director — oversaw the development of Point Park's Academic Village, a project that dramatically changed the face of the university's Downtown neighborhood.

This summer will inaugurate an era with two new leaders at the helm of the school. In June, Michael Soto will become provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. He joins Point Park from Trinity University in San Antonio.

The new leadership will inherit a school with a leaner faculty footprint, following the announcement earlier this year of the elimination of 17 full-time non-tenured positions at the end of this academic year.

Deb Erdley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Deb at 724-850-1209, derdley@triblive.com or via Twitter .